When we got to our suite, I didn’t expect the scene I’ll be seeing. It was my mom, plopped on the bed with a wineglass in hand.
‘Is she crying?’
I looked at Aunt Dahlia who is seated on the loveseat with my forehead creased. “We saw your Dad,” she stated, stealing a glance at my mom. “Actually, he was already there when we arrived.
I quickly walked over to my mom and comb her hair with my fingers. “Are you ok mom?” I asked worriedly. She nodded before pushing herself to sit up, leaning on the headboard.
“I was surprised to see him there,” she said while sniffing. “He said he's been looking for us for years but your Uncle Rigo and Aunt Ena won’t tell him where we were. He only found out that we’re coming back because the real estate agent is his friend. He said he just tried her luck today,” she narrated in between sobs.
I can see pain, anger, and sadness in her eyes and I forced myself not to cry as well. “What did you tell him?” I asked and she shook her head at me.
“Your mom ignored him. He didn’t even get a sigh out of her,” Aunt Dahlia informed me with a chuckle.
“I can't bring myself to talk to him. I can’t even think of anything to say to him. I wanted to jump at your father and scratch his face nonstop but I stopped myself from doing so,” Mommy said while letting out a sigh.
I hugged her and she returned it, “I love you Lemon,” she even whispered.
“I love you too Mom!”
This is one of the many things I don’t like about her. I’m not sure if she’s a martyr or she’s just naturally kind.
I witnessed how she had a hard time coping when dad left us back then. But I’m also aware of the fact that she can easily forgive him as soon as he starts explaining to her.
I can still recall how she became both a workaholic and an alcoholic during our first months in France. She can’t work without a glass of wine next to her.
That’s why I can’t help but worry not just for her, but for myself too. Especially thinking about the possibility of my father wanting to come back to us.
I’m scared for myself as I might take after her. I might easily forgive whoever will hurt me in the future.
I’m worried for her because after meeting my father after a long time, she might revert to how she was before. She might start drinking and overworking again.
I’m not asking her not to forgive him. I’m just her daughter anyway and that’s his husband, more so if she still loves him.
For me, though, she should give herself some time to reconsider things first. I’m just hoping she won’t accept him back right away.
Even I am unsure whether I can accept the man back into my life again. No matter how they’ll explain it to me, I won’t be able to accept the fact that he did leave us for another woman.
I won’t be able to accept the fact that mom and I were never enough for him to keep our family together. He still chose to go with someone else.
That night, I slept next to my mother, hugging her tightly. I can feel her sobbing in her sleep and it was heartbreaking for me.
I can't afford to see my Mom suffer just because my Dad chose another woman over her. I can’t tell my mom but up until now, I still can’t forgive my father for what he’s done.
Although I stayed up late looking after my mother, I was quick to get up when Kale called me. It was only past 8 in the morning.
Yesterday, while at the pool, we talked about going to church in the morning so I have no choice but to go up. I’ll just catch up on sleep when we come back.
Aside from church, we also need to head to the mall to buy stuff for school. We don’t even have a notebook and we already have a class on Monday.
Mommy and Aunt Dahlia were already up too. They’ll drop us off at the church before heading to the shop.
After the mass, we’ll just ask the driver to drop us off at the mall where we can buy our stuff for school, then we’re heading home.
Kellen: Good morning cuz! Happy Sunday!
Me: Thanks! Happy Sunday to you and your fam too!
After replying to Kellen, I quickly headed for the bathroom to get ready. I donned a striped boxy tee, skinny jeans, and casual kicks.
Kale’s outfit is almost the same though he picked a polo shirt instead. This is how he usually dresses up when going to church. According to him, it’s his semi-formal attire.
After getting dressed, we both headed downstairs. After almost an hour of eating breakfast, we all headed out of the hotel.
“Good morning Lemon! Where are you off to?” Yel greeted as he wave at me.
“Good morning!” I greeted back, smiling. “We’re going to the church.”
“Who is he, fille?” my mother asked from behind.
I turned to face her as I point to the young man in front of us, “This is Yelo mom. Yel, This is Victoria, my mother, and Kale’s mom, Aunt Dahlia,” I introduced.
My mom nodded at Yel with a smile but I was weirded by Yel’s reaction after the introduction. He was smiling at first but then that smile slowly faded.
His forehead was suddenly creased and I notice a glint of anger in his eyes as he looks at my mother. He also didn’t speak anymore after I introduced them to him.
After a few seconds, he just bade us farewell and since I was a bit confused, I just nodded at him. He left us without even looking back.
‘That was strange…’