It’s another day in Singapore and our last day to be exact. With a heavy heart, I pack mom’s stuff to prepare for our flight.
“Mom, are you sure about this?”
“Angel, this is the best decision I know. Let’s not argue about this anymore. We will have more time together in the Philippines.”
Dad didn’t disagree with mom last night. I don't know why. Dad probably only wants to give whatever mom wishes. He immediately booked tickets for all of us. Although it is hard for him as well. I saw it in his eyes last night, he was sad.
I knock on dad’s door to check on him. He let me in. Dad's luggage is open while his clothes scattering on his bed. "Dad, let me help you," I volunteer as I walk over to his bed.
"Thank you, Angel. I really need some help here."
"I got this dad." I immediately start folding his clothes. “Dad, I’m sorry to ask. How are you? Did you like mom’s decision to go back home?”
“Sweetheart, your mom knows her body. We should at least give her whatever she asked for. We both love your mom and support her, right?” Daddy says with crystal tears in his eyes.
I wrap my arms around him, letting my tears burst. I can’t hold it any longer. I tried to be strong last night and refused to cry. Now that I’m with my dad, I can finally let my tears escape. I can feel the rumble in daddy’s chest as he sobs.
I cry with him and feel his pain. I know how it feels, no one in this world knows how it hurts. Knowing the hope for mom to live is too thin. I want this kind of thought to disappear like a bubble but it’s the truth, and it’s so hard to swallow.
“I’m here, sweetheart. You are not alone.” Daddy assures me as he keeps stroking my back, comforting me.
“Thank you, daddy. I feel so lonely for so long and now that you’re here I know I can count on you. Why does this have to happen when mom is not in her best condition? God must have hated me since birth.”
“Angel, that’s far from the truth. Don’t ever think that way. These are all tests of time and I’m sure we can withstand all of these together.” Dad pulls away a little bit and then he wipes my tears away. “Stop crying, I don’t like seeing my girl cry.”
I smile in response.
“Did you pack your things? Our flight is 9 in the evening.”
“Yes, I did, as well as moms.”
Time flies so fast. It’s 7 in the evening and we are on our way to the airport. Just like the first time, we all have first-class tickets. Even at the lounge mom is not feeling comfortable by the way she looks. She’s in pain but she refuses to complain. Mom wants to go home so badly.
“Mom, do you need anything?” I ask as I sit beside her sipping my coffee.
“No Angel, I’m fine.”
“If you need to rest you can take a nap, our flight will be at 9 in the evening so you still have plenty of time to rest.”
“Yes, I’ll try to close my eyes. You don’t have to worry about me, Angel.”
“Mom, how could I not? I’m right here beside you if you need me.”
"Angel is right Athena, take a nap if you can. You need more strength for our trip." Dad says as he is holding mom's hand.
Our flight to the Philippines isn’t as smooth as I hope to. Mom is not feeling well, she vomited, making her even weaker. Dad, Lucy, and Candace are helping me in making mom feel comfortable as she sits. Even though mom is taking all her meds, they seem to have no effect anymore.
“Mom, how about we stay in Manila tonight and then travel to Davao the next day? You’re too weak to have a second flight tonight.” I say as we land in NAIA, an airport in Manila.
“Angel, I can manage, I only want to go home tonight.”
“Angel, Athena, I’m renting a 3 bedroom condo for you to stay with Lucy and Candace. I thought it would be easier for you since the place is spacious and near the city center.
“Angelo, you didn’t have to.”
“Athena, please, this is for you and Angel. You can visit your apartment when you feel like it. My driver will take you to the condo now. I can't come with you as I need to go home now. Lucy, Candace, please take care of Athena.”
The two nurses nod in agreement. “Angel, keep me updated, I’ll be a call away. I need to leave, for now, your brother and sister are expecting me.”
“Yes, dad, I understand. Take care on your way home.” Dad kisses my forehead as well as mom and then he gets on his Cadillac.
I woke up beside mom feeling exhausted even before starting my first day in Davao City after a long time. If I could remember it right, I only sleep like 2 hours. Mom is sleeping so I slowly take off the sheet, go directly to the bathroom and wash my face.
As expected the dark circles on the eyes keep getting darker, my eyebags keep getting bigger. I wash my face only once to avoid it getting drier. I stare at the mirror longer, contemplating what is happening in my life.
The thought of Maddox is at the forefront in my head as we land in Davao City. My tears escape immediately as I think about him, even when we were still in Singapore, I hid from mom and dad while crying. I wipe my tears and make sure there's no trace of tears on my face.
I don't want to wake up Candace and Lucy sleeping on the couch in my mom's small living room, because I know how they needed to sleep and rest. So I tiptoed to the kitchen to prepare our breakfast, in time that the doorbell rang. I'm excited to open the door, expecting dad to visit us.
"Surprise..." The slim girl wraps her arms around me as she jumps like a child. Now, I am carrying her.
"Lea, you're a bit heavy for me to carry. Don't make too much sound, mom is still sleeping in her room."
"Oh, sorry. You know I'm so excited to see you again, right?" Lea says, lowering her voice as she unwraps her legs and arms around me.
“It's fine. By the way, Lea, I have gifts for you. When we visited some of the tourist spots in Singapore, mom told me to buy my friends gifts.”
“Yay! I’m excited, did you buy some gifts for Maddox as well?”
Lea slaps a hand on her mouth. She probably noticed the changes in my facial expression. “I’m sorry about that bestie.”
Lea hugs me. I pity her for being so sorry like she had stabbed me in the back.
“Don't be. Let’s not talk about him now. Anyway, let me get the things I bought for you.”
“Angel, Angel, hurry up,” Candace calls my name, her eyes in terror as she walks into the living room.
“Candace, what’s wrong?” I ask worriedly. My heart is pounding for an unknown reason.
“It’s your mom. You need to see her, please hurry.”