THE QUEEN (Season 1: Completed)

Chapter 59

Arken's POV

I looked at Tita. Napamaang siya sa sinabi ko. Parang namimis-interpet niya ang ibig kong sabihin.

"W-What do you m-mean?"

"Tita, hindi ako ang kailangan niya ngayon." I looked at Marcus intently. I sighed and held her hand for her to feel my sincerity.

"He needs himself this time more than anyone else. He can surpass this trying times even without me because this is just a test of time. He needs to evaluate his own capacity without anyone's help. That alone could make him realize his full potential and ability. He's blooming, as we all can see it and he's becoming the man that he wanted to be." Tita looked at me surprised. Nag aalangan naman ako dahil baka hindi niya naiintindihan ang ibig kong sabihin. I'm just trying to see the bigger picture here.

She stayed silent for awhile and it's deafening. I was trying to recall everything that I said.

'May mali ba sa sinabi ko?'

"No wonder why he loves you." Mayamaya ay komento nito kaya na awkward naman ako bigla. "You're silent but full of substance." Napatuwid naman ulit ako ng upo dahil sa biglaang puri nito. It's making me awkward.

"I-I'm just telling you Tita that you need to have a faith on your son. He will ask for help if he needs it. But for now, just let him grow and discover things in his own way. Experience is the best teacher, afterall." Tumango-tango ito.

"Thank you for telling me that. I need that positivity right now, hija."

"I fully understand where you are coming from, Tita. It's an initial reaction of a mother to get worried." I softly said. Tumulo na naman ang luha nito kaya hinagod ko ang likod niya para pakalmahin siya. "You are not a useless mother, Tita. In fact, you did raised him so well. Just look at him right now. He's standing up for what he really wanted to do with his life and you should be proud of that, because your boy is turning into a man now." Kunsola ko dito.

"T-Thank you, hija." She sobbed.

"A mother always ensures her child's safety but you need to set him free this time. He needs to discover life on his own." Parang hinaplos ang puso ko ng makitang umiiyak si Tita Margaux sa tabi ko. Yumugyog ang balikat nito habang ako naman ay nanatiling tahimik sa tabi niya at nirerespeto ang pag-iyak niya. Every Mom has a soft spot in my heart. How I wish I still have a Mom.

"Please hija, don't tell him that I told you about his situation right now. He doesn't want you to know." She said while sniffing. Napailing nalang ako sa narinig at tumango nalang. Tumingin naman ulit ako sa bintana ng kotse at nakita ko si Marcus sa may coffee counter. So he's a barrista in this café.

I secretly smiled. He did a good job, though. Hindi naman lahat ng naghihirap ay dapat kaawaan. May iba na supporta lang ang kailangan.

"How about his studies, Tita?" I softly asked while still looking at Marcus. Next sem, practicum nalang ang subjects niya. Kayanin kaya niya?

Aba! Dapat lang.

"He said that he will handle it alone, but I heard hindi na naman siya pumasok today kaya nag worry na naman ako."

"Tss." Mahina kong palatak at napailing nalang.

Naglagi muna kami doon ng mga ilang minuto hanggang sa inihatid na nila ako ulit sa Academy. The ride was silent. I felt that Tita is thinking about something. Mayamaya pa ay lumingon siya sa akin.

"I'm sorry for Dad's behavior towards you. Ako na ang humihingi ng despensa."

"Tita, I'm used to that kind of people so I'm fine."