Almost Everything

Prologue

Prologue

When my last student bid her goodbye, I cleaned my desk and organized the papers.

I opened my phone which I turned off a while ago. The messages and missed calls were flashed on the screen. I let out a good sigh.

"Goodbye, Ma'am!" paalam ng mga batang nakakasalubong ko. Ngumiti ako at nagpaalam din.

"Ma'am, may naghihintay po yata sa inyo," sabi ng guard nang palabas na ako ng gate.

Ngumiti ako at nagpaalam. I went to my car and Manong Lito was right. Someone was waiting for me.

"Hanie- Ma'am Hanie! Long time no see!" sabi nito at sinalubong ako ng yakap.

"Eloisa..." gulat man ay niyakap ko parin ito pabalik.

"It's been years, Hanie! I missed you!"

"Kailan ka pa bumalik?" Tanong ko nang kumalas ito sa yakap.

Ang pinaka-iniingatan niyang buhok noon ay hanggang balikat na lang. Matagal naman ng maputi siya pero mas pumuti siya ngayon.

"Last night. Gusto ko nga sanang puntahan ka kagabi but I was really tired from the f-flight." She cleared her throat. "Oo nga pala, someone wants me to send you regards," pilit itong ngumiti.

"Sino naman?"

"Piloto, e," she shrugged. Natahimik kami pareho. Natigilan man ay pilit akong ngumiti.

"A-Anyway... let's catch up in my condo? I'll cook! Alam ko na magluto!" Maligalig na aniya.

I nodded even though I still had plenty of papers to do.

"Sa The Castle parin ang condo mo?" she nodded to my question.

"Sige, pupunta ako mamaya ro'n. I'll just check something in the house."

"I'll wait for you, then. You know the passcode." Bumeso muna siya bago umalis.

I went inside my car and did the same. Nang marating ko ang bahay ay sumalubong sa'kin ang naghihintay kong pusa.

"Have you eaten, Snow? Not yet?" Natawa ako nang mas lumapit ito. Hinaplos ko ang balahibo niya tsaka ito kinarga.

"Mama!" I heard a small voice welcomed me as I entered the house.

"Wait, baby. I'll just wash up, okay? I carried Snow," ngumuso ito at tumango.

Even though he's wearing a mask, hindi ko parin pwedeng hawakan siya. He has allergy of cat's fur. Sa katunayan, Snow was my cat since I was in college. Ngunit kailangan kong ipangalaga kay Mama nang nalaman kong may allergy ang bata.

"Where's Mamita, baby?" I asked before wiping my hands with the wet wipes after washing them with water.

Sinusundan lang ako nito ngunit tumigil nang pumasok ako sa banyo.

"She's upstairs po. She's arranging my toys, Mama," I heard him answer politely.

From my uniform, I change my shirt to a simple white petal-sleeved shirt. Nag-alcohol ako bago lumabas.

My son hugged me immediately as soon as I went out.

"I missed you so much, Mama!" he then sweetly kissed me on my cheeks.

"Mama missed you too, anak. How's your day with Mamita?" I also kissed his cheeks and his forehead after. I carried him to the living area.

"Good po. I kinda have a mess in my playroom but she said it's fine, Mama. I love you, Mama." Natawa ako. Sobrang random ng I love you ng anak ko.