Way Back Home

38

After their birthday, I was more aware and careful of my kids. To the point that I was planning to have them a nanny. I admit that I was at fault, resulting in my sleepless nights.

"Mama, why are you crying po?" I panicked and wiped my tears before I faced my daughter, Adi.

"Why are you awake, anak?" I asked her instead.

She was scrunching her nose and sounded sleepy.

"I heard you po sobbing. You've been like that since our birthday."

I sighed and decided to hug her. "Mama is like having a hard time to sleep that is why I am crying. You should go back to sleep or else you will be sleepy for the whole day tomorrow."

"Okay po, I'll sleep na. I love you, po."

The next days were a lot better. Though it became a lot hectic since the Christmas holidays are fast approaching. I feel sorry for the kids that they are feeling tired sometimes because of the photoshoot but they never give me headaches. That is why I am free our Saturday to stay at home and order their favorites.

"Yay!" They both exclaimed as they saw me bringing food.

They ran the space between us and helped me bring the food to the living room. The TV is already prepared as well as our drinks. They are both smiling since yesterday when I surprised them with this bonding.

The three of us settle on the couch with a bucket of popcorns in our arms. They are both silent, eyes focused on the screen. Afraid that they might miss a second from the show.

We are all focused on the show when my phone rang at the center table. I immediately paused the movie, making the both of them groan.

"Sorry," I said with a gritted smile.

I stand up and picked up my phone. At first, I was hesitant to answer it because it was not registered. But then I realized that it was a phone call from the Philippines so I answered it the second time my phone rang.

"Hello, this is Avabella Minoza, what can I do for you?" I said as soon as I answered the call.

I felt quite nervous when the other line went silent. "Hello?"

I heard a sniffling sound. "Bella, si Uncle Greg mo 'to."

Nanlaki ang mata ko. "Uncle, napatawag ka po?" I asked.

We communicate through the internet so he does need to call me using my number, so that is a bit odd.

"Hindi kasi kita ma contact sa internet." His voice fades in the end.

"Uh, nanonood po kasi kami ng palabas ng kambal. Kaya naka-off po ang internet sa cellphone ko. May nangyari po ba?"

I heard him sniff again until it turn into a sob. "Uncle?" May halong kaba at pag-aalala ang tono ng aking boses.

Kahit naka-konekta pa sa tawag ay agad kong binuksan ang aking internet at sunod sunod ang paglabas ng mga mensahe doon galing sa kanya.

Nanginginig ang ma kamay ko at labi habang paisa-isang binasa ang kanyang mga mensahe. Hanggang sa nag-uunahan na ang mga luha kong tumutulo sa aking mga mata.

"Uncle!" I cried in grief.

"Bella," nanginginig at umiiyak niyag tugon.

"How did that happen?" nauutal ko pang tanong at naramdaman ang pagtabi sa akin ng kambal.

"Mama, what happened po?"

I heard my daughter asks me in a soft voice. I turned to face her and hugged them tightly with the phone on my ears.