The Talk (2)

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School was officially over and the only thing left was graduation.

"Ten thousand? For the both of us?" They looked at each other. Their money wasn't even close to that and they worried they wouldn't be able to make it.

"Okay lang ako. Yung Transcript nalang babayaran ko basta makuha ko yun para makapag-work ako," James said. "Tapos susubukan ko makiusap sa mga tao sa office." Yes, James had another job. He was still running errands for his grandmother, but because school was out, he lost the library assistant role. He asked around and was able to get a job as a messenger at an office. "Ito yung three thousand. Pay yours na tapos sabihin natin next time na yung remainder."

"No, Santiago. I'll get extra orders. I can get a part time job din. Let's try to save up to graduate? I really want both of us to go. May medal ka pa ng Best Thesis and we're both graduating with honors. Let's try. I want to see you get your medal on stage," Ella said.

Again, with a lot of help from people and cutting back on the little luxuries they had, they were able to produce the money needed and paid for the graduation fees.

Much to Ella's dismay, they couldn't celebrate James' birthday this year. They went to Happy Eats and bought one value meal that had chicken, spaghetti, burger, fries, softdrinks and dessert. They couldn't even afford to upsize the softdrinks. And because they had no more money, the only gift she got for him was the toy that was included in this meal. "Happy birthday, Santiago! Make a wish!"

She put a candle on the burger and lit it.

He closed his eyes and said, "I wish I'd become successful enough. Balang araw, I'll own this fast food and we could order all the meals we want. Hindi ka na magugutom, Mahal."

"Next time, I'll bake you na a special cake. And every birthday mo after, I'll bake you one using our oven sa dream home natin."

"Sana matupad yung dreams natin 'no?" James said, wistfully. "I really want to give you a good life."

"We'll work on it together. Okay? Happy birthday ulit!"

Days later, she found herself at a mall after delivering the cupcakes ordered from her. James would be home late because he was delivering pouches to different parts of the metro. "Mahal, pwedeng magpabili ng dinner? Sa bahay na ako kakain para tipid."

"No, James. Ano ka ba? Eat along the way. Baka anong mangyari sa yo," she scolded. "No kiss if you starve yourself."

"Mahal naman! Sige na, kakain na ako. Pero... umm... pwedeng pag-uwi... uh... alam mo na?"

She laughed. "Oo na. I'll see you later. I miss you."

Ella continued browsing the stalls. They wouldn't be able to get a new outfit for graduation and she sighed. Staring at the white button down shirt, she imagined that James would look great in it. His polo was already worn and had a hole that they just repaired so he could still use it for the ceremony.

Hindi bale. Gagalingan ko sa interviews ko para makuha ako sa work. Slowly, maibibili ko na din siya ng mga new polo shirts, Ella thought.

"Ella?"

Ella turned and froze. "Mom."

"Anak." The older woman looked sad and tentative as she approached her daughter, estranged for almost two years. "You look good, but thinner than when I last saw you."

She just shrugged. "We have to save up. Yes, madalas po kulang yung food namin pero okay pa naman kami ni James. Is that what you want to hear? Na hirap kami?"

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