Chapter LIV: The House of Memories
Meric's house in Caluipat continues to evolve little by little. Years of sacrifice, sleepless nights, budgeting, compromises, arguments, and perseverance are finally beginning to reveal something tangible. Both floors are now tiled. The once rough concrete surfaces are covered with clean flooring. The walls are finished. The rooms finally resemble a home instead of a construction site.
Yet despite all the improvements, one thing is still missing, and that is the balcony. There is still no terrace overlooking the road, yet only rebars extending from the house. Whenever Ben stands near the upstairs windows during the early morning, he often imagines what it would have looked like if a balcony existed there. He pictures himself sitting quietly while watering the plants while watching the sunset over the bamboo grooves in front of them.
Still, even without it, the house feels alive, especially because of the plants. Placed on top of a wooden platform on the exposed rebars, dozens of potted plants now occupy the space above the store. Unbeknownst to most, Mark is responsible for most of them. Every week, he adds something new like herbs, vegetables, flowering plants, cacti, and vines through online via his mom or through local. Ben helps him carry pots, mix soil, and arrange everything neatly. The two spend countless afternoons together tending to the growing collection.
One afternoon, Ben wipes sweat from his forehead while transferring soil into a larger pot.
"You know," he says with a smile, "your grandmother would have loved this."
Mark looks at the rows of plants.
"I know, Dad"
Ben chuckles.
"Actually, she would probably criticize how I arranged them."
Mark laughs.
"She definitely would."
Just beside them, unseen by mortal eyes, Mercy watches quietly. The sight warms her heart. Years ago, she and Ben spent many afternoons gardening together. Back then, the garden was different. Vegetables grew directly from the soil, flowers surrounded the pathways, Burnays turned upside down as pot-stand, fruit-bearing plants occupied the corners of the yard, and especially Mercy's Kalachuchi, Yellow Bell, White Angel, and Asparagus.
However, everything now grows in pots. It's a different setup, yet the same love present. Mercy smiles. The bond between her grandson and son-in-law reminds her of those old days.
For a brief moment, even as a spirit, she feels something resembling peace. Just as she blinks, another familiar presence appears beside her, yet not a spirit. It's Phil, the dog whom Meric recently got from Jing as an advanced Christmas present back then in early December 2022. The sight of another loved one nearby makes Mercy smile even more.
"Things are changing," Phil says.
Mercy nods.
"They always do."
Downstairs, life continues. The Bensmert Store has become far more than a neighborhood convenience store. Meric has expanded its services significantly. People now visit not only to buy snacks and household goods. They also come to pay bills, transfer money, process transactions, and use the Bayad Center services. The small store has become one of the most important establishments in their area. Many residents no longer need to travel all the way to Hermosa for basic transactions.
One busy afternoon, customers continuously enter and leave. Meric barely has time to sit as receipts pile up, and payments come one after another. Her phone suddenly rings. She glances at the screen and it's Helen, Jing's younger sister. Meric answers immediately.
"Hello?"
For several seconds, she listens, then her eyes widen. The color drains from her face.
"What?"
Her voice trembles.
"What do you mean?"
Ben notices instantly.
"What's wrong?"
Meric slowly lowers the phone. She looks completely stunned, and silence fills the room, even the sounds from the store seem distant.
Far beyond the living world, another conversation explodes. Inside a beautiful version of the Banggai House which is like restored, elegant, untouched by decay, the departed members of the family sit together. This is no memory nor dream yet this is Heaven. The living room is bright, the furniture appears new, and the wood shines. The atmosphere feels peaceful, until now.
"SOLD?!"
Tory nearly stands from her chair. Her voice echoes throughout the room. Melo quickly raises both hands.
"Easy, easy. Kalma, Tory. (Calm down, Tory.)"
"SOLD?!" Tory repeats.
"He sold the house?!"
Lucio rubs his forehead.
"Nang, we all knew he was capable of it."
Restituto sighs deeply.
"Anyan nga kabsat etan? (What a brother?)"
Balbino shakes his head.
"One heck of a brother indeed."
Escolastica looks disappointed.
"There goes the restoration plan. Too bad our children, grandchildren, nephews, and nieces can get in touch if Junior's dirty hands is on that house."
Lucio closes his eyes as years ago he had envisioned transforming the house into a museum. It would have been a memorial, a legacy, and something future generations could treasure. Now that dream appears dead. Mercy folds her arms.
"One of our children could have inherited that house, yet Junior hid everything."
Melo groans.
"Deedy Greedy indeed, that brother of yours is. In fact, he is not even your brother anymore if he hadn't changed his name back to Junior""
Everyone looks at him. Melo points toward the ceiling.
"That's his new name."
A few laughs emerge, even Tory cannot help it.
"Mercy, you were closed to him right?", Escolastica asks.
"Haan met ah Manang, sa lang umasi-asideg kaniak didiay nga baklan nu kasla maaw-awanan ti kwarta nga itin tu pay ti punto kasla agpalpalimos tu kaniakon. (Not so, Sister, that gay only gets close to me if he is like losing money and to the point that he would be begging like a beggar to me.)"
Then Tory immediately becomes serious again.
"We know that ever since Melo died and I would to die next, and Junior's instant name return. By the way, to whom the house was sold again?"
Mercy answers.
"A businessman from Nayisingal."
Several facepalms occur simultaneously. Lucio leans backward.
"I don't know whether to laugh or cry."
Back in the world of the living, the outrage spreads among relatives. Phone calls travel from household to household. Cousins discuss the issue. Aunts discuss the issue, and everyone seems shocked. Yet nobody knows the full truth. Junior has always been unpredictable. Sometimes his stories are true, sometimes they are exaggerated, and sometimes nobody can tell the difference.
Meanwhile, back in Heaven, Melo suddenly sighs.
"At least they don't know."
Mercy raises an eyebrow.
"Know what, Nang?"
"Diay abot. (The hole). The WWII hole."
Everyone turns toward him.
"The what?"
Tory immediately covers her face.
"Oh dear."
Now everyone is curious. Lucio leans forward.
"There is a hole?"
Restituto blinks.
"There is a hole?"
Escolastica stares.
"There is a hole?"
Melo smiles mischievously.
"A very interesting plot-hole this is."
Before anyone can ask further, he changes the subject. The others groan in frustration.
Back on Earth, another chapter unfolds. Elric meets with Jonn one afternoon, and the demolition of the old Caluipat house has become inevitable. Termites have weakened the structure, age has caught up with it, and repairs would cost too much. The decision is painful but necessary. Elric stands beside the aging structure.
"You know," he says quietly, "I've been thinking."
Jonn waits.
"My share." (Elric)
"What about it?" (Jonn)
Elric looks at him.
"You can have it."
Jonn blinks.
"What?"
"I mean it.", Elric points toward the property.
"You and Papang need a place that is not falling apart."
Jonn remains silent, and Elric continues.
"Build your house there."
A long pause follows. Finally Jonn nods.
"Thanks, Manong. (Brother.)"
After several weeks, the demolition begins shortly afterward. Every falling board feels like a memory disappearing, and every removed window carries history. Furniture gets distributed. The jade-cushioned sala set purchased years ago by Mercy goes to Elric, and the old rice dispenser goes too. The petite grandfather clock with its swinging pendulum follows. Capiz windows, Jalousie windows, and various furnishings, get all transported to Elric's recently acquired farm near the municipal jail.
As the demolition progresses, Jonn and Rico temporarily move into Meric's house. Space becomes limited inside the house. Jonn occupies the family room, and Rico occupies the living room.
At first everyone tries their best to adjust, but problems gradually emerge. The aftermath of Typhoon Goring still lingers in Rico's mind. One afternoon he begins complaining again.
"If the house wasn't elevated like that—"
Ben immediately realizes where the conversation is heading, and Meric closes her eyes., "Not again"
Rico continues.
"The flooding would've been different."
Ben takes a deep breath.
"Pang, the elevation protected the new house."
Rico shakes his head stubbornly. The argument continues, not because of facts but because pride refuses to surrender.
Mercy watches nearby, and he sighs. "Daytoy ti ibagbagak idi, Mayyang. (This is what I've been telling you back then, Mayyang.) An-anusan yo ni Papang yo. (Be patient with your father.)"
Unfortunately, matters worsen. Rico becomes increasingly possessive about certain belongings. All of his tools, equipment, storage areas, and even simple organizational decisions. The house becomes crowded and stress accumulates.
Ben tries his best to remain patient. Meric tries her best to remain calm. Jonn avoids unnecessary conflicts. But eventually tensions reach a breaking point.
One afternoon Rico becomes unusually angry. Nobody fully understands why but perhaps frustration, jealousy, and pride, all in there. His irritation becomes directed toward Ben. The atmosphere grows very uncomfortable. Finally Ben decides enough is enough.
"Let's go out."
Meric looks at him.
"Where?"
"Anywhere."
Mark immediately stands. The three leave the house, and they head toward Guardino Arcade near Ben's workplace. The simple lunch becomes a temporary escape.
For a while they forget the arguments, tension, and frustration. They simply eat together like a true family as they always have. Ben watches Mark laugh over a joke. Meric finally smiles again. And for a brief moment everything feels normal.
Hours later they return home, and a different atmosphere awaits them. Elric has arrived and he has already spoken with Rico. Nobody knows exactly what was said, but something clearly changed. Rico approaches slowly. His pride visibly battles against his conscience. Finally he speaks.
"I'm sorry for earlier."
Silence follows as Ben blinks, Meric looks surprised, and even Mark appears shocked. Rico rarely apologizes yet now he does. His voice sounds genuine.
"I shouldn't have acted that way."
Ben nods quietly.
"It's alright, Pang"
Rico lowers his head.
For a moment, the tension dissolves. Not permanently nor completely but enough for peace to return. That night the house grows quiet. Mark waters the plants upstairs, Ben organizes some materials, Jonn prepares for another duty, Meric closes the store, and Rico sits alone in the living room watching television. He thinks, reflects, and remembers.
Outside, the evening breeze moves gently through the neighborhood. The new house stands proudly beside the remains of the old. One symbolizes the future, and the other symbolizes the past.
Both are connected by the people who call them home. Above them, Mercy watches everything. All the conflicts, reconciliations, growth, struggles, and love. Nothing is perfect and ever will be.
But despite everything, her family continues moving forward and perhaps that is enough, and perhaps that is exactly what she has always wanted. A family that keeps going, survives, and remembers.
And as the lights of Caluipat slowly illuminate the night, Mercy smiles softly. The house may change, generations may change, and the world may too.
But love remains, and for now, that is more than enough.