ET2: Through The Storm

Chapter 53

Crystal Dwight's POV

"Ma, I'm back!" saad ko pagpasok ko ng bahay. Hinubad ko ang suot kong sapatos saka nagpalit ng tsinelas.

"Akala ko kasama mo ang mga ka-trabaho mong mag-l-lunch, 'nak?" my mama asked.

"The son of one of my colleagues is celebrating his 7th birthday. They went there."

"Hindi ka sumama sa kanila?"

"They invited me but I declined. I don't want to come unprepared. Wala akong ni isang regalo na maibibigay and visitors need to come in costume."

"It's alright if you don't want to come," she replied. "Sandali lang at hindi pa ako nakakapagluto. Akala ko kasi ay hindi ka uuwi. Hindi ka naman kasi nagsabi."

I smiled and stood up from my seat. "Tulungan na po kita, ma."

"Ikaw na ang maghiwa nitong manok."

"Ma, pwede pong makahingi ng parte nitong manok. I want fried chicken."

"Ikaw bahala, 'nak. Prituhan mo na rin ako, 'yung maliit lang."

Masaya akong tumugon. "Sure, ma."

I helped my mother prepare our lunch and we were happily chatting. This simple moment with my mother made me happiest. When we were cooking together, I felt so warm.

Nang maluto na ang ulam namin ay agad na naming inihanda ang mesa. I prepared the plates, fork and spoons. My mother prepared the water and glasses.

"Ma, wala po tayong ketchup?"

"Ay, oo nga pala. I used it all last night. Bili ka muna doon sa labas."

"Sige po, ma. I reached for my shoulder bag and looked for my wallet.

"Before I forget, I'll share some of our dishes with our new neighbor."

"May bago po tayong kapit-bahay?"

"Oo. Kakalipat lang nila noong isang linggo. Kaka-alis mo lang noon patungo sa ibang bansa. Hahatian ko na sila. Mag-isa lang tuwing araw 'yung Lola, eh. Wala siyang kasama. Gabi pa uuwi 'yung anak niya."

"Lalaki po ang anak niya, ma?"

"Ay, Dwight. Bakit mo naman natanong? You-"

"Ma! What's with that look? I wasn't thinking anything," I defended myself while she was putting the soup in the tupperware.

"Did I say you are thinking anything?" she fought back with a sarcastic smile.

"Ma!"

"What?"

"You are teasing me, aren't you?"

"Hindi, ah! Tara na nga. Sabay na tayo lumabas. "

My mother and I went out together. We separated our ways later on. She went right where our neighbor lives while I went to the other way to buy things that I needed.

After paying for my purchased things, I bid goodbye to Aling Dorya. I am quite close with her. Palagi kasi akong bumibili sa kanila. Matagal na siya sa pwesto niyang ito kaya naman sa paglipas ng taon, may improvement na ang kaniyang store. It become a mini grocery now.

I was excited to go back but what welcomed me put me in horror. Nabitawan ko ang mga pinamili ko at napatakbo sa direksiyon kung saan nakahandusay si mama. There was a man beside her and it turned out to be Ryle.

"Ma!" Tila huminto sa pag-ikot ang mundo ko. How come my mother is lying here unconscious? And the blood flowing down her wounded head, this is terrible. "Ma!" I cried my heart out!