It’s around 5 in the afternoon, I'm preparing mom’s soup when our doorbell rings consecutively. As I check on the living room Lucy, Candace and Roland are in there so I think it must be someone who is mistaken to push our doorbell. But it’s not stopping for consecutive times so I check who's on our door.
“Margarette,” I whispered. She's wearing a red suit paired with her red lipstick.
I get a vibe of Cassandra by the look on her face. There’s nothing so different between the two of them. They are trouble makers.
I open the door to see what she’s here for now. Margarette storms in along with five men that look like her bodyguards. They go directly to the living room disturbing Lucy, Candace, and Roland who are watching TV.
First thing in the morning, Angelo asked me the address of our new apartment. I give him our address, wondering why he needs it. I continue preparing our breakfast together with Ms. Lucy and Candace. Though we have limited space, things work out fine for the three of us.“Candace, Ms. Lucy, sorry for the inconvenience yesterday. You guys shouldn’t have witnessed it, I was ashamed.”“Angel, I don’t mind, I understand the situation. Besides, you and your mom are so nice to us. You both treated us as your family. I couldn't complain,” Candace said, chopping the carrots.“Candace was right, Angel. Don’t worry about what happened,” Ms. Lucy seconded. “Let’s focus on taking care of your mom. That’s what
“Have a seat, Angel.” Angelo places two cans of drinks as he sits opposite me. He opens a can of a bottle and hands it to me.“Thank you.”“What do you want to talk about? Does it concern your mom or Margarette?”I heave a sigh after sipping a drink. “It’s mom. One of her doctors talked to me during mom’s third chemotherapy session.”“Well, is there any progress in your mom’s condition?” Angelo asks happily.I nod no. Angelo’s facial expression dulls upon seeing my response.“What are our options? Did the doct
It’s 9 in the morning and I’m here in the bathroom, looking at myself in the mirror. The dark circles in my eyes are getting bigger. I wash my face with water hoping it will help me awake as I only slept for at least 3 hours.It was hard to watch mom in pain last night. I was helpless thinking and knowing there was nothing I could do to ease her pain. Angelo and I were with mom until she was able to sleep.Mom is still sleeping when I walk out of the bathroom so I head to the kitchen to drink some water and check on Candace, Lucy and Angelo.“Good morning, guys. Were you able to sleep?” Candace and Lucy turn back as I grab a glass to pour some water.“Good morning, Angel.” They greet me in unis
Around 11 in the morning when mom wakes up. Mom’s eyes look tired, the dark circles have been getting bigger and bigger for the past few days.“Angel?” Mom smiles lazily as she looks at me.I smile back at her as I walk over to the bed. “Mommy, I’ll help you sit on the bed.”Mom is so light that I think I could carry her like a baby. She loses too much weight while battling cancer. I sit mom in the bed and put a pillow at her back to make it comfortable.“Mom, what do you wanna have for breakfast? I’ll cook it for you.”“Angel, what’s wrong?”
“What is happening here? Ms. Lucy? Candace?”They both look back at me while helping mom on the bed. I see mom is having difficulty breathing.“Mommy, I’m here.” I walk over to mom’s bed and sit on the edge of it.“I already gave her the medicine Angel. Athena will be fine in a few minutes.” Candace says.“Thank you guys, but you should have told me earlier.”Mom holds my arm. “Angel…” Mom says between breathing heavily. “I told them not to…” She pauses for another heavy breath. 'I’ll be fine, don’t worry.” It’s hard for mom to utter a sentence.
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
Lea comes to us in mom’s room. Lucy is on the left side of the bed as she was trying to help mom make it comfortable and probably breathe easily. Mommy is like running out of breath which is worse than usual.“Mommy…” I hop on the right side of the bed.Mom only moves her teary eyes. She looks at me, her lips parting like she wants to speak up but is unable to because of the shortness of breath.“Mom it's okay, I’m here. You don’t have to say anything, mommy.”“Angel, is Aunt Athena normally like this when she wakes up?” Lea asks, her voice trembling in fear.“No Lea, this is the worst one but mom will be
Time stops…I don’t even know where Cassy and her minions get the nerve to visit mom’s funeral. The audacity they have is incomparable.“Hey, what do you guys think you’re doing here? Seriously? This is not a show.” Lea asks Cassandra as she gets close to mom’s coffin.Cassandra snorts. “We come here with good intentions. I know this is hard for Angel to lose everything, right? Not just her mom but also Maddox.” Cassy says the latter with a hint of tease. "That's why we're here to ease her pain. I know how it feels to be left alone."“Cassandra…”I can’t be wrong, I know exactly