Tadhana

Mother-son

"Anak, I-I can explain—"

"What I've seen is enough! I told you to never go near Maine or Gab. Pero you still did. Aalis na kami dito nina Maine at Gab."

"Richard, Richard, No! You will not leave your family! Anak, kahit ngayon lang, tratuhin mo naman na parang pamilya mo kami."

"Family? Eh yung pamilya ko nga hindi nyo matrato na parang pamilya, ni-hindi nyo sila kayang i-welcome dito."

He helped her get up then he carried her upstairs. He placed her on the bed then walked towards his cabinet. He took a bag from the closet then placed all of his things inside there.

"R-Richard? What are you doing?"

"I'm packing our stuff. I'm taking you somewhere where you are safe and free from problems, including mom."

"But... Richard, don't you think its too much? Masasaktan mo ung mommy mo."

"I don't care. What I'm gonna do first is take you somewhere safe. You're my first priority, my family's my first priorty no matter what happend."

"O-ok..."

2:30 AM. Maine carried Gab, as Richard carried their bags.

"Sure ka bang kaya mo yan? Akin na ung kay Ga—"

"No, I'm fine."

"Richard... Kanina ka pa tahimik... Sure ka bang okay ka lang?"

"Yes. But I'll be much okay when we're gone from here and away from mom."

"Richard... You should make up with your mom. She risked her life taking care of you and your siblings."

"I know... But, alam nya naman na ayaw kitang masaktan diba? Pero ginawa nya pa rin."

"Richard, wala akong pakeelam kung saktan ako ng mommy mo paulit-ulit, ang gusto ko magkabati kyo. Ayan ung pinaka-ayaw ko when it comes to families, kyo na nga lang ung magkasama-sama, kyo pag yung nagiiwasan."

He sighed.

"Fine, I'll do it."

"O, baba mo muna ung mga bag. Mamaya iiwan mo ko dito."

He dropped the bags then left the room. He went to his parents' room.

"M-mom?"

"Richard? Akala ko umalis ka na..."

"Why are you still asleep? You know that's not good for you."

"I wanted to say goodbye to you first. You do know that I'm doing this only to spend my life with you."

"But why? Mom, you shouldn't have tortured Maine in the first place. If you got along together, then I will be still here with you and Dad."

"Richard, anak... I want to solo you because... because I have cancer. And I only want to be with my family before I pass away."