Scars Of Her Moon

𝙲𝙷𝙰𝙿𝚃𝙴𝚁 𝙸: 𝚁𝚈𝙳𝙴𝙻𝙻 𝚄𝙽𝙸𝚅𝙴𝚁𝚂𝙸𝚃𝚈

Dear Rydellian Hopeful,
       We receive approximate numbers of many students, academics and athletes every single day for the hopes of having a place in our most beloved university every single day.
        You were one of those people, Ms. Perez. On behalf of Mr. Fitzgerald Henry Rydell X, Dean of the Rydell Institution, we would like to offer you an opportunity to join us. Your submissions were inspected professionally. They were flawless, to say the least.
         This past month, a new architecture scholarship program has started in our university to honor its 338th anniversary. The program is currently sponsored by none other than Ferrer's Realtor Group; and we hope to help many young students reach their dreams. If this picks your interest, we invite you to a seminar this upcoming monday regarding the scholarship. More information will be in the link below.

        I am hoping this message finds you well.

P. Emmanuel
Rydell University Freshmen Councilor

...

"Hailey, ready ka na?" Tanong ni Kuya Harell, nakasilip sa kwarto ang kalahati ng katawan.

Tumango ako bilang sagot at saka isinara ang huling duffel bag na kailangang dalhin. Tsaka lang pumasok si Kuya nang ngitian ko siya at agad niyang kinuha ang mas mabigat sa dalawa kong bagahe.

"Sakto lang naman yung dala ko 'no?"

Umiling si kuya, halata ang hirap ng pagbubuhat sa mukha. It was enough to make me laugh. Ang totoo, limang bagahe ang isasama 'ko sa akin pero nauna na niyang ilagay ang tatlo sa compartment ng kotse.

"Pero seryoso," I picked up the duffel bag. "Ang bait mo. Feeling ko mami-miss kita."

"Parang tanga 'to, parehas lang naman tayo ng papasukan," he grabbed me by the arm and pushed me forward. "Mauna ka na nga!"

I quickly did. I tredded down the stairs and to the kitchen. Smiling widely to myself when I saw my mom in her business casual clothing. A black pinstripe femme suit.

"Ayos na ang mga gamit mo?" Tanong sakin ni mama, tumango ako't nagmano bago siya ikulong sa isang mahigpit na yakap. My arms were tightly wrapped around her waist as I inhaled her scent. The one I've come to know since childhood. The lids of my eyes dropped close, relishing the warmth from my mother's chest.

Baka ilang linggo pa bago mayakap ko siya ulit.

"You'll visit, right? Alam kong magiging busy ako sa trabaho pero... Hindi pwedeng sila ate at Kuya mo lang." My mom hip-bumped me gently and a faint smile crossed her lips. I softened upon seeing the crow feet that resided on the side of her eyes and lips.

"Siyempre. Ayokong mabulok sa pancit canton eh."

Natawa nang bahagya si mama dahil sa sinabi ko. She entrapped my face, landing a soft kiss on my forehead.

"You've grown... Nanghihinayang ako sa bilis ng itinanda mo, Hailey..." Maliit at malungkot ang ngiti'ng suot niya habang hinahaplos ang pisngi ko. At kahit parang binibiyak ang dibdib ko, I smiled.  "Ngayon college ka na. Gusto ko talagang maiyak."

Kumunot ang buong mukha ni mama bago yumakap muli sa akin. Tumawa ako nang marahan at agad na tinapik ang likod niya. "Ma, kaya ko naman atang umuwi kada weekends."