Bittersweet

Chapter 8 - A mother's love

The night after the concert was one of the hardest nights I’ve ever faced. As the echoes of the music faded, I felt a heavy emptiness settle in my chest. Seeing Eleven so engrossed with Devyn and the realization that my feelings were just a secret I had to keep buried—it all came crashing down on me.

The days following the concert were a blur. Eleven became more distant, preoccupied with Devyn, attending every practice and game, offering his support while I was left on the sidelines. We barely spoke, our interactions reduced to the briefest exchanges. I was happy for him, genuinely, but it didn’t make the pain any less.

Every time after training, I’d see him walking towards Devyn, his gaze following her every move. We were in the same team, yet it felt like we were worlds apart. I kept telling myself I would support him no matter what, but the truth was, it was eating me alive. The pain was too much, and so I chose to distance myself. I needed space to breathe, to deal with the heartbreak I was feeling.

I was struggling to cope. I knew that Eleven wasn't the center of my world, but it felt like everything stopped whenever he was around. Seeing him with Devyn, watching from a distance, was a constant reminder of the love I could never have. Our friendship was at risk because of my unspoken feelings.

The tension between Devyn and Rhed was still unresolved, their conflict hanging heavily in the air. Devyn was obviously affected, and it only complicated things further. Eleven’s feelings for her were starting to create chaos, making everything more complicated.

I didn’t know where to turn my attention. I was used to having them around, waking up to see their faces, and now everything felt disoriented. I was lost and confused, so I chose to withdraw, avoiding their company as much as possible.

Whenever Dice and the others would invite me out, I’d make excuses about being busy or helping Mama with chores at home. Thankfully, they accepted my excuses, though I could sense Dice's growing curiosity about my behavior.

One evening, after a particularly grueling training session, I was walking home, my body exhausted and my mind elsewhere. As I approached our house, I noticed an unfamiliar car parked out front. I quickened my pace, my heart racing as I entered the house.

Inside, I found my father sitting on our sofa with two others. The look of surprise on my mother’s face, her red eyes, and the visible traces of her tears hit me like a punch to the gut. My fists clenched in anger and frustration.

I walked straight to Mama and pulled her behind me, facing the strangers with a determined look. They were imposing, their presence radiating an aura of power that made me uneasy. I knew some about my father's family, but not enough to know what to expect from them.

“What are you doing here?” I demanded, my voice tight with anger.

My father’s smirk only fueled my rage.

Mama’s voice, soft and soothing, tried to placate me. “Huminahon ka muna, anak. Please sit down. We need to discuss something important.”

I looked at her, my confusion evident. I was torn between anger and the trust I had in her. I sat down reluctantly, my heart pounding in my chest.

“No need, we’re already leaving. Staying here is just a waste of time. Talk to your son; I’ll give you one week,” the older woman said, her voice dripping with disdain.

I shivered at her words. She was elegantly dressed, her presence commanding respect. Beside her was an old man in a formal suit, his demeanor cold and intimidating.

They left quickly, and I could finally breathe a sigh of relief. I turned to Mama, who was still visibly shaken. Seeing her like this was like a knife to my heart. She was the only person I had, and her suffering made me want to break down.

“Ma, ano iyon?Bakit sila nandito?” I asked, trying to keep my voice steady.

My mother’s tears began to flow freely again. “Anak, alam kong mahirap pero nakapagdesisyon na ako. Mas mabuting doon ka muna sa papa mo.”

My heart sank. “Why, Ma? Why are you doing this?”

She took a deep breath, her hands trembling. “It’s for your future. Your father’s family has the resources to give you a better life, a secure future. Even if they’re cruel, it’s better than what we have now.”

“Para sa kinabukasan mo Eve. Mas may kakayahan ang papa mo na ibigay ang maayos na buhay at magandang kinabukasan sayo. Alam kong hindi sila mabubuting tao pero mas bubuti ang buhay mo kaysa sa kung anong meron tayo ngayon.”

The pain in my chest intensified. “Ma, pagod kana ba sa akin? Pagod kana bang meron ako? Hindi mo na ba kaya?”

Mama tried to reach out to me, but I pulled back, my tears flowing uncontrollably. “Ma, kaya naman natin eh…kahit mahirap. Hindi natin sila kailangan, hindi ko sila kailangan…ayoko sa kanila.”

Her eyes were full of sorrow. “I know it’s hard, but this is the only way. I want you to have opportunities I couldn’t give you. I’ve worked so hard for this.”

Desperation clawed at me. “K-Kung gusto mo tutulong ako! A-Ako na bahala sa ibang gawain, parang awa mo na Ma, wag mo lang ako itapon sa kanila.”

Mama’s face was a mask of pain and resolve. “I’m sorry, Eve. This is the best choice for you. I don’t want to leave you, but I want you to have a chance at a better future.”

I sank to the floor, sobbing uncontrollably. The thought of leaving everything behind, of being sent to a family I didn’t even know, was unbearable. I felt utterly alone, my whole world collapsing.

Mama knelt beside me, her own tears mingling with mine. “I love you, Eve. More than anything. But sometimes, love means making the hardest choices.”

The night seemed endless as I grappled with the reality of my new fate. My mother’s decision, though made with love, felt like the final blow in a series of painful losses. I had to accept it, no matter how much it hurt.

And so, with tears in my eyes and a heavy heart, I began to face the future I never wanted but had no choice but to embrace.