Taste Series #1: Bitter Taste of Epiphany

Chapter 14

"Mommy.." I tried not to cry on her shoulder but I failed. She kissed my forehead and hugged me.

Mahigpit akong yumakap sa kaniya. Mas lumalakas ang iyak ko ng hawakan niya ang palupulsuhan ko. Mabilis ko 'yon inagaw sa kaniya pero hindi niya pinalampas.

"Adley.." she whispered.

Umalis siya sa pagkakayakap at napapikit nalang ako ng makawala ako sa bisig niya.

Mommy, are you still going to forgive me for what I did earlier?

I don't know how I ended up in the hospital. I just woke up feeling hungry and thirsty. Pagdilat ko ng mata, puti na ang bumungad sakin, may swero na ang kabilang kamay at yung isa may benda na but I still see a little bit of my blood underneath the gauze pad.

What happened? Did I really cut my wrist? Did I? Why?

I bit my lower lip and start to cry again when I remember why.

Angelica. My friend. I haven't see her yet. I need to see her for the last time. I want to see her beautiful face for the last time.

"Don't do it again, Adley.." I looked at Mom, she's still looking to my wounded. Marahan niyang hinawakan 'yon. "Please, promise me you won't do it again?" She shifted her gaze on me.

I slowly nodded to her.. I bit my lower lip.

"Mommy.. si Angelica.." mahina kong salita.. my heart hurts again.

She pulled me for a tight hug. I cried on her shoulder.

"Mommy, I want to see her.." I whispered while sobbing.

"I'm sorry baby," I heard her said.. "She's already buried.. I'm sorry I wasn't there when you asked your dad."

"How come? Ang bilis naman!" I exclaimed.

"They want it fast.. I don't know I never asked her mother.. well I'm not closed with them, you know that."

Umalis siya sa pagkakayakap sakin at hinawakan ang mukha ko para makita siya.

"I came to see her for you, bunso, she's so beautiful.." she smiled.

Nang sinabi niya 'yon hindi ko na naman napigilan umiyak. Wala na talaga siya.. wala na yung kaibigan ko. Wala na akong magagawa para makita siya. I'm so sorry.. hindi man lang kita nakita kahit sa huling pagkakataon, Angelica.

My lovely, Angelica.

We spend more days in the hospital bago ako na discharge. Dad always visited me but I never looked at him.. if he allowed me e 'di sana nakita ko pa si Angelica. Nagalit si Alexander sa 'kin pero anong magagawa ko. It's my fault also I almost died because of me..

"Adley, baby, gusto mo ba mag bakasyon?"

Kasalukayan akong nasa pool area, ang mga paa ko nakababad sa tubig. Lumingon ako 'kay Mommy at nginitian siya.

"Mommy, I want to go to Tagaytay with you." I told her.

Lumawak ang ngiti niya sakin. "Sure." Umupo siya sa tabi ko. "What else? I'll give my whole time to you." She chuckled and hugged me.

I always want to go to Tagaytay with her. I want to enjoy every single day with her.

"Hmm.. batangas?" I looked at her and gave her sweet smile.

"Batangas.. okay." She looks so happy. I smile and lean closer to her to kiss her cheeks.

"I love you, Mommy." I whispered after I kissed her cheeks.

"I love you too, my doctora." She hugged me again, "Baby, wag mo na gagawin 'yon ha? Yung ginawa mo nung nakaraan. I'm so sad when you did it." She looked at me.