Encounter

Aleia(Aged 10)Text property © Nôvel(D)ra/ma.Org.

The day that I feared most eventually came. Months later, after I discovered mom was sick, she became worst. She was bedridden already and refused to get any medical help.

She would say the medication could not save her. She’d rather spend her remaining days watching her favorite scenery; the sunset. She would like to listen to the crashing of waves now and then near the  shore.

Seeing her in that heartbreaking situation tore my heart, but what else can I possibly do? I was praying for miracles, but there were none. I cried every night. I may be young, but I’m not dumb. I knew what was happening. Mom is seriously ill.

It was late after dinner when Aunt Cristy and I were cleaning up, when the doorbell rang. I looked at her, and we both looked at the door.

“Ale, please open it,” she said as she went to the kitchen sink to bring the utensils we used. I slowly walked to the door. When I opened it, someone I never expected came into view.

I was stuck to where I stood. I froze while staring at the figure that I hadn’t seen for a long time. I did not know how to react. It was six years already since I last saw my father. He had changed physically, too.

He crouched a little bit since I grew taller than before to meet me at my level. I took one step backward.” Come in…” Should I say, dad? I gave way for him.

“Ale who?… Rainier, you arrived earlier than I expected! Come in,” Aunt Cristy said as she guided him to the living room.

I closed the door and followed them, but I hid somewhere to listen to whatever they will discuss.

I could see them from where I was standing and probably hear them too.

“I am so sorry about, Aleia. She must be so surprised to see you today. I guess she was so little since the last time you saw her,” Aunt Christy.

Dad nodded. Did I call him dad? “Yes, she was. And I understand why she is so aloof now.”

“She is not. She did not expect you to be here today. Ale witnessed how her mom suffered and all those  times, you were not here with them.”

“I am so sorry about that. Anyway, how’s Camilla?” Dad asked softly.

Aunt Christy cleared her throat and deeply sighed.”Not getting any better. Her doctor said it’s terminal.”

Dad covered his mouth, and with his eyebrows furrowed, he said, “For how long?”

Aunt Christy shook her head. “We don’t know. Maybe weeks or days.”

I began to sob upon hearing those words. Those words are like daggers that hit my heart. No way! Couldn’t it be? She can’t leave me this early. Mommy!  Mommy will still get better.

“She asked me to call you and talk to you about, Ale. She wanted you to take care of her when she was gone. Can you do that? Will your wife, agree to that arrangement?”

I’m not going with him? And what? Wife? As far as I remember, Mom was her wife. Does he have another wife other than mom?

“Of course, she is my daughter. I’ll take her with me, and she’ll live with us. Nathalie would be delighted to meet her,” he said.

I went out from where I was hiding. I saw how shocked they were when they saw me.

“Ale,” Aunt Christy stood up to meet me. “did you hear everything?” Worries flooded her.

“I will not go with him, Auntie. I will stay here with…” my voice cracked, and tears rolled in my blurred eyes. “with mom. I will not leave her.”

Aunt Christy started crying while dad remained in his place with his hands clasped together as he looked at the floor. He was crying too. For what?

“Ale, how could I explain this to you. Your mom is sick-”

“I knew it. But mom will get better soon. She said… she wanted to be with me and watch me reach my dreams.” I said while wiping my tears.

Aunt Christy reached out for me for a hug. She was hugging me while I was gripping her shirt. Then she knelt and wiped my tears. I looked at her with pleading eyes.

She sniffed and said.”Of course your mom would love it. She can still do it wherever she may go.”

I shook my head in despair.”Mom is not going anywhere… ” I ran away from them. How can they say that?

I went to the bay walk, where mom loved to walk when she was still healthy. And I could still see her smiles with her hair blown by the wind. Mom was so pretty. I imagined her hand holding mine. That kind that I would never want to let go. No one would hold me as she did. No one would love me like she does.

It was late already when I went home. Aunt Christy told me that dad would be staying with us while mommy was still sick. But the idea hit me; he was waiting for mommy to leave so that he could take me. That night I decided to sleep beside with mom. I watched her breathe and tried to memorize her face. I don’t want to forget her, my beloved mom. She woke up when she felt my presence.

“Baby.”l met her eyes. She was smiling. The kind of smile that I have never seen-since we left dad. Mom was happy to see him.

“Mmmm.” I touched her face. “Mom, you looked happy. Did you meet him?”

She slightly nodded.” Yes, Ale. At least now, I can be at peace-”

“Mom. Stop. I don’t wanna hear that,” I said and covered my ears. Mom smiled again at me.

“Ale, please stay for who you are no matter what happens. Don’t hate the world just because we suffered enough. Just think it this way. We are luckier than other people.”

“Mom, can I ask you something?” I said while lying beside her. I was looking at the ceiling.

“Sure,” she said.

“If you love, dad? Then why did you choose to leave him before? I mean, I don’t understand until now.”

“I don’t know if you’ll get my point, baby. But it was the only way to prepare him for all of these. I want to see him happy and secured before anything else.”

I was left confused. Maybe I’ll get it when the right time comes.

Someday.