An Angel's kiss.

Chapter Fourteen

Waking up at four in the morning had always been part of my routine, but today, excitement had me out of bed before my alarm could even ring.

After washing my face, I went through my usual morning skincare routine before getting straight to work. I started by tidying the house, paying extra attention to my parents’ bedroom. Mom liked everything neat and organized, and I wanted the house to look perfect before she arrived.

Once I was done cleaning, I took a short break to eat breakfast, washed the laundry, and cooked a simple lunch for the two of us.

Dad called for a few minutes to check on me before hanging up, reminding me to eat properly, get enough rest, be careful when going out, and not to hesitate to call if I needed help.

His reminders were the same ones he’d given me since I was a child, and hearing them always made me smile.

Only after making sure every room was spotless did I return to my bedroom for a shower. Ever since I was little, my parents had taught me to clean up after myself and keep the house in order.

Being their only daughter never meant I was spoiled. If anything, they raised me to be responsible, independent, and organized.

My grandmother played a big part in raising me too. She was just as strict as Mom, but she was also incredibly patient. Most of the habits I have today came from her.

Everyone in the family used to say I was her favorite granddaughter. My cousins would often get jealous whenever Grandma praised me or gave me a little more attention than usual.

Grandma would always shake her head and tell them they were wrong. Paulit-ulit niyang ipinapaliwanag na wala siyang paborito at pare-pareho niyang mahal ang lahat ng anak at apo niya.

Maybe she did. But I couldn’t deny that we shared a special bond.

Napakabuti ng puso ng lola ko. She had so many children to look after, and no matter how little she had, she always found a way to help anyone who came to her.

Mom arrived just before lunchtime. When I saw her car pull into the driveway, I quickly opened the garage door so she could park inside.

“Mom!”

As soon as she stepped out of the car, I immediately reached for her hand and pressed it gently against my forehead in blessing.

She cupped my cheek and frowned. “What happened to your face? You have dark circles under your eyes.”

My heart skipped a beat.

“I... uh...” I forced a small smile. “I stayed up late finishing all my homework so I could be free today.”

I prayed she wouldn’t notice the nervousness in my voice.

She just nodded wearily and walked toward the back of her car. As she lifted the trunk open, it revealed two large suitcases and a few shopping bags neatly tucked inside. Before she could reach for them, I hurried over and grabbed one of the suitcases.

“I’ll get this, Mom.”

Together, we carried her things into the house.

“Mom, gutom ka na po ba? Nagluto po ako ng tinola at pritong salmon,” I asked as I rolled her suitcase across our small living room.

“Yeah. I haven’t eaten anything yet,” she replied, the weariness in her voice impossible to miss. “What about you?”

“I haven’t eaten either. I was waiting for you so we could have lunch together,” I said with a smile.

“Okay. Let me put my things in my room first.”

She picked up the remaining bags and headed upstairs. The soft thud of her footsteps against the wooden floor echoed through the quiet house, followed by the familiar creak of her bedroom door as it opened and clicked shut behind her.

Mom had never been the affectionate type. She rarely expressed her feelings with words or hugs, but over the years, I’d learned to recognize her love in the little things she did.

Smiling to myself, I made my way to the kitchen to finish preparing our lunch.

She didn’t waste any time before joining me at the dining table. As always, she settled into her favorite seat while I poured us each a glass of water, placing hers beside her plate.

“Thank you,” she said after I set the glass down.

“How’s school?”

My heart skipped a beat the moment I heard the question. I forced myself to stay calm, hoping she wouldn’t notice the brief hesitation on my face.

“I think I’m doing fine, Mom,” I replied with a small smile. “I’m still adjusting, but it’s nothing I can’t handle.”

“Good. You still have a long way to go. I know you’re smart, but your major isn’t easy. Don’t lose your focus, and don’t get yourself involved with students who are always looking for trouble.”

She paused, her eyes meeting mine. “And don’t waste this chance, Angel. Not everyone is given the privilege of having an opportunity like yours.”

Although her voice was calm, I still felt the weight of her words settle heavily on my chest. I’d heard this countless times, enough to know she wasn’t just giving me advice.

She was talking about herself.

About the dream she had to let go of because life couldn’t afford it. About the opportunity she never had. Every reminder she gave me carried the quiet hope that I’d make it to the place she could only dream of reaching.

If only she knew what I had done the other day. She would probably kill me. The memory alone made my heart pound with guilt and unease.

“Yes, Mom. I’ll keep that in mind. Thank you,” I replied, forcing a small smile and hiding the nervousness in my voice. “How about you, Mom? How have you been these past few weeks?”

I was eager to shift the conversation away from me.

Mom let out a quiet sigh. Sitting across from me at the dining table, she offered a tired smile, but the weariness in her eyes gave her away.

“Work has been rough,” she said. “There are days when I wish I had become a doctor instead.”

Between bites of her food, Mom told me about her recent shifts at the hospital. Most days, she barely had time to catch her breath before another patient needed her. One moment, she was checking vital signs or administering medication, and the next, she was answering call bells, changing IV lines, or helping patients who could no longer care for themselves.

Some needed assistance eating. Others needed their bed linens or diapers changed, while those too weak to move relied on her to gently lift and reposition them.

She scooped another spoonful of Rice into her mouth.

“It isn’t just physically demanding,” she said after swallowing. “Sometimes it’s emotionally draining too.”

Patients in pain often directed their frustration at the people trying to help them, while anxious families expected nurses to have every answer. By the time her shift ended, her feet ached, her back felt ready to give out, and all she wanted was to head home and rest.

She chewed quietly for a moment before speaking again.

“Not all patients are difficult,” she said matter-of-factly. “Some of them make the hard days easier.”

She told me about an elderly woman who always waited for her before eating breakfast because she liked chatting with her.