Professor Series 1: Clifford

Kabanata 13

Kabanata 13

France.

"HEY, France!" she called to her son. He turned to her and happily ran toward her. When she got closer, she kissed and hugged him. She had just arrived home from work, and her son was the first one to greet her.

"Where's your yaya, kiddo?" she asked. He pointed to the kitchen with his little nose. She saw Betty coming out of the kitchen.

"Good evening, Ate," Betty greeted. She smiled back.

"Good evening, Betty," she replied. "Have you eaten?" she asked.

"Ah, not yet," Betty answered. Her son then spoke.

"Momma, where did you come from?" he asked.

She kissed the tip of his nose and smiled. "Your momma came from work," she replied, showering him with more kisses.

"Momma, I'm so hungry!" he exclaimed.

"Oh, kiddo, okay, we'll go out to eat, alright?" she said, and he jumped for joy. She smiled warmly at him.

"Okay, Momma!" he responded excitedly.

"Betty, we're going out to eat. You take care of things here, alright? Eat too and start cooking something," she called out to Betty while walking out.

"Okay, Ate," Betty replied.

She lifted her son into the car and walked to the other side to buckle him in. She smiled as she drove, happy that she was finally spending time with him after being away for work. Yesterday, she had been in Baguio and had left him with Betty. She had met Betty at the hospital when she was admitted. The reason she was in the hospital was still unclear, but she was shocked when the doctor told her she was pregnant - with twins. Unfortunately, one of the twins, Frince, passed away.

She cried when she learned that one of her babies had died. The doctor also told her she had amnesia and could only remember a few things. The injury to her head caused by the impact on the rocks was severe, and there was even a possibility she might lose her sanity from it.

The blow to her head caused such a huge impact that she couldn't even remember who she was or where she came from. Thankfully, she could remember her name, but she still couldn't recall where she lived or who her friends were. She didn't even remember the father of her child.

Betty helped her after she was found by the river. Once she recovered, she started studying modular courses to finish her education and get a job. After completing her studies, she quickly found work and was able to buy a house for herself and her son. She then offered Betty a job as her son's nanny.

Her son, France C. Salvador, was now four years old. He was the only child she remembered. She also had a son, Frince C. Salvador, who would have been four years old if he had survived. Unfortunately, God took him from her. Frince was positioned on her left side during pregnancy, and if only France had been on that side, both children might have survived.

"Labas na, anak," she happily instructed him as she opened the car door.

"Okay po, Momma," he replied, jumping out of the car. She warned him to be careful and not trip on the street.

"France, behave. You might get hurt," she called out.

"Sorry, Momma," he said, quickly straightening up after seeing her angry expression. She smiled, reached for his hand, and led him into the restaurant.

"Momma, I want one slice of cake," he said eagerly.

"Okay, one slice of cake, please," she ordered from the waiter.

"Just one?" the waiter asked, pen and paper ready.

"Yes, just coffee for me. I only brought my son here since he said he's hungry," she explained as the waiter wrote it down and nodded before leaving.

"Momma, are you done eating?" her son asked.

She smiled, tucking a strand of his hair behind his ear. "Yes, baby. Momma is done eating," she said and kissed him again.

The waiter arrived with their food and placed it on the table. She thanked him. She looked at her son and smiled as she noticed how eager he was to eat.

"Go, baby. Eat now," she said, watching him hungrily eye his food. She couldn't help but smile, thinking how much she missed Frince - how he would have been just like France if he were alive.

"Momma, don't look at me while I'm eating! I can't focus!" her son complained with his mouth full.

"I'm not looking at you, sweetheart," she said, smiling.

"Yes, you are!" he pouted, and she giggled.

"Just eat, you'll choke!" she teased, messing with his hair.

"Don't mess with my hair, Momma," he said, irritated, brushing his hair away from his face.

"You know, baby, you're so cute when I'm annoying you," she teased.

"Ayoko na!" he pouted and let go of the spoon.

"France?" she called, giving him a warning look. He quickly grabbed the spoon again and started eating. Seeing her scowl, he became afraid of getting in trouble.

She sipped her coffee when her bag started ringing. She opened it and saw her phone buzzing. She answered immediately.

"Yeah? This is Professor Rian," she said.

"Oh, Rian! Professor Xhing wants you to come to our room tomorrow. He has something to announce," the person on the other line said. Professor Xhing was the brother of the caller. The X in their names was because they were both born in China, evident from their almond-shaped eyes.

"Okay, got it," she replied, then hung up and sipped her coffee.

"Momma," her son called, and she turned to him.

She noticed a woman sitting across from them who looked familiar. She kept staring, wondering where she had seen her before. The woman had a child about the same height as France. They were laughing and playing together.

Where was the child's father? Why was she alone?

The woman caught her staring, and their eyes met. The woman stopped smiling and continued staring.

This woman was so familiar.

Their eyes stayed locked until her son called her.

"Momma?"

"Hmm?" she answered, snapping out of her thoughts.

"Saan ka nakatingin? Kanina ka pa nakatingin sa babaeng may anak," her son pointed out.

"Oh, nothing," she said, but she couldn't help glancing back at the woman. She caught her still looking at their table.

"Momma, look! Isn't she the one in the picture?" France asked, pointing at her.

"Yeah, baby. Let's go say hi," she said, picking up France and walking toward the woman.

"Hi, Rian?" the woman waved at her. "Long time no see! Why haven't you been in touch?" she asked, leaving Rian speechless.

"Huh?" she responded, confused.

"Don't you recognize me?" the woman asked.

"Who are you?" Rian asked, frowning as she struggled to remember.

"It's me, Aillyn, Rian," the woman said.

Rian froze, staring at her. Her mind was a blur.

Who was this woman?