The Sweetest Thing

Mother and Son

Jeonghan came closer to the woman and gave her a hug, which got them both surprised. He guessed it was instinct that made him do it. After hearing the whole conversation which appears to be her husband, or rather ex-husband, he felt this mother needs to be comforted. Base sa mga luha na bumuhos sa mga mata ng inang yakap niya ngayon, ang tanging naisip niya lang na magpapakalma sa kanya ay yakap ng isang anak - tulad ng ginagawa niya sa kanyang sariling mama. Jeonghan hugged this mother like his own and stayed there for about five minutes until she calmed herself down.

"Thank you, anak. You didn't have to do this. You weren't supposed to see me like this," ang sunod-sunod na sinabi ng babae habang pinupunasan niya ang kanyang luha.
"It's okay, po. I'm sorry if I felt like I invaded your privacy and space. I'm sorry rin po if I'm being nosy. I heard everything po kanina."

Silence.

"What's your name, hijo?" Ang kalmado pero kalkuladong tanong ng babae.

"Jeonghan, po. Jeonghan Daniel Yoon."

"That's a nice name. I'm Elizabeth Hong, although I really don't want to use that surname anymore. You can just call me Ms. Liza or tita Liza. How old are you?"

"Thirteen, po."

"Oh, kasing-edad mo ang anak ko. He just turned thirteen today. His name is Joshua, Joshua Anthony. He's still sleeping over there." As Mrs. Hong pointed Jeonghan on the bed where the child named Joshua was still peacefully sleeping, not knowing what had occured this early morning.

"It would be nice if Joshua could have a friend like you. You two would have been good partners." Mrs. Hong said this so suddenly and this made Jeonghan went back to his senses. Napatagal pala ang pagtitig niya sa binatilyong mahimbing at payapang natutulog sa kama. How would this person feel if he had heard his parents' conversation this morning? He couldn't help but to empathize with him, knowing that when he wakes up, everything in his life would change.

'Birthday na birthday pa naman niya.'

"You should befriend him when he wakes up. I'm sure he'd be happy to meet you. He seems aloof and snobbish at first, but he's a gentle guy, very matalino. For his age, he's a genius at sobrang maabilidad din. He's not the type to really open himself up at first, maybe because I taught him to be wary of everything around him and to be careful to trust anyone. But when he realizes that he can trust you, I assure you that he will be the most loving person you'd meet." Mrs. Hong looked over his son lovingly, trying to hold back the tears that are about to fall again.

'Nakakalungkot. Wala na bang ibang paraan para mabago yung sitwasyon?'

"Did you have breakfast, Jeonghan?"

"Yes po, Mrs... I mean Ms. Liza."

"I see, what did you have?"

"Pancakes. Gawa po ng mama ko."

"Did you love it?"

Jeonghan nodded reassuringly.

"That's nice. My son loves pancakes too, especially if mixed with his favorite, carrots. He loves carrots very much, he'd always want it in his meals almost every time, especially on desserts. Kaya namin napili dito magstay. Kasi sabi niya, ang sarap daw ng carrot cake dito nung natikman niya on our first day here."

"I'm glad he likes it po. My mom makes all the desserts here. We own this place po. I also help po my mom. I consider myself as a Junior Staff kahit nagvo-volunteer lang naman po ako na tumulong."

"Oh, that's really great. I will recommend this place to my friends din. Bukod sa masarap ang food, sobrang bait ng mga staff, lalo na yung Junior Staff." Ms. Hong said this while patting his head.