Maybe

Chapter 20: Someone's Special Day

Today is the day. A very special day. Just like what they say, "Happy wife, happy life."

     Rachel woke up. It's her birthday. She checked her phone and out of all the messages that she received, none of them was from her daughter. She felt a dash of pain in her heart, yes, but she kept reminding herself that it'll come later.

     She was making her way downstairs when she noticed a note placed on the fridge door.

Mama,
Papa had an early call in the office and I thought na sumabay na 'din sakanya. There's breakfast prepared for you already. We'll see you later in the evening.

- Your husband & son

     Though it was not a greeting, that title made her smile. She doesn't know why, but the fact that it said 'husband' made her heart leap.

     Rachel had the day off today so all she can do was wait for her mag-ama to come home. Never mind that they didn't greet her, she wants to spend time with them.

     Evening came and she already fell asleep while waiting for them to come home. "Paul, dahan-dahan lang ah."

     "I got this, Pa, trust me," Paul slowly approached his mom and hovered over her. Her face had two damp tracks. He looked at his Papa and signaled that she cried.

     He kissed her forehead, "Mama?"

     She slowly opened her reddish eyes, "Oh anak, baki--"

     "Come with me," he took her hand and led her outside.

     "Where are we going? At nasan ang Papa mo?"

     "Sumakay ka na lang, Ma. You'll know later," she got in the car, not know that Richard was hiding in the farthest space back.

     They arrived but before Rachel could go down Paul stopped her, "Ako muna." He went down and knocked on the door of the dark function room.

     He offered his hands to assist her down the vehicle. "Careful."

     While they were making their way inside, Richard snuck out and entered the venue through the back.

     "Anak, ano ba talaga ang ginagawa natin dito?"

     "You'll know in a bit. Just relax, trust me," he gave his mom her eyeglasses, "You'll need this," then he left.

     She was nervous and scared. It's dark and she's in the middle of nowhere. Suddenly, the lights turned on and everything was a blur because of the impact. She put her glasses on and she couldn't believe what she was seeing.

     There were petals scattered on the floor and a table setting for four. Something rang and she remembered her phone in her pocket. Louise (Ate) Calling...

R: Hello, Anak?

L: Ma?

She heard someone say it from behind her. Rachel turned around and there she was, Louise with a paper bag in her hand. "L-Louise, anak?"