It was about 1030 in the morning when Tessa walked into her room, ready to draw a bath. She just concluded her morning run around the estate. The skies were overcast but thankfully it did not rain.
As she walked in, she saw her mother seated on her bed.
“Morning, day. Nagabot na gyd tawn ta.” (Good morning, Tessa. Finally caught you.) Her mother greeted.
Tessa ran to hug her mother. “Morning, ma. Naa lagi ka?” (Good morning, mom. What are you doing here?)
“I missed you, day. Pila na ta ka adlaw wala magkita.” (I missed you. I haven’t seen you in days!)
“Sorry, ma. Nabusy ko sa mga trainees. Kadlawn nako mauli, tulog na ka. Inig mata sa buntag, nakalakaw naka.” (I’m sorry, mom. The trainees have been keeping me busy. I come home late which means you’re already asleep. When I wake up in the morning, you’ve already left for work.)
Michelle nodded in agreement. “Ani gyd ni ato kinabuhi, day. (This is how life is.) We work so hard not only for us but most especially for others.”
“It’s a small price to pay for all these blessings we’ve been given, ma."
“I’m glad you understand that.”
“Of course, ma.”
The mother and daughter hugged each other tightly. “So, your Appa tells me he set you up on a date.”
Tessa rolled her eyes as she sat beside her mother on the bed. “He did, ma. Tag-an pa ko kabalo ka ato!” (Yes, he did mom. I knew you were aware of it!)
“How are things going with Hoshi?” Michelle watched as her daughter’s face lit up with a smile.
“Well…. He dropped me off last night.”
Michelle nodded and listened to her daughter attentively, gently urging her to continue.
“Ambot, ma. Weird man kaayo. Una si Kuya Hwan naay gisulti nya later that day, si Kuya Hyun napud.” (I don’t know, mom. It was so weird. First, Kuya Hwan said something and then later that day, Kuya Hyun said the exact same thing.)
“Unsa man?” (What was it?)
“I think he can take care of you.”
Michelle’s brow furrowed. “Murag naa na silay nahibawan, day.” (Sounds like they both know something.)
“Di ba, ma? Feeling nako kabalo sila kay si Hoshi nananghid naman nga manguyab!” (Right, mom? I feel like they both know something because Hoshi already asked for my permission to court me.)
Michelle let out an excited scream. “Hala day, mao????” (Oh wow, dear! Really?)
Tessa nodded in excitement.
“Tanaw nimo, nananghid si Hoshi sa imo mga kuya?” (Do you think Hoshi asked for your brothers’ permission?)
“Oo, ma.” (Yes, mom.) Tessa looked at her mom. “Kabantay ko nga worried kaayo to sya about nila Kuya at first. Dli guro to sya maglakas loob musulti nako ato if wala sya nakig istorya nila Kuya.” (I noticed that he was worried about my brothers at first. He may not have had the courage to tell me about his intentions if he hadn’t talked to them first.)
“Ka-exciting ba ani, day!” (How exciting is this?) Michelle squealed. “Gi-kilig lagi ko ay!” (I have the feels!)
Tessa lay down on her mom’s lap. “Do you think I should pursue this, ma?”
Michelle played with her daughter’s damp hair. “Day, ikaw ra gyd ang makatubag ana. (Dear, only you can decide on that.) Whatever we all feel towards this man, what’s important is that you know we will never abandon you. As long as he makes you happy and treats you right, we’re all going to support you 100%”
