Taste of Life

Epilogue (2)

"I told you, you can go home now." Mom's being her usual self. Pinipilit nanaman akong umuwi.

"I don't want to go home yet." I firmly said.

"Bakit? Ang tanda na namin ng Dad mo. Please spend some time with us." Here she goes again.

"Okay. I'll come back for Christmas." I answered and I saw how she smiled. Nako talaga.

"Promise?" She asked

"Yes Ma!"

"Your Dad pala said na he'll name the Grid after you na daw. He wants to retire na. Since you graduated naman na daw, it's time for you to handle all the businesses." I rolled my eyes. I already received an email na few months ago pa pinangalan sakin yung The Grid.

"Anak, no one's disappointed sayo. To be honest, they are all happy na you followed what you truly want."

"I know that."

"Ay anak, Father Jeff is a little weak na pala. Your Dad and I sent donations na. You should go visit him while he has time."

I just nodded. I also heard that from other seminarians. Father Jeff and I are still close even after what happened.

"Book a flight na kasi. I want to print a tarpaulin outside our gate that says that you graduated in NYU." Ako lang ba or Mom's growing a little makulit.

"Where's Dad?"

"On his yacht."

"You mean our yacht?"

"Yeah. Andon lang siya fishing with your Titos."

I chuckled. Kaya pala kinukulit niya ko, siya lang at ang helper sa bahay. I started telling story about my office here in New York. She looks so happy for me.

I quit the seminary right after my heart operation. I didn't come home to the Philippines after. I stayed here in New York and shoot my shot in NYU. I finished Business studies last year. I worked immediately after that.

I really wanted to have a good experience before coming home. I am also taking my masterals now and will finish this coming December. That's why I told Mom I can only promise Christmas.

"Eli topped the boards last PLE." Mom suddenly brought up. I paused upon hearing her name.

"Good for her." I smiled.

"I really wanted to tell her you quit seminary."

"Ma."

"I know we talked about this. Pero the girl is still single. Buti sana kung may fiancé na o kaya jowa."

"Mom, let her be."

"Anak, just try to reconnect. She's your best friend. Deserve niya naman siguro kahit konting life update. I feel like hindi nagsisimba yung tao kasi natatakot na ikaw ang nagmimisa sa pupuntahan niya." I laughed at that. Dad and Mom are always saying na if naging pari ako, baka tawanan nila ko during misa. How mean.

I just nodded and when it's time to go back to work ay nagpaalam na rin ako kay Mom. We just do FaceTime everyday. Ganon rin si Atsi. Actually, mas madalas ko pang kausap si Margarette kesa kay Ate. Kasi naiirita lang siya pag kausap ko siya. I told her kasi na bigyan na ng kapatid si Margarette. The kid will turn seven in a few months na rin. She needs to experience having a cute sibling. But Ate always say na ako nalang daw manganak. As if I can.

I head back to the office and finish my works. Maya-maya my boss went to me.

"You're from the PH right?" He asked.