We have three different sites for rescuing dogs and puppies for Maddox’s shelter. Lea and Glenn join Maddox and me in a car. Cassandra and her friends are in one car, and the third car is Sam and Luke.
“Angel, why did you allow those bitches to join us rescuing dogs? You know who they are. And I am sure they will do what they did before,” Lea told me. She talks with so much anger in her voice, crossing her arms on her chest.
“Lea, you know I can’t let mommy know about what happened during our first rescuing activities. She will doubt our relationship with Cassy and her friends. I already told mom they are one of us, our friends from Harper School. From then, she will dig deeper, and I can’t allow that to happen. It’s not good for mom to be stressed. Mom’s health is declining already, so I will hide anything that w
We choose to have our lunch in a fast-food restaurant instead of fine dining to avoid delay. My friends and I are eager to rescue more dogs immediately, but we agree to rest for an hour as the hot temperature outside is unbearable.The boys help the other staff in cleaning the shelter after bathing the rescue dogs, making time for me, Lea and Samantha to have girl talk. The two girls and I settle in Maddox’s small office.“I can’t believe how our friendship has nourished in just a few months of meeting. This is not what I expected when I entered the Harper School. It was hard for me to leave my best friend in my former school, yet the pain paid off.”“Besty, we are here for you.”
I had a long day rescuing dogs, something I didn’t regret doing with my trusted friends except Cassandra and her minions. An experience I would cherish when I get to Singapore and even for the rest of my life. I’m tired but I have to act energetically to avoid having mom worrying about me.I am hesitant to have my friends with me before our connecting flight to Manila but they insist on coming with us. How can I refuse? After all, my friends are part of my family, apart from mom they are all I got and of course, Angelo. Besides the overflowing financial support, he never fails to give mom moral support."Guys, thank you for coming with us here."Sam taps my shoulder."You know we can't let you and your mom travel with
Our driver Roland and two other men help us in getting to our condo unit. Mom uses the wheelchair as she is having difficulty in breathing.The condo unit is beyond what I expected in size and in the interior. It has a spacious living room, dining area, kitchen, balcony, and 4 bedrooms. The condo we are staying in must be expensive. Based on what I know from the research I had, living in Singapore is costly.Angelo makes sure we live in comfort while in Singapore. There’s no doubt he spent a huge amount of money to provide this condo for us. I couldn’t thank him enough. On second thought, he wouldn’t even notice the amount he spent, for he has a lot of it.“Mom, you’ll be staying in the master’s bedroom. Lucy, Candace please help me settle
On the first day in Singapore, I need to make sure we make it to mom’s doctor’s appointment. Her first consultation on what would be the best option for a fast and full recovery. I am excited and nervous at the same time. Excited for the possibility of getting mom’s fast recovery but nervous for the brutal truth that might hurt me.I hate to admit it but there’s something in my head that keeps telling me of the worst-case scenario. I’m trying my best to think positive and see the brighter side of things yet sometimes I find myself feeding negative thoughts in my head.I ease my worries by switching my thoughts back to the Philippines. Turning my thoughts to Maddox who is probably in school at the time I’m preparing for breakfast. I put a smile on my face thinking Maddox and I was in the forest when
Just like yesterday, my second day in Singapore is emotional thinking about my mom’s chemotherapy. I hold on to Maddox’s reminder to think positive and trust the doctors who will handle mom. Maddox was right though, as a daughter I should be the one thinking about all the positive outcomes that might happen.Along with Candace and Lucy, we head to Mount Elizabeth Hospital for mom’s chemotherapy. The hospital is one of the best in Singapore. High-end medical equipment, fine interior, and most of all a team of qualified and experienced specialists. My worries escalate arriving at the hospital but I remind myself of what Maddox told me so I’m a little bit calm.The doctors give us final instructions and how to take care of my mom while the dietician recommended a specific diet for mom while recovering. Having Can
I wake up at almost 8 in the morning which is later than the usual time I wake when I was in the Philippines. I had to help Lucy and Candace in taking care of mom last night as she was having a hard time sleeping even after taking her meds. I couldn't sleep knowing mom wasn’t alright so I had to stay in her room.First thing in the morning, I check on my phone. Excited to see if there’s any message from my friends especially Maddox. They are the only source of moral support except for Angelo of course. There were missed calls from Lea and Maddox half an hour ago, they probably called me before going to school. In my inbox, I see Samantha’s message first so I check on it.Angel, we found out about the photo just last night when Cassy posted it on her social media accounts. Have you seen it already? Don’t be
Another day in Singapore with mom. She is still weak which is one of the side effects of the chemotherapy. Hopefully, with the help of the two nurses mom will gain her strength back before her next chemotherapy session.“Good morning, mom. Rise and shine.” I roll the curtain on each side to let the sunlight in. Mom covers her face to avoid the glare of the morning sunlight.“Good morning, Angel.”“Would you like to stay on the balcony? The sun feels nice on your skin,” I said, opening the glass door.“Sure.”“Wait. Let me help you.” I walk over to mom’s bed and help her get off the bed.
“Good morning, mom, rise and shine.” I greet mom, sitting on her bed. “You look different this morning.”The dark circles in mom’s eyes are lessening and her skin is glowing a bit.“Good morning sweetheart. I feel fine this morning unlike yesterday, I felt lazy.”“Did you have a good night's sleep?”“Yeah, I slept a couple of hours. You know what, I was thinking if we can tour a little around the city. We have been so stuck in this condo. We only go out to the hospital and you only go out to buy groceries.”“Mom, are you sure you’re fine to go out and walk a distance. If we want t
“Mad?”Maddox pulls me close to him and wraps his arms around me. My hands voluntarily wrap around Maddox’s body. He is warm, unlike the Christmas weather. My heart is pounding in my chest like the beat of a drum as we keep our bodies close to each other even more.We are both speechless until I hear Maddox cry. I feel so bad for causing so much pain to him. I hate and blame myself for every hurt Maddox is bearing. I gently pat Maddox’s back.“I’m sorry. I’m really sorry, Mad.”“It’s okay.” Maddox loosens his arms around me. I glance up at Maddox, trying to make eye contact with him.I can't
It’s December 24, the loneliest Christmas in my life without mom. This is the only yuletide season that I don't like celebrating. I've never felt like having Christmas since mom was in her bad condition.Dad asked me yesterday if I’d want to have an out-of-town vacation with my friends but I declined. I don’t want to leave the city as it seems like leaving mom. I know dad couldn’t ask me to join them for Christmas since his wife would be against it. So, I told him I'm staying in my condo.I'm having instant food for breakfast as I am starving already. If mom was here, she'll surely prepare something nutritious for me, she won't settle for instant breakfast.The doorbell rings while I'm eating my morning oatmeal. I wonder who would want to visit me as
On my first day without mom, I visited our old apartment in the hope of reminiscing about those times with mom in our nest. I fix the things mom left as well as my room for me to stay in. Everything is in chaos.There are spider webs on the ceiling, and dust on the sofa and on the floor. The apartment smells like an old building that hasn't been used for years. I can’t believe how much dirt it accumulated during the short time we’ve been staying in Singapore and at my mom's funeral.I start cleaning the small living room, the kitchen, and the dining area. It took me almost an hour to finish even in just a small area. Next is my room before cleaning my mom’s room. My room is just as messy as the living area. I have to put some of the papers in the trash to make space for my school materials.
Time stops…I don’t even know where Cassy and her minions get the nerve to visit mom’s funeral. The audacity they have is incomparable.“Hey, what do you guys think you’re doing here? Seriously? This is not a show.” Lea asks Cassandra as she gets close to mom’s coffin.Cassandra snorts. “We come here with good intentions. I know this is hard for Angel to lose everything, right? Not just her mom but also Maddox.” Cassy says the latter with a hint of tease. "That's why we're here to ease her pain. I know how it feels to be left alone."“Cassandra…”I can’t be wrong, I know exactly
Lea comes to us in mom’s room. Lucy is on the left side of the bed as she was trying to help mom make it comfortable and probably breathe easily. Mommy is like running out of breath which is worse than usual.“Mommy…” I hop on the right side of the bed.Mom only moves her teary eyes. She looks at me, her lips parting like she wants to speak up but is unable to because of the shortness of breath.“Mom it's okay, I’m here. You don’t have to say anything, mommy.”“Angel, is Aunt Athena normally like this when she wakes up?” Lea asks, her voice trembling in fear.“No Lea, this is the worst one but mom will be
It’s another day in Singapore and our last day to be exact. With a heavy heart, I pack mom’s stuff to prepare for our flight.“Mom, are you sure about this?”“Angel, this is the best decision I know. Let’s not argue about this anymore. We will have more time together in the Philippines.”Dad didn’t disagree with mom last night. I don't know why. Dad probably only wants to give whatever mom wishes. He immediately booked tickets for all of us. Although it is hard for him as well. I saw it in his eyes last night, he was sad.I knock on dad’s door to check on him. He let me in. Dad's luggage is open while his clothes scattering on his bed. "Dad, let me help you," I volunteer as I
“What is happening here? Ms. Lucy? Candace?”They both look back at me while helping mom on the bed. I see mom is having difficulty breathing.“Mommy, I’m here.” I walk over to mom’s bed and sit on the edge of it.“I already gave her the medicine Angel. Athena will be fine in a few minutes.” Candace says.“Thank you guys, but you should have told me earlier.”Mom holds my arm. “Angel…” Mom says between breathing heavily. “I told them not to…” She pauses for another heavy breath. 'I’ll be fine, don’t worry.” It’s hard for mom to utter a sentence.
Around 11 in the morning when mom wakes up. Mom’s eyes look tired, the dark circles have been getting bigger and bigger for the past few days.“Angel?” Mom smiles lazily as she looks at me.I smile back at her as I walk over to the bed. “Mommy, I’ll help you sit on the bed.”Mom is so light that I think I could carry her like a baby. She loses too much weight while battling cancer. I sit mom in the bed and put a pillow at her back to make it comfortable.“Mom, what do you wanna have for breakfast? I’ll cook it for you.”“Angel, what’s wrong?”
It’s 9 in the morning and I’m here in the bathroom, looking at myself in the mirror. The dark circles in my eyes are getting bigger. I wash my face with water hoping it will help me awake as I only slept for at least 3 hours.It was hard to watch mom in pain last night. I was helpless thinking and knowing there was nothing I could do to ease her pain. Angelo and I were with mom until she was able to sleep.Mom is still sleeping when I walk out of the bathroom so I head to the kitchen to drink some water and check on Candace, Lucy and Angelo.“Good morning, guys. Were you able to sleep?” Candace and Lucy turn back as I grab a glass to pour some water.“Good morning, Angel.” They greet me in unis