CHAPTER TWO: Gone

Lilie

One week is all you have. I haven't seen Dad with a woman in a week. That day, I was in excruciating discomfort. I wanted to chase them both down, but I'm a coward, so Dria and I took a picture of them together instead.

Throughout that week, I followed Papa at all times, but each time I did, I was hurting furthermore, not just for myself but also for Mama. And I kept it hidden from her for a week.

I don't want to cause Mom any pain.

"Lie. Are you okay?" I was taken aback when I heard Mama calling me and realized that she was standing beside me, her face concerned.

"I've called you before, and you're not even moving or looking at me; do you have a problem? Or are you having difficulties synchronizing your work and study?" he said, as I tried to smile and shake.

"Nothing, Mama. I'm just having trouble with what I'm reviewing," I explained, pointing to my notebook, which was now empty and unwritten.

I silently frowned since I had received the incorrect notebook. Mama was now laughing at what I said, so I looked at her.

"You're, you're deceiving Mama," she teased, and I just laughed. I only realized she was carrying a glass of milk now. She softly handed it to me when she noticed me staring there.

"I recall you normally drink milk around eight o'clock," she explained, "so I thought I'd take you. And then I found out you're reviewing," she added, and I just nodded while drinking the milk she mourned for me.

"Lie, are you tired? Just resign so you can concentrate on your studies; only Mama will work." I shook furiously as she scratched.

"Mama, how many times have I told you that I can still do it? You should be the one to rest," I joked. "But promise Ma, after I finish, I'll work and you can just relax." So she grinned and touched my hair.

My eyes welled up as I watched Mama's expression. So I quickly averted my gaze and acted as though I was coughing. Mama was staring at me, but I was too preoccupied with the notebook I was carrying to notice.

"Mom, what would you do if you found out that Dad has a girl?" I want to slap myself for asking that other question.

I took a long, leisurely glance at Mom to see how she reacted. She simply smiled, as if she believed I was joking.

"Your Dad can't do that to me, and then he appears to have forgotten what he promised me, that no matter how hard he tries, he will never forget me," Mama added with a smile, infuriating me even more.

I don't know how I'm going to tell her that my father didn't keep his promise to us. I don't want to hurt Mom, therefore I don't. I didn't want to tell her the truth because I was terrified.

"Just pretend, Mama. What are you going to do?" I said with a phony laugh, and she looked me in the eyes. She seems to be sifting through my entire being.

"I'd love nothing better than see your father cheat on me, Lilie," she stated solemnly, shaking my hand and spilling the milk I was drinking at the time.

I was much more terrified when I heard what Mama said, and my chest squeezed even more.

I'm concerned that by the time she discovers what Dad is up to, Mom will have already done it. That is something I do not want to happen.

…

"Chiffon cake, not chocolate cake,"

"You gave me the wrong order, Miss."

"Are you drifting, Miss?"

When I walked into our Cafeteria's kitchen, I just bit my lower lip. I'm disgusted with myself because what I'm doing right now is a complete blunder.

My coworkers are already concerned about me since what I'm doing now is a series of mistakes, and my performance is not what it used to be. Dria, too, is concerned about me.

She suggested to me, "Are you okay? Take a break first," so I stopped her from carrying the tray and smiled at her.

"I'm fine. Come back to your work; perhaps Boss will become much upset later." I was double-checking, so she stared at me for a long time. So I gave a thumbs up to signal that I was fine.

"All right, Dria. I'm good. Give me an hour and we'll be home," I said, and she did nothing except walk away in front of me. So when she walked away, I simply bowed down and took a long breath.

'Don't cry in this place, Lilie. You've got this.

…

Dria asked, "Did you tell your Mama? To Tita Hera?" I sobbed and shook. She came up behind me and hugged me. We were both here at the Food Court to relax and eat.

Dria brushed away my tears and murmured, "I'm sorry. Why else did I ask? Why haven't you told Tita Hera yet?"

"I can't," I explained, recalling what we had discussed the night before. "I can't afford to lose Mama to me. I can't afford to hurt her."

When I returned my gaze to Dria, her expression was filled with bewilderment, and I couldn't help but giggle at her reaction.

"You're satisfied with that, aren't you?" he asked, "but you'll just hurt Tita even more since you're hiding your Dad's woman from her!" I gazed at my nail as she spoke.

"But I don't want to lose him to me!" "I said he'd rather lose him than see Dad with someone else!" "Do you think I'll just let my Mom do that? I'll lose everything, don't you?" "With time, my voice faltered and was replaced by sobs.

It makes no difference to me if other people are already staring at us. What important is that I express myself.

"Did Tita say that?" was an unbelievable question posed to me by the person next, so I slowly nodded. Her resounding sigh was audible to me.

"I realized something; should I tell Mama or should I keep it to myself?"

"However, I'm not going to keep it a secret from Mama for the rest of my life; I know she'll find out, but I don't want her to be upset and lose me. What can I do, Dria?"

Just by listening to my voice, I could tell that I was gradually losing hope. Dria tapped me on the shoulder. She was already smiling at me when I looked at her.

"Lie, tell Tita before everyone gets caught. I know you can do it. Tell me before everyone gets caught," she'd say, her face brightening inside me.

"But how? What if she doesn't believe me?" I cried, but she only stared blankly at me.

"Lie! We have a photo and a video; our two eyes have already seen it; why won't Tita believe you?" she said, and I just leaned back in my chair and pondered.

I merely nodded as she lectured, "Lie, we know the truth, we know, so tell them before everyone gets caught."

When my smartphone rang to notify me that someone was calling me, I was going to answer it when it vanished. I was astonished to see who the caller was because my Aunt had only called once. Mom's younger sister.

Before I answered the phone, Dria and I exchanged glances. I could feel my hand trembling, but I disregarded it because I was solitary.

"Hello, Aunt Ella. Why were you called? Is there an emergency?" I inquired, astonished to hear feeble screams on the other back of the line. Dria, at one, was perplexed.

"Why, Auntie?" I asked again, but she cried even harder.

"Lilie... Lilie, your Mama..." My chest began to hurt as soon as I heard Mama's name. When I looked at the person next to me again, I noticed a glimmer of terror in her eyes. I close my eyes and forget what I'm thinking right now.

Nothing awful occurred to Mom, as far as I know. I have faith in her.

"Your mother has passed away, Lilie."