Endless Harmony (The Runaway Girls Series #3)

Chapter 21

Matutuwa kaya siya? I just hope this will make things easier for us. Kahit papaano ay madali kaming makakapagkita kung malapit lang ako sa kaniya.

“I am glad that you are now trying to stand on your own,” komento ni Mommy.

“I’ve come to realize that I want to do things without relying on your help,” I sincerely said.

“Then should we cut off your allowance?”

I immediately frowned. “Except for that part, Mommy!”

Humalakhak naman si Mommy habang pinagmamasdan ako na ayusin ang lahat ng mga gamit na dadalhin ko. Umupo siya sa kama habang ako naman ay nilalagay na sa maleta ang mga damit ko.

“I remember. Caleb was around your age when he told me he wanted to move out and live on his own.”

Napahinto naman ako sa paglilipat ng gamit ko. Sinulyapan ko si Mommy na dinadampian ang gilid ng mata niya gamit ang panyo na hawak niya. Hold on... naiiyak ba si Mommy dahil aalis na ako dito sa mansyon?

“Habang ang Kuya Adam mo naman, halos ayaw nang mawalay sa akin. Hanggang pagpasok niya sa med school ay nandito pa rin. Kung hindi pa nag-asawa ang Kuya mo baka hanggang ngayon kasama pa rin natin siya dito sa mansyon,” dagdag na kuwento pa ni Mommy.

I sighed. “Do you want me here, Mommy?”

“Don’t mind me, Darlene. Masaya lang ako na sinusundan mo ang yapak ng mga Kuya mo. Sa susunod, hindi na lang natin mamamalayan na nasa med school ka na rin.”

Malupit si Mommy sa amin pagdating sa acads pero masasabi ko naman na naging mabuti pa rin naman siya sa aming ina. The memories of my childhood are still vivid to me. She used to play with us, and every weekend, we would bake cookies and muffins. It wasn’t until we all grew up that I realized it was the last time I had a happy memory with her.

Kung minsan nga ay palaisipan pa rin sa akin kung bakit biglang nagbago na lang ang lahat. Is it because we’re all growing up? Dahil ba umalis na si Kuya Caleb dito sa bahay? O dahil nag-asawa na si Kuya Adam? O dahil ba hindi na ako bata? But one thing I am sure of is that we are all growing apart... individually.

“Bilis nga po ng oras,” I chuckled. “Parang kailan lang po noong nagbi-bake pa po tayo ng cookies.”

“You remember that?” she asked.

I nodded. “Happy memories po.”

I was stunned when Mom pulled me into a hug. I could feel her shoulders shaking as she held me tight. Tahimik lang siyang umiiyak kaya naman inangat ko ang kamay ko para yakapin din siya pabalik.

These past few days, I’ve noticed her swollen eyes, the growing eye bags, and the sadness in her eyes. It’s obvious that she's going through something.

“I know I might not have been the best mother, especially to you, but always remember I just want the best for you, Darlene, okay?” she said, cupping my cheeks. “Becoming a doctor is the best choice for you.”

“Naiintindihan ko po,” I bit my lower lip.

Pinunasan naman ni Mommy ang mga luha niya. Agad naman siyang lumayo sa akin. Siguro narealize niya na naging emotional siya masyado ngayon.

“Keep us updated, okay?”

“Us? You mean you and Daddy? Ayos lang po ba kayo?” tanong ko.

She smiled weakly. “We need some time off, Darlene. Your father is staying somewhere, but he’ll come home eventually, just not right now.”

“Pinatawad niyo po siya?”

“What choice do I have? We only have a few years left to live, Darlene. I guess I just have to deal with it and move on.”