It was close to noon when I finished the laundry, and Mrs. Verna wasted no time in serving me lunch by the wash area. We sat down to eat together, and as always, Mrs. Verna had a treasure trove of stories to share. We lost track of time, engrossed in her tales. She regaled me with memories of her debut, describing the lavish preparations her parents had made, including her mother hand-sewing the exquisite pink gown she wore. It took nearly a year to complete. Being the only girl among six siblings, Aling Verna's parents spared no expenses for her debut. That night was the pinnacle of happiness for her, as she danced with her adored father and her younger brothers. But, as is often the pattern, joy was swiftly followed by sorrow. Aling Verna's father tragically lost his life in a hit-and-run motorcycle accident after dropping off her uncle in town. This heartbreaking incident not only robbed her of her beloved father but also ended her own pursuit of education as she stepped in to support her younger siblings.
As I listened to Mrs. Verna's life story, a deep sense of sadness washed over me. Among the three mothers at the center, Mrs. Verna was always the cheerful one, the joker among the volunteers. Yet, behind her infectious laughter, I could sense the profound sadness and grief stemming from the hardships she had endured since her father's passing.
Our conversation was abruptly interrupted by a teenage boy, a student-volunteer at the center, who informed me that Mrs. Garcia wished to see me in her office after lunch. The gravity of the situation was palpable on Aling Verna's face, even though she tried her best to conceal it. Knowing Mrs. Garcia was aware of our impending discussion, I caught Mrs. Verna forcing a smile when she noticed me looking at her.
"Your adoption by Fr. Jowie will proceed as planned. Just like the other children here at the center, you will be leaving," Mrs. Garcia gently shared.
"Even though we will be adopted by Fr. Jowie, you will always be one of our three mothers, alongside my brother Oteph. Nothing will change, and we will still visit you here," I reassured her, trying to muster a smile.
"Thank you, my dear one. Flora, Teresa, and I are also thrilled that Fr. Jowie chose to bring you to the center. Most of the children here dream of having a family of their own. So Fr. Jowie is truly fortunate to have you and to invite you into his family."
"Oh, Mrs. Verna, it is Oteph and I who consider ourselves fortunate to have my godfather welcoming us into his home. And then, to have met you here at the center, where you have treated us like your own children. How incredibly lucky are we? What more could we ask for?" I warmly replied as I started to clean up our dishes.
Mrs. Verna nodded, her smile radiating warmth. She approached me and enveloped me in a tight embrace.
"No matter where you and Oteph end up, please never forget us, okay?" she whispered, holding me close.
"Of course not. Oteph and I will never forget you. Besides, Fr. Jowie's house is just a few meters away from the center. You can visit us anytime, or we can even arrange for Mama Flora and Ms. Teresa to come along," I assured her.
"Oh yes, I seem to have forgotten how close Among's house is. My apologies. I may have gotten a little carried away with watching K-dramas on TV, and it seems a dash of their dramatic flair has rubbed off on me," she chuckled, breaking free from our embrace.
"So, you've become a fan of K-dramas, huh?" I teased, eager to lighten the mood.
"Oh, yes, my child," she chuckled, her excitement palpable. "Whenever I see Jung Kyu, oh my, I get so thrilled, especially in scenes with Park Shin Yeng," she added.
Surprised by the names she mentioned, I took a moment to gather my thoughts before responding. "Who is Jung Kyu and Park..."
Interrupting me eagerly, she interjected, "Park Shin Yeng. They are the main actors in 'Moonlight Over Flower.' It feels like I've gone back to my teenage years, like the time of Sheryl and Romnick, or the love team of Manilyn and Jano."
Though I still didn't recognize the names she mentioned, I nodded politely, appreciating Mrs. Verna's enthusiasm. It was refreshing to see someone her age so genuinely excited about something. I secretly hoped to share in that thrill one day.
"You should watch that show too, Andrea. I'm sure you'll be thrilled. Maybe you'll even find your Prince Charming in it," she suggested with excitement, her eyes lighting up. "Remember the young man who danced with you last night? The one with the Chinese features."
I quickly realized she was referring to Gem Ver, the Chinese-looking guy who had caught their attention at the party. "Oh, you mean Gem Ver? Do you know him?" I asked curiously.
Mrs. Verna shook her head, a mischievous smile forming on her lips. "No, I don't know him. I just noticed that you two looked good together."
Blushing slightly, I dismissed her teasing. "Come on, Mrs. Verna, you're teasing me."
But she continued, unable to contain her excitement. "Oh, Andrea, you and Gem Ver looked like a perfect couple last night. It was so adorable to watch. You reminded me of a love team straight out of a K-drama."
Trying to downplay the situation, I clarified, "We're best friends, Mrs. Verna. Just good friends."
Smiling knowingly, she responded, "It's even better when you start as best friends and then become a couple. You should consider giving it a shot, like in a K-drama."
Feeling overwhelmed, I reminded her, "We're still young. Our focus is on studying right now."
Mrs. Verna's expression shifted abruptly, as if she had just realized something important. She covered her mouth with one hand, apologizing for her thoughtlessness. "Oh, right. I'm sorry, my mouth tends to ramble without thinking. I forgot that you're both still young and focused on your studies. I've been watching too much K-drama lately, and everything seems romantic to me."
Her genuine remorse softened my heart, and I couldn't help but smile. This was the first chance we had to connect on a deeper level during our time with Mrs. Verna.
"Don't worry, Mrs. Verna. Gem Ver and I are just friends, I promise," I reassured her teasingly.
Chuckling, she responded, "Alright then. That's how it is, just like showbiz. Everyone denies it when it comes to these things."
Playfully protesting, I laughed and said, "Really?"
We shared a lighthearted moment before Mrs. Verna's tone turned sincere. "But in all seriousness, you're both young, so focus on your studies. It's important for your future, especially for Oteph's."
Grateful for her support, I expressed my heartfelt appreciation. "Thank you, Mrs. Verna. We understand the importance of education, especially for my brother's future."
As Mrs. Verna mentioned her other duties, I nodded in understanding. "Alright then, Mrs. Verna. I'll go to Mrs. Garcia's office after I finish tidying up the laundry."
Noticing a hint of seriousness in Mrs. Verna's expression, I felt compelled to ask, "Is everything alright?"
"Alright, I'll go ahead," she said, taking slow steps away from me.
"See you then, Mrs. Verna. Thank you for the stories and for accompanying me to eat," I thanked her. However, her response was inaudible as she completely disappeared behind the lush branches of the Makopa tree in that area.
When I arrived at Mrs. Rowena Garcia's office, it was already past one in the afternoon. Despite knowing that she was very kind to my siblings and me, I couldn't shake off my nervousness. One of her female staff members led me to a soft sofa placed outside her office, as Mrs. Garcia was still in a meeting. The staff member momentarily left and returned with a sandwich and a glass of iced tea.
"Have a snack first," she offered with a friendly smile.
"Thank you," I replied, feeling slightly shy in the presence of the woman who appeared to be around thirty years old.
She handed me a freshly made chicken sandwich, still warm in my hands, along with a glass of refreshing iced tea. It satisfied my hunger, even though it was still early afternoon. I couldn't help but feel hungry these days; perhaps it was due to the workload here at the center. I've noticed that I've gained some weight, which isn't surprising.
I placed the glass of iced tea on the small table in front of me and slowly unwrapped the chicken sandwich from the tissue. Taking a bite, I relished its delicious taste. If only Oteph were here, I'm sure he would love it too. I glanced at the sandwich I was eating and smiled, wrapping it back in the tissue and placing it in the pocket of my loose-fitting jogging pants. I'll save it to give to Oteph later; I'm sure he's hungry after playing.
I picked up the glass of iced tea and took a sip, feeling its coolness soothing my throat and providing instant relief. With the scorching heat outside, cold drinks were perfect. The iced tea was expertly prepared, and I almost considered asking for another glass, but I felt a bit too shy to make the request to Mrs. Garcia's staff member.
As the door to Mrs. Garcia's office opened, she walked out alongside an elderly man, whose hair was nearly pure white. Mrs. Garcia exuded energy and friendliness, engaging in a conversation with the old man.
"If you only knew how much your donation can help the children in the center," Mrs. Garcia said to her guest.
"I'm glad to hear that from you. As always, one of our company's missions is to assist underprivileged children in the community. Rather than going through politicians, it's better to contribute directly to this institution. You know what I mean," the old man replied with a slightly hoarse voice.
"Oh, thank you very much, sir, for placing your trust in us to manage the center. It's a great honor to hear those words from you," Mrs. Garcia responded.
"Of course, Mrs. Garcia. Your dedication to the welfare of the children has been proven time and again. As I mentioned, whatever you need, we're always ready to provide." The old man took a deep breath and extended his hand to Mrs. Garcia, who warmly accepted it. "Anyway, I must leave now. I have a meeting with the board regarding our project in San Isidro."
"Thank you very much, sir, for your generous donation, and take care always," Mrs. Garcia expressed her gratitude to the man.
Before departing, the old man looked at me and offered a smile. I returned the smile, then stood up and nodded my head as a sign of respect. I watched him until he exited through the center's door.
"Andrea, I apologize for making you wait for so long. Mr. Ramon del Rosario, Fr. Jowie's father, unexpectedly paid a visit," Mrs. Garcia explained, her smile unwavering.
"That's okay. So, he's Fr. Jowie's father, which explains why he resembles the priest," I replied.
"It seems you enjoyed the snack I gave you, huh?" Mrs. Garcia said, smiling while noticing the empty glass.
"Yes, ma'am. It was absolutely delicious. Thank you," I replied, feeling a tad embarrassed.
"Well, after our conversation, bring some to your brother so he can taste it too. What's your sibling's name again?"
"It's Oteph, ma'am," I answered promptly.
"Ah, yes, Oteph. My apologies for the confusion; names aren't my strongest suit. Later, I'll ask Manang Edith to prepare some sandwiches for both of you. So, go ahead and enjoy the sandwich in your pocket," she said while gesturing towards my bulging pocket.
I glanced down and noticed that the white tissue wrapped around the chicken sandwich was peeking out. I swiftly tucked it back into my pocket, feeling my cheeks grow warm.
"I assume you'll share it with your sibling. It warms my heart to see how caring and loving you are to your sibling," she commented. "Alright, go ahead and eat now, then come inside."
"Thank you, ma'am," I replied gratefully, withdrawing the sandwich from my pocket before entering Mrs. Garcia's office.
Taking a seat, I began to eat the sandwich while Mrs. Garcia settled behind her desk and retrieved a check from her drawer. After a moment, she returned it to its place. "Have a seat, Andrea," she instructed, and I complied, still savoring the sandwich.
Mrs. Garcia grabbed a disposable cup, poured some iced tea into it, and handed it to me. "If you'd like more, don't hesitate to ask, Andrea. The food here is meant for everyone," she reassured me.
"It's alright, ma'am. This is more than enough," I replied, feeling a tinge of embarrassment, afraid she might think I'm being too greedy.
"No need to be embarrassed, Andrea. Considering how much you've helped at the center since you arrived, you should never feel that way. In fact, I should be the one feeling embarrassed, considering all the assistance you've provided to the volunteers and even in washing the children's clothes," she remarked.
"Don't mention it, ma'am. You've taken me and my sibling in, and last night, you even took the time and expense to celebrate my birthday. I am truly grateful for everything," I expressed with sincerity.
"Andrea, it was our pleasure to celebrate your birthday. The children at the center were genuinely overjoyed to experience such a celebration for the first time. Besides, Father Jowie specifically requested it and covered all the expenses. So, please don't think that the center spent money on you," Mrs. Garcia clarified. "You must remember, never feel ashamed about things that aren't shameful. You deserve to be celebrated," she added.
I forced a smile and met Mrs. Garcia's gaze. "Alright, thank you, ma'am."
"That's all. I called you here today because on Monday, you and Oteph will go with Father Jowie to his place. Your adoption papers have already been processed for both of you," she joyfully announced.
"Really?" I responded, disbelief washing over me. It seems Mrs. Verna's suspicions were indeed true.
"Yes, but I apologize for not introducing you to his father earlier. It slipped my mind in the excitement," Mrs. Garcia admitted.
"That's alright. I'll meet him when Oteph and I move in with them."
"Yes, but I feel remiss for not giving you the opportunity to meet him properly. Mr. Del Rosario is a kind-hearted person. He even donated to build a three-story building for the center. It's a tremendous blessing, considering the overcrowding situation we face here. The children are crammed into every available space," Mrs. Garcia explained.
"Yes, it's a tremendous relief for the children at the center," I agreed wholeheartedly.
Suddenly, Mrs. Garcia's expression shifted.
"To be honest, in just the few days you've been here, I've received an abundance of compliments about you, Andrea. So, I will also feel a sense of sadness when you and your sibling depart," Mrs. Garcia remarked sincerely.
"And you've been nothing short of extraordinary to us, Oteph and me. It's only fair for us to reciprocate your kindness, ma'am."
She clasped my hands and smiled warmly. "Promise me that even after you leave, you and Oteph will still visit here, alright? This place will always be open to you and your sibling, Andrea. You've become part of our family."
"We will never fail to visit, ma'am. You and everyone at the center have become our extended family," I replied, forcing a smile despite the sadness welling within me. The center had become incredibly dear to my heart.
"On Monday, Father Jowie will pick you up at 9 AM. Make sure you and your sibling are prepared," Mrs. Garcia instructed.
"Yes, thank you, ma'am." This time, I couldn't hold back the tears. I looked at Mrs. Garcia, my voice trembling. "C-Can I have a hug?" I mustered the courage to ask.
"Of course," she agreed, rising from her seat. I could see tears forming in Mrs. Garcia's eyes as she approached me. As soon as she was within reach, I embraced her tightly.
"Thank you," I choked out, tears streaming down my cheeks as I clung to her.
She stroked my back soothingly, her own tears dampening my shoulder.
"Shh... remember, if you ever need any help, Andrea, just come to the center. We will always be here for you and Oteph," Mrs. Garcia reassured me.
"Yes, ma'am. Thank you for everything," I responded, breaking the embrace and wiping away my tears with a trembling hand.
She cupped my face tenderly, her attempt at a smile evident in her eyes. "Take good care of your sibling, alright? I have no doubt that Father Jowie will provide unwavering love and care for both of you."
"Yes, ma'am. I will never neglect Oteph," I pledged, holding her hand against my cheek.
"Alright, once you leave this office, please call for Manang Edith and wait outside. She will pack a chicken sandwich for you and your brother," Mrs. Garcia informed me.
"Okay, thank you," I replied, noticing her sigh before she wrapped me in another warm embrace.
"Thank you," she whispered to me, her voice filled with genuine gratitude.