The Great Escape

Kabanata 16

Kabanata 16

I will

"M-Mom..." I called out.

The sun was setting when I finally gathered enough courage to talk to her. She was arranging things in my room and refilling the cabinets with my favorite food.

Mabilis niya akong nilingon. She raised her brow to acknowledge me. Mabigat akong napabuntong-hininga.

"E-Ephraim visited me l-last night..." I gasped. "I agreed, M-Mom..."

She was flustered for a moment. Then eventually, her expression softened. Her eyes began watering and her shoulders started shaking. I felt a huge lump in my throat as I watch my Mom shed tears.

Tumalikod siya sa akin at humagulgol. What's wrong? Bakit siya umiiyak?

"M-Mom?"

I didn't get a reply from her. All I could see was her back and her shaking shoulders. She'd been crying for more than five minutes now.

Pagkalipas ng ilan pang minuto, dahan-dahan na siyang humarap. Napalis na ang mga luha at may ngiti na sa labi. Tumango siya.

"Go..." she said, almost a whisper. "Enjoy your time with Ephraim, Sera. I'll be waiting here for you."

Naglakad siya palapit sa akin at naupo sa stool. She reached out for my left hand to hold it. As soon as our hands touched, the warmth from her enveloped my system.

Akala ko hindi niya ako papayagan. Lalo na at nagkaroon ako ng komplikasyon nitong nakaraan. But I guess life is really full of surprises. I sighed.

Honestly, I was wavering. Ayoko sanang iwan si Mommy pero dahil sa business namin, alam kong hindi rin siya makapupunta kahit ayain ko siya. She's a busy woman. Naiintindihan ko rin kung bakit minsan lang siya bumibisita sa akin sa loob ng isang linggo. I never held a grudge against my mother.

She then pulled me for an embrace. Hinayaan ko siyang yakapin ako.

Gusto ko sanang gantihan ang higpit ng yakap na iginagawad niya pero hindi ko 'yon magawa. My hands are too weak.

"So come back to me, okay? Come back to us, alive and well."

I nod my head and closed my eyes to let myself relax. We stayed like that for a while until she slowly pulled away. Nakangiti pa rin si Mommy.

"Babalik ka sa bahay at magpapa-check ka ulit. You will get better because you have the best doctors. So go and have fun with your friend. Things will fall back into their right places again. I believe in you, Sera."

Sana nga. Sana nga, Mommy.

Because this time, again, I want to believe in your words. I want to believe in myself that I can get through this. We can.

* * *

Ephraim visited me later that day. I was watching a TV Series then and I am currently on its 12th episode.

Nilingon ko siya at pinasadahan ng tingin. He's on his usual white hoodie, black pants and Chucks. Even his under cut hair was maintained. His style never changed over time. He remains as the Ephraim I knew. I'm glad.

"Wala ka na namang Jalapeño flavored?" Iritado niyang wika.

Nailabas na niya halos lahat ng junk food sa cabinet at wala siyang nahanap na gusto niyang chichirya. Humalakhak ako bilang tugon.

"Kailangan ko na bang sabihan si Tita Sarah na isali ang mga gusto kong pagkain sa grocery list niya?"

"A-Anak ka ba?" I retorted.