Villa Martinez Series #4: So It's You

Chapter Twenty-two

Chapter Twenty-two

love myself

Mommy hastily went to me as soon as I arrived in our house. Bumaling ako kay Ryder na bumaba rin sa sasakyan to shortly greet my mother. Pinuna rin siya ni mommy. Pero masyado nang abala sa akin si mommy who was hugging me and checking everything about me. Lumabas din ng bahay si Sandro. Tinapunan ko siya ng matalim na tingin nang makitang nandito lang naman pala siya sa bahay. Bakit hindi nalang siya ang sumundo sa akin? Bakit kailangan niya pang iasa sa iba...

Nakangisi lang siyang sinalubong ang matalim kong tingin sa kaniya. "Ate, welcome home! How was the flight?"

I rolled my eyes at my brother. Nagyaya na rin si mommy na pumasok na kami sa loob.

"Kuya," Sandro called Ryder.

Bumaling ako sa dalawa at nakitang mukhang babalik na si Ryder sa sasakyan niya. Hinintay din ako ni mommy. Until the atmosphere between us four became a little bit awkward. I looked away and headed straight inside our home. Pinuna ko nalang ang konting mga pagbabago sa interior ng bahay namin.

"Nagpa-renovate po kayo, Mommy?" I asked mommy to divert my attention from what just happened a while ago when Ryder fetched me at the airport and brought me here straight.

Mommy smiled happily as she nodded her head at me. "Yes! Do you like it, hija? I also made some changes in your bedroom, I hope you don't mind. I just want you to rest in a better room when you arrive."

I smiled and appreciated my mom's efforts. "I don't mind at all, Mommy. Thank you, po."

Ngumiti sa akin si mommy pero may namuo ring kaonting luha sa mga mata niya. The sight tugged my heart. "H-Hija," bahagyang nanginig ang boses ni mommy. "How was everything for the past two years that you stayed abroad? Did you enjoyed Europe?!" mommy made her voice sound enthusiastic.

Ngumiti nalang din ako. And then I nodded my head. "Yes, Mommy... I enjoyed and explored a lot of new things while I was away..."

Mommy eagerly nodded at my response. "That's good to hear, hija! I'm happy about it! I'm happy!" And then she held my hand again. " Many times... for the past two years, I have tried to go to you. But your father insisted that we let you be..." may kalungkutan sa mga mata ni mommy.

I shook my head. "I was all fine when I was away, Mom. I really loved everything that had happened to me to those foreign places for the past years... And, I'm here now, Mommy." I smiled to reassure her.

Ngumiti na rin si mommy kahit may guhit pa rin ng kalungkutan sa mukha niya. "I missed you, hija." she told me sincerely."

Ngumiti pa ako lalo. Halos hindi na kami matapos tapos sa kumustahan sa isa't isa. "I missed you too, Mom." ngiti ko.

"Oh! Halika na nga muna at naghanda ako ng pagkain para sa 'yo. Kumain ka muna bago ka tuluyang magpahinga at baka gutom ka pa from your long flight." giniya na rin ako ni mommy sa dining. "You already know that your Mom isn't really a good cook, but I tried cooking all the food you like with the help of Manang and our other maids."

I smiled at her enthusiasm. I really appreciate my mother's efforts. This is already more than enough for me. "Thank you, Mom." I was really grateful.

Bumaling sa akin si mommy at ngumiti. "Anything for you, anak."

Ako naman ang nakaramdam ng pang-iinit ng mga mata. My relationship with my family became really better. After all the years before that I spent on trying to confront both my parents and even my brother for our family's situation then wasn't put to waste. I now strongly believe that a better communication can also lead to a better relationships...