Beyond the Spotlight | MikhAiah au

chapter 6

Marjorie Jeannette's POV

chapter 6

Walking down the stark, white corridors of the hospital, I felt a familiar tightness in my chest. The smell of antiseptic hung heavy in the air, making me wish for a breath of fresh air. In my hand, I clutched a small bouquet of flowers I had picked up on the way, hoping they'd bring a bit of cheer to mom's room.

Room 202. I paused outside the door, taking a deep breath before pushing it open. Inside, mom lay propped up on pillows, her face pale but lighting up when she saw me.

"Marjorie anak, naparito ka?" she said, her voice weak but filled with warmth and love.

"Syempre naman 'ma! May dala din akong bulaklak oh," I replied, leaning down to kiss her cheek before placing the flowers in a vase by the window. "Kamusta ka na po?"

"Ito, mahina pa rin. Pero kinakaya, kakayanin," she said, adjusting her position slightly. "Sabi naman ng doctor, mabuti raw ang respond ng katawan ko sa treatment."

I nodded, relief washing over me. Pulling up a chair beside the bed, I took her hand in mine, feeling the familiar comfort of her touch. For a few moments, we sat in silence, simply enjoying each other's presence.

"Kamusta na trabaho mo? Do'n sa. . . penthouse ba?" Mom asked eventually, a knowing glint in her eye. "Okay naman ba boss mo, 'yong Amethyst?"

I hesitated, my thoughts drifting to Amethyst's smiling face and the way she effortlessly made everyone around her feel at home. "Naku 'ma, sobrang bait no'n si ma'am Amethyst! Alam mo ba, nag hire pa siya ng yaya para alagaan sila Lheyn, tapos minsan sumasama sa pagsundo sa school! Ang laki din po ng sahod ko 'ma!"

Mom squeezed my hand gently. "Gano'n ba 'nak? Mabuti naman at tinatrato ka ng tama n'yan."

Sa sobrang tama nga po ng pagtrato 'ma. . . nahuhulog na ata ako.

I smiled softly, memories of laughter and quiet moments with Amethyst playing in my mind. "Sobrang komportable na po namin sa kan'ya. Minsan nga, gusto ko po siyang ipakilala sa inyo! Ang ganda ganda po niya 'ma! Tsaka international model po siya, akalain niyo 'yon?"

"Mabuti naman anak," Mom remarked, her eyes twinkling with curiosity.

A blush crept up my cheeks. "Sobrang ganda po niya mama. . ."

Mom watched me closely, a small smile playing on her lips. "Naku naku naku! Alam ko 'yang galawan mo Marj, sa gan'yan na pag describe mo sa kan'ya? Imposibleng walang namamagitan sa inyong dalawa."

I looked down, feeling a mix of confusion and something else I couldn't quite place. "'Di ko din alam 'ma, boss ko lang po siya."

Mom patted my hand reassuringly. "Alam mo 'nak, minsan may mga bagay na dumadating sa buhay natin. At hindi natin alam na 'yon pala ang para sa'tin. Buksan mo lang ang puso mo 'nak, malay mo lang naman 'di ba?"

I nodded, my thoughts still swirling. I stayed with mom a while longer, talking about lighter things and sharing stories from the penthouse. I told her about the time Amethyst insisted on cooking dinner for all of us, even though she had a busy day at work. She laughed, saying it sounded like something Amethyst would do.

"Nasa kan'ya na ang lahat, mayaman, mabait, maganda at masipag," I said, smiling at the memory. "Minsan nga nagtataka ako kung bakit sobra na ang pagiging mabait niya sa'min."

"Amethyst. . . ano'ng buong pangalan niya?" Mom asked, her tone suddenly serious.

"Amethyst Dorothein Arceta po, ganda 'di ba?" I replied, curious about her sudden change in demeanor. "Bakit po pala 'ma?"