Captures of Perfect Timing (The Art of Life #1: Life Version)

02.25.20 - Baring Souls

Akala ko noon na kaya late umuuwi si mommy madalas ay dahil nag-o-overtime siya at sobrang busy sa work. May iba palang dahilan.

"Mommy, sino 'yun?" Mula sa bintana ay nilipat ko ang tingin kay mommy na kakapasok lang ng bahay.

Mayroon kasi ulit nakasunod sa kaniyang sasakyan tapos bumusina sa bahay bago umandar paalis.

"Huh? I... I don't know," ani mommy at dumiretso na sa taas. Kunot noo akong naiwan sa sala.

I saw the car again the next days. Sometimes, mommy would come home late but I would still wait to check if the same car would be there again. At andoon nga palagi, ngayon ay hindi na bumubusina. Parang hinahatid lang siya dahil hindi naman pumapasok sa loob ng bahay.

"Mommy, alam ko namang kilala mo 'yun eh... Nakita kita kinawayan mo 'yung sasakyan bago umalis nung isang araw... Bakit hindi mo iniinvite dito sa loob?" I asked after seeing the car for the fifth time.

"Bakit? You want to meet him?"

"Him?" panghuhuli ko.

"I'll..." She watched my reaction.

"You can invite him, mi."

She stared at me momentarily before nodding and going back to the room. 

The next day, mommy introduced me to a tall guy dressed too formal.

Sinundan ko ng tingin ang lalaki habang papasok ng bahay. He was wearing a formal attire at pormal na pormal din ang galaw but despite that, I still noticed his uneasiness.

"Si Avien, anak ko," pagpapakilala sa 'kin ni mommy.

The guy smiled at me and reached out his hand. "Ah... Ako si Daniel. Your mom's boy—" Napatingin ako kay mommy nang sikuhin niya si Daniel. "K-Kaibigan ng mommy mo."

Tinignan ko ang kamay niya at saglit na nakipagkamayan. "Avien."

"Hello, Avien."

"Hello." I creased my forehead and tilted my head as I tried to scrutinize him. He swallowed hard and then glanced at mommy, as if asking for help. Mommy then introduced him to lola. 

Throughout the whole dinner, I was just silently observing the two. Si lola ang tanong nang tanong ng kung ano kay Daniel. 

I found out that he was still young. 28, a young bachelor. Six years ang gap nila ni mommy. Hindi raw siya rito naka-reside at may inaasikaso lang sa business.

"Mommy, kailan mo siya nameet?" tanong ko kay mommy pag-alis ni Daniel.

"Nine years ago?"

"Ohh... How long have you been together?"

Natigilan si mommy sa paglock ng pinto at lumingon sa 'kin. "Wala akong sinabing—"

"Sasabihin niya sana kanina, boyfriend mo siya."

Mommy sighed heavily and sat beside me after locking the door.

"Four years," she answered.

I was taken aback. "Four years! Bakit hindi ko alam?" I shifted from my seat. Grabe! Tinago niya sa 'kin nang gano'n katagal?!

"I don't want to introduce to you someone I am not sure about," aniya. "At... naghihintay lang ako ng tamang timing..."

"You kept it from me for that long..."

She heaved a sigh. "Our relationship wasn't stable during the first two years. Naging maayos nung third year pero sumabay naman 'yung nangyari sa 'yo... so... ngayon lang talaga nagkaroon ng chance..."