A Single Mother's Story (ON HOLD!)

Chapter 5

Celine POV

I am here inside my office, scanning the sales report of the shop. I am very much glad sa takbo ng negosyo ko. I think I now have enough savings to open another branch.

After a while, my phone rang. My sister is calling. I immediately got my phone and picked up the call.

"Hello ading, busy ka?" Panimula ni Ate Kristine.

(AN: Ading is an Ilokano term for younger sibling.)

"Kinda. I'm finishing my sale's report today. Napatawag ka?" I said in a low tone. It was a very tiring day today. Weekend kasi kaya maraming tao sa shop.

"Bakit parang ayaw mo naman akong kausap? Tagal na nating di nagkita't nag-usap tapos ganyan ka pa." Tampong sagot ni ate sa kabilang linya.

"Sorry ate. I'm just tired." Pagpapaliwanag ko. I'm not just tired physically, but might as well emotionally.

I can't understand myself. Simula noong nakita ko si Dustin dito sa shop last week ay parang nag-iba ang aura ko. Everytime I came in the shop, parating bumibilis ang tibok ng puso ko. There's always an anticipation na nararamdaman ko everyday. Yung tipong ine-expect mo na makikita mo siya pero ayaw mo namang magpakita sa kanya. Di ba ang gulo?

Ang sabihin mo, hindi ka pa nakaka move-on. My alter ego said.

OK. Fine. I must admit. Dustin has still an effect on me hanggang ngayon. Di ko na pwedeng ikaila. But this is so wrong. We both have different lives now. He already has a family, I also have mine, too. Yes. I considered me and my son as a family. Hindi porket I'm a single mom, it doesn't mean na hindi na kami maituturing na pamilya.

"Ok. I understand. Gusto ko sana sabihin sa'yo na magpahinga ka na pero hindi na makakapaghintay 'tong sasabihin ko." She paused in a bit, "Celine, we're going back in the Philippines tomorrow!" My sister said immediately changed her mood into glee nung sinabi niya na uuwi na siya dito sa Pilipinas bukas.

Teka? Bukas na sila uuwi dito? Oh my!

"Talaga? Mabuti naman kung ganon!" Di makapaniwalang tugon ko.

"Yes. Kaya get ready dahil kayo nila Duke at Mama ang una naming pupuntahan."

"So does it mean na hindi na namin kayo susunduin sa airport?" Tanong ko.

"Malamang! Ano ka ba. Nakalimutan mo yatang senyora na ako! Asawa ko lang naman ang kilalang bachelor sa Brisbane at Sydney. Kaya may susundo sa aming limousine bukas." She giggled. Eto talagang si ate, may pagkamayabang din minsan. Nakalimutan yata niya yung turo sa amin ni mama about modesty.

"Fine, fine. Ikaw na mayaman." I sarcastically said.

My sister laughed again on the other line, "Talaga! Oh, and by the way, I already registered online yung dalawang bata sa isang private school diyan sa Manila." She's pertaining to Duke and Sofia. "Pupunta tayo immediately to give the requirements para officially enrolled na sila."

"Agad agad? Eh May pa lang ngayon ah?" Takang tanong ko.

"Hello? Di ba June ang pasukan diyan sa Pilipinas? Hindi katulad dito sa Australia na September ang start ng school year." She said, after that I heard Douglas' voice on the other line. Parang may sinasabi siya kay ate.

"Oh siya ading Celine, I need to end this call na. Douglas' parents are now downstairs. Just take enough rest. See you tomorrow na lang."

"Sige ate. Ingat kayo." Yun na lang ang nasabi ko at biglang naputol ang linya.