Ang jowa kong balikbayan

Her side

"Kailan mo balak bumalik?"

Natigil ako sa paghiwa ng steak ng biglang magsalita si ate.

"Ilang taon na ang lumipas, Rina. Mom's okay na and the company." she's eyeing me full of concern.

"Soon ate."

Frustration was written all over her face.

"Rina! Can't you see?! It's not you anymore. You need to go back para naman bumalik yang dating sigla mo." she said.

"Your ate is right, Rina. Okay na naman ako." nakangiting sabi ni Mom.

I keep mum.

Hindi ko alam ang sasabihin.

"We know na sobrang nag-aalala ka lang kay Mom. Akala namin ng una you're just going to stay hanggang sa gumaling si Mommy but you insisted na pati sa company ay may maitulong ka," hindi ko na magawang matignan si ate.

"And we're thankful for that, pero Rina. It's not an excuse anymore para lang kalimutan mong may dapat kang balikan. Taon na ang lumipas Rina."

Nagsimula na akong umiyak.

Ilang taon na nga ang lumipas.

I was just waiting for Winter when I received a message from ate.

Mom's in the hospital.

I immediately rushed to the nearest hospital dito sa city.

I was so nervous bago pa man ako makarating ng hospital. Masyado akong worried. Bakit nasa hospital si Mommy?

Ng makarating ako hinihintay na pala ako ni ate sa labas ng hospital. Mabilis naming tinungo ang room ni Mommy.

She's still unconscious ng pumasok kami.

Kinausap kami ng doctor about Mom's condition.

I suddenly can't breathe properly.

Why?

Of all people, bakit si Mommy pa?!

We need to transfer her to Manila first thing in the morning. I didn't think twice nung sinabi ko kay ate na sasama ako.

"What about your things? Your friends? Winter?" she asked.

Dahil sa kaba at takot I almost forgot about Winter.

Tinawagan ko agad si Gi.

"Gi, pwede mo bang sunduin si Winter?" I immediately said as soon as she picked up.

"Why? May nangyari ba? You sounded li--"

I cut her off "Mom's in the hospital. I'll explain nalang mamaya."

Pumayag naman sya at hindi na muna nagtanong pa.

"Gi, please don't tell this to Winter muna."

After the call tumabi agad ako kay ate na naka-upo malapit sa bed ni Mom.

Mom's finally awake.

"Mom, why didn't you tell us?" i said. Pinipigilan ko talagang maiyak.

"Ayoko kayong mag-alala. Okay lang naman ako mga anak--"

"No mom! You're not okay! Y-you're.." I almost choked.

"You're dying.." umiyak na ako matapos kong sabihin iyon.