Two Broken Strings

Chapter One

I just finished unpacking, cleaning and fixing my new condo. I just arrived from US last week and I've been busy with my move. I was resting finally resting after a whole day of making my place look like home when heard the doorbell. Sino naman kaya yun? I wasn't expecting any visitors at isa pa, sino naman ang dadalaw sa akin? So I assumed it was next door. Di nagtagal ay muling nag-ingay ang doorbell and that's where I beleived it was meant for me. Baka yung secretary ng may-ari ng building for the contract.

I lazily got up from my sofa and walked to the door, I didn't bother looking at the peephole which I regret immidiately when I saw who it was. My visitor was smiling at me broadly.

"Welcome back to the Philippines!"

"Come in Mom."

Emerald Andrada. Retired teacher and now managing a restaurant with her husband. Annulled once, married twice. That' my Mom. Still striking at 46. She's petite woman, with her above the shoulder hair na halatang alaga ng salon heart shaped face, deep set eyes with long curly lashes I've always envy since I realized what beauty means. Small pointy nose, hign cheek bones and thin reddish lips and a porcelain like skin, the only thing I got from her thank god because my Dad was moreno.

She walked gracefully inside my pad at tila nahiya ang condo ko sa lung gaano siya kagalante. She looked around ang I knew she didn't like what she's seeing she likes colors which is in contast to my pad. My condo's dominant color is white black and brown kaunti lang rin ang gamit dito just the common and necessary a flatscreen TV, sectional sofa, accent chairs, footstools and a cofffee table.

Pabagsa akong umupo sa isang accent chair kaya napalingon sa akin ang Mama ko. She smiled and I almost roll my eyes.

She sat on the sofa without leaving my eyes.

"So, how's the move?"

"Well, I'm done."

Kumunot ang noo nito. "Huh? Tapos na?"

"Hindi po ba halata?"

"This is all your things?"

"I only bought what I need, Ma. I can't spend my savings not until I confirm the wirk I applied for."

"If you need anything all you have to-"

"I'm good Mom. I don't want too many things as long as I have what I need."

"I just want to help."

"No need, Ma. I already did everything alone."

An emotion cross her eyes before she smiled again.

"Anyway, come! I brought food I cooked for us. Your favorite! Let's at least eat dinner together it's been years since I last ate with you, dear."

Seven. I said mentally.

"Lead the way to your kitchen."

If there's one place I can be proud of my pad, it's the kitchen. Ito lang ang ginastusabln ko sa buong pad pinapersonalized ko ito dahil I want my kitchen fully equipped because aside from my room and library, kitchen is my sanctuary I love to cook that I really saved money to the point that I did a double job back in the US to get a crash course in culinary.

She looked satisfied when she saw my kitchen. She was welcomed gray walls, white cabinets, chrome fittings, grey countertop and black lanterns over gray island table. I smiled to myself when I see envy in her eyes.

"What will you need?" I asked she turned to my from looking around my spacious kitchen.

"Your kitchen is heaven. Anyway of course, two plates, two bowls for the ulam and rice, two glasses and eating utensils."