SELENE [BOOK 2]

CHAPTER 1

"Mom?" Napatingin ako sa labas ng kwarto kong bukas nang marinig ko ang boses ng panganay ko.

"I'll hang up, Solane's here," paalam ko sa kabilang linya.

"Okay, don't forget to drink your medicine." Bilin ng nasa kabilang linya.

"Yeah, bye." Pinatay ko na ang tawag. I fixed my robe and walked towards my daughter and smiled at her.

"Yes anak?" malambing kong untag sa anak. Niyakap ako nito kaya napatawa ako. I caressed her hair gently.

Lumapit ito sa akin. "Mom," tawag nito na parang may sasabihin pero nag-aalinlangan.

"Hmmm?" I hummed.

"Nag-aya po kasi ng sleep over iyong isang friend ko sa Saturday. Payag po ba kayo? Kung ayaw niyo naman po, hindi naman ako sasama sa kanila," paalam nito sa akin.

I chuckled. Kaya naman pala. "Anak, hindi naman kita pagbabawalan kung maayos kang magpapaalam sa akin. Papayagan kita. Just give me their names, their phone numbers, and their addresses. Para hindi ako mag-alala," aniya ko sa anak.

She nodded at me. "Yes po, thank you, Mom!" matamis na ngiting wika nito.

Inangat nito ang ulo niya sa akin.

Hinaplos ko ang pisngi niya. "They seem nice. I want to meet them. You look happy with them," I softly said.

"Sure, Mom." Nakangiting sagot nito. "I'm sure you'll love them!" dadag nito.

I can't wait to meet them.

"It's already late. Go to your room. You have class tomorrow." Hinalikan ko ang noo nito.

"Okay po. Goodnight, love you!"

"Goodnight too, my love," I lovingly said.

I watched her happily walk out of the room. I'm very happy that she's happy. She's already seventeen years old. She's turning eighteen this year. As much as possible. I want her to just enjoy her youth.

I want her to know what it feels like to be a teenager. I don't want her to be ignorant and envy her friends just because I am too strict with her. I want her to have no regrets when she grows up. As long as hindi naman nakakasama ito sa kanya at nagpapaalam siya sa akin.

I trust my daughter. I know she knows her limits.

Ayaw ko silang paghigpitan at pagkaitang maging masaya. I don't want them to be like me. Friendless. Lumaking walang magandang memorya ng kabataan ko. Hindi nagawa ang mga gusto.

I don't want to be like my parents, who manipulated and controlled my life before. I know what it feels like to be controlled by your parents.

Nakakasal. Nakakapagod. Nakakawalang gana sa lahat ng bagay.

It's like my inner child heals every time I see my children happy now. I love seeing them do what they love and what makes them happy.

One thing I always remind my children to be always honest with me in exchange of their freedom to do whatever they want.

Ayaw ko naman dahil sa pagiging strikto ko ay mag rebelde sila sa akin. Hindi ko siguro kakayanin iyon pag nangyari iyon.

Lucas and Solane are my blessings in life. They're the most wonderful thing in my life that I didn't regret having. They brought light into my life when I was really down. Sila ang dahilan bakit ako lumalaban. Sila ang naging lakas ko noong mga panahong hinang-hina at sukong-suko na ako.

At first, I really didn't want to be a mother because I wasn't yet ready to be one because of my condition. I'm still suffering from my trauma. Hindi naging madali sa akin ang mga pinagdaanan ko noon. Being a mother was really unexpected for me. After what I've gone through. I even tried to get rid of my son, Lucas, before, which is one of the things that I regret so much.