When Everything Fails (De Chavez #2)

CHAPTER TWENTY-TWO

CHAPTER TWENTY-TWO

MAMA, WHY are you here?" My sleepy groggy voice resonated in darkness of my room. The faint light that comes from the lampshade on my nightstand seeped through the entire room, coloring half part of my mother's sullen face.

She was holding a backpack— which was odd since it was late in the evening and I could feel the cool wisp of the wind slipping from the little space of the ajar door to the balcony. With the soft tug of the wind, the sheer curtain that draped over the glass wall danced in a swift motion. The faint silver light from the moon poured down, giving a sliver of silver across the room. As I transferred back my eyes to my Mother, my chest constricted painfully as I gasped to breathe in.

Despite the darkness percolated, I could see the glisten of her eyes. I was totally confused. Why she was crying? Did I do something wrong? I just celebrated my 7th birthday and I was certain I hadn't done anything to humiliate our family. Did I flop to my performance yesterday? It was just a little mistake, besides it wasn't a contest, it was just a performance. However, knowing my mother, she was a perfectionist and didn't want any mistake in my performance, per se. I swallowed the bile in my throat. The conclusion I formed in my head was not fit for the expression she was sporting.

Her hand hovered up until it land on my cheek. Her touch was soft and soothing. The effect of her touch zapped down my chest, placating the roaring confusion in my body. She caressed my cheek as if she was so fond of my them like this was the last night she can hold me like this. I closed my eyes as I let myself sag into the comfort of her touch. I loved my Mother. She can easily tame any emotions lingering in my body. If I was confused, she enlightened me. If I was sad, she always came with the idea of telling me funny stories. If I was angry because of a flop performance, she'll urge me to do better and tell everyone had a rocky road to pass and that was mine. I was dependent on her presence; I was too comfortable wallowing beside her.

"Happy birthday, baby..." She whispered through the darkness.

"Tapos na birthday ko ma," I informed her. I glimpsed at my digital clock and it was already 12:21 a.m. So technically, my birthday had passed.

I could see how the side of her lips curled to a rueful smile, "I still want to greet you happy birthday, my Alessandra."

Despite the confusion curled in my throat, I tried to pull up the side of my lips to smile. I tried to peek at the backpack on her back. Assuming that a gift was in there. I knew that I'd received plenty of birthday gifts from my parents but I was assuming that I'll be getting a last-minute gift from my Mother. What would that be? Excitement curled at the pit of my stomach but my mother immediately cupped my face to look at her face. The smile my excitement created did not falter as I stared at my mother.

"Alessandra, listen to me..." She whispered. I didn't know what the tone of her voice was. She sounded glum.

"Where is papa, ma?" I whispered, glimpsing at her back.

"Alessandra, baby, listen to me..." She caught my attention, "Please always remember that I love you, alright? Mama loves you forever, my Alessandra."

I nodded. The smile on my face was slowly fading, "I love you too, mama."

She smiled and a lone tear escaped her left eye, "We tend to do a decision for our growth. Even it's hard, even it kills you. When the place you are at suffocates you, leave and find a place for your comfort... to not die in suffocation."

"Mom, what do you mean?"

Hindi siya nagsalita at agad akong niyakap nang mahigpit. The hug was so tight and reassuring. I was confused about what this was all about.