// At night of the same day - Sydney, Australia //
Ellen asked me to stay with her in the kitchen for a cup of tea. It was after we finished washing the dishes. She did volunteer to clean up after dinner but I insisted on doing it myself.
“You already prepared for dinner. Let me, at least, clean this all up.” I managed a careful plea, but it was her idea we do it together instead.
At that time, Anthony has already bathed Junior and accompanied him to his bedroom to sleep. This gave Ellen and I more time to know each other better.
“How are you enjoying Australia so far?” Ellen initially spoke as we got seated in the kitchen table, her thumb rubbing the cup of Valerian root tea after having a quick sip earlier. I didn’t know if she chose such tea for her insomnia or blood pressure, some of her medical conditions she previously shared, or simply her preventive measure for the anxiety that's about to take place.
“Great. The weather here in Australia is friendly to me so far.” I gave my finest to sound casual but deep down, I was nervous. I never thought that talking to my boyfriend’s mother could be this nerve-wracking. I’m not used to it because my ex’s family were family friends and business associates. Gatherings were all beso-beso, buying this or that, and false pretense most often.
I took a sip of the tea, too, and maintained my cordial aura, wishing the tea is successful in loosening my tension.
“Oh, yes. I understand you don’t have autumn in the Philippines. But I would love to see one of your beaches there someday. I heard it’s a paradise.” Ellen talked bubbly I didn’t notice I was smiling all the way.
“I’d be happy to accompany you whenever you get to visit the country.” I smiled from time to time and threw calibrated jokes in between.
Slowly, our chat went deeper and more serious. We began talking about me and Anthony and the possibilities of it all. And Ellen’s grinning face gradually transitioned into despair.
“It’s no secret to you that Anthony went to jail, and his father—” Ellen halted to gasp some air, and I knew, right there and then, her husband’s misfortune had something to do with it.
But gritty Ellen was that she was able to continue, “That Anthony’s father was an alcoholic and had injured people…?” For a torturous moment, we both stayed quiet. Stricken. But nevertheless accepting with the realities of it all.
“Don’t these things bother you at all?” Ellen went on to ask me, not failing to look me in the eye.
In some way, it gave me a feeling like she was testing me. To know if I was complaisant with all the stitches.
Silence descended from me for a moment, taking in all the things that’s happening. Ellen simply watched me. I could tell through the corner of my eyes.
In the stretch of silence, I was certain of the things to say. I’ve been weighing things hours before this, even before I arrived here in Australia.
“I’ve made my decision before coming back to Australia.” I faced Ellen now as I spoke. “I love Anthony.” All of a sudden, tears threatened and my voice started to tremble. “I love him, and I want to be with him for the rest of my life.” I spent eons finishing these words as Ellen persevered to listen.
Ellen leaked out a tear, too, the moment I’ve blurted it all out. The two of us emotional for a brief moment.
“You are a brave woman,” Ellen reached out to my hand and cried with me for another while. “If that’s what your heart wishes for, you have my trust, Natalie.” Ellen told me, and I just bloomed upon hearing it. This kind of approval from the mother of the man I love is more than any gem. Ellen leaned forward and faced me closer, then examined me with a smile. “I don’t wonder now why my son loves you this much. You’re an extraordinary woman.” She put on a brighter smile, then offered a long embrace.
I hugged Ellen back the second I felt the weight of her approval and affection, and that was also the time when Anthony left Junior’s bedroom and saw us hugging each other in the kitchen. I could see Anthony’s grin as he neared us cautiously and watched the magnificent moment right before his eyes.