Tale Of A Moon

39

2008

Tinanggal ko muna ang sapatos ko bago tuluyang pumasok sa apartment namin ni Ate Aspen.

Pero wala pa siya kasi shift niya ngayon.

I stretched my body and reached the ceilings.

Tapos ay huminga ako ng malalim and wore my slippers.

After that, pumunta na ako sa kusina namin.

I prepared two meals for the both of us kahit alam ko na pag-uwi ni Ate ay malamig na 'yun.

She can always use the oven.

I was deep in boiling the noodles and making its sauce because I decided to make pasta, when my phone rang.

Napakunot ang noo ko.

Hindi naman si Ate Aspen 'yun. Because I'm sure she's deep in her works.

So, kinuha ko 'yun and checked.

Si Mama lang pala.

I hesitated.

Bit my lip.

She always call me but I rarely answer.

There's just something about answering calls coming from the Philippines. It's like I'm travelling back in there. And it's kinda useless na pumunta ako miles away to avoid that country then be back again in there with just a call.

Nakakabobo lang.

Lumipas ang ilang minuto and the ringing became a flat line.

Ibaba ko na sana ang phone ko at babalik sa niluluto ko ng bigla na naman niya akong tawagan.

I sighed.

This time... I answered it.

She was adamant and she was my mother after all. Baka gusto niya lang ako kamustahin.

"Hi, Luna!" Bati niya sa akin at sobrang laki ng ngiti niya.

I smiled back. A little one. "Hi, Ma."

"Kamusta ka na? Are you doing well in there?"

I swallowed because of her question. I blinked my eye. Look up through the reflection of myself in the glasses of our house. Bit my lip.

Kamusta na nga ba ako?

Maayos nga ba ako? Hindi ko alam ang sinasabi niya.

I don't know how to answer when I don't know the answer.

But for her assurance and peace of mind, I lied.

"Yeah..." I prolonged it. "Maayos naman ako, Ma. Better than ever." I blinked through my lies.

"That's nice, anak. I'm really glad. Kamusta naman ang trabaho? Do you need money? There's nothing wrong in asking for help, you know. I'm you're mother after all," sabi niya sa akin.