Embracing scars (COMPLETED)

34. Medical mission

"Mommy, where are you going?" Ellie asked.

She's sitting on the bed. She's already in her pj's, ready to sleep while I'm still busy packing my things inside a small luggage.

"Medical mission, baby." sagot ko saka nilagay sa luggage ang spare t shirts.

"Can I come?"

I smiled and shook my head. "You're not allowed there."

She pouted. "But mommy----"

"Mommy will be back. We'll just be there for a night." Tumayo ako saka lumapit sa kanya. Umupo ako saka sinuklay ang mahaba at kulot niyang buhok.

"Besides, your titos and titas will accompany you here. You told me you enjoyed their company, right?"

The sad face she had suddenly turned into a happy one. "Yes, mommy! Tita Kianna and Tita Ianna bought me a lot of toys! And dresses too! Then I just told Tito Xian I missed my doll house back at home then after an hour he bought me a hugeeee dollhouse mommy!" kwento niya

Bigla atang sumakit ang ulo ko. If we will live here, I'm hundred and ten percent sure that she'll be spoiled rotten!

Its been a week since they arrived here in the Philippines. Halos araw-araw ay may kumukuha kay Ellie. Minsan, kakagising ko pa lang, sasabihin kaagad ni Caleb na kinuha na ng mga pinsan ko si Ellie.

"It was this hugeee, mommy!" Tumayo pa siya sa kama para mai-emphasize ang taas.

"It was so big that we put it near the poolside! Then Tito Izaac toured me in ocean park! And he bought me a bike! And his girlfriend is very kind and nice, mommy!"

Waaaait, so Ellie met his girlfriend already? Ako nga hindi pa! Grabe.

"And Tito Storm! He bought me a set of cute jewelry!"

Bigla akong kinabahan. Baka mahold-up 'tong batang 'to dahil sa kanya? My gosh! Ellie is still young. Tsaka, baka mawala niya lang ang mga 'yon.

"Tito Mikael bought me gadgets mommy! And Tito Alexander gave me this!" sabay pakita ng bagong relo. Hindi ko alam kung matutuwa ako o ano nang makita ang brand.

They spent millions because they are fond of Ellie? Tsk. Gumawa na lang sana sila ng sariling bata. Hay.

Ellie keeps on talking when the door opens. It revealed Caleb, who probably just had a shower.

"Oh, gising pa pala 'yan?"

"She keeps talking about the gifts my cousins gave to her," sabi ko

Umupo si Caleb sa tabi ko. Nilingon niya ang luggage kong bukas. "Finish packing. Ako na bahala kay Ellie,"

Hindi na ako tumanggi pa. Matapos kong maayos ang mga gamit, chineck ko ang list baka kasi may nakalimutan. Ellie was already fast asleep so I just quietly joined her. Caleb was already settled beside her.

"Are you sure you don't want me to go with you tomorrow?" Mahina niyang tanong dahil tulog na ang bata.

"Yep. Besides, walang kasama dito si Ellie."

I thought ngayong week pa ang dating nila kaya pumayag ako na sumama sa isang medical mission sa Iloilo. Hindi ko na rin pina-cancel dahil ayokong magmukhang privileged dahil lang sa kami ang may-ari ng hospital.

Kinaumagahan, 6 am pa lang ay nakaayos na ako. I'm just wearing loose white long sleeves which I tuck into my jeans. I partnered it with my black flat heel sandals so it would be comfortable. I also made sure I brought extra supplies in case of emergency.

"I'll drive you to the airport?" tanong ni Caleb

"No need. The van will fetch me," I said after I ate the last bite of my pancake.