There's a sudden pause in the other line.
I looked at Tob worriedly. Sweats are forming on my forehead even though it's cold in here.
He smiled at me and nodded. Like he's telling me that I'm doing just fine.
"Ma? Are you there?" mahina kong tawag sakanya.
I heard a sob on her line, and my lips trembled because of that. She recognized me. I'm happy.
I chuckled forcefully. I want to take everything lightly.
"Bakit hindi ka nagsasalita, ma? Ayaw mo ba akong kausap?" tanong ko sakanya sa nanginginig na boses.
I gripped Tob's hold on me tightly. Tila ba kumukuha roon ng lakas dahil para akong nanghihina.
Umingay ang kanyang linya at dinig na dinig ko ang kanyang paghagulgol at ang paghabol sa kanyang hininga.
"Anak . . ." tawag nya sa'kin sa pangalawang pagkakataon sa kanyang basag na tinig.
I was stunned for a moment, and I suddenly felt tears streaming down my face.
It felt good to hear that from her. Noon ko pa 'yon gustong marinig mula sa aking ina. My heart ached not because of pain but because of the euphoric feeling right now.
"Yariene, anak . . ." she called me again between her sobs.
I smiled painfully.
"Ako nga po, ma," bulong ko.
I looked at Tob in front. I saw a faint smile on his face.
"Mabuti naman at nakatawag ka sa'kin, anak. Kamusta ka?" tanong ni mama sa garalgal na boses.
I heave a deep sigh.
"I'm fine, ma. Hindi tayo pwedeng magtagal na magusap dahil nakabantay sa'kin si dad. This is my new phone and number. I will contact you here," panimula ko.
Gustuhin ko mang magusap kami nang matagal ay hindi maaari dahil magtataka na si Ate Salisha kung bakit nakapatay ang phone ko panigurado.
She cleared her throat and sighed.
"Naiintindihan ko, anak. . ." pagsangayon nya.
I nodded like she was just in front of me.
"But for now, I need to know your address, ma. Send me your address at this number. I have so many questions running through my mind, but I need to value our time," I added.
Maingay ang naging linya nya kaya bahagya na akong kinabahan.
"Ma? Are you still there?" I asked, anxious.
"Nandito pa ako, nak. Pasensya kana, maingay. Anak hihingi sana akong pabor sa'yo. . ." she trailed off.
Lumiwanag naman ang mukha ko sa narinig.
"Walang problema, ma. Ano po bang pabor ang hihingin niyo?" tanong ko.
She sighed violently before her words made me stiffen in my place.
"Umuwi kana, anak. Dito ka na lang sa'kin," her voice trembled again.
I was caught off guard. My smile faded in an instant. Para akong napako sa pwesto ko at hindi agad nakasagot sakanya.
"Anong ibig mong sabihin—" she cut me off immediately.
My lips trembled and my heart pounded so hard.
"Kailangan ka ni mama, anak. . . Pakiusap gustong-gusto na kitang mahagkan at makasama. Ilang taon kitang hinanap, Yariene. Hindi ko na palalagpasin ang pagkakataon na 'to, anak. Kailangan kita. . ." aniya sa gitna ng pagtangis.
