"Congratulations... anak!" It was my real mom. Ngumiti ako at saka nagpasalamat bago lumapit kay Kuya Dave para yakapin siya.
My biological mom, was diagnosed with stage 3 breast cancer. Fortunately, she had given the chance to live longer. It's been a year now but she's still breathing. As of now, we are casual to each other. I can't call her mom yet because it was too awkward to me but I am always making sure to attend and invite her with special occasions.
We're doing fine.
And we are getting okay everyday.
We're trying our very best to work it out.
"Congratulations." Kuya whispered and kissed me on the top of my head.
Days went on. Today, finally I finished medical school already. During my last year, I had to quit my job to attend clerkship in the same hospital. I was used in the emergency room because I was always there but it still feels different transferring from department to department.
I became even more busy.
Si Pau, ganoon din.
He had to stay out for days for events and tours. For the last 3 months, they have been in different countries for their concert so we had no chance to meet. Unfortunately, bukas pa siya uuwi so he couldn't attend my graduation. Not that I can take him though. For sure, it will cause a ruckus if he was seen here. After ng away namin noon, we made an effort to always be sensitive and considerate to each other. Kapag may problema, we are trying to talk it out first.
Relationships are hard, but it can always be worked out.
"Congratulations sis!" Ate Demi exclaimed and offered me a hug. She's 6 months pregnant now but she's still here to greet me. Actually, dad's family is complete as we are headed to a party for a grand celebration. Ayaw ko noon pero wala akong nagawa.
Isa-isa silang bumati including Ashley on the side. Then, Shana came mula pa sa training center. Adi's also present. Of course, because Kuya is here. Then we headed to the event hall where dad's closest conglomerates were waiting. As usual, I was too exhausted to even care. But Kuya knows me well. He kept me company until he invited me to go to a club together with Adi and the rest of swimming team during our batch. I was too wasted so Kuya took me home.
Pagkapasok ko sa bahay, hindi ko na nagawang maglinis. Dumiretso na lang ako sa couch at natulog.
"Fuck alcohol." Bulong ko habang nakasubsub sa toilet bowl. When I woke up, dito ako agad dumiretso sa sobrang sama ng pakiramdam ng tiyan ko.
I was on that situation when I suddenly felt a caress on the back. It was Pau trying to fix my hair in a ponytail. "Love!" I exclaimed and hugged him tight. "Kailan ka pa dumating?" Tanong ko at saka siya tinitigan sa mukha. Making sure that it was really him and not anyone else. Or baka imagination ko lang dahil sa hangover.
"I missed you." Bulong ko at saka pilit isiniksik ang sarili ko sa dibdib niya. That's when I realized that I wasn't imagining.
"Okay ka lang?" Tanong niya sa akin. He sounded really worried. I nodded ny head in between our hugs. He just tapped my back before I fell asleep again in his arms.
Hapon na nang magising ako ulit. The skies are orange and I can see the flying birds from the opened glass wall beside me. Nang umikot ako ay saka ko lang nakita si Paulo na natutulog din sa tabi ko. I was using his biceps as my pillow while his left arms were wrapped around me. My lips automatically formed a smile as I gave him a soft kiss on his lips that made him slightly open his eyes. He smiled back when our eyes met.
