"Blake, can you hand me the spatula, anak?"
I was woken up from looking off when I heard my mom's voice. I blinked a few times and looked at her.
"Mom?" I confusedly asked because I didn't hear her clearly because my mind flew out of the window.
"Spatula." she simply said.
I nodded my head, stood up, and bent over to get what she wanted. I then walked over to her and handed her the spatula before going back to my seat.
I watched her sashay into our kitchen, her dress swaying as she walked back and forth. Her long, wavy hair moved along with her.
"Is Atlas going to arrive any time soon?" she asked excitedly, which made me smile.
"Yes, Mom. He said he'll go straight here." sagot ko kahit hindi ako sigurado.
I took a deep breath for the nth time as I thought about him. He is not here because he needed to go home to his grandparents. He was called earlier this morning while we were eating our breakfast. I don't know what the reason was but I already have a hunch, which is why I couldn't seem to function well today. I'm nervous.
The news of us dating spread like a wildfire and I'm sure it also reached his family, specifically his grandparents.
"Does he eat this? He might want to eat something else. Tanungin mo para mailuto ko, anak." she said softly as she smiled.
I felt relieved to see her smiling like this. She looks so different from the way she looks two months ago-noong nagsasama pa sila ni Daddy. Ngayon, hindi ko na nakikitang umiiyak siya. Palaging nakatawa o nakangiti, at iyon lamang ang gusto kong makita kay Mommy.
She doesn't know the call I had with my father last night and I'm not planning to tell her at all. Ayaw ko nang pag-isipin pa siya.
"He likes buffalo wings, Mommy, but I'm sure he'll eat whatever you cook. My boyfriend isn't picky, Mom." I said proudly and bit my lower lip.
"I know. He looks like he is the kind of person who doesn't complain or anything. Nag-aaway ba kayo no'n?" she asked curiously, her voice was too low.
I laughed at my mom's question. She grinned at me and put her forefinger on her lips like she was telling me to minimize my voice.
"Ako lang ang nang-aaway sa kanya, My." saad ko at ngumiti.
Though, I am smiling, but a bit of sadness invaded my system.
Yup. Ako palagi ang nang-aaway. I realized that I am always the reason for our fights or misunderstandings.
"Anak, don't give your boyfriend a hard time. You have to communicate with him to avoid misunderstandings." she said gently, her back was all I could see because she was facing the pan.
I paused for a second before nodding my head slowly even though I know she won't see me.
"Hindi pwedeng boyfriend mo palagi ang iintindi at magpapakumbaba. It should be a give and take relationship, anak. Hindi pwedeng tanggap lang nang tanggap, kailangan ding magbigay." she tilted her body to face me, her smile remained on her face.
But a different emotion was peeking, but I'm sure she was trying to suppress it.
"I am trying, Mom." I said and followed her with my gaze when she walked towards me.
"I know. I know you are. And I'm proud of you." hinaplos niya ang pisngi ko nang sobrang rahan at halos mapapikit ako. "And I'm sure Atlas is also proud of you. That man loves you so much, Blake."
I know, Mom. I sometimes felt like I don't deserve the love he was giving me, but I am trying my best to deserve it.
I stayed in the kitchen with my mom as I waited for Atlas' message. I was anxious the whole time because it's been an hour since the last time he replied. Baka nag-uusap sila ng lola niya.
