At Her 18th | ✓

Epilogue

"Are you sure you don't want help?"

"I'm fine Mom, nandito rin naman po si Yaya Mels kaya hindi na po kailangan." I even smiled at her for assurance.

Ever since I moved in—in my condo here at Mountfort—she's always been keeping tabs on me and visiting me every now and then. She worries too much, but I really can't blame her. She's still my mom after all.

"Kumusta po kayo diyan?" I asked to change the subject. Kapag hindi ko gagawin 'yun, makakahanap siya ng rason para pumunta dito at ayaw ko namang makaabala sa kaniya, alam ko kasing busy silang dalawa ni Dad.

"Everything is here fine, dear." She smiled and her eyes widened as she rememebred something, "Oh! And the sudden withdrawal of the 4 million from the company was recovered, pero hindi pa rin namin alam kung sino nag-tip sa amin tungkol dun." That fast? Mom just informed me about that dilemma last month, naibalik nila nang ganun kadali?

"Your father doesn't want to give up on searching for that person though. He really wants to thank whoever that was for helping us." Kahit ako. Someone stole millions from our company that would've led us to bankruptcy. My father was in a tight spot and even with the help of his siblings they were still having a hard time.

Kaya nga ayokong inaabala sina Mom kasi alam kong nahihirapan sila dahil 'dun. I did everything I could on my end even if I wasn't satisfied with the limited help I could do, but now she's telling me that everything's back on track. That's such good news!

"Please inform me kapag nahanap niyo siya, Mom. I want to express my gratitude as well." I told her with pure sincerity.

"Of course, dear. So nasan na ba si Melissa?" Napansin niya atang tahimik ang background ko. Mahilig kasing kumanta si yaya Mels tuwing nagtatrabaho siya at napakasoothing ng boses niya kaya pinapabayaan ko na.

"Natutulog pa po. I was just preparing our breakfast when you called."

"Bakit ikaw ang gumgawa niyan?" Gulat na gulat pa siyang napatanong, "Dapat mas naunang magising si Melissa para siya ang makapaghanda."

"It's really fine, Mom. I got up earlier than usual that's why she's still sleeping. Kaya ko naman po eh." I don't want to give her reasons to think that yaya Mels is not doing her job properly. She's been a very big help to me and I will always be grateful to her.

"Oh siya sige, I will not hold you for long then. Take care, baby. Don't ever hesitate to call me or your father whenever you need anything."

"Of course, Mom." I chuckled as she sounded so paranoid with her tone.

"I love you."

"Love you too." Siya na ang pumatay sa tawag kaya iniligpit ko ang iPad at nagsimula na ring magluto.

I went with toast, bacon, and hotdogs, at nagsalin na rin ako ng isang cup ng rice kasi hindi sanay si yaya Mels sa pagkain dito sa states kaya kailangan talaga may kanin palagi.

I got used to light breakfast because I had to walk from here to the university all the time, I have my car pero walking distance lang kasi kaya hindi na ako nagsayang ng gas.

I would've just settled for a dorm in campus, but plans changed, either way I'm still happy with the choices I've made by far.

"Good moring po, ma'am Nicole." Bati sa'kin ni yaya Mels nang pumasok ito sa dining. Agad rin siyang nataranta nang nakita niyang ako ang naghahanda ng pagkain, "Naku, ako na po diyan."

"It's okay. Kaya ko naman." Wala namang kaso sa'kin 'yun kasi summer vacation namin ngayon so I have a lot of time

"Napasarap ata ang tulog ko, ma'am. Sorry po." Pagpapaumanhin niya kahit na hindi naman kailangan.