"Sofia, please go home. Your mom is dying and she needs you here. She said she wants to see you, so please come back home, Sofia." Aunt Rose over the phone
I've been gone home for over ten years. My dad is a businessman who provides money to the Military. "How about dad, aunt? Is he aware that mom is sick?" I hurriedly asked the aunt. "Where is he?" I added because I wanted to know.
"Your mom and dad have long been separated; ayaw lang niyang ipaalam sayo kung ano ang tunay na nangyayari. Please Sofia, umuwi kana't maalagaan mo ang mommy mo." Pakisuyo ni Auntie.
"Oh sge, I'll be home after a couple of weeks. Kailangan ko lang tapusin ang mga dapat kong tatapusin sa opisina." I replied palely and directly called my boss para mag paalam. "Hi sir, good morning. Can I take a leave, sir? My mom is sick and she wants to see me. Maybe one month is enough; I'll be back after one month." Nagpaalam ako sa Boss ko at buti pumayag naman siya.
"Sure, no worries. I'll ask John Rey na saluin ang mga files and papers mo. You don't need to finish them all. Si John Rey na ang bahala, rest assured." Aniya ni sir Allan na aking boss.
I quickly go to John Rey's office para magpa alam and to let him know kung saan ang mga designs and paper works ko. "Mhie, nasabihan kana ba ni sir?" I asked hurriedly.
"Saan? Alin?" He asked out of curiosity. "Wala pa naman siyang sinabi. Bakit tungkol saan ba?" He added.
"I need to take a leave kase, si mama may sakit and si Tita Rose naman tinawagan ako kanina para magpaalam sa boss ko. Ten years na akong 'di nakita ni mama and now she's sick and wants to see me. So ayun, I asked sir Allan to take a leave and pinayagan niyaman ako. Ang sabi niya ikaw nalang daw ang ang sasalo sa sa naiwan kong mga paper works. Okay lang ba mhie? Kailangan ko talagang umuwi eh."
"Oh sge mhie, no problem. Basta ikaw go! Ako na ang bahala dito basta alagaan mo si tita ha." Aniya habang nag-aayos ng mga papel sa lamesa.
I quickly said goodbye to my co-workers and friends in the office, picked up my important belongings in my office, and quickly went to the parking area where my car is parked.
John Rey is one of my closest co-workers and friends. He is my best friend. He's gay and very trustworthy. I trusted him with all of my secrets and patience when it came to solving family problems. Matagal tagal na rin kaming magkakilala ang we're pretty close to each other. Yun nga lang, we both don't have a boyfriend.
"Saan ang punta mo? Ang aga pa ah, tapos na work mo?" I was about to leave when the guard asked me.
"I took a leave, kuya; I need to go home, kase may sakit si mama, I replied to him directly.
"Ah kung ganon, mag-ingat ka. Drive safe and pasabi sa mama mo pagaling siya, the manong guard added.
"Salamat," I smiled and went to open the back seat of my car to ipasok ang aking mga gamit na kinuha sa opisina.
"Hey Sofia! Where are you going?" Someone in my back asked, and I know who this person is.
"Sam!" I hugged him. He's one of my co-workers. Na bali balita ko ay crush ako. "I took a leave; I'm going home to Australia." I reply, Habang tinatapos kong ipasok ang aking mga gamit.
"Australia? Why?" He wants to know.
"Well, may sakit si mama and Auntie wants me to take care of her, and si mama gusto niya rin akong makita. By the way, nag paalam na ako sa mga co-workers and sabi nila lumabas ka daw bumili ng kape. Good thing at nakita mo ako before I leave." I replied and gave him a hug. I give you a farewell hug. "Paalam, magpakabait kayo dito. I'll be back after a month." Dagdag ko pa habang kinukuha ko ang susi sa aking bulsa.
"Ingat ka Sofia. God bless you and your mom," dagdag pa ni Sam.
I immediately started my car, grabbed the steering wheel, and left the building where I was working. I worked as an artist designer; I designed clothes and bags and made designs for big companies. My citizenship is Australian, but I moved abroad and work as a designer.
After an hour, they dumated na ako sa bahay and nakita ko ang aking dalawang aso na tumatalon talon when they saw me open the gate. I have a house, a car, a decent job, and two dogs named Black and White. I love pets, especially dogs, and dahil wala naman akong kapatid, sarili ko lang ang binubuhay ko.
"Hi White, mommy missed you so much. Let's get inside," agad agad kong niyakap ang aking dalawang aso at dinala sa loob ng bahay. I just let my house not lock because, wala naman, silang makukuha sa aking bahay. Yung gate ko lang ang nila-lock ko. When I entered the house, nakita ko ang kalat na ginawa ni White and Black. Ginawa nilang play ground yung bahay. I got mad, so I didn't give them food. Nagtampo ako siyempre. Suddenly, I heard my phone ringing. It's Ivy, my best friend. Actually, John Rey and Ivy are both my best friends. Siguro di mabubuo ang araw ko kapag di ko sila nakikita o nakakausap.
"Mhie, aalis ka daw sabi ni John Rey? Uuwi ka ba?" She asked. Habang ako naman ay pumuntang kusina at kumuha ng carbonara sa ref.
"Oo, uuwi ako. Buti naman John Rey told you. Hay naku, si mama may sakit kaya kinakailangan kong umuwi. Babalik din naman ako after one month." Ang sabi ko habang ngumunguya ng carbonarang spaghetti.
"Mag ingat ka ha. Pasabi kay tita na paggaling siya, she added.
"No problem, magiging okay din si mama. See you nalang after a month. Oh sge na magliligpit pa ako after I eat kase andami ko pang aayusin. Pupunta pa ako ng SM para mag shopping bibili ako nang pasalubong for Auntie and mommy. Ingat ka din Ivy, God bless." I ended up the phone call and dali dali kong inubos ang na plato ko. Then, niligpit ko ang kalat nina White and Black, and give them dog food.
After three hours, my phone rang again. It's Carlos, my childhood friend and longtime crush.