SSS [III] (COMPLETED)

Part 25

Naka-public na ulit ang lahat ng aking social media accounts. Nabawas-bawasan ang mga lihim na bitbit ko. At ngayon ko lang na-realize na I had a very common name, kaya kung hahanapin ulit ako ng mga kasalukuyan kong mga kaklase online ay mag-da-dalawang isip pa sila kung ako ba talaga 'yon. I mean... I look trashy everyday, nothing's a dead give-away, I guess. It took me months to finally recognize that possibility.

And it's funny how talking with my own mother could lift something so heavy in my chest na hindi ko alam na kinikimkim ko pala. It felt like that one amazing stretch you impulsively do one morning after waking up from a very comfortable sleep.

Simply said, bati na kami ni Mommy.

That's what I want to believe, that is. Hindi niya pa rin kasi ako tinatantan tungkol sa sasakyan ko. Ewan ko ba, hindi naman siya inaano nito.

"What is it with this car, anyway?" tanong niya habang nagbabyahe kami pauwi.

"What is not with this car?" tanong ko naman na pabalik.

"Don't go smart-mouth on me," ismid niya pa. "Marami naman na ibang sasakyan, ah. Wala bang off-road ang Mitsubishi at kailangan ito talaga? We've been to tons of conventions in San Diego, Cassidy, at alam kong hindi ito basta-basta. I've seen this one."

I smiled proudly.

"Why not anything Mitsubishi? More reasonable... lalo na when it comes to the maintenance!"

"Ang unfair mo, Mommy! You drive a Lexus to work, while Daddy has his BMW... why can't I have my 'Cedes?" pagmamaktol ko pa. "Besides, ito nalang birthday gift niyo sa akin every year. You pay for my car expenses."

"You're so spoiled!"

Iling nalang ako nang iling habang pinapanagutan niya pa rin na impraktikal itong sasakyan ko. As if naman hindi din sila ganoon ni Daddy. I don't always ask for too much, or buy too many. But when I splurge on things, I splurge big time—using my allowance. Besides that, may naitabing ipon din ako while I was working part time in the US.

I tried being a waitress, a fastfood cashier, a check-out girl, whatever. Yun kasi ang uso doon, umapply lang din naman ako—out of boredom. Hindi rin 'yon alam nila Mommy, dahil nga halos hindi naman kami nagkikita sa bahay. At kung nagkikita naman kami puro lang kami na nagsisigawan lang na dalawa.

"Wait, daan tayong ospital..." aniya when we got to the boundary.

Nag-aalala ko siyang tiningnan sa aking peripheral vision.

"Why? Are you sick?"

Umiling naman siya.

"I'm going to visit Mariah!"

"Huh? Hindi pwedeng bukas nalang? Habang nasa klase ako?" tanong ko sa maliit na boses.

Sunday ngayon. And if we're going to go see Tita Mariah at the hospital today, that will also mean seeing Prez and Sef there too. At wala na akong kawala noon kapag nagsimula na sa pag-ka-catch up sina Mommy. Buti nalang at napa-dalawang-isip siya.

"Oh, well. Baka rin nag-ra-rounds 'yon ngayon. I'll ask Jeremiah about her schedule." she mused.

Tumangu-tango naman ako na para bang 'yon ang pinakatamang desisyon niya sa tanang buhay niya. I felt a bit relieved.

Who am I kidding, though? Ang lakas lang ng loob kong subukan na takbuhan ang kapitbahay ko... hindi naman na nakakagulat that he was already leaning on our porch, looking like he'd been expecting us to arrive on time.

"Oops..." pilyo ang naging halakhak ni Mommy habang tinatanggal niya ang kanyang seatbelt. Hindi ko siya pinansin.

I was glaring at the man walking towards our car. Naka simpleng gray t-shirt ito at dark maong na pantalon. Mukhang may lakad. Narinig ko ang kalabog ng aking sasakyan, hudyat na lumabas na si Mommy. While I stayed in a little longer. I saw them exchange pleasantries at tinapik siya ni Mommy bago ito nagmadali na pumasok sa aming Bungalow.