In the middle of my Bali vacation, mom called. Worry is evident in her voice, and she's also shaking while telling me that Zane has finally regained consciousness.

I heaved a sigh of relief. Moments after, I felt my heart pounding rapidly. Ito na nga ba ang sinasabi ko e.

"Hindi pa alam ni Zane ang tungkol sa inyo."

"My, what if mag-process na tayo ng divorce ngayon pa lang habang hindi niya pa alam? Let's just pretend all of this didn't happen. Okay lang sa 'kin!" kabado kong sabi.

"Pomme, hindi 'yan ang sagot. I thought you said you won't force him if he doesn't like it? Bakit tatakas ka?"

I sighed. Nanlumo ako saglit at napatayo nang maalala kung sino at ano ako. I've been neglected and independent my whole life. Perhaps there are few people who showed me what love is, but most of the people who are supposed to show that failed in that aspect of my life.

Kaya anong pakialam ko sa opinyon ng iba? As long as I don't lose myself, I'll be fine. I don't have to worry about people leaving me.

"I'll just go with the flow, my. You always have my back, right?" I asked hopefully.

"Yes, anak. I'll always be your support."

"Even if I'm no longer your daughter-in-law?" mahina kong tanong.

"Yes, Pomme. Even if you won't be my daughter-in-law," she assured.

The call ended with mom reminding me not to overthink things.

Tulala ako habang pinapanood ang araw na unti-unting nawawala. Today is my last day here in Bali and tomorrow at eleven in the morning is my flight back. Mom gave me the opportunity to extend my vacation to avoid my inner confrontation but I choose to face reality. Na makikita ko na ng gising ang nag-iisang Zakkheus Nathaniel Cross.

Mommy:
Have you packed your things?

Mommy:
You checked out of the hotel already? It's early pa.

Mommy:
Zane is insisting that we should get you from the airport.

Mommy:
Would that be okay to you, Pomme?

Mommy:
Kung ayaw ni Zane sa 'yo, hayaan mo siya. I have many friends here who has successful and realiable sons, Zane's not unique.

Natawa ako sa huling mensahe nito. I am on my way to the airport to wait for my flight. I left the hotel earlier than scheduled.

Ako:
I'm on my way to the airport, my.

Ako:
Dala niya ang divorce papers?

May laughing emoji sa huling mensahe na sinend ko. It did't take long for mom to reply to my message.

Mommy:
It's very early ha, you could've rest more.

Ako:
Okay lang, my. Binabagabag din naman ako ng utak ko.

The time seems really fast today. Pumatak ng alas sais nang dumating ako sa airport at ngayon ay nakalinya na ako agad. I haven't received any message from mom even after I boarded the plane. Siguro busy.

I slept through the whole hours in the plane. Panay rin ang buka ng mga mata ko every after twenty minutes. Ina-anxiety yata ako sa mga maaaring mangyari.

"Pomme! Oh my, you've finally arrived!"

Patakbong lumapit si mommy sa akin at binigyan ako ng mahigpit na yakap. I stood still as she warmly embraced me.

"Come, come! Zane is waiting outside. Alam mo, he bought a flower for you..." magiliw niyang balita.

As if naman maniniwala ako. If I know, si mommy mismo ang bumili niyan at pinahawak lang sa anak niya para magmukhang ito ang bumili.

"How was your vacation?" excited niyang tanong.

"Actually, my, may nakita na akong potential na papalit ky Zane..." I shared.

"Ito naman. Give it time. Give it a chance. I've shared the process to him, but not all of it. Hahayaan ko kayong mag-usap. And if it didn't go well, I hope not 'no... you can tell me so we could formulate something."

Paglabas namin ay naghihintay na ang kotse. And truth to be told, naroon nga ang lalaki. He was wearing a mask and is seated at the wheelchair, with his longtime assistant holding it from the back. He was also holding a bouquet of flower.

"Here she is! Zane, you say hi!" she urged.

Na para bang bata na tinuturuan pa ng nanay mag-hi sa strangers?

Sachiko waved and ran to me, putting her arms around me while giggling.

"I saw your posts sa personal account mo! How can you have fun all by yourself? Parang at peace ka lang kahit wala kang kasama. Naiinggit ako."

"May kasama ako do'n. Some of my friends also went there to be with me."

She rested her head on my shoulders.

"Kahit na. Most of the time, you're alone. And whenever I see you, instead of sympathizing, I feel envious. Kasi ako, hindi ko kaya ang gano'n. My life revolves around family and friends, bonus nalang ang career. And I feel so alone without them."

I tapped the back of her palm lightly.

"We'll have a talk later, okay?"

"Alright!"

Itinulak ng assistant and wheelchair ng lalaki. He looked up and for the first time, I saw his eyes near and clear. It was... hazel. Something I didn't expect. Dahil green ang kay mommy, and dad has amber. Ang ganda.

"For you..." his raspy voice echoed on my ear.

Tinanggap ko ang bulaklak at nagpasalamat. Mom beamed in happiness and invited everyone to the car so we could finally go home.

Magkatabi kami ni Zane sa gitna ng van. Sa likod si mommy at daddy, sa passenger seat naman si Sachiko. And their longtime assistant, butler, friend, and everything, as per mom, named Von, was the driver.

"Ate, did you bring a lot of pasalubong for me?" Sachiko asked.

"Of course! Bumili rin ako ng maraming scented candle kasi nga hindi ka makatulog ng maayos kapag wala ka no'n. I'll personally make some batches for you, too, since paubos na 'yong una kong binigay."

"Yes! Thank you, Ate. May ibibigay rin ako sa 'yo mamaya. Mommy ha, akin si Ate Pomme later, you can have her tomorrow."

Agad na umalma si mommy. Dahan-dahan kong nilingon ang lalaki. His eyes was focused clearly on the road. Nang mapansing nakatitig ako ay lumingon din siya sa akin, dahilan upang umiwas ako ng tingin.

Ang suplado tumingin.

"Ate Pomme and I will have a lot of girl talking to do later. Ikaw, kuya, you have to rest so you can't have her all to yourself yet..." mataray na sabi nito.

We reached the house. We waited until everyone was able to get out before entering the big doors of the house.

"Are you... uhm... thirsty?" mahina kong tanong sa lalaki.

"I'm fine."

Tumango nalang ako. Dismissive ba talaga siyang tao o nago-overthink lang ako?

"Pomme, let him be for now. Siguro na-overstimulate lang kasi first time ulit lumabas ng ganoon ka tagal. Hanggang garden lang kasi iyan mula nang magising." Mom appraoched me with evident worry in her tone. "Would you like to rest first? You can naman."

Tumango ako. "Opo. Sa... guest room?"

"You have your own room." Mom smiled warmly. "I had it prepared after Zane woke up. I'll escort you there, okay?"

Tumango ulit ako.

I sighed and turned my attention to the man. He was observing me and mom. Tanggal na rin ang face mask na suot.

Mas gwapo nga kaysa noong tulog. Pero parang... suplado.