Memories of Maine

Mother and Daughter talk

"Daddy!"

"Hey, kiddos! Where's your mom?"

"She's not home yet."

"What? Where could she be?"

"Guessing at work. She did have a photo shoot for 'Yes!'."

"Oh. Okay. Maybe I'll just call her later. How's school?"

"Good."

************

"Nice one, Maine! Turn to the left. Nice!"

Her photo shoot was finished. She went inside her room, and picked up her phone. She saw 10 missed calls and 30 missed messages from Alden. She sighed and decided to call him.

"Hello?"

"Hey, love."

"I'm sorry I didn't answer your calls, I was busy with my—"

"Photoshoot. I get it. Just. Please tell me."

"Okay."

"Ummmm... I'm sorry for what happend yesterday, Love. I admit. I shouldn't have been so... so... so bossy and mad. I'm sorry..."

"It's okay. It was my fault too. I was being to careless. But I promise to be more careful next time, Love."

She heard him sigh.

"Maine?"

"Hmmm?"

"I talked to Athena and Andrew earlier..."

"Yes? Is there something wrong?"

"No... Ano lang. They told me that you weren't eating well. You passed Lunch, Dinner.."

"Sorry. I just felt so depressed about the fight we got into ourselves. But I promise to take care of myself very careful."

"Okay."

"Love, I need to go na. Kailangan ko ng umuwi."

"Okay... Be safe. Bye."

"Bye. I love you."

"I love you too."

************

"Athena? Andrew?"

"Ma'am, tulog na po ung mga bata. Family day po kasi nila bukas."

"Ganun ba? Salamat, manang at pinatulog mo na sila. Mauuna na rin ho ako—"

"Ma'am, sasama po ba kayo bukas sa Family day nila?"

"Oo naman. Anong oras ba un?"

"12:00 PM po."

"Okay. Magle-leave na lang ako bukas. Manang, bukas pakihanap po nung mga lumang damit ni Andrew at Athena? Tas paki-check kung pwede pang gamitin. Yung baby clothes po ah. Tas labhan nyo na lang."

"Opo maam."

"Thank you po."

Maine went to Athena's room and saw her already asleep. She sat down at the corner of her bed and pulled the strands of hair that were covering Athena's face. Athena woke up.

"Mommy?"

"I'm sorry, Thena."

"Its okay lang po. Mommy... Can I ask you something?"

"Sure. You can ask me anything."

"Nag-aaway po ba kayo ni Dad?"

"Athena... No, we're not. Maayos na kami ng Daddy nyo. Nagkaroon lang ng misunderstanding."

"Kung mahal nyo po ang isa't isa, bakit po kayo nagaaway?"

"Athena... That's how we make the marriage more stronger."

"Through fighting? But that's where marriage usually ends."

"Athena. Maayos na kami. There's nothing to worry about."

"Okay. Please lang po, mommy. Wag na po kayong mag-away ni Daddy... Dahil... Nasasaktan din po ako eh... Kami ni kuya."

Maine snuggled Athena.

"Hindi na kami magaaway pa ng Daddy nyo. Did you both heard our conversation yesterday?"

"Yes."

"Next time, anak, bawal kang makinig sa usapan ng matatanda kahit sa ganyang edad mo."

"Opo, mommy. Sorry po..."

"Okay lang. Basta alalahanin mo, ni kuya mo, na kahit anon away pa ang mangyari samin ng daddy nyo, kahit anong pagsubok pa ang dumaan, mahal parin namin ang isa't isa at magkasama kami hanggang s ahuli. Tayong pamilya. Iisa tayo."