Eighteen

Chapter 34

"Move there in London? How...? When...? Wait. Tito has not mentioned anything about that matter," I spoke to the person on the other line.

Tita Celestia, who would only call on special holidays—especially our birthdays—was younger than Mom by a year, and they looked ridiculously alike as the lilt in their voice. Kaya akala ko na siya si Mommy kanina dahil kaboses na kaboses niya.

Years ago, when I was just in my mother's womb, she eloped with her now husband. Mama Celestina did not approve of their marriage because the man was not of Filipino heritage and was also not living in the same country as ours. Mama—rather the whole family—believed that people of one blood should stick together.

Hindi ko masisisi kung nasakal ng patakaran na iyon si Tita Celestia. At least now, she was happy with a family of two children. Despite that, she had kept in touch with Mommy. They had been close before and until now. Sila lang kasi ang magkapatid. But It had been years since I had last seen her face-to-face.

Since she was on the topic about moving to London, and supposedly, Tito Serio knew about this, then she must have been in contact with the family. But why would she be the one to tell me that when it was supposed to be Mom?

In the first place, did Mom have any idea about what was happening here currently? I would not want that, probably. It would only add up to the load of her stress. She was already vulnerable as it was. Hindi ko pa rin siya nakakausap.

She was expecting Kuya there, and now that something else had happened... Well, I could not even imagine her knowing the situation here; it would break me. To think about it, moving to London would not be as bad. Mas malapit ako kay Mommy; mas mababantayan ko siya roon hanggang sa makapagtapos ako.

"Your tito must have been busy, then. Incidentally, how have you been, darling? I miss you so. I'm not rushing you with immigrating here. I just wanna let you know that it's your call. If you don't want to, I'll still be here for you, okay? Pero kung gusto mo rito, I have my arms wide open for you."

"I am not well, Tita," I said honestly. I was too tired to even expound my emotions. "About this London, I am not sure yet. But I think I cannot leave, not until I have settled my accounts here. I cannot burden Tito Serio with another load of responsibilities that is not his."

"If you're thinking of pushing away your uncle's help, think again. He's doing this not only for your sake but for his, too. Take this as a way of quenching his wayward emotions right now. I must tell you, hija, Serio is a man who loves his family to a degree that is inconceivable. Don't worry about the burden; it's his choice."

Kinumusta niya ako at pinahayag ang pangungulila niya sa amin. May ilan pang beses na nahuli ko ang tono niyang pumiyok. She was suppressing her voice from giving away as we talked over the phone. After talking with her, I feel reassured.

Naligo ako at naghanda ng pagkain sa kusina. Hindi pa rin gising si Anais. Tingin ko ay pinagpuyatan niya iyong binasa niya kahapon. I cooked eggs and bacons for breakfast. Nilapag ko ang mga iyon kasama ng kanin sa island counter kung saan kami kumakain tuwing umaga.

Palabas na ako ng kusina nang nakarinig ako ng kaluskos mula sa pintuan papasok sa condo. I did not have the chance to check the person standing by the door outside as it opened before I could decide to check it out or hide.

Nanigas ako sa kinatatayuan ko nang nakita ko sa bukana si tita Rosalie. She was looking down as she removed her heels and propped it over the wall behind the door. Not knowing what to do—torn between running fast inside the kitchen and waiting for her to look up—her eyes caught me in the foyer. I was wearing an apron and a spatula in one hand. And I was so sure I looked like a damned housewife.