𝗦𝗲𝗮𝘀𝗼𝗻𝘀 𝚠𝚒𝚝𝚑 𝕪𝕠𝕦

𝑪𝑯𝑨𝑷𝑻𝑬𝑹 2🍂

"We're not done talking, Ms.," mariin niyang sabi, may mapang-akit na ngiti sa kanyang mga labi.

"Maybe not a 'thank you,' but I can do better than that," he teased, his voice playful.

Suddenly, he was right in front of me, our faces almost touching. Without thinking, I pushed him away and slapped him hard across the cheek. "Jerk," I muttered under my breath, my heart racing with anger.

I quickly got into my car, slammed the door, and drove off without saying anything else, leaving him standing there.

Pagdating ko sa bahay dala ang cake ni Mama, ginawa ko ang lahat para huwag na siyang isipin dahil masisira lang ang mood ko. Sana nga hindi ko na siya makita ulit. Paglabas ko ng kotse, nakita ko si Mama na naghihintay sa akin sa balkonahe, na agad nagpasaya sa araw ko. Bitbit ang cake, lumapit ako kay mama at ibinigay ang cake, sabay sabi ng, "Happy birthday, Mama."
Ang ngiti at pasasalamat ni mama ay sapat na saakin kahit pa kami lang dalawa ni mama ay kuntento na ako.

Napangiti si Mama nang kunin niya ang cake mula sa akin. "Salamat, anak," sabi niya ng may pagmamahal, at niyakap ako ng mahinahon.

Ipinagdiwang namin ni Mama ang kanyang kaarawan na may masayang ngiti. Nabanggit ni Mama na niluto niya ang paborito kong ulam at inilagay niya ito sa lamesa. Habang ako naman ay nag-ayos ng hapag-kainan at inayos ang isang maliit na bouquet ng bulaklak mula sa aming hardin. Habang kumakain, ang tawanan at mga kuwento ang bumabalot sa paligid, na dahilan para makalimutan ko ang pangyayari kanina.

Isang linggo na ang lumipas mula nang tumulong ako sa isang estranghero. Sinisikap kong huwag na siyang isipin ngunit kung minsan talaga, naaalala ko siya kaya naiinis ako.

Habang abala akong sumusulat sa chart ng pasyente nang biglang mag-ring ang doorbell. Tumingin ako at nakita ang pamilyar na mukha ng pumasok.

Nakita ko si Summer kasama ang kanyang asong Zitchu na si Wimpter. Buwan na ang nakalipas mula nang huli kong makita siya, at alam kong nag punta ito sa Canada. Si Summer ay kilala dito bilang isang regular na customer.

"Summer!" I exclaimed, surprised. "It's great to see you again! How have you been?"

She smiled warmly, "Hey! I'm back for a visit. I couldn't trust anyone else with my Zitchu while I'm here."

I chuckled, walking over to greet her properly. "I'm glad you visit. How's life treating you in Canada?"

Summer shrugged, petting her Zitchu. "It's been an adventure, but I miss this place and all of you."

We had a quick chat about her new life abroad and clinic updates. It was nice to catch up.

Afterward, I checked on Summer's dog. Leading them both to one of the examination rooms, I carefully examined the dog, making notes on its health and asking about any concerns Summer might have had since their last visit.

"Wimpter seems healthy," I told Summer, noticing the dog's bright eyes and lively behavior.

"Has he been acting or eating differently?"

Summer shook her head, smiling at her dog. "Nope, Wimpter's been his usual self, energetic and happy," she said

After I finished checking Wimpter, Summer thanked me for the thorough exam and reassurance about his health. We talked a bit more about future plans and clinic updates before Summer left, she handed me an invitation to the boutique party for the opening of their new branch in the Philippines. She mentioned that her trip to Canada was partly to oversee operations of her boutique there.

"Here, I'd love for you to come," she said warmly, extending the invitation with a smile. "It would be great to have you there."

I accepted the invitation gratefully, touched by her gesture. "Thank you, Summer. I'd love to attend."

Nang umalis si Summer at hawak ko ang imbitasyon sa aking kamay, I felt uneasy. It wasn't fear, just a worry that things might not go well at the party. Maybe it was just a gut feeling considering how busy these events can get.

Sinubukan kong iwaksi ang nararamdaman, iniisip na baka kaba lang o labis na pag-aalala ito. katunayan, tila masaya at positibo si Summer tungkol sa nalalapit na pagdiriwang. Gayunpaman, kahit na sinusubukan kong kumbinsihin ang sarili, mayroon pa ring munting takot na naglalaro sa likod ng aking isipan.

Habang lumilipas ang mga araw at papalapit na ang petsa ng party, natagpuan ko ang aking sarili na umaasang walang mangyayaring problema at magiging maayos ang pagdaraos ng okasyon."

"Okey ka lang ba, Blommy?" tanong ni Mama, habang maingat niyang inaayos ang aking buhok habang siya ay nasa likuran ko sa harap ng salamin.

Nagbigay ako ng buntong-hininga, tinitingnan siya sa salamin. "Medyo kinakabahan lang ako sa party. May kakaibang pakiramdam ako na baka may mangyaring hindi maganda, Mama," pag-amin ko nang mahinahon kay mama.

Sa sandaling iyon, tumigil si Mama, mukha'y may iniisip. "Minsan, ang ating mga instinkto ay nagsasabi ng mga bagay na hindi natin maipapaliwanag," sabi niya nang mahinahon, patuloy na nagsusuklay ng aking buhok.

"Ngunit inimbitahan ka ni Summer dahil pinahahalagahan ka niya. Mag tiwala kalang na ang lahat ay magiging maayos, anak."

Ang  mga salita ni mama ay nagbigay ng kaunting ginhawa, at tumango ako, sinisikap na itaboy ang aking mga alalahanin. Sa tulong ni Mama, natapos ko ang paghahanda, sinuot ang aking pinili na kasuotan.

The dress is made of smooth, shiny fabric that flows elegantly from my shoulders to the floor. The top features intricate lace designs adorned with sparkly threads that catch the light. The neckline is modest yet flattering on my shoulders. A thin belt cinches my waist, tied into a small bow for a charming detail. The skirt gently flares out in a soft A-line shape, and the deep, rich green color.

As I packed my stuff to leave, I looked at Mama. She was calm and it made me feel better as I got ready. I couldn't help but be grateful for her always being there for me and knowing what to do.

Bago ako umalis, trying to lighten the mood, I turned to Mama with a playful grin, saying,

"Mama, kung may mangyari sa akin, ikaw ang bahala sa mga pusa natin na sina Cara at Cala, ha?" sabi ko kay Mama.

Napalitan ang ekspresyon ni Mama nang pag-aalala, saka biglang niyang kinurot ang baywang ko, isang pamilyar na galaw na laging nakapagpapatawa sa akin. Ito ang paraan niya ng pagpapahayag na huwag mag-alala, na lahat ay magiging maayos.

Pagkatapos niyang kurotin ang baywang ko, tumawa si Mama at mariin akong niyakap.

"Promise me you'll call me as soon as you can," Mama insisted, Her voice was strong yet gentle.

"I promise, Mama," I assured her, squeezing her hand gently.

She nodded, her face softening. "Okay, take care," Mama said, her comforting words staying with me as I walked to the door