Kuwentuhan

Finding Mother

A town called Tudeville was found at the edge of the country. 

Factories and engines tuned up, releasing a huge blanket of thick, dark smoke in the air. 

The government had tried to investigate the town but the mayor simply shooed them away, saying that everything was perfectly fine. 

This was, in a way, possibly true for most people. 

The businessmen made their way through the busy highway, murmuring something about 'money' and being 'nearly bankrupt'. 

Patricia walked away from them, not wanting to hear their conversation. She was here to find her mother, and that was all. 

Well, searching for her mother who didn't show up for 3 years, anyway. 

She tried not to cry as she thought about it. Her mother was up abroad, she knew that. But when she didn't show up for years, her family had started to panic. 

They sent her here in Tudeville, where she was known to have resided. Giving her the actual address, they gave her a plane ticket and drove her to the airport.

"Mom," she thought desperately. "Why must you hide?" 

She reached for a note in her dress's pocket, clutching it tightly. It was made into four halves, so she neatly unfolded it to have a glance at what was inside once more. 

78 Poulinia Drive, Yumiopole Village, Tudeville. 

The address, she breathed. It was part of what kept her going. 

She whistled for a taxi by a street. It came into a whirring stop, making her sigh in relief. Patricia opened its door and moved inside. 

She could see the taxi driver. He was a tall man with nearly grey hair, his shoulders pale and thin. Black hair curled by his ears and reached his neck. 

"Our destination, ma'am?" he inquired. 

"Yes, just a moment," she said, scanning the note again. "78 Poulinia Drive, Yumiopole Village." 

The driver nodded, returning his gaze back to the road. There was a halt, and the engine roared as they set off.

Patricia scanned the busy town outside through the windows. Vendors in markets, telling consumers that their products were affordable, passersby who made their way through flyovers, conscious about being late for work, and the rest of the chaos in several streets.

She felt a soft buzz in her lap, blinking in surprise. Reaching for her phone, she saw a text which came from her brother, Bill, a few minutes ago.

Did you find mom, Patty ?

Patricia tensed, gazing at it with thought. They were already inside Yumiopole Village, which was beautiful in its own way.

Palm and Pine trees blended through various streets, making the village look nature-friendly. Street lights were turned off, since it was only mid-afternoon. Flowers from gardens stretched in every corner, arranged in patterns which were very amusing. Turning her gaze back to the phone, she texted her brother back.

I'm about to. Hang on, I'll call you instead.

Not waiting for him to reply, Patricia dialed his number and he answered, to her surprise, after several seconds.

"Patty?" he said apologetically. "I'm sorry I couldn't go with you."

"No, Bill, it's fine. I can— handle this on my own," she said.