“Hi, sweetheart,” she said, but her voice was barely heard.
My throat tightened. “Mom…”
She opened her arms slightly, and I didn’t even think twice. Tumakbo ako palapit sa kanya at niyakap siya nang mahigpit. Maya-maya pa ay niluwagan ko ang yakap. Baka mawala siya kapag masyado kong hinigpitan.
“I’m here now,” bulong ko habang ramdam ko ang lamig ng balat niya sa braso ko. “I’m so sorry… I didn’t even know.”
“You don’t need to apologize,” mahina niyang tawa, kahit halatang pagod na pagod siya. “I just didn’t want you to see me like this. Hindi mo kailangang alalahanin ‘to, baby.”
Napailing ako, saka pinunasan ang mga luha ko. “You should’ve told me, Mom. I could’ve helped. I could’ve—”
She gently placed a trembling hand on my cheek. “You’re helping me just by being here. You’ve grow
