"Where have you been, Eleithiya?! I was worried sick!"
I came home at exactly four am. I was trying to sneak in. Nagkanda-hilo – hilo pa ako kakahanap ng spare key ng main door sa ilalim ng paso sa may entrance ng mansion. I thought that by now, Mom would be asleep because she knows that I was at my prom and maybe she was thinking that I was having the time of my life – but I was wrong.
I found Mama in the living room. She was pacing back and forth. Her face was full of confusion, amazement and worry. Hindi naman ako makapagsalita.
"At prom, Mama." I answered her. Natigilan siya tapos ay muling nagsalita.
"I called Haley and she told me she saw you leaving early! Where the hell have you been?!" She growled. I must've awaken the dragon inside her.
"I was re-really at prom, Mama! Maaga lang akong umalis because my other classmates and I went to a private party. That's why she said she saw me leaving early. I'm sorry for making you worry, Mama. I'm sorry."
I bit my lower lip. I am such a liar but I can't possibly tell her how I really spend my night – or who I spent it with.
Huminga nang malalim si Mama "Well did you had fun?"
"Yes, I did, Mama." I gave her my guilt smile.
"I waited for you because it's your birthday and I want to greet you first plus you're Ninang Bathseeba baked a very cute birthday cupcake. I wanted you to light it up so you can make a wish and blow your candle."
"We can still do that..." I told her. Mama finally smiled.
"Really? Alright, let's go to the kitchen." Inaabot niya sa akin ang kamay niya. I took her hand. Akala ko ay lalakad na kami but Mama hugged me tightly. I wanted to say sorry for lying to her, for not telling her what really happened tonight. I want to tell her because it's one of the most beautiful night of my life in like ever – but I stopped myself.
She will be furious as fuck when she finds out what really happened and whom am I dating. I never want to hurt her so keeping her in the dark is the best solution ever.
We came to the kitchen and I saw the cupcake she was telling me about. Akala ko ay isang cupcake lang iyon but Ninang B baked a whole buch – enough to spell T I A.
"Happy birthday, My Little Queen. You are now eighteen and a very beautiful little woman. Time really flies so fast." Hinagkan ako ni Mama sa pisngi. "Go on, blow your candle."
And I did. I made a wish and blew my candle. Matapos iyon ay yumakap ako kay Mama. I don't know why but I am being emotional. I cried. Lalong humigpit ang yakap niya sa akin.
"I love you, Mama. And I'm sorry."
"For what?" She simply asked.
"For being late..." I lied again...
"That's okay. As long as you had fun. Now, baby, go ahead and take a rest because tonight, we will tell the world how beautiful you are, baby..."
Sabay kaming umakyat ni Mama sa second floor. She insisted on sleeping beside me. Ayoko sana dahil gusto kong mapag-isa sa ngayon, buti na lang at bumangon si Papa at tinawag siya. Before they went inside their rooms, Papa greeted me a very happy birthday and kissed my cheeks.
When I was inside my room, I turned the lights on. It was almost five in the morning. I stood in the middle of my room and stripped down.
I feel different.
