Mommy at Eighteen (COMPLETED)

SEVENTY-FIVE

Mommy at Eighteen
By: Jlessbiiiiim

"Thanks, Darwin. You sure you don't want to go inside," sabi ko kay Darwin nang mai-park niya ang sasakyan sa labas ng gate ng bahay.

He just shook his head. "Hindi na. You need some time with your family. My job here is done," ngumiti siya.

"What job?" I asked, confused.

"As a friend."

"Thanks again, Darwin. Una na ako," sambit ko saka lumabas ng kotse niya. 

Hinintay ko muna siyang maka-alis bago ako pumasok ng bahay.

Sa living area ay naabotan ko ang buong pamilya ko. Si Daddy at Mommy ay naka-upo sa mahabang couch, si Kuya Sam ay nakasandal sa gilid ng single couch habang nakakrus ang mga braso, samantalang si Kuya Sic ay nakatayo sa harap ng sliding window at nakatingin sa labas.

Soon as they saw me, agad silang napalapit sa akin. Si Kuya Sam na hindi sumama sa party ay niyakap ako. I always find his warm embrace comforting.

"Where have you been?" asked Kuya Sam, worried. "We've been calling you but your phone is off."

"I'm sorry, guys," I said in a low voice.

Narinig kong napahinga ng malalim si Mommy saka sinabing, "Come here." She spread her arms and hugged me. 

Suddenly, my tears started falling until I ended up sobbing. Mother's embrace really is powerful. I thought I was fine already, na hindi na ako iiyak pa sa harap nila pero I was wrong. I am crying like there's no tomorrow. Indeed, mother's embrace can bring out all the pain that you're trying to hide.

"M-mommy..." sambit ko sa paggitan ng hikbi. I could hardly breath.

Mommy hushed me while gently stroking my hair. "It's okay. It's okay, Baby. Mommy is here. Shhh," malumanay na sambit ni Mommy.

Nararamdaman ko rin ang marahang paghimas ng isa sa mga Kuya ko sa aking likod. While Daddy is wiping my tears. Everyone is with me at the moment, they're showing their love for me. And I am thankful kasi nandito silang lahat, wala pa man silang naririnig mula sa akin ay pinapagaan na nila ang loob ko. 

"Don't think too much about it, the DNA result haven't come out yet," sambit ni Kuya Sic mayamaya.

Napatingin ako sa kanilang lahat nang may pangamba. "What if the result is positive?"

"Simple," sambit ni Mommy. "I'll take you away from him. You and Zaiah will live a new life in Switzerland."

"What? Mommy, I can't live in Switzerland, neither Zaiah," maagap kong pagtanggi.

"In South Korea, then. I will ask Dale to help you buy a place to stay. Mas mabuti na kung do'n kayo kasi you've been there and I have my sister to look after you."

"Mommy. We cannot live in South Korea either, or anywhere in the world."

"Why?"

"Because..." napatigil ako sa aking sasabihin saka napayuko. "Because it will never be the same without Kenzie. I don't want to live anywhere in the world unless I'm with him."

"You love him that much?" 

"Yes, Mommy. During those times when I was raising my daughter alone, he secretly made a way to help me even though he knew I didn't know him at that time. During those times I was just a nobody at the school I now own, he noticed me. Maliban kina Aling Ester who considered me a family, he was the first person to accept my daughter. Kahit na kakikilala pa lang niya sa anak ko, he saved my daughter's life and loved her as his own. He was by my side, secretly, when I needed someone to lean on."