Clash Of Crowns I: Shadows Of Love And Sacrifices.

L || Mother's Love

Please note: This story may contain errors and grammatical mistakes. Your understanding and patience are appreciated as this is a work in progress.

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MAXINE'S POV

As I came out of the bathroom, still wiping my hands on a towel, the door creaked open, and I saw Ate parcia step into the room.

“Max,” she breathed, her voice a mix of joy and concern. “You’re up... and walking. That’s a good sign.”

Tumango lang ako, agad naman niyang sinara ang pinto sa likod niya at dumiretso sa upuan sa tabi nang kama ko. “I’ve been worried. Sobrang nag alala kami sayo.”

“I’m okay,” I muttered, though we both knew that wasn’t entirely true. My body had healed, but the emotional scars were deeper than I could express. “How are things?” tanong ko, para ma iba yung topic.

She sighed and ran a hand through her hair. “Your friends have been asking about you... a lot. Lagi silang nag pupunta dito, tinatanong kung asan ka at bakit hindi ka nag sabi sa kanila and as usual ang lagi naming sinasabi sa kanila ay nasa solo mission ka"

I frowned but said nothing. I had asked them not to tell my friends about the punishment. They didn’t need to know, sakin na lang yon.

And I couldn’t bear the thought of Aiesha knowing what I had endured what I had chosen to endure for her... I know her well kaya mas mabuting wag na lang niya malaman.

“It’s the only thing we could say without raising suspicion. You know them they’re smart. Especially Cole. She’s been the hardest to convince.” She paused and gave me a pointed look. “It’s not easy for them, Max. Kilala ka nila masyado para maniwala sa mga sinasabi namin"

"I’ll talk to them when I’m ready.” saad ko dito.

Tumango naman ito at sumandal sa upuan niya bago ulit mag salita,“Mom’s awake.”

My breath caught in my throat, and I quickly turned to face her. “Mom’s awake?” I repeated, my voice barely above a whisper.

“Hinahanap ka niya samin,” she said softly. “But... we’ve been telling her the same story....that you’re on a mission. Ayaw namin siyang mag alala medyo mahina pa siya at pag nalaman niya ang ginawa ni dad paniguradong mag kaka gulo sila."

I nodded, understanding. Of course, we couldn’t tell Mom what really happened. She was fragile enough after the attack. If she knew that Dad had punished me so severely, she’d be heartbroken...and maybe worse. I had to protect her from that.

“I should see her,” I said, already moving toward the door.

“Are you sure you’re ready?” ate parcia asked, at mabilis na tumayo.

I stopped and looked at her, my chest tightening. “I need to see her.” saad ko dito at tuluyan nang iniwan siya don sa kwarto at lumabas na.

When I reached mom's room, Nag dadalawang isip pa ako kung bubuksan ko ba. Ilang minuto pa ako nag tagal bago ko dahan dahang buksan ang pinto at pumasok na sa loob.

There she was.....my mother. The woman who had always been my rock, my guiding star. She looked so small, so fragile, lying there in the hospital bed.

At nang mag tama ang mga mata namin, ewan ko pero nang gilid agad ang mga luha ko, I miss her....I miss my mom...

“Maxine!” she gasped, her voice weak but filled with so much love and relief. “My baby!”

Before I could say anything, she was already reaching out for me, her arms trembling as she struggled to sit up. I quickly rushed to her side, kneeling by her bed as she wrapped her arms around me, pulling me into a tight embrace.

“My baby girl,” she whispered, kissing my forehead, my cheeks, my nose....just like she used to when I was a little girl.

Tears welled up in my eyes as I felt her love wash over me, a love I had been longing for.

I couldn’t hold it in any longer. The tears that I had been holding back for so long finally broke free, and I sobbed into her shoulder. “Mom,” I whispered, my voice shaking. “I’m sorry.”

She pulled back slightly, cupping my face in her hands, her eyes filled with nothing but tenderness. “Why are you sorry, my love? You’ve done nothing wrong.”

Umiling naman ako dito, hanggang ngayon guilty parin ako dahil sa nangyari sa kanya, “I should’ve been there. I should’ve protected you.”

“Hush, Maxine,” she said gently, habang pinupunasan ang mga luha ko na walang tigil sa pag patak. “You are not to blame for what happened to me. Wala kang kasalanan...”

Her words were like a balm to my aching heart, but they didn’t erase the pain. Still, I nodded, not wanting to argue with her. She was awake, she was here, and that was all that mattered.

“I missed you so much, Mom,” I whispered, my voice thick with emotion.

She smiled, brushing a strand of hair from my face. “I’ve missed you too, my darling. Every day.”

I hugged her again, burying my face in her shoulder. For the first time in what felt like forever, I allowed myself to just be her daughter. Not the heir to the Lazzaro family, not the warrior who had endured so much pain....just her little girl.

“I love you, Mom,” I whispered, salitang never ko pang nasabi kay mom.

Mas lalong humigpit ang yakap niya sakin at ramdam ko na umiiyak narin siya. “I love you too, Maxine. Always.”

And in that moment, as I held my mother in my arms, I realized that no matter how much pain I had endured, no matter how lost I had felt, I still had her love.....My Mother's Love....
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