Mothers and Sons 3

"Anak, are you hungry?", my mother asked me while I was busy writing stuff in front of the computer.

"Mmmmm," I grunted a non-committal reply.

-----

Ever since my mother arrived along with her adopted daughter, I've been extra sullen and moody. A lot of my talking either has been reduced to monosyllables or to shakes and nods of the head. I think she's been chucking it up to my artistic temperament; one time, she even patted my cheeck and said I'm starting to take after Popsy with the way I communicate.

Oh Mom, if only I could tell you why.

I still think of the time when we were talking late into the night about everything and nothing. Out of the blue, you said "Anak, if I could protect you from all the pains in the world, I'd do that for you."

That almost pushed me to the verge of tears, Mom. It still does.

-----

Mom came back with a sandwich on a platito. There was even a table napkin that accompanied it. It was nothing fancy. Just a butter and apricot jam between two toasted slices of bread.

But with that simple gesture, my heartache was lessened, my burden lightened. I know she can't shield me from all the pains in the world.  I won't allow her to. There are battles that I have to face on my own.

But she is here. My Mom is finally home.

And I have a feeling everything is going to be alright.