"Happy birthday, Mom." Sabi ko nang magising siya sa 12 in the morning of her birthday.
I gave her a gift.
A small envelope.
"I needed to save more money to buy gifts, I figured. But that doesnt mean I cant give you any." I said to her and that made her smile to me naman.
Mon hugged me for a moment and whispered 'I love you baby'.
Mom and I have been so honest with each other since I was a baby. Hindi ko alam kung bakit ganito mag-alaga ng anak si Mom. She always reminded me that I am free. And yes, hindi niya sinasabi sa akin pero she always made me feel that way.
Some mothers would want to advice their child to take up the degree they took before, but Mom is different. I took up IT not because she wanted me to but because I wanted to.
And she is not forcing me to work here in Australia either. This moving thing also wasnt her idea to begin with. It was mine. It wasnt a promise. It wasnt anything necessary. It is just the perfect moment for me to grow more. To see the world that it is bigger. You know.
"I love you too." I replied to her.
She opened the letter and began shedding tears. Of course she is a little bit dramatic.
"Why are you crying you havent opened it yet." Sabi ko naman.
"I just like it. I love it honey. I do." Sabi ni Mom at saka niya binasa ang letter.
I wrote that before I sleep last night. Distracted ako masyado kay Van. But I manage to pull myself together and think about my Mom naman. I think I have to pull off some compliments for her since she always works hard everyday.
As she reads my letter, a strong emotion was being felt by me. I want her to stay alive forever and not leave me.
Dear Mommy
Thank you for taking good care of me. May it be far or close, you always gave your all for me. I wish that you'll be happier than today hopefully in the future. I love you always. Happy birthday Mom
"Come here." Mom said and asked for another hug again.
"Too cliche?" I asked.
She kissed my forehead and smiled so wide. "I love you too honey."
The next hours, Mom and I went grocery shopping and also we shopper for new sweaters and jackets since there will fall of temperature this time.
I never thought na ganito pala ka-fun ang shopping. I dont really enjoy shopping for close kasi noon. Kaya I preferred online shopping.
I know, I know. I am too introvert. Pero I think nag-iba na ang daloy ng buhay ko ngayon. And I am so grateful.
Masayang-masaya ako. Super duper masaya. What more can I ask?
The dinner came and I feel so relieve na maraming tao ang dumating kasi nag-worry din kami ni Mom kung paano mauubos ang pagkain. She invited the whole neighborhood and there is this one neighboor na hindi pa dumating.
It was Van.
It's already 10 in the evening. Too late for dinner. Asaan na kaya siya?
Until I remember something.
Shit!!!
I was too busy the whole day!
Shit! shit! Nakalimutan ko siyang i-invite! Oh my god.
Napatingin ako kay Mom na papunta sa akin. Nasa kitchen kasi ako. Kakatapos ko lang hugasin yung ibang plates. At least para di masyado maraming plates mamaya. Pero shit! Mom cant know kasi baka isipin niyang I did it on purpose.
"Hey, Angel, I never seen Van today. Can he come here? Have you talk to him?" Mom asked and placed the new batch of dishes to wash.
Nanlaki ang mata ko.
"Van is the only friend you got. Keep him close."
Not too close, Mom.
It is already awkward.
Dang it. Hindi ko ito sinasadya. I just really forgot.
"Uhm, maybe he is busy. I should call him to make sure he did not forget." I said.
Mom smiled and excited at the same time.
Oh my god, Angel. You will really hurt her feelings kapag wala si Van.
Okay.
Lumabas na ako ng bahay ang there were only few people nalang ang natira. And as I walked across the street, I saw Van's car outside the garage. Aalis ba siya? Or kakarating lang niya?
Naglakad na ako ng diretso at kumatok ng makarating ako sa pintuan.
"Van?" I called.
Ilang segundo na sumnunod ay nagbukas naman yung door.
"Hey— oh Varys." I said.
Si Varys ang nagbukas ng pinto. He looks excited.
"What is it?"
Naalala ko tuloy yung kwento ni Van tungkol kay Varys. May dark past naman pala ito si Varys. Hays. Okay. Not too judgemental this time, Angel. You needed Van's presence.
"Uhm, it is my Mom's birthday. You should come by. She is actually expecting Van— and you." I said to enlightened him.
Varys throws his hands up and went outside.
"Okay! Gotta go there now."
"But where is Van?" I asked.
"In his room. Probably mourning again." And then he left like he doesnt really meant what he said about Van mourning.
Mourn?
Why?
Did something happen?
I knocked at the door even if it is open. Pumasok ako at saka nagknock ulit sa room niya.
I've been here in this house before so quiet familiar na ako sa interiors. Pero when I knocked at the door, it suddenly swung open.
Nanlaki ang mga mata ko ng makita si Van na super sira. Stressed!
His hair was a mess and parang hindi siya natulog. He smells like an alcohol too.
"You're drunk." I said.
He scoffed.
And then he suddenly—
Planted a kiss on my lips.
He took me inside of his dim lighted room and locked the door and pinned me into it. His hands were on my shoulders.
"Van!" I shouted when he got off from my lips.
Nagulat lang ako.
Lumayo siya kaagad.
I saw how he breathed heavily this time.
"Shit. What Have I done this time."
BINABASA MO ANG
Van Mentius Lim: My Pain (Completed)
Storie d'amore"My Pain is you, Van Mentius." - Angel Horfelia The story of "My Pain" revolves around Van Mentius Lim and his journey to finding love and acceptance. Van, tired of playing games and having ill-fated relationships, finally meets a girl who changes...
