One Promise (Celestial Series #1)

Promise 19

#OnePromiseWp

"Come with me, my little Naomi. Come live with Mommy," mommy persuaded. She was holding her hand out for me, waiting for me to reach it.

I smiled back at her. I tried to stretch my hand so I could reach hers but I stopped midway when a strong feeling of doubt suddenly flashed inside me.

Mommy slightly frowned. She curved her hands into a fist. "What's wrong, baby?"

I hugged my hands together. I was confused. I should go with Mommy, di ba? I mean, matagal ko nang pinangarap na makasama ulit si Mommy. Now she was here, bakit feeling ko, parang may mali? She was now extending her hand towards mine, yet I couldn't seems to accept it wholeheartedly?

Naomi, why can't you grab it? What's stopping you?

"I . . . can't go with you . . . yet, Mommy," I blurted, despite feeling uncertain why, I was so sure, I couldn't go with her.

"Hush now, my little Naomi. What's stopping you? Ayaw mo bang makasama si Mommy? Dito na tayo titira, anak." She spread her arms wide. She closed her eyes and turned around. "Ang ganda dito, anak. Ngayon, magkakasama na tayo! Ayaw mo ba?"

I looked at her. I know it was tempting. It was also my wish, yet I didn't think it was time for me to go with her. The beauty and serene of the place was tempting. It felt like I was dreaming and I didn't want to wake up anymore.

It was way different from the real and cruel world I used to live in.

"Mommy, gusto ko naman po, pero . . ." Umiling-iling ako. "Pakiramdam ko po, may mali. Parang . . . hindi ko pa po oras. Ang dami ko pa pong hindi nagagawa. Wala pa po akong napapatunayan." Inilibot ko ang buong paningin ko. Pumungay ang aking mga mata nang ibalik ito kay Mommy. "It's really pretty here. I'm happy, nandito ka sa isang magandang lugar, Mommy. I really am. But deep down, parang . . . may naiwan ako na hindi pa dapat. Pakiramdam ko, mas kailangan niya ako than you . . . Mommy."

Umiling si Mommy. "That's not true. I need you too, anak. Mommy's lonely here."

Tumingin ako sa likod. I saw a spectrum of different choices emanating from the sky. I couldn't believe I'd get to see a rainbow this close. A sign of new hope and fresh beginnings. "Ang ganda. . ." I whispered, still awestruck with the view.

I remembered those days back when I was a child. How I was naïve to always wait for the rain with the sun, knowing that somewhere far, I could wish for something childish once a rainbow appears. And here I am, staring at its wonderful colors hoping for something to change.

"I want to be with you, Mommy. I really do," I paused. "But right now, I think . . . Daddy needs me more. So, I can't leave just yet. I'm sorry."

Tinalikuran ko si Mommy. I scanned around to look for another way out of this. I kept walking and walking until nagulat na lang ako nang makitang nasa dulo na ako lugar! I looked down, all I could see was a bottomless pit. It was dark and scary!

"Mommy?" Ibinalik ko ang tingin ko kay Mommy. Nagulat ako nang makita siya sa likuran ko. She was in tears. It pains me to see Mommy crying.

"Mommy, why are you crying?" I softly asked. I raised my palm to slowly wiped the tears off her face.

Hinawakan niya ang kamay ko at iginiya iyon sa kanyang labi She kissed it, and another fresh tear started dripping in her face.

"I'm so proud of what you've become, Naomi." Idinilat niya ang kanyang mga mata saka yumakap siya sa akin. "I'm so proud that you grew up to be stronger than I was. I saw everything up here, Naomi. I'm so happy. Your dad. Your achievements. I couldn't be more proud to have a daughter like you. Mahal na mahal kita, anak. Pasensya na dahil umalis sa tabi mo si Mommy, pero araw-araw kitang binabantayan dito sa taas. I'm so happy."