CHAPTER 2 "DANIEL TRINIDAD"

As expected, a week after Ara’s high school graduation, the results for her application as a student assistant at the university she would be attending were released. Much to her delight, she found out that she was among the students who passed.

“Mama! Papa!” Ara called out joyfully as she stood by the doorway of their house. She knew her parents would be thrilled, and she wasn’t wrong. Her mother embraced her tightly, and her father, Anselmo, did the same.

“Our children are truly intelligent, Susan. In that case, we need to celebrate. Choose, should we eat out for lunch or cook a special dish here at home?” her father said, his eyes shining with immense happiness.

Ara shrugged her shoulders playfully and spoke with a smile. “Let’s just eat at home, Dad. We’ll save more money that way, and my younger brother Anthony will also be able to enjoy a hearty meal.” Ara was referring to her elementary school brother, who was present.

She noticed her parents exchange meaningful glances at each other. And so, her mother invited her to accompany her in buying the necessary ingredients for the special menudo and kare-kare they would be cooking for their special dinner.

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Daniel was on the veranda of their large house, talking on the phone with his mother, Marielle when his attention was caught by a blonde-haired woman. He immediately stopped in his tracks.

Not only did her porcelain-like complexion draw attention, but also her graceful and delicate walk.

“Daniel, honey? Are you still there? Can you hear me?” his mother’s voice came from the other line, calling out to him.

“Ah, yeah, Mama. I’m sorry,” he quickly apologized.

“Don’t stress too much about your studies because I’m not asking you to always be number one. I just want you to have good grades. You might get sick if you overwork yourself. I don’t want that to happen,” his mother lovingly reminded him, flashing a smile at him, even though his eyes were still fixated on the blonde woman, who was now walking away with, what he assumed, was her mother—an equally fair-skinned mestiza with jet-black hair.

I wonder how she looks.

Those thoughts lingered in Daniel’s mind for a moment as he redirected his gaze when he saw the woman and her companion board a tricycle.

“Daniel,” he heard his mother call out again.

“Ma, sorry again,” he chuckled softly.

“What’s happening to you? Why do you seem distracted?” his mother’s tone carried a mix of curiosity and amusement, which caused Daniel to let out a soft laugh.

“I’m fine, Mom. Sorry,” he simply said to prevent his mother from asking further questions.

That’s how they were—they didn’t like lengthy conversations, and Daniel especially disliked being asked personal questions. And his mother, Marielle, knew that.

His mother was in New York, working as a Communications Manager. His father, Danico, passed away from a heart attack when Daniel was only ten years old. Since then, his mother had been working tirelessly for both of them and his older sister, Danica.

“Okay, I’ll send your enrollment papers and your allowance for this month later. Study hard, my child, so that after you graduate, you can join us here with your sister. I miss you both so much, and I can’t wait to be together,” Daniel sensed the longing in his mother’s voice as she spoke.

He felt the same way. For over ten years, his mother had been far away, working, and he grew up with minimal time spent together. They were mostly able to be a complete family only during the Christmas season.

“I miss you too, Mama,” Daniel couldn’t resist admitting it to his mother.

He could almost envision the beautiful smile on his mother’s lips as she responded and spoke.

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“Do you have a girlfriend, son? If you enter into a relationship, I hope you choose a woman who will love you wholeheartedly, regardless of wealth, simplicity, or extreme beauty. What matters is that she is willing to be with you always,” his mother reminded him.

Daniel sweetly smiled at that.

It wasn’t the first time his mother had asked him such questions. In fact, it wasn’t the first time she had reminded him either. He almost knew her dialogues by heart. But perhaps that’s just how it is. She’s far away, and if his father, Danico, a brilliant civil engineer, hadn’t passed away early, maybe they would be together.

Maybe Marielle wouldn’t be abroad, and their family would still be intact and together. Like his other friends who could go out every week and have time for what they called family bonding. And most importantly, maybe he would have someone to talk to about the things he was going through as a teenager.

He longed for the love of a father, as he was very close to Danico when he was still alive. And he longed for the care and affection of a mother. Because no matter what others may say, he would admit that he was a certified mama’s boy.

For Daniel, he couldn’t see anything wrong with that. Perhaps in the Philippines, the term had acquired negative connotations, but the truth was, he couldn’t see anything negative about a son loving his mother dearly. Especially if he was close to her and considered her a close friend. Especially for someone like him, who was deep and reserved.

Loving your mother deeply didn’t mean lacking personal disposition in life. In that aspect, even though he was close to his mother, he could still make decisions for himself. Like choosing the woman he wanted to court, deciding on the course he wanted to take, and even considering his plans for New York after graduation, without any forceful influence.

He admitted to being wicked with girls, but he wasn’t a cheater.

He wasn’t the type to flirt with a girl, only to leave her once he had fallen for her. His mother had taught him to respect women, even in situations where he encountered those who were openly flirtatious to the point of almost undressing in front of him.

“Daniel?” his mother’s voice interrupted his deep thoughts.

“For now, none, Mama,” he replied, chuckling softly.

“None for now?” his mother’s tone carried amusement.

“We broke up, Ma. It’s been almost four months,” Daniel sighed at his last statement.

Lilet was his most recent and longest relationship. He met her when he was just a first-year college student. But because his mother decided to buy a house in this part of Manila, he had to break up with Lilet, who was left behind in Cebu.

“Sorry, son. It seems like my decision to buy a house here in Manila didn’t turn out well,” his mother expressed her regret.

“It’s okay, Mom. Maybe we just weren’t meant for each other,” he admitted to himself.

They had been living in Cebu for a long time. However, because his mother decided to buy a house in Manila, they decided to move here. They hired a caretaker for their old house in the province to ensure it wouldn’t be neglected.

It had only been a week since Daniel and Danica moved to Manila. But as he mentioned, it had been almost four months since he broke up with Lilet.

He understood that. Lilet didn’t want a long-distance relationship, so even though they had been together for almost three years, she decided to end things between them.

He was hurt. And until now, there were moments when thoughts of her still crossed his mind, especially when he was alone. But what could he do? It wasn’t right to force his desires on someone who no longer wanted them. So he set her free, even though it pained him.

Currently, he was entering his third year in Civil Engineering, the same profession his late father pursued. He wanted to continue his father’s dreams. He wanted to make him proud, wherever he may be now.

“Is that so? Alright then, I’ll rest now. You should rest too. You and your sister must be exhausted from arranging the house. If you need anything, just let me know. Oh, by the way, tell your sister to give me a call tonight,” his mother instructed.

“Alright, Mom,” he replied briefly before the call ended.

He could already guess what his mother wanted to talk to his sister about later. Danica also wanted to work as a nurse in the same place. That was one of the reasons why their mother bought a house in Manila. In case his sister was able to leave, at least he wouldn’t be left alone in Cebu.

But for him, whether he was here in Manila or Cebu, it didn’t make a difference because he would still be alone. In his last thought, he quietly sighed.

It’s okay. He understood. He could handle being alone, and he wouldn’t hold any resentment. Because for the people he loved, he was always ready to understand.