My Mother's Eyes Novels & Stories

“…What did you do five years ago?” My mother didn’t answer immediately. Instead, she just stared at me. For a brief moment, I saw something I had never seen in her eyes before. Fear. “Adrian,” she said carefully, her voice suddenly softer, “you shouldn’t be standing there. You look pale.” Another wave of pain pulsed through my head. I gripped the wall harder to keep myself steady. The hallway tilted slightly. “Answer the question,” I said through clenched teeth. Her expression changed instantly. The fear disappeared, replaced by the same calm, controlled mask she always wore. “I don’t know what you’re talking about.”

Diritsong tumingin sa mga mata niya, seeing him this close-up, he really looks old now his wrinkles in his forehead and cheeks are now visible. "I just want to tell you, your mother is really proud of what you have become. She was been monitoring you for how years, hindi lang siya gumawa ng paraan para makausap o makita ka dahil natatakot siya na mas magalit ka lang sa kanya. Gusto niyang bumawi sa'yo but God didn't permitted her to do so." Nakita kong dahan-dahan na may tumulong luha sa mga mata niya, inalis ko ang luhang iyon gamit ang hinalalaki ko.

“Okay, if you’re a good girl, then, papayagan mo si Ate na umalis, ‘di ba? Ilang araw lang naman akong mawawala. Babalik din agad ako.” Tumitig siya sa mga mata ko. Then somehow, her eyes reminds me of Mama. Parang may pumisil sa puso ko. Ganitong-ganito ang mga mata ni Mama. Hugis almendras, kulay amber, na may malambot na emosyon. “Bukas?” Tanong niya. I forced myself to smile.

“Aren’t you done there?! I told you to get a makeup artist so that we could finish early! It’s a shame to the Flores family if we’re late!” Napapikit ako ng sumigaw ulit siya mula sa ibaba. For the last time, I checked myself in the mirror to see if this is already perfect in the eyes of my mother. In my life, mistakes aren’t allowed. Pinikit ko ang mga mata ko sa huling pagkakataon bago ko pinasadahan ng buo ang aking mukha. A blonde hair curled stylishly—a perfectly shaped eyebrow that defines the feature of my cat eyes. A chestnut eye color and perfectly pointed nose are all I can see in the mirror.

Palaasar! I went through my morning routine as usual and took a selfie in front of the mirror, admiring my look. My reflection showed off my green eyes, a trait I inherited from my father. Unlike my sisters, who share our mother's chestnut brown eyes, my green eyes stand out prominently. My eyebrows are impeccably groomed, framing my face perfectly. My eyelashes are long, thick, and naturally curled, adding to the striking look of my eyes.

Hindi iniiwan ng kanyang tingin ang mga mata nito. The lights coming from the city and reflecting his eyes. Hindi niya maiwasang mapangiti. Why does he has to have this beautiful, yet lifeless eyes? They’re so beautiful that she wouldn’t get tired staring at them. “I heard your conversation with my mother,” he said and looked at her. “You didn’t have to do that.”

Pakiramdam ko, mas masasaktan lang ako kung patuloy akong makikinig nang tahimik. Mabilis na napatayo si Mommy, halos matumba kung hindi siya naagapan ni James. Nanlaki ang mga mata ko nang mas malinaw ko siyang makita. Ang dating maaliwalas na mukha ni Mommy, ngayon ay humpak at walang buhay. Ang mga mata niyang dati ay puno ng saya, ngayon ay tila ba salamin ng matinding pagsisisi. Ang sakit sa damdamin na makita siyang ganon, parang sinasakal ako ng sarili kong awa.

Hay naku, tulungan ko na nga lang ang multo. "Alam mo, may hitsura ka sana. Ang kaso katulad ng pangalan mo, walang kabuhay-buhay ang mga mata mo. At kung nakikita ka ng Mommy mo, hindi siya matutuwa, Gray,"ang sabi ko at kumalas ako sa kanyang pagkakakwelyo. Bakas sa mga mata niya ang pagkagulat at muli niya akong hinatak.

“Sundin mo na lang ang lahat ng sasabihin ko sa’yo… kung gusto mo pang makita ang mama mo. Ang Mama Eli mo.” Nanlaki ang mga mata ni Carlo. Napalunok siya, bakas ang takot at pagkalito sa kanyang mukha. Saglit siyang tumingin sa pintuan—parang umaasang may darating na sasaklolo—ngunit wala. Dahan-dahan siyang tumango, mahina pero malinaw. Tila may unti-unting pagkabasag sa kanyang loob, ngunit pinili niyang manahimik.

Her mother said true love will look for her someday or one of these days, she doesn't have to force it right now if it's not yet the time to. Gumising siyang may luha sa mga mata, gumaan nang bahagya ang kaniyang dibdib dahil sa ngiti ng kaniyang mama at sa presensiya nito sa kaniyang panaginip. Damn! I miss her so so so much! She let her tears flow for a while, she thinks she needs it. Nilingon niya ang larawan ng ina sa bedside table, her sweet and attractive smile is the same as her smile in her dream. Years have passed but she's still the prettiest in her eyes, her beauty is timeless indeed.