Withering Love

Geo's POV I am Geo Roosevelt. I took my last name from my dad, Jack Roosevelt. My mother was Karen Sunshine. She was married to my father at the age of 22, and now she is Karen Sunshine Roosevelt. To be honest, I didn’t know much about my father. He left me and mom when I was younger, about two or three-year-old, I think. I only heard about him from my mother. She told me that my father was a good man and did not have any vice. He was very sweet and didn’t have even a single enemy. My father is now working in Korea as a business manager. I don’t know exactly what kind of work it is, but according to my mom, they’re the ones who oversee the operations. Since my first grade level, I haven't seen my mother cry. I don’t know if he cried before when father was here. At least, I am glad that she is very happy every day. Her only enjoyment is writing novels. Oftentimes you will see her on her tables with a laptop and notebook and ballpen. Here she is again, facing her published novels. She has published more than 25 novels already and that makes me admire her all the more. I wish I could write fast like my mom! She didn’t notice that I was looking at her. We are not that really rich, but other people consider us rich, especially Kaila. She is my girlfriend. Before, she was playing hard to get, but later she confessed that she has feelings and can’t hide any longer. I can still paint a picture of her when we were playing hide and seek together with my four cousins in our house. She entered our cabinet, but Uncle Ricky had locked it without noticing that she was inside. We were searching for her for about an hour. My mother found her inside the cabinet. She bathed herself with sweat. My uncle remembered that he locked it before he proceeded to the kitchen. My mother scolded him, and my uncle was just smiling as if nothing happened. “Are you okay, Kaila?” I asked him mockingly. She got angry and swore to herself that he will never befriend me again. She told me that she will not have guys like me to be his husband in the future and won't be dreaming of getting married to a guy whose family is rich, but here she is, my girlfriend. I wonder why she chose me. Quite ironic, right? I was at school this morning. I saw Kaila riding on a motorbike; she was possibly going to the mall. I called her but she didn’t hear my voice. So, I shouted louder and louder, but still, she didn’t hear me. Why is it difficult for her to hear me? I started to complain. I was running like in a race, like running as if zombies were coming after me. I can hear the beating of my heart. I can hardly breathe. I can feel the coldness of my sweat starting to run down my spine. I exhaled. “Geo? Why are you running,” she asked. “I was calling you but you didn’t hear me,” I told her. “I’m sorry for that.” She removed her wristwatch and returned it. “That’s okay, Kaila.” I rubbed the sweat off my forehead and smiled at her. She climbed down off her motorbike and we started talking. Many of our classmates were looking at us. We were both laughing when someone intentionally bumped his shoulder into mine. I turned around to know who the person was, it was Lyndon. Lyndon was jealous of Kaila and me. He asked Kaila before to be his girlfriend but Kiala refused because she has no feelings for Lyndon, and it’s not good also if she will just take him without the approval of her emotional state. “Oh, I am sorry, Geo. I didn’t mean to do it.” He looked around if someone was there, watching. I looked at him, and he returned my gaze. I can see the wrath that had been waiting to burst forth in his eyes. Kaila patted my shoulder, indicating that she didn't want what I was planning to do to Lyndon. I was furious. Lyndon walked away as soon as he heard Kaila talking. She was jokingly telling me of something. She was telling me about our goal and she didn’t want it to be destroyed, to go to college together. We’ve been classmates since the time that they transferred to Cebu. They were once living in Tondo, Manila. Her mother was a public speaker and received numerous awards when she was younger. Her dad was a simple fisherman before he started his small business, selling and reselling beauty products. We went silent for some seconds then I spoke up: “Didn’t you forget something very important?” “Important? Like what?” I wanted to tell her, but I wanted her to remember it herself. We were walking to the park but she didn’t say anything yet. “Did you really…?” “Forget?” She smiled. “Geo, how can I forget my boyfriend's birthday? I was just kidding.” I was relieved. “So, you remember my birthday?” I clarified. “Of course,” she replied. I invited her, but her mom won’t come to my birthday party, for she has lots of work to do. “You won’t come tomorrow?” I controlled myself not to say anything that would hurt her. I gave respect to her decision and besides that’s her mom, she needs to obey her. That was our last conversation then we parted our ways. I was left alone walking back to school. I checked my wristwatch, I was five minutes late. Oh no! My mother will scold me. I need to run faster. I was thinking that my mother was already at school, and I was right, beckoning. “Faster, Geo!” She shouted. I entered the car, and I didn’t notice that grandma was with her. “Where have you been, Geo?” I looked at her looking into my eyes. I was about to answer but she stopped me. She changed her mind. Maybe she already knew that I was with Kaila. We arrived already and I stayed in my room. Tomorrow is my 13th birthday! I told myself while looking outside through my window on the third floor. I am so excited to see my mother’s surprises. What would it be? I asked myself. But one thing would be lacking if Kaila won't attend. I hope she is coming even if she told me that her mom won't allow her to attend. Oh My! I WANT TO SLEEP! But I can’t! Excitement bothers me a lot tonight. I remember my elder brother who became a priest just recently. I remember his words, “If it’s very difficult for you to sleep just pray to the Holy Rosary, the Blessed Mother will help you!” My elder brother was right! Praying the Holy Rosary could indeed help you sleep comfortably. Of course, it should not be used as a mere tool for sleeping. She just makes us comfortable, like you won't dream of anything bad. Morning comes and here I am sitting in my bed. I wonder if they’re already outside waiting for me to go out of my room. How sweet it will be! Taking shower is long for me, so I just wipe my face, wet my hair, change my clothes and wear those clothes that my mother bought for me. I am still thinking when my shuffled thoughts divert to question. How about Dad, will he come today? It’s my birthday! I did not mind that fearful question. I went to the door of my room and opened it slowly. But when I opened the door, no one was outside. Where are they? Mom? Dad? I was calling dad even though I don't know if he arrived last night. “Mom? Dad?” I searched for them. I went to the kitchen, but I couldn't see them. There is no party! Yes! They forgot that today’s my birthday. Ouch! I went downstairs to see if they were there, but no one’s there as well. Oh My God, where are they? My tears are already flowing and I cannot stop but allow it. I started to cry very loudly. My last hope to go is the dining area. I am now facing the entrance, and I wipe the tears on my face, then slowly I open the door. “SURPRISE!” I was shocked and my tears started to run again. “Oh, my dear, are you crying?” “I thought you had forgotten my birthday!” “My dear, no mom can forget the birthday of her children, okay?” “You should have informed me.” “Then it wouldn’t be a surprise anymore.” She wipes the tears in my face and eyes. “I have one other surprise for you,” she said. “What is that, Mom?” “Not what, but WHO!” She forced my head to turn at the back. “Dad? You come!” “Yes, my Dear!” I hugged him and he hugged me so tight as well. I was still talking to my father when another surprise came in. Kaila? “Wait for a while, Dad.” “But why? We’re still talking.” “Let him, Jack!” "Ahhh...okay, who is she?" "Kaila, Jack! Don't you remember her?" "Ahhh... yes, she is as beautiful as she was." Mom and Dad were still talking but I can't help but introduce her, Kaila, to my parents. "Oh, Kaila!" Dad tapped her forehead. "You're so beautiful, but be careful both of you are still young." He turned to me and then looked at her back again. "Dad?" I defend. I was about to say something when Kaila interrupted me. "I have a very simple gift for you Geo, want to come and look?" "Ahhh...," acting hesitant, "Yes." We went downstairs and there in the lobby she presented to me a fine guitar. "Since you love music, there it is!" "Thank you so much, Kaila! Don't worry I'll compose a song for you." I promised. "Really?" "Yeah!" "Sure?" "One hundred percent sure!" Then I hugged her. She smiled at me, then I returned that smile to her. We returned from where we left. I saw my parents talking in a corner. But why is my mother crying? Did that hurt him? No, it is not normal anymore. "Is everything okay, Mom? Dad?" My both knees were shaking. "Everything is fine, my dear. Just go to your room for a while, your mom and I just need to talk and settle things for a while." I was not convinced. "No! I am part of this family!" I shouted. Our guests were looking at us. I don’t know how to control myself anymore. "Geo, you're still thirteen. You won't understand this." "Dad, I am not a baby anymore." Tears were freely flowing from my cheeks. "I am your son!" "Geo, listen to your dad!" Grandma got angry. I went to my room. I was waiting, wondering why my mom was crying bitterly. I opened the door, closed it again, and I did that several times. I was about to fall asleep because of the sadness I felt when someone knocked through the door. I opened it right away. It was Kyle, Kaila's younger brother. "Where is m...?" I didn't continue because he spoke first. "You're a mom..." "Where is she?" "Gone to Korea!" He sounds sad and lonely as if he felt what I feel. "You're joking." I excused myself not to accept the truth. "I am not," he responded. "No. No. No." "Yes, Geo. She's gone to Korea with your father." I am shaking, my entire body is shaking. "Geo, I am sorry," Kyle remarks. "I...you don't need to." "Here's the letter from your mom." He handed me the letter. After that, I am left alone crying bitterly. I don't know what to do. My heart beats too fast. The weather seems so cold to me. My heart is wrecked, entirely. I remember the guitar that Kaila gave me. I was playing the guitar to reduce the pain, but it won't. Why? Then, I remember my mom's words and flat jokes. But still, I can't hide the fact that they are all gone, and I have to move on. But I can't. I can't! I was still crying when I heard another knock on my door. “Mom? I thought you’d gone to Korea.” I cried even more. “No, my dear!” She started crying as well. “Not unless you know it.” My mom started to talk and told me to just listen. Dad is just standing at the door. She told me that what she is going to do now is for us, for my future. Of course, it’d be difficult for me to accept. “Just promise me, Mom.” I paused. “Promise me that you’ll be back this Christmas.” She hugged me, then my father followed. This is my first time as a family. At least, I can see now what family is. No family is perfect, I don’t believe that there is such a perfect family. My parents left me alone, crying. This time, they’ve really gone to Korea. I don’t know if I can still say to Kiala that we’ll graduate together and enroll in some fine universities. My mom told me to read the letter.