My Beautiful

Chapter 1

Warning: This story has mature content so please be cautious in reading.

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“Ma. You’re here.”

“You look surprised,” she said. She opened her arms, and I came forward to hug her.

“What … what are you doing here?”

“Sinusundo ka. Hindi pa ba obvious yun?” she answered, patting my back as she did.

“Hindi na dapat ikaw pa mismo ang pumunta dito. It’s not like I’ve forgotten the roads of Manila. I haven’t been gone that long, Ma. ”

“Three years, son. You’ve been gone for three years,” she reminded.

“I know.”

“Besides, I just came here to make sure you won’t ignore me … us. I also arranged for you to spend a few days sa bahay.”

“Bakit?”

“Family tayo, Xian. It’s important for us that you’ve returned.” That was all the explanation she gave me before she started to walk towards the entrance of  the airport.

I sighed in frustration, knowing I would have to suck it up and stay at my parents’ house for a few days. Hopefully, it wouldn’t be that bad. I followed my mother towards the BMW parked just in front of the bay area, ignoring the curious glances we were receiving from people in the airport. She motioned for the driver to take care of my bags before she entered the car, leaving me no choice but to follow suit.

“So wala man lang miss na kita, Mom?”

“I just saw you two months ago, Ma.” 

“Yes, and hindi ka man lang nagpaalam nung umalis ako.”

“Ma naman –“

“Alright, alright. I’m not going to nag you about it … after all nandito ka na sa Pilipinas.”

I glanced at her, and she smiled at me.

 “I’m happy that my panganay is back."

“Are you really?” Whether she truly wanted me back because she missed me, or she just needed me to return because of the business remained to be seen. She was the reason I was here now, but this nagging feeling inside me somehow contributed to me finally being convinced to come back. I wasn’t sure what it was yet.

“How could you ask that, Xian? Of course, I do.” She reached for my face, caressing an area under my left eye.

The regret and love I could see in her eyes somehow made me feel like I was a kid again. I could feel the tightening of my throat, and before I could say something I would regret I pulled my gaze away from her. I didn’t want my mother to see me act weak.

Outside the car window, the busy streets caught my attention, making me realize I was really no longer in New York, but back in the Philippines.

“So ready ka na for next week?” I heard my mother ask. She sounded nervous, and somehow I found myself feeling guilty.

“You mean my new job sa LUC?”

“You’re the new Vice President for Marketing, Xian.”

“To be honest, hindi ako ready. I’m not even sure what I’m doing here …” I saw her start to open her mouth to argue, but I held my hand up to stop her “… but you asked me to be here, Ma … so here I am.”

I tried not to sound petulant, but somehow that was what I sounded like. If it were up to me, I didn’t want to come back. There was nothing left for me here … except yeah, well, my mom and my brothers, who could easily come and visit me in New York if they wanted to.