Promises are made to be broken.
It's true.
I don't want to tell mom. And if I could just take the pain she was feeling? I would take it.
I woke up feeling sad.
I picked up the cellphone under the pillow. No message at all.
I just now realized everything. No one else can help us but me.
We have no one to rely on but ourselves. Even if it's too much pain, we still have to move on with life.
I got up and took a deep breath.
I stood up and took my bag .I took out the money that papa gave me.
Instead of enjoying the money I was holding, my chest tightened even more.
I'll bring mama in the clinic to check her health. I will pay the electricity and water bills. Go grocery and pay for my school.
The rest I will keep. I can't give it to mama because I know she'll doubt it.
It's just white lies.
I will say that I advanced my salary to the bakery. So, today I will be absent from school. But in the afternoon I will go to the bakery.
I have a lot to do today so I have to be absent.
When I came down, I immediately saw mama.
"Mah, get ready. I advance my salary! We’ll check you up!"
I said cheerfully and sat down.
She frowned and set the food on the table.
"You advance your salary?"
"Yes mah."
"My daughter--"
"Mah, please?" I held her hand. The corner of my eye heats up as I look at her.
I wanted to say but I restrained myself. My tears rolled down my cheeks.
Mama is nice to be organized. She’s always haggard because of housework. She was hardworking, kind, beautiful and caring so I wonder why dad left him?
"Mah." My voice tremble. “Please. I'm worried."
Eventually mama agreed. I checked her up for the first time at a private clinic.
Mama's lungs are said to be clogged with phlegm so she often coughs. The doctor also said she was very stressed and tired.
"You can go home first. I'll just buy your medicine and go to the grocery store." I said as we waited for a taxi.
Mom glanced at me. "Do you have any money?"
"Yes ma."
A few moments after the mama left, had a car stop in front of me.
I backed away slightly.
Ryle's grin immediately when I saw him inside the car.
"Ryle."
It's been almost a month we haven't met!
He smiled. His dimple came out. He's so cute.
"Hop on!"
I nodded and went in there.
"How long we haven't seen each other!" I said while fastening the seatbelt.
"Because you're busy."
"That's really.."
Ryle has changed a lot since we were in high school. Then he was thin but still chased by women because he was handsome.
"Maybe it's because your new boyfriend?" He teased.
"I don't have a boyfriend.." It's true.
"No?-"
"Nothing! Just nothing!" I cut him off immediately. I don't want to talk first. I don't want to think about him right now.
His forehead furrowed. He seemed to want to ask a lot but I immediately turned away and looked outside.
"Where are you going?" He asked.
"I'm going at mall. I'll Just buy something."
"I'll go with you." He presents.
"Oh no!"
"Come on, Zands. We haven't seen each other in a long time." He said seriously.
I didn't know how I would feel so I just kept quiet.
In highschool Ryle and I were always together. Our mom is also friends.
Ryle accompanied me to buy mama’s medicine at the drugstore. So we talked about mama.
But I didn't say what happened to papa. When we finished grocery shopping, he invited me to lunch.
While Ryle was ordering something to eat I looked at my cellphone with miscalls of an unknown number.
My eyebrows rose.
"Who could it be?" I mumbled.
But I lost my mind when Ryle put down the food.
"Let's eat!"
The day ended quickly. Ryle drove me home and we talked a lot.