The Playing Coach's Manager (Redo)

Chapter Sixty Nine

[Marie]

???

"Adi?" Tanong ko.

Naningkit mga mata niya, "really now?"

????

Her voice isn't Adi's. Plus, mas matanda sa amin ang boses niya. And what the fuck? She looks like my mom. Kitang-kita ko dahil hawak hawak ko tong wedding album nila ni Daddy.

"Mom?" Tanong ko.

"Finally!" She said, smiling.

Napakurap ako ng maraming beses at saka ako napahawak sa mga sentido ko.

That's it. Seseryosohin ko na sinabi ni Adi sa akin. I need to take care of my health.

I am going nuts.

"Marie," sabi niya.

Sinarado ko yung album at binalik sa drawer at saka ako naglakad papalabas ng kwarto ni Daddy. Baka kailangan ko ng sariwang hangin dahil nasisiraan na ako.

"Hey, where you goin'?!" Sigaw niya.

"Okay, I know you're not real and I am going crazy. And I am getting crazier because I am actually responding to an imaginary mom-image my brain made. So please? Let me have some fresh air because I am really... like really... scared right now," I said.

"Oh now, young lady! This is the first time you're gonna talk to your mom and you're gonna leave? Good gracious!"

Nilingon ko siya. "DUDE, PLEASE. I JUST WANT TO--"

Tapos... nakaramdam ako ng kamay sa palad ko. She held my hand so I wouldn't be going.

Natigilan ako.

Her palm is warm.

And upon feeling that too, napalunok ako.

'Di ko alam kung nababaliw na nga ba ako or I am seeing my mom's ghost. I don't know. Tangina.

"Can I have a moment, Marie?"

There, mas lalo kong nakita ng malapitan ang mukha niya. She's really beautiful. Kamukhang kamukha namin siya ni Adi except for she's more mature looking.

She... she really is my mom.

"Mom-"

"The one and only," she said confidently.

Napatango ako.

Mamamatay na ba ko?

"Are you here to get me?" Tanong ko.

Agad na nagtama kilay niya at saka napakamot sa ulo, "you just called me mom and now you're thinking that I'll escort you to the another life? Goodness me, Marie. No!"

"I-I am... confused," sabi ko.

"Listen to me, I am your mom and I don't have any plans on taking anyone. In fact, I am here because I escorted someone back," then she looked at my dad na nakahiga pa rin.

Nanalaki mga mata ko.

"It was a short stay but I value it very much. I value it as much as I value this moment with you, my child."

Hindi ako makasagot.

Hinawi niya ang buhok ko. "I just want you to know that I am always proud of you, Marie. I am happy that I have such a lovely pair of twins."