Ink and Prints

Chapter 23: Runaway Cinderella

Sometimes when clarity has come
We deny its existence, its mere presence
And that drives us to run and run
Away from our cloudy imagination

_

     "You look so beautiful, Professor Del Pilar." President Decena came from behind and put her hand on my bare shoulder. "Thank you, President," I said to her in a gentle tone. "Is Diana going to be here?" She asked me. "Yes, ma'am. I'm surprised that you know my mother." I really am genuinely shocked that they know each other. One knowing the other is not surprising, but the two of them? Weird. "Ahh, yes. I didn't tell you that Diana was my best friend in college." Woah, that's mind blowing. "Why did you both hide it from me?" I wonder why. I wonder why the two of them hid their friendship for so long. "We're bored, and we want you to figure something out." Middle aged people, huh? The stupidest thing they can think of is something they'll actually do.

     A woman entered the room and from the scent of her perfume, I can already tell who came despite my blurry vision. Gosh, I need new glasses. "Hello, Diana. Thank you for coming. We really needed a guest speaker to establish our university's success, and a potential Nobel Laureate in the future is all we need." President Decena showed a hint of joking sarcasm and genuine will, much like when Carmela and I tease each other, but we actually believe in the both of us. "Spare me the pleasantries, Teodora." There goes my mom's catchphrase. "Hi, mom." I waved to her. "Ohh, Luna, anak. I didn't notice that you're there. You look so beautiful, mana ka talaga sa akin," she said with a smile. "Yeah, both of you look like twins, while the other one is already shriveled up and old," Ma'am Decena said while laughing. It's fun seeing this side of her, of them, they were always so serious with everything. "We get the point, Teodora. Can you please shut up?" Mom's kind to me, but she's still hostile. "Come on, Yana. You're still that hostile? We're 51 for God's sake." President Teodora laughed again. "That reminds me, can I have a moment with my mom po, ma'am?" I asked Ma'am Decena. "Sure, take your time, sweetie," she sweetly said and went out the room.

     "Mom, what's with the sudden change of character?" I asked her, 'twas strange that my mom went from a hostile mother to two, to a neighborhood Mary Poppins. "Like I said last time, Luna. Your Tita Artemis and Lola Celena got to my nerves. I wouldn't give you the specifics because it's a long long story, but I'm sorry that I failed you for so long as a mom." She then hugged me. Even though she's been a bitch my whole life, my mom's apology is still really comforting, that finally one of my thorns is now lifted from my chest. "Thank you so much for that, Mom," I said to her. Thank you, Mom, for not being an ass about it and not apologizing. "Too bad Sol's not here, huh? I really want to express a lot of him. You know, we don't have the best relationship in the world," she said with a sad tone. "Let's get together next week, mom, and enjoy our family time." I hugged her after I said those words.

     President Decena went back to the room and she looked at my mom. "So how about that Professor position that I asked you?" She said to mom. "I'll consider it when I retire from being a pharmaceutical researcher, Teodora," my mom jokingly said, and they both laughed.

     I received a text and I immediately read it. "Enjoy, moonlight." I feel worse now. I want to talk to him so bad, but I really am confused on what I should do. I'm not really sure if I really do love him. Tonight is the night, eh. I think I should confront him or something.

     Someone called and I immediately answered it. "Bakit, Stella?" I said to her. "You'll be at the alumni ball, right?" She asked me. "Yes. I'm a professor, so required talaga ako to be there. Why?" I said to her in a serious tone. "Oh. I know that Sol and Carmela are not here, so Noctis and I will keep you company later. See you, Luna," Stella said with a cheerful tone. "Okay, I'll wait for you." I responded to her and immediately ended the call.