Just the Girl

KABANATA 42

KABANATA 42

Red has been busy working in the coffee shop a week now kaya naman ay nakakuha ng chance si Miah to take care of Red's mother without him knowing. Glad they are in semestral break because the upcoming semester is their OJT. Their group already has a company to train and they already decided to go in Manila after four weeks.

By that, Miah is worrying about Ma'am Cornejo. Who will take care of her once they start their OJT?

Pero nakuha ang atensyon ni Miah ang sinusulat ng Ginang sa makapal na notebook nito. It's not even looks like a lesson plan. It seems like a diary? Naglakas loob na siyang magtanong.

"Oh, this? This is my Cancer Journey Diary. I'll give this to you someday."

Napakunot noo si Miah. "To me? Uh... bakit po?"

"Hm, I can't think anything to give to you since I'm not a wealthy person." tumawa ang Ginang. "This is the only thing I can think to give to you because this is special to me." sabay lapat ng Ginang sa dibdib nito ang notebook na hawak.

"Thank you, Ma'am Cornejo." aniya.

"Uh, Miah," sabay hawak nito sa kamay niya. It's kinda warm. Bigla niyang namiss ang kaniyang ina. "I have a request."

Tumaas ang dalawang kilay ni Miah.

"Can you start calling me 'Mama'." Miah doesn't know what to react.

"I-I..."

"Please..?"

She nodded. "M-mama..." aniya.

Pumikit ang Ginang at ngumiti. "I've always wanted to have a second child. A daughter to be exact." She hug her tightly. "Miah, I can't thank you enough for everything."

Tumango si Miah. "No worries, Mama. I'm always here for you."

Naantala ang sintemyento nila nang may marinig silang pagkatok sa gate.

"Who it might be? Baka dumating na iyong inorder kong gasul kanina."

Miah stood up. "Ako na po bahala. Ipapalagay ko na lang sa terrace."

"Oh, ako na. It's not yet paid."

Ang nangyari, they both went to the gate. Ang Ginang ang nagbukas ng gate at hindi mawari ni Miah ang hitsura ng Ginang nang makita kung sino ang taong naghihintay sa labas. She looks like she has seen a ghost.

Nilingon ni Miah iyon at hindi niya kilala ito. She looks sophisticated. She dressed nice. She looks rich. And she's indeed beautiful and tall.

"It's been nineteen years, Matina."

"M-Moriseth?"

"Glad you still know me," tinanggal nito ang suot na magarang shades. "Am I invited to go inside your house?"

Miah can feel the tension between the two of them when they're already inside the house. Si Mrs. Cornejo naman ay hindi makatingin ng deretso sa babaeng nasa harapan nito.

"Nice home. It's clean and cozy." Anito habang tinitingnan ang buong bahay. Then she starts looking at the pictures na naka display. Biglang naging blangko ang mukha nito nang titigan nito ang larawan ng anak niya.

"Is he your son?" malamig nitong tanong. Even Miah felt that strange coldness.

Mrs. Cornejo didn't say anything. She just nodded.

Miah, barged in. "Ma'am, what would you like to drink po?" she even smile. Ngumiti din ang sopistikadang Ginang sa kaniya.

"A cup of coffee will do," anito at tumingin ulit sa former teacher niya. "Who is she? Your second child? She's pretty."