Second Chances (Kathneil FF)

Second Chances - 24

Second Chances - 24

"Jo, what does it mean to be a Portuguese in Malaysia?"

"Huh? I don't know," Joanne laughed. "I'm Chinese."

The two ladies were enjoying their respective bowls of ice cream in Joanne's living room. Both relaxing after a week long of hectic work.

Joanne thought about Anita's question, and after a while she decided to give a semblance of a reply.

"Well then again, what does it mean to be Chinese in Malaysia?" she shrugged. "I speak the language but I can hardly write it. I love spicy food when I know the real Chinese from China don't."

"Well, I don't speak a word of Portuguese either," Anita said in reply.

"I know that many Portuguese descendants don't speak the language either. They're definitely more comfortable with English or Malay."

"Yeah, I know. I read about them. But I also found out they are all very close knitted, and sta Maria is one of the biggest clan. Yet," Anita looked at Joanne worriedly. "I don't have a single soul I can call family."

"Sayang, you know you have a family in me," Joanne comforted her friend.

"You know what I mean, Jo," Anita said softly, earning a nod from Joanne, before she continued, "but, isn't it weird that I have to get to know my ancestors from Mr Google instead of my own mother. I mean, now that I think back, isn't it funny that Mommy never mentioned any uncles or aunts or even cousins."

Anita's rhetorical question was only met with silence.

"The only time she mentioned my father was when I was at the hospital once for her check up. Even then, it was to fill in her marital status."

Joanne stayed silent, knowing that Anita was not really expecting her to answer. Only to listen.

"I even had a moment of craziness the other day, to just walk to any sta Maria's household and introduce myself - hi, I'm Anita, would you happen to have a missing cousin or sister or something."

She said it so comically that Jo turned towards her friend with an amused smile.

Anita has always been a free spirit, with Muriel more like her friend than her mother.

Muriel herself was always indulgent towards her daughter. Quiet and kind, yet open once one managed to obtain her trust.

"I should have listened to your mommy more carefully back then," Joanne sighed, trying to recall any hidden meaning behind their conversations in the past.

"Me too," Anita said sadly. "She used to say quietly to me in my bed, thinking I was asleep, to forgive her and all that. I always thought she meant about her illness and how she would leave earlier. But now.... I wonder she meant something all together different."

Silence ensued again, both girls staring blankly at the television screen.

"Do you know that I understand Tagalog," Anita suddenly blurted.

"What? Philippine's language?"

"Uhuh," she nodded.

"How...?"

"I don't know."

"Wow..? Then, do you really think you are..."

"I don't know," she answered again, a little forcefully this time

"Sorry.." Joanne's voice trailed.

"That's ok."

"Have you found anything in the house that may give answers, hints?"

"Apart from what's in the box mommy left me?"

"Ya,"

Anita nodded.

"Ya ke? Apa?"

"Nothing much. Just some very expensive jewellery. Some I didn't think we could afford."

"You didn't know they exist?"

"Nope," she shook her head slowly. "It was hidden. But I find it funny."

"What?"

"She used to tell me to be proud of who I am and where I came from. Though she didn't really mention where that 'where' is," Anita said with a tongue in cheek. "Never to deny my birthrights no matter how poor or downtrodden it may be. She always made it seem like we are poor or just so so. But if we are so poor, then where did all the jewelry come from?"

"Heirloom?"

"Who's? Mine? Or stolen?"

"I don't think your mommy is the type who steals, Anita."

Anita sighed again, looking forlorn.

"I seriously don't know of what to think anymore," she said seriously before again abruptly turning towards her friend. "And did you know I used to dream of him. Before he showed up?"

"Kevin?"

"Yup."

"What of?"

"Everything and anything," she shrugged.

"Eh?"

"I mean, in my dreams, we were always in one adventure or another. Some times we are rich, some times poor. But in my dreams we were both young, in out teens."

Again, Joanne just kept silent and listened.

"But now that I have gone through the hard disk mom left me and watched all the videos, I know that my dreams were actually part of his dramas and movies. Her dramas and movies."

"Inessa?"

Anita sighed for the upteemth time, "yes."

"So coming back to the jewels. Either mom stole them or maybe," Anita hesitantly looked at Joanne, her eyes full of expectations, "I am whom he said I am?"

Joanne wanted nothing more than to agree with Anita, but she could not, because even she herself was unsure.

Everything seemed so surreal. Everything seemed to fit and insanely romantic though, but for the no-nonsense nurse, the whole situation seemed too far fetched. Like a dream that will dissolve as suddenly as it was conjured. And as much as she was excited for her friend, Joanne was just as scared.

"How is Kevin? Has he called you since he left."

"Yes," Anita smiled a little. "every night."

"Every night?" Joanne exclaimed.

"Yeah," she smiled slightly wider.

"You like him, huh?" Joanne grinned. "Is he a nice guy? Are you getting to know him more?"

"Yes, I am, and yes, I feel that he is a nice guy. But I'm not sure who he is being nice to, Anita or the girl he used to know."

"Does it matter? What does he call you?"

"Anita."

"Has he ever slipped and called you otherwise. Does he compare the two of you?"

"No, so far."

"Then, maybe it's you he's getting to know," Joanne squeezed Anita's hand. "And maybe it's her, he's trying to forget."