Affection in the Mats (Girlhood Series#1)

19

Gulat pa rin kaming lahat sa kung anong nangyari. Nandito kaming lahat ngayon sa bahay namin, gulat na gulat na nakatingin sa nanay kong akala ng lahat ay patay na. Mom told us how Anikka and Eduardo treated her. I could not afford to hear those things that's why I left their conversation.

"How are you feeling?" Giovanni sat beside me on the bermuda grass

I held his hand and squeezed it. I let out a sigh. A sigh that contains a lot of emotions. Happiness, sadness, hatred, you name it.

"I could not believe mom's alive after all these years. And I am happy that she's alive. I felt like my prayer of having a complete family has been granted," I looked at Giovanni and gave him a small smile, "But I could not handle the fact that Anikka, and her asshole husband, shitted my mother for nineteen years. I mean, how sick could she be?! She's unbelievable!"

"I know, right?" Giovanni nodded, agreeing on what I have said, "Kaso may mga ganoong tao talaga, ano? Kahit kasuklam-suklam 'yung ginawa, talagang hindi nakukunsensya."

"I wanna beat her so bad, Giovanni. I could not decide what kick I would throw on her face." I uttered out of anger

"Yes, sis! Go beat her!" Giovanni threw his fist on the air, "Para may souvenir siya habang nabubulok siya sa kulungan. Ah, eto 'yung peklat na ginawa ng anak ni Karlie Genovese."

I looked at him and tilted my head a bit to the right, "You just gave me an idea."

"You're welcome."

I chuckled. We stayed here for a little while before we went to our own houses. My parents were seating on the couch, talking about something serious. My lips formed into a smile because of what I have just thought.

My parents. I never knew saying these words would give so much happiness to me.

The next day, I woke up early. I wanted to cook breakfast because this would be my first breakfast experiencing a complete family. I cooked chicken curry because it was my mom's favorite.

"Hmm, ang bango ha," I looked at my mom who was walking downstairs with a smile plastered on her face, "Ikaw ba ang nagluluto, anak?"

Kinikilig ako. First time kong matawag na anak ng nanay ko. Nakangiti tuloy ako nang humarap ako sa kanya.

"Yes, mom." I answered happily

Kinikilig ako! I just said mom as an address to my mom because I am talking to her right now! This is a dream come true. Thank you, Lord.

"Ang agang nagising ng Ethisse namin ha," dad put his arm around my mother's waist, "At nakapagluto pa ng breakfast! Mukhang nagpapakabait ka sa nanay mo ah?"

I just smiled at my dad as I put plates and utensils on the dining table. Umupo naman na sila sa harap ng mesa at ganoon din ako. We closed our eyes and closed our hands as dad lead the prayer.

"Dear Lord, thank you for the food that you've given to us. Thank you also for making Ethisse experience the feeling of having a complete family, she's been praying for this to happen since she was a child. I never expected that her wish would really come true," I saw how dad's lips formed into a smile, "And thank you also, Lord, for setting Karlie free. For letting me love Karlie again for the third time in my lifetime. Salamat lang sobra Lord sa blessings. 'Yun lamang po, in Jesus' name we pray,"

"Amen." sabay-sabay naming panapos sa dasal

Pagkatapos namin kumain, nag-shower na 'ko dahil aattend ako ng training. Nagsuot ako ng Webber shirt na kulay blue, leggings na nike, at kick shoes. Sinabit ko ang gym bag ko at bumaba.