Memoirs of December

Chapter 1: The Departure

"Always keep an eye on your belongings, hun. Make sure to have your ticket ready in  your pocket so you won't have to rummage through your bags during inspection, okay?" Mom reminded me for the nth time this morning as we stood outside her apartment waiting for a taxi to take us to the port in Tondo. I could almost hear my eyes begging for extra sleep as it was barely 5 AM and boarding time would be at 8 AM sharp, but she insisted for me to depart way too early. You know how heavy traffic in Manila could get, she'd told me last night as she helped me pack my luggage.

"Yes, Ma. You've been telling me that since last night. How could I forget?" I managed to let a shaky laugh escape as I put an arm around her waist, half-hugging her. I shuddered a little as the wind blew, chills creeping through the cardigan that I was wearing. There had been a heavy downpour the night before, and the almost empty streets glistened under the streetlamps. Once in a while, a car or two would pass swiftly by, tires making abrupt spray-like sounds on the damp concrete.

"I'm gonna miss you, hun. How I wish you could just come home to me everyday just like before." She said, her eyes fixed on the dark gray sky above us. I sighed silently. Sadness crept into my chest again. It wasn't as if it was the first time I'd be leaving her behind. In fact, it had  been this way since I decided to resume my studies in Zamboanga two years ago. She and Dad had parted ways eight years ago. I stayed with my father since then before going off to another city to pursue my college degree, but when times got hard, I decided to stop for a while and stayed with her in Quezon City while working in the BPO industry for almost two years. I decided to finish off my remaining years in college when I saved up enough money to get me through for a year or two. We never lost communication since, but I never had the chance to visit her on semestral breaks or summer vacations, and virtual contact could barely subside the longing I've felt for her presence. It's just funny how I used to think I was already accustomed to the distance between us, and now it feels like the first time again. I struggled to choke back the tears that were threatening to fall and held her closer, finding a gentle wave of comfort in her warmth.

"It's okay, Ma. Two more years in college won't be that long. Before you know it, I'd be knocking on your front door again with some chocolates for Krypt and your favorite liempo for dinner." I saw her smile at that, and felt a lot better. A taxi stopped in front of us and we hopped in, the sweet and tangy smell of lemon-scented air freshener filling our nostrils as we settled down for the hour and a half-long ride.

Krypt had come with us, and I insisted in cradling him on my lap as he drank warm milk from his feeding bottle contentedly, his chinky little eyes focused on the blurry city lights outside the car window. He'd been exceptionally energetic and was babbling endlessly since we left the apartment, and seemed to have a clear understanding on what was about to happen. In his cute toddler voice, he had told me that he'd be waiting for me  and reminded me to bring chocolates when I return. His words brought me mixed feelings of adoration and sadness, making me try so hard not to let him see me crying as I hugged him closer to my chest. He may not be my full-blooded brother, but I love him more than words could ever explain. We both shared a strong bond since the day he was born, and his giggles and hugs were what I always used to look forward to after a long day at work.

The taxi approached the port gates not long after, and I felt the sadness in me intensify. My tears were pouring uncontrollably and I could no longer suppress the sobs that I had tried so hard to keep in. My mom pulled me closer into her chest and took Krypt from my embrace, whose energy seemed to falter a bit and was looking at me with curious eyes. I saw the driver, a friendly-looking stocky man in his fifties, adjust the rearview mirror and smiled at me comfortingly. I felt a little embarassed at my sudden outburst and managed to smile back stiffly. I wanted to stay inside the taxi for a minute more or two, but my mother signalled me to exit through the side door as she tried to distract my little brother who already looked like he was about to start crying too.
It was starting to drizzle again as I made my way into the entrance of the waiting area, and after the driver paid the vehicle's entrance fee, I saw my mother wave and smile sadly at me from inside the car window as the taxi slowly pulled away from the driveway. It took me a few seconds before I finally managed to pull myself together and mentally prepared myself for the long trip ahead.