Amara

Reaching out

It was the 23rd of December today, I opened the last message Mama sent me on my phone, I looked at it as Sophia was getting ready for a day out with Eileen. Sophia was watching me as she put on some make up.

"Love, hindi mo pa din napapatawad si Mama Carmina?" She asked me.

"Napatawad ko na love, pero hindi ko kasi alam kung paano ko siya i-aapproach eh." I said to her.

"Call her love, it's been 22 years, gusto ni Marionne makilala ang Mamita Carmina nya." She said as she finished the last touch of her make up.

"Yeah, I will and I'll meet you girls for lunch later?" I confirmed.

"Yeah, magbabonding lang kami ni Eileen. See you and Marionne for lunch." She said smiling as she placed a quick chaste kiss on my lips.

"See you later, love." She said smiling as she stood and got out the door.

Marionne entered the room and gave her mom a quick kiss on the cheeks.

"Well, ma? It's you and I today. Where are we off to?" Yoyon said smiling.

"We'll meet your Mamita Carmina, we will invite her for lunch and hopefully make her stay for the holidays." I said to Marionne.

Her eyes lit up after she heard me say this.

"Really ma?" She said smiling.

"Yes, Marionne." I said to her.

"Cool, where do we find her?" Marionne asked me.

"Let me call her." I answered Marionne.

I dialled Mama's last known number, it rang twice before Mama picks up.

"Hello, Amara?" Mama's voice on the other line said.

"Hello Mama, Can I meet you today?" I asked her.

"Of course you can baby." She responded.

"Okay po, asan ho ba kayo today?" I asked her.

"Nasa Makati ako naka-tira, one jeepney ride away from Howell Lifestyle Center." She said cheerfully.

"Great, I'll see you at Clara 5. Join me for lunch and I'll introduce you to your granddaughter. See you at 11 a.m.?" I asked Mama.

"Sure, I'll be there at 11 a.m. may asawa ka na ulit? Grand daughter? Kailan pa?" Mama replied.

"Mamaya ko na ho ipapaliwanag. See you later Ma." I said.

"Alright baby, see you later." Mama said.

The line got cut off and I looked into my Marionne's eyes as she realized she will meet her Mamita Carmina today.

"Is my baby Marionne happy?" I asked her.

"Yes mama, truly happy." She said smiling.

"We'll go now then. It's 10:35 a.m. bukas na ang mall ng Mamita Clara mo." I said to her.

The Howell Lifestyle Center was a 15 minute walk across the hotel we stayed at which was the Arden Hotel. Arden was from the word Ardent which means glowing or burning. The hotel interiors were red, orange, yellow and black. A fire fountain was in the middle of the lobby. Which is why Arden hotel is the hottest hotel ever to exist. The first branch was opened in Warwickshire, England. Where the Arden Forest once was, across the property there was a Garden called Heart of England. Where the actual Arden forest was located. Ang lolo ni Sophia ang nag-bukas ng naturang Hotel. It was revamped over the years to mimic fire, a fire fountain was then built at the original hotel lobby.