Withering Love

Crawling in a Rocky Road

Geo's POV

I need to fix lots of things before I will leave the house. I love this house since my existence. I don't want to move, but if it is necessary for me, then let mom's will be done.

When will this hurt disappear? My tears started to appear again. Stop it! Stop crying! You need to be strong. I told myself. I wish my mom is here to comfort me. I wish she is still here! This time my tears are running like a river's current that cannot be opposed.

For about five minutes of crying and remembering the past, I recall that the day is about to set. I heard knocking in my door.

"For a while."

My aunt and uncle, they're here to fetch me.

"Where are your things, Geo?"

"It's in here," I pointed out my bag, "inside."

"Okay, then let's go!"

"Auntie Joanna, why don't you rest for a while with your husband?"

"No need Geo, we still have lots of things to do at home. That is why we are very lucky that we have you."

"Ahhh..."

"Is that a problem?" She asked me with a tiger look.

"Huh? Nothing, Aunt Joanna." I am freaking out.

She grabbed my right hand, and I just allow her to do that. My uncle is the one who took my bag.

"Come, get inside the car!"

"Do you have something you forget, Geo? Something very important." The husband asked me.

"None, Uncle Ricky!" I said.

"Okay, then let's go."

As we go, my mind is again flying. I can't stop remembering my mother. She is kind, pretty, and caring. I wish this didn't happen. I wish that everything was okay. I wish this is just a dream.

I didn't notice that I fell aslept. I now awake, awakened by an ambulance who just pass by. What if mom can't make it to return to Philippines? What if she'll die there? What if she will forget me?

The many "what-ifs" I ask to myself can't be answered for now. Only God knows, that's for sure!

"You know what, Geo? We are blessed because you're here. You can help us work in the farm, but of course, you'll study also. We won't abandoned that. Uhmmm... by the way, your mom will send money through G-cash, 50 000 per week."

"Don't you have any words to say, Geo?" Uncle Ricky is now like his wife, talkative! Many questions!

"None, Uncle!"

"Okay!"

I slept again, and all my dreams were all about mom.

"Okay, we're here."

I did not notice the time, it was already 8:00 a.m.

"Is this your house?" I asked. Their house is a two storey building but they also many children. There are ten of them plus one eleven. I am the eleventh one in their house. That is why they remain poor up until now.

"Yes, Geo! If you don't mind, will you please help me to get all those things inside the kitchen?"

"Yes, Aunt Joanna!"

Their sons and daughters are looking at me. I don't know what are they up to.

"Papa, why is he here?" Jack asked his father.

"It's okay, my dear!"

"I don't like him."

I expected that to happen. I know they have a bad impression about me. I know that they are just after on the things I have. But this is for mother's sake, I must follow 'til they will come back.

"Alright, thank you Geo."

"You're welcome, Aunt Joanna!"

"You may rest for awhile, Geo. I will just call you if the snack is ready, okay?" The husband interrupts.

"Okay, Uncle."

Their children are all looking at me. I am not comfortable to stay here. Mom! Please return! I don't know how long should I hold this.

I went inside the room with the guide of Uncle Ricky. I went inside and lock the door. I change my clothes and remove my socks. I saw the guitar that Kaila gave me as a birthday gift. I remove the cover and I write: From My Girlfriend, Kaila. After writing, I remember my last memory with her. I know she'll be fine without me today. I trust her!

"Geo? Geo? Geo?" My aunt is knocking.

"Yes, Aunt Joanna?"

"Come out and have your snack. We'll be waiting for you."

"I'm coming!" I put down the guitar and put on my shoes.

Before I approach them, they were very noisy. They were laughing, talking, joking, but whe I approached they all zipped their mouths.

"What's with the silence?" They look at their mom then return to me, they look at their mom again, then to their dad, and back to me again. They are terrifying, to be honest.

"Come and grab a seat, Geo." The father invite me. Maybe he noticed that I've been standing for some seconds already waiting that someone would invite.

"By the way Geo, how is your stuy?" The eldest among them asks me. She is pretty but I don't like her hair and nose.

"Uhmmm...fine!"

"Will you attend tomorrow?"

"Attend?"

"To school, I mean."

"Ahhh...yes."

"I hope you'll enjoy it here!"

As he said those words, her other siblings were laughing and looking at me sarcastically. Never! Never I will enjoy here! I said to myself.

"Yeah, maybe!" I smiled to them, then their eyes become angrier than earlier.

"Hope so," said Josh.

"Cut that, Josh!" Aunt controlled them. She asked them to go to their respective their rooms. After they depart, aunt sighs a very loud one as if she has a very big problem.

"Just don't mind them, Geo. They will be tame later when you all get familiarized with each other." She comforts me.

"Maybe, you too should take a rest for awhile, Geo. You will still go to school tomorrow."

"Thank you Aunt Joanna and Uncle Ricky."

"Okay, have a sound sleep."

I went back to my room again, but I am feeling empty inside me. Something is lacking within me. I need to find that empty space in my heart. I know it's just temporary. I know that the next day after will be better. I really hope you'll be back, Mom. Then, I fall asleep.