Sendai, Japan, 2018
It is the 18th of April when the sky is ready to meet the sunset, you stood in front of the dreamy cherry blossom tree. Your fingertips gently trace the details of its brittle bark that has been aged by the passing time.
You smiled unconsciously as you see the engraved "CC" on its trunk but suddenly got teary because you remembered your bitter-sweet past. It's all vivid in your mind as if it happened yesterday.
"Mom, are you alright? Why are we here?" asked your seven-year-old daughter who's so confused because of your anguished laughter.
"I'm mighty fine, sweetie. Don't worry about me. I'm just happy yet sad at the same time."
Leily, your cute little daughter, got even more confused, "Is it possible, Mom? To be simultaneously happy and sad?"
"Yes, of course. When you grow up and experience life's hardships and blessings you'll understand what I'm talking about."
"Can I just experience blessings and skip the hardship part?" asked again by your daughter. She's mature for her age and has a wide range of vocabulary that even you, leave in awe.
"No, Leily. Haplessly you can't. Hardships are inevitable in this life." You answered her though you're not sure if she really understands what you have said.
"I know, Mom. I'm just being--ahm, I don't know that word but it's like--"
"Being sarcastic. Is that it?" You cut her off and intuitively guessed what she was trying to say.
"I guess so. Whatever, Mom. What I really want to know is, what are we doing here, Mommy?"
"To meet your Dad."
"Huh? But Daddy Caleb is--" Leily suddenly remembered something, "Oh, you mean Daddy Maki. He's in the Philippines, right? Did he follow us?"
"No, sweetie. Your Daddy Maki can't be with us anymore."
That's all you can tell her. She's too young to comprehend what is happening in your life and grasp it with her tender mind.
She will understand it better by and by, so for now just leave it all to fate and have faith.
"So, who is this 'Daddy' are we going to meet here?" Leily asked again.
You were about to answer her when your phone sent a notification sound, " Leily, excuse me for a minute, someone texted me."
[ 1 text message received
Dr. Yuri Smith] was flashed on your cellphone screen.
You suddenly felt crumbling within your stomach that made you retch. You immediately held your abdomen and mouth to prevent yourself from vomiting.
Leily became panicky when you fell on your knees as your legs tremble.
"Are you sick, Mom? Are you alright?" she asked out of concern.
"Don't worry, Leily. I'm ok." You stood up and composed yourself to show her that everything was alright and there was nothing to worry about.
You gathered all strength you could muster before opening the text message. You readied yourself for the news whether it be good or bad.
You burst into tears as you read the message.
You looked beyond the prolific leaves of the cherry blossom tree to see the sky. It's almost sunset. Then you closed your eyes to feel the tranquility that the cool breeze brings.
"It is the same as before. Nothing has changed." You told Leily while you were still looking up and tears streaming through your closed eyes.
You began to reminisce the memories that some were imprinted in this tree.
You were overwhelmed with emotions that your memories led you back to your younger years.
Back in the Philippines. It was in 1994, you were just four years old and your memories of the past started to fill your mind:
[Corner Lights Cabaret, Quezon City, Philippines, 1994]
A sparkling on-and-off light makes the night alive in a corner street of Quezon City; enticing men to come inside, especially those old and lonely ones to spend the night drinking liquor and have a great time with entertainers.
This cabaret is known as a place of pure entertainment and sexual predators are strictly prohibited. The management does not condone lascivious acts on the cabaret's premises.
"Hey, Mikee Classen, you sure this cute little girl is your daughter?" You heard Dina, the co-waitress of your mother asked her this with a smirk on her lips, as if there's a hidden meaning to it.
"Stop pestering Mikee, if you're envious of her then go catch a foreigner too," said your mother's friend; Marga.
She's also a waitress in Corner Lights. You didn't expect her to say those words because she's always quiet.
"I'm just asking! And why would I be envious of Mikee? Because of her old Japanese boyfriend who left her after she gave birth to Cher? No, thanks," answered Dina while rolling her eyes.
"Hey you, big mouth! Stop spreading stories you don't know of." Marga raised her voice to Dina.
"Oh, yeah, I forgot, it was you who was dumped by your Indian boyfriend after promising that he will take you out of your miserable plight. Where he is now by the way?"
"You witch!" Marga was so infuriated, that she yanked Dina's unruly hair.
Dina screamed at the top of her lungs as Marga was pulling her hair.
Everyone in the cabaret was distracted by their commotion and gathered up to witness their catfight. The crowd has gone wild as they cheer Marga who dominates the scene.
Most of the cabaret's staff secretly detest Dina for her bossy and meddlesome attitude. They were glad that Marga finally stoop to teach Dina a lesson.
"Mama! Stop it!" You heard Caleb who's beside you, shouting at his mother; Marga. Hoping that she would listen.
Unfortunately, he is still a four-year-old boy whose voice can't be heard amid a rowdy crowd.
No one dared to intervene in their dispute until Madame Claudia, the cabaret owner, stood between them and stopped the fight.
"How dare you cause trouble in my business! You should be thankful, it is still early and no customers around to see your mess!" Madame Claudia shouted so everybody began to disperse and mind their own business.
"It's Marga, can't you see, she assaulted me, I will call the police!" Dina shouted in rage while fixing her messy hair.
"No one will call the police! For goodness' sake, it's just a petty fight. Grow up!" Madame Claudia reprimanded Dina.
She then summoned Marga and Mikee to come to her office thus they followed her immediately without any complaints.
You followed them too but Caleb held your wrist. He's trying to stop you but you insisted to go with them.
He had no choice but to come along with you.
Madame Claudia let the two of you tag along in their meeting. She closed the door and offered you all a seat.
Caleb sat beside his mother while you sat on your mother's lap. You were sitting across them and Madame Claudia stood still behind her desk.
"What was that, Marga? From all of the people I know, you are the last person I thought would do that scandalous act." Madame Claudia asked Marga while holding her own forehead. You can feel the stress she is feeling right now.
Everyone knows that Marga is a calm woman. She has the most pleasing personality amongst the young club owner's staff. It's very unlikely of her to be engaged in a brawl.
Maybe that's the reason why Madame Claudia was so upset and disappointed. She doesn't want her friends to be involved in any activity that could question her ability to handle the cabaret, originally owned by her Scottish husband.
She doesn't want to be accused of playing favorites just because she's friends with her staff.
"Dina started it all. It was Dina who provoked her. She's pushing us to the edge. You know Marga, among the three of us, she is the tamed one." Mikee answered.
"Regardless of who started it, who lost, or what caused it. Goodness, Mikee, you're fighting in front of your children! Really?" Madame Claudia looked at you and Caleb back and forth. You really can't understand why she's so mad. Are they fighting too?
"I know we are in the den of sinners but have some decency and pride at least! So others will respect us too." Madame Claudia finally took her seat.
"And by the way, why the kids are here? I told you to keep them away from the club if it's already five o'clock," she added.
"Mary Ann is sick, she can't babysit Caleb and Cher in the dorm, worst she might infect the kids," Mikee replied.
"Ok I understand, send regards to Mary Ann. I hope she will get better soon and will take care of your kids. Many are not comfortable, especially me, seeing little children roaming around a cabaret. This is not an appropriate place for them."
"Thank you, Madame Clau--"
"Claudia, just call me Claudia when we're talking privately." Madame Claudia cut Mikee off when she was in the middle of her speech.
"Thank you, Claudia. Even though you've come this far, you are now the owner of our workplace, you still treated us the same. We are happy that you finally found a better half." Your mother said to her former co-waitress and now her boss.
"Hey, we're friends, it's natural to support each other. We will always have each other's back. That's why I'm so upset because I don't want to see you being beaten up. What will I do then if you scar your beautiful faces? Especially you Mikee, you are the face of this cabaret. Know your battle ladies, fighting Dina is not worth it." Claudia heaved a deep sigh then finally smiled.
"Thank you," Marga and Mikee said in chorus.
The tension lessened, the atmosphere was filled with happiness, and they must have settled their issues now.
You looked at your friend Caleb, as usual, he is so quiet like his mother. His soulful eyes are contagious, they make you sad too just by looking at them.
You two are the only friends in the world because no kids your age want to befriend both of you. They look down on you because they say you're children of 'whores'.
You don't know what it means so why bother if they call you names?
Someone knocked on the door and everyone stopped talking. Madame Claudia opened the door and a white guy entered. He is so tall and a striking handsome man. He is a giant in your perspective.
"Hi, sweetheart. What are you doing here?" Madame Claudia greeted her husband and pecked him on the cheek.
He didn't answer her, he even frowned. He seemed annoyed by the sight of you all.
"What is this Claudia? Dina complained to me. She told me that you are all putting her down! Don't you pity her? Three of you against one?"
"Sweetheart, it is her fault. Don't put all the blame on these ladies--"
"I'm sorry, Mr. Murray. It's on me. I promise it will never happen again." Marga butted in, she even stood up and bowed to show her sincere apology.
The two other ladies couldn't react anymore when a little boy entered the room. He is taller than you and Caleb, probably older than you.
"Hi, Mom!" Said the boy who cheerfully greeted Claudia. He even ran toward her due to excitement.
"My baby boy!" Madame Claudia shouted and embraced her son. "Maki, how I've missed you. You surprised me."
You looked at the boy in astonishment. This is the first time you saw a boy with such enchanting blue eyes.
"Hi." He said while smiling when he looked in your direction.
You don't know if it was really you whom he's smiling at, it could be Caleb who's behind you so you looked at Caleb.
Caleb does not react, he couldn't care less.
So you supposed that that boy was really smiling at you so you smiled back at him.
Why is he here?