Did You Wait Long? I'm So Sorry (Yugbam fiction)

Chapter 1

2003

It was a memory he will never forget or so he thought.

For a child, it was too fine a day to go outside. Bambam was not in the mood to be hauled up inside to wait for his mother's company.His mother is expecting her longtime friend with her family who lives far away. They will be staying in their house for a spell due to some business in their area. His mother said that she wanted her friend to meet every one of her children for a reason he doesn't know why. 

 He and his siblings were sitting in the living room trying to behave as they were asked. But his mind is off somewhere. It is the weekend, there's nothing better than being outside. And it is the day he committed with his friends, so he should be meeting them in a minute or two. Unfortunately, he was not permitted to go outside. He keeps twisting in his chair then darting his eyes back and forth, checking the door then his mother. He sighed heavily and directed his eyes to the floor.He knew he needed to leave but he can't just yet. He already tried getting his mother's permission but he wasn't allowed. 

He went to the kitchen and pretended to drink water. He lingered there for a while and saw a chance when his mother was too busy directing some of their kitchen staff on what to prepare. Her mama closed their business for the day to welcome their guests. Her mother asked some of their staff to prepare for the day. They must be really precious to my mother he thought to himself. Her mother would not be so worked up if they are not important for her. But as much as their guests are important so do his commitment. He tried to sneak out while his mother was inattentive. 

"Bambam, Stop right at this minute!" Bambam came to an abrupt stop. It was close. "You are not going anywhere. I have already told you to behave. Our guests are coming in half or an hour so just stay right here. Do not disobey me. How come you cannot stay still where you are put? Your list of troubles would take a day to be written. " His mother lectured him as he caught him slipping past their kitchen door. His mother never forgets to remind how much of a troublemaker he was whenever he lectured him. Bambam liked doing things his own way but if he caused trouble because of it, he just shrugged it off. 

"But Mama, I have more important things to do today than meeting your guests," Bambam answered. 

"And what important things?

"Why Mama, you know my friends are waiting at the playground. I made a promise that I will be meeting them today. I was taught to fulfill my promises. I am also taking my pet out for a walk then we will play outside. "

"But you can't right now if that is all son you can stop this nonsense. You may play any other day outside but not today. I think your friends wouldn't mind.Now go to your sister and brothers. Stay there unless you aren't called for honey." Her mother tried to dismiss him but he is not quite finished just yet. 

He and his friends decided to go to the haunted forest near their area. It has been the talk at their school, stories about monsters lurking in the forest. They were just simply curious whether the stories are true or otherwise. But if he wouldn't meet his friends today, they would think him a weakling and he doesn't want that. His friends would only make fun of him. But his mother wouldn't just let him go. 

"No Mama! You can't ask me to stay still. I wouldn't embarrass myself in front of my friends."

His sudden outburst surprised his mother, "Drop it right at this minute child or you will receive a sound lecture on how a good child should behave. I don't like you shouting at me. You will stay here and say no more".  Despite his mother's warning, Bambam still held his ground but immediately contrite for shouting at his mother. 

"I'm sorry Mama for shouting at you. But I really I need to go. I promise to meet our guests after meeting my friends. I don't think they would mind. I hope you can agree with me on this Mama," Bambam said, exasperated. Trying to convince his mother is not quite an easy feat. 

"Now child, I can clearly see you've disregarded everything I've said. I already told that you can't go out today but you can any other day. A good son would not disobey his mother. You seemed to complain about everything, that is not a good thing. I don't want to hear any more of this. Now, I want you to go to your room, sit on your "lovely" chair and do some contemplating on what you did today. Stay there until you are permitted to come down" 

Bambam started up the steps. He sighed, he knew his mother was really angry because she asked him to sit on the lovely chair in his room. For all he knew it was not really "lovely" it was "damn", he heard his brothers talking about it a week ago when they were given the same punishment. But of course, he wouldn't say it in front of his mother. Their mother always does that whenever she thinks they were being stubborn. He still doesn't understand why she does that but they still obey her the same. Bambam proceeded to his room, sit in his chair, looked outside his window and stared at nothing. He started humming while waiting for the time to pass. 

Half an hour later, their guests came. He didn't dare to go downstairs because he was not asked to. He heard his mother greet their company. The house was filled with greetings and laughter but still minutes later, Bambam was still in his room and seemed forgotten. The wait for him to be called out was becoming unbearable that he just decided to have fun on his own. " If that is so, so be it", he muttered to himself. Then a slow smile escaped the little boy's lips. It's not like he'd never done it before on times when his mother wouldn't let him out of the house. 

"Nice!"