Miggy's POV
"It means she didn't really intend to mess up our family. She did not seek some attention from my father, at least not in financial matters. What was their life like with her daughter? Do they live well? Did they have enough food to eat? What would her livelihood have been if she hadn't graduated from college?"
"Son?" uncle's voice and his light tapping on my shoulder brought me back to my senses. I was in deep thought unconsciously. I forgot that I am in the middle of the discussion regarding Teresa and her daughter.
"What do we do when we see them and then they move again to get away from us?" I asked after a few minutes of spacing out.
"Don't worry, I'll help you talk to them. I will explain to them clearly why we are looking for them," uncle assured me.
"But uncle, what if she didn't tell their daughter who daddy is?" suddenly this idea flashed in my mind.
"I'm wondering, isn't it natural for a child to ask who her father is while she is growing up?" I added.
"So far, we can't say that because we have no idea what the explanation is, '' she told her daughter. As to why her daughter didn't look for her father," uncle answered me.
"Of course, she could have said it was dead or she didn't know where your father is. I think she is just really afraid that this matter would reach to your mom's attention and worst to the media. Surely, she has an idea who's the wife of your father. I think she was also afraid that her daughter would get involved in the trouble, so she decided to stay away from that before it happens and get worst, and staying away from your family is protect her child from the possible chaos," Willie replied.
"That just proves that she's a good woman and has dignity," said Tito.
We talked a lot more before we finally broke up so that my uncle and Willie could go home while Meynard and I went to the hospital first.
***
I wasn't able to get the chance to talk to mom's psychiatrist because we arrived late at the hospital because the meeting took longer. Mommy was asleep when we arrived. Carla said she was just asleep. So, I didn't bother to wake her up I let her rest.
"How is she?" I asked Carla after we left the room. We purposely talked outside the room to make sure she can't hear anything while we were talking about her.
"Your mommy's condition is getting better, sir. Earlier, she had her second session with her psychiatrist. But I didn't get the chance to talk to her psychiatrist after their session because the doctor was in a hurry to leave, she still had a patient waiting for her," she explained.
"That's what I planned to do if only we arrive her early but things happened which out of my control, that's why we just came," I sighed after telling her that.
"As far as I know, you can set an appointment with her on Saturday, because I've already talked to her secretary," Carla said.
"Maybe I'll just do that so I can talk to her because I can't leave the office early, we have so much work to do."
"By the way sir, the doctor said earlier that ma'am could be discharged tomorrow. Because all her laboratory tests are all normal. But she has to come here three times a week for her session with her psychiatrist," she updated me with my mom's current hospital status.
"Ah, yes all right, that's good. If only I could, I wouldn't want her to go be back home for the meantime because she might just go back to what she does before she was confined here. I'll better call Uncle Manuel in a short while. I'll ask him what we should do because we can't fit into my condo, it only has two rooms. It will just temporary just so that it won't be difficult for you two to travel far and also to change mom's atmosphere. And most of all, to prevent her from drinking again."
"That's right sir. That's also what I thought earlier when the doctor told me that Ma'am Barbs could be discharged tomorrow. Honestly sir, I'm afraid ma'am will back to her drinking habit again because of what happened. Maybe when it happens again, I will be the first to die of fear."
"Don't worry, let's find a way. Alright, I'll call Uncle Manuel first. Meynard, just go ahead I'll follow you after. I need to talk to uncle first."
I felt relieved after speaking with Uncle Manuel since he advised me not to send Mommy home for the meantime. The travel will be shorter and easier for mom and Carla because he promised to let them stay there temporarily while she still has sessions. In comparison, if they drive home to Antipolo, which is far away after the traffic has passed, there is a significant probability she will not be able to resist drinking.
"It's good now. I planned for Aunt Beth and Uncle Manuel to pick you up here tomorrow afternoon, and we'll simply meet you there after work. Uncle said you may also stay with them, but you have an option if you want to go home, but you still have to accompany mother to her sessions," I stated.
"Do you think ma'am will agree in that set-up?" she begrudgingly asked.
"Don't worry, I'll talk to mom. And besides, aunt and uncle who will help you to explain things to her so she would understand it better," I assured her.
Meynard agreed, saying that "It's right that she will stay there temporarily first, and then it's also good that the environment is different and she can talk to other people."
"Yeah, so I don't see anything that mommy won't agree. After all, we don't want anyone else to do what's best for her, so there's nothing wrong with what we're going to do. It's just temporary anyway."
Morning came. Meynard and I were busy in the office. Time passes quickly by, so we left the office at exactly lunch break. I decided not to work in the afternoon so that I could talk to the doctor and I could talk to my mom because I had to explain to her about her staying temporarily at uncle Manuel and aunt Beth's place. I talk to, directly to the bosses and inform them that I will be leaving from work just for today, to make sure nothing would be a problem. I want to help Carla for the things that we need to settle for my mom, after all she's, my mother. I know it's my responsibility to take care of my mom even if she's going to stay at my uncle's place. I am the immediate family member of mom. My mom's only sibling is living far away and has her own family as well. Another thing is that they haven't communicated in a long time because they aren't that close to each other. Aunt Manuel and Aunt Beth were already there talking to Mommy when I saw them after Meynard and I entered in mom's hospital room.
"We brought some food!" I announced.
"Oh, okay you eat with your mother. Your uncle and I are done with our lunch, so don't worry about us. We also brought food but she said she would wait for you so you could eat together," said aunt Beth.
"Wow! How so sweet of you mom!" I said when I got close to her and kissed her on the forehead after I put the food we brought on the table. she just chuckled then squeezed my hand.
We ate happily together with Meynard and Carla while we are chatting with uncle Manuel and aunt Beth.
"Mom, you agreed? It's for your own good anyway," I said and then I smiled at her.
'If only my condo is bigger and has more rooms, I would like you to stay with me, unfortunately I didn't anticipate that one day that you can possibly stay with me. Besides, it's just for the meantime mom, while you still have your sessions with your psychiatrist. Carla will still be with you. And then, it also a change of environment I'm sure you and aunt Beth will have many reasons and time to have you bonding moment," I continued to convince her.
"Mom, I promise just for now. When everything is okay, you will be home again as long as you promise me that you will never drink again and that you will take care of yourself. When I finish these big projects, I'll take a leave and then we'll go on a vacation, just the two of us. Is that okay?" I was talking to her like a child. But she still did not say a word and remained frowning.
In my mind, "Oh my goodness, this is harder than I thought of convincing her."
"Okay mom, here's the deal. You have to agree to what we are offering you, and then to be fair, I'll ask uncle and aunt if it's fine with them that I'll be staying there too. How is that?" I noticed the side of his mouth raise slightly, which means...
"I got to convince her at last!"
So, when Tito Manuel and Tita Beth went back from cafeteria to buy some bottled water, I immediately told them the agreement that me and my mom had.
"This is going to be fun! Because as you all know Beth and I have been alone with the helpers for a long time now, since Harvey and his family rarely visited us, because they are also busy with their work and their own family,' uncle Manuel said happily.
"I'll just call home for a minute so they can prepare another room because I only asked them to prepare two rooms," said aunt Beth who also seemed excited when she heard what I said.
"Bro, are you sure it's okay for you and for Beth to be there for the time being?" mommy suddenly asked uncle Manuel.
"Oh, you don't have to ask that. We are a family; we are willing to help you. Our house is open anytime for you, anytime. I know my brother Gabriel will be happy that we are together even for a while," he explained to her while holding mommy's shoulder as she approached him.
"Thank you so much for that," mommy said shyly to uncle.
"You shouldn't hesitate about things like that because we're always eager and love to let you stay with us. We even help other people. After all we are family here. We are happy to have you at home that's for sure! And at least you can always talk to someone because Beth is there and then you also have Carla," uncle said.
"You can bond with Beth and Carla wherever you want to. The important thing is that you will no time to huddled yourself in a corner. You can also avoid getting drunk; think about Miggy, he's worrying about you and we are worrying about you too," Uncle added. Mommy didn't say a word but she nodded. I know she's embarrassed, but she can't do anything about it. Nothing good will happen to her if she won't agree with us, she should understand that we're all doing this for her.
"Okay! Everything is set!" excitedly Aunt Beth announced upon entering the room. Uncle laughed at his wife's behavior and mommy and I smiled as well.
I feel lucky to have these people in our lives. Daddy gone, but it doesn't mean we lost everything. Instead, I felt that Aunt Beth and Uncle Manuel became more visible and closer to us.
We were happy when we arrived at my aunt and uncle's house because she had prepared a lot for our arrival. After dinner, we hung out in their garden to drink tea and it's good because I think I ate more. It seems like it had a different effect on me just now because we've been together so happily since what happened to daddy. I also noticed that mommy ate pretty well. It's really different when you eat with a lot of people around you and have a little chit chat happily while eating.
"Sis, I think I ate more than I used to. I'll get fat while I'm here," mom said with a soft laugh.
"It's good then, and at least your body can fully recover. You won't be sad here because we have a lot of things to do. We can bake, or maybe here in the garden you can join me to take care of my flowers. We can also go to saloon or spa. That's exciting for the three of us, isn't it Carla?" aunt asked Carla with a smile.
"Yes ma'am, that's true," she immediately agreed with his aunt. And they continued to talk about their plans while uncle and Meynard and I just quietly listened to their happy conversation.
"I hope this continues, mommy. I hope it's really okay so that I don't have to worry too much about you. I hope this is the beginning for the two of us to get over the grief of daddy leaving us."
Gabie's POV
"Mom, where have you been? I came earlier but I didn't catch you here."
"I was just at the around the neighborhood, I collected some payments for orders from my customers, why? Is there a problem?"
"It's nothing. I'm just wondering why didn't I catch you here when I arrived. Did Jhay come here earlier?"
"Yes, he just dropped by, he said he'll be here tomorrow to pick you up, you have an audition tomorrow," she said.
"Oh shocks! I forgot that I have an audition tomorrow!"
"Why do you have something else to do or to go?"
"No, I don't have other plans to go somewhere, I'll just stay here to do my research paper. It's alright I can do it some other time anyway; I still have enough to do it since the deadline for my research will be nest week," I explained.
"Gabie, just make sure that your gigs won't affect your studies. It would not be worthy anymore if you fail just because you're busy with your gig, you're about to graduate, don't let your hard work be wasted," mama preached. She always lectures to me not to be like her, she wasn't able to finish her degree due to some circumstances.
"Mom, let's eat I'm hungry!"
"Good to know that you cooked for us I thought we would buy food again."
"I cooked right away when I arrived, because I was already hungry and I know you'll be hungry when you come home, so come on, my stomach is already growling."
I couldn't wait for mama anymore because she went to her room to change while I am so hungry. So, I started to eat ahead of her.
"By the way, are you going to do anything on Saturday?"
"Well, I'm planning to do my research, but I can do it some other time. Why?"
"I'm inviting you to come with me, I'm going to buy some additional items for my online selling and some ordered items as well," she said as she started to eat too.
"Sure! I like that!"
We just had our usual chit chat while we're having our dinner. Mama and I are always like that because we often eat together at dinner unless I have some photo shoots with Jhay.
"Oh, why are you so quiet just now?" mama commented to me as I sat outside the door of our house ventilating, waiting to be sleepy.
"I'm just thinking about what will going to happen tomorrow. I'm nervous now."
"Oh, why are you nervous? You can do that, just show them what you've got, simply just being you. Just don't put pressure on yourself, then don't worry if you won't make it. There are many other gigs that will come to you," she comforted me.
"Mom, I'll admit at first I didn't like it because it's not what I'm used to, but I regret what I can possibly earn from this project. It's also a big comfort for us, you know that. Then you know that next semester I will have my thesis that will need a lot of money for the expenses," I feel worried for myself all of a sudden.
"Oh, my dear. Here are again. Didn't I say we'd work together on everything you need? I'm here too! I saved for you, I know that one day you'll be needing some money for your studies especially that you're about to finish your degree," she smiled at me and the she gave me a hug.
"Mom, I know you have savings but please just keep it, that's your money. I am also saving some for my needs that I got from my gigs. I still have a monthly allowance from my scholarship, so no need to worry about it. I don't want to be your burden mom, that's why I work to help you," I explained.
"No, you are not a burden to me. Never think that way, you are my daughter and it is my responsibility to send you to school. You inspired and motivated me to work harder on my online selling. I saved because of you and that savings is for you. I am thankful that I have a wider market now because of social media that's why I earned more now than before."
"But please don't let your body gets too tired. You're always staying late and you woke up early to entertain your customers online. That's not good for your health mom, you should've taken good care of yourself."
"No, I still can rest well. I'm okay. I'm perfectly okay. You're the one I care about because you're always tired at school and then you go to your gigs. I know you're having a hard time, even I may not hear you complaining but I know how you feel, after your busy day from school and your gig."
"Of course, I get tired but when I get enough sleep, I'm totally fine the following day. My powers can handle that! Don't worry about me mama, your daughter is so strong! You just have to trust me, " I boasted while showing my arm to her. Mama laughed, so I laughed at what I was doing.
Mama and I are like this sometimes, so I miss Mama when I'm too busy with what I'm doing. Mama and I have been the only ones to have each other since my dad passed away. My relatives are in the province, but I have never been there again since we left. Mama said we were there when I was a baby, but we left to be here in Manila when my dad left us because he died of a lung disease. Since then, we haven't been able to go home since because my mom is busy keeping up her livelihood for us. I know Mama is having a hard time because she's the only one who supported me, so when I grew up and I could help, I worked every summer to save for school. I don't even want to rely on Mama because I feel sorry for her. Even though I don't hear anything, I know she's tired and having a hard time. Until then…
"Good morning!!!" Jhay greeted me when I opened the door for him.
"Hey! You're so noisy, it's still very early!" I rebuked him. Why does he have to shout when I can hear him clearly? It really pisses me off everytime he's raising his voice like there's no tomorrow! Urgh!
"Ouch! What's the matter you're really hot headed one! You must be happy, beshie! Remember that positive aura, attracts positive things, especially in this early morning!" he lectured me.
"Could you tone down a bit that voice of yours? It's like you have a built megaphone inside your body! You know that it's early in the morning, naturally most of our neighbors are still asleep and then here you are making some noise in this place, are you not ashamed of your voice roaring loudly?"
"Yeah, yeah. Chill out! I'm sorry, it's just me being a gay my lovely bestfriend," he's mocking me.
Good morning my beautiful aunt! I appreciate how lovely your daughter is but I hate how grumpy she is, in this early wonderful morning"
"Good morning. Have breakfast first," mama invited him.
"I'm good. I already had my breakfast at home before I left. I woke early, so then I was able to cook. But thank you."
"Hurry up! So, we don't get caught by heavy traffic!"
"I'm done! Let's go! Mama, we're leaving!" then I kissed my mom goodbye.
"All right, be careful. Goodluck!"
Mama and I hugged before we finally left the house. We took PUV for a ride in going to the hotel so we can reach the place before the call time.
"Besh, have you memorized the lines I gave you?" he said softly as we rode the car.
"Yes, of course I studied last night before going to bed. Then it's not long so it's easy to memorize it."
"Very good! Even if you are nervous, never show it to them, okay? Try to calm yourself, act natural. Be confident in delivering the lines."
"Yes, I will do it for my future. I can do this!"
"That's the spirit my dear bestfriend! That's what I want from you right now! Brave and resilient!"
"Of course, besh, the need is great, so we have to fight! You know when you give up, you lose!" I added. Then we both gave each other a high-fived and then we giggled.
It was good that we left early so we didn't get hit by heavy traffic. We quickly arrived at the hotel where the second screening would take place, where the first screening was held.
"Wait, besh, let's go to the washroom first, and I'll have to wash again my face for a fresher look," I dragged him there.
"Calm down! You don't have to drag me this way, relax," he complained.
"Eh? I also have to pee, so we have to hurry!"
"Alright, alright. Go ahead. I'll just follow, okay?"
Miggy's POV
"Is everyone ready for the audition?" I asked Meynard who's been busy checking on something on the tablet in his hand.
"I'm still waiting for Neri to tell me, she's the one assigned to check all the auditionees."
"Oh, okay. I'll just have coffee for the mean time while I'm doing some of these documents."
"Okay sir."
He left me at the coffee shop just beside the lobby of the hotel because I couldn't read in the event hall there were so many people, for sure the surroundings will be busy and noisy. It's better for me to review a few documents here because I won't do anything if I wait there. At least here, my work will be reduced.