Author's Note:

To everyone who's wondering, I have an announced by July that I'll take a break from updating my ongoing stories on Wattpad. I spent the past months working on an editing project (since I am also a project-based editor now ;) ).

This MIBF 2022 na ang release ng novel na in-edit ko, ang Harrison University School of Monsters Part 2!

Also, another news: nominated ang Peak (number 60) under Fiction written in Filipino or Taglish (2019-2021) category sa Filipino Reader's Choice Awards 2022!

Sana makaboto kayo lalo na kung na-enjoy ninyo ang story na ito ni Sloven Markov! (Ang voting link ay nasa Message Board ko/About Me section ng Wattpad profile ko). Sa mga hindi pa nakababasa, available pa ito sa Wattpad.

(Voting duration is from September 2, 2022-September 23, 2022)

Thank you so much for patiently waiting! Enjoy 2 new chapters of Through Secrets Unveiled today 😘❤️

With Love,
ANAxoxo

•••

WEDNESDAY. Maagang gumising si Stacey para ihatid ang kanyang ina sa airport. The day before, Artemia already left the condominium unit she was renting. Nagkaroon sila ng usapan na para hindi ito ma-hassle ay ise-settle na agad ang turnover ng unit sa pinagrentahan para ang iisipin na lang sa araw na ito ay ang flight ng babae patungong Budapest.

Tahimik na pinagsaluhan nilang mag-ina almusal. Malamlam ang liwanag mula sa sinag ng araw na nakatatagos sa salaming bintana. The effect made the dining room look warm and earthy, as if there were in a countryside cottage. Dahil magkatabi sila ng upuan, nakaharap si Stacey sa kabila ng mesa kung saan kadalasan umuupo si Renante. She remembered that during his stay here, he would choose to seat across the table so he can always see her face . . . She pulled out a subtle sad smile. Aminado siya na nakaka-miss ang lalaking iyon.

Pagkatapos pagtulungan ang mga ligpitin at hugasin, nag-double check naman si Artemia ng mga gamit nito. Then, they got dressed casually and hopped into Stacey’s red Corvette.

Hindi rin sila halos nag-imikan sa loob ng sasakyan. Abala si Artemia sa smartphone nito. Makailang beses nito naka-video call at naka-chat ang client na nagpa-commission dito para sa vlog na gagawin sa Budapest. Sa mga oras na iyon naman, naka-focus lang si Stacey sa pagmamaneho. Kapag naman humihinto ang kotse dahil sa traffic o stop light, naaalala niya ang mga ikinuwento kagabi ng kanyang nanay . . .

“Remember what you said earlier? About the lifestyle you chose. About the choices you’ve made in the past. Na sa ganitong paraan mo lang kaya maging mabuting ina sa akin…”

She trailed off, expecting her mother to cut her off or say to talk about it some other time. But to her surprise, Artemia remained still. Ni hindi ito umimik kahit na natahimik na siya. Sa tingin niya ay hinihintay siya nitong magpatuloy sa pagsasalita.

“Can we talk about them now? If…” she stole a glance at her before returning her eyes on the ceiling. “If that’s okay.”

Artemia took in a deep breath, softly… subtly. She seemed to have already expected this, yet still nervous. “I’ll start with those few weeks after I gave birth to you. That’s where I’ll start the story.”

Stacey took in a deep breath, readying herself for the revelations. “Okay—”

“No,” Artemia accidentally interrupted. “Before that, there’s supposed to be a little introduction.”

Mahina siyang natawa. Ano ba itong ikukuwento ng nanay niya? Parang libro ba na kailangan ng introductory chapter? Mala-nobela ba ang ikukuwento nito? She was only asking about a particular part of her life, not the whole story of it!

“Okay, go ahead,” she encouraged her mother.

Nanatili sa kisame ang tingin ng ginang.

“Your father and I married for convenience.” She paused but was disappointed to hear no reaction from her. Stacey wasn’t shocked by that, kasi sa loob ng mahigit tatlunpung taon, ay obvious na iyon sa kanya. Artemia continued. “Some Filipinos get married to a foreigner to elevate their status, especially financial, and some foreigners marry a Filipino to get past economical restrictions and double their money. Both are lucky, if they marry for love and convenience. But that’s not the case with others, like me and your father. We got married only for . . . convenience.

“Nagkaroon ang dad mo ng convincing reason para ma-approve agad ang pagpapa-naturalize niya bilang Filipino citizen. Then, he used that to escape the 60-40 Foreign Direct Investment restriction here. Kaya solong-solo niya ang kita ng itinayo niyang shipping business dito nang maikasal kami.

Samantalang ako naman ay nakaalis sa poder ng aking mga magulang. Sa wakas ay tinigilan na ako ng mga nangungulit kong kaibigan at kamag-anak sa katatanong kung kailan ako mag-aasawa?

What they didn’t know is that, Derek and I have to get married immediately. Kasi, nabuo ka na namin. He can run away from responsibility. Who am I to him but just a ome-night-stand? But you know what, I salute him for staying. But I know it is not for me. He stayed for you, Stacey.” Artemia glanced at her with a gentle smile. Then, she suddenly looked so cross. “And his business.”

Ibinalik ng ginang sa kisame ang tingin. “And I chose to be your mother. Kaya naman mabilisan ang naging preparations at natuloy ang kasal.

“The main story is, I will realize that being a mother is not supposed to be just a choice. Because if it is, it feels obligatory. You must really, really want to be a mother, because your child has to feel that you really want them in your life, not because you chose to, but because you want to.

“I shouldn’t have listened to them. I shouldn’t have let them scare me about losing my purpose and chances of being happy if I don’t get a husband or a child or become a mother and wife. I don’t regret having you, or your father Stacey. My biggest regret is ruining your lives just because I made choices rooted by assuming I have to make a choice right away.

“You see, some women are just not crafted for the role of a mother. It’s a rewarding role to be in, but it’s not for everyone, including me.”Artemia sighed in relief. As if she has completely unloaded all the pent up emotion she was carrying for years. “That’s why I chose this lifestyle. That’s why, I’d rather have someone else take care of you, from relatives to professional nannies. This is the choice I have to make to be a good mother to you, to let someone else take care of you . . . because they can do it better. You are . . . safer with them. I have to work hard to afford that, because Derek will give funds for anything except for nannies. Because he insists that it is my role to look after you so, it’s me who’s supposed to do it but . . . but after that postpartum I had . . .” Tears began beading at the corners of her eyes. “I can’t  . . .” She sucked in a deep breath. “Your idiot of a father won’t understand. How is he supposed to understand me anyway? He never loved me.”

Stacey wondered what happened when her mother had a post partum. Artemia didn’t have the guts to specify that part of the story. What happened that scared her enough to take care of her personally, like what mothers are supposed to do?

“Life is too short to take a long time to choose. But it gets shorter when you make the wrong choice,” basag ni Artemia sa pananahimik nito. Tumagilid ito ng higa para makaharap sa kanya. Stacey was forced to face her mother when she cupped her face. Their eyes met. Artemia smiled but confusion disabled Stacey to smile back. “Fix everything you need to fix. Don’t bring your problems along in your new life . . . in your marriage. Don’t pass your pre-marriage burdens on your husband and children.”

Stacey realized that maybe, she was being a mother to her friends not out of choice but because that’s what she wants all along, to feel the role of a mother. to understand how it is done, to compensate for the lack of knowledge on what it feels to be with and to be nurtured by her own mother.

Stacey just closed her eyes. She did not shake her head or nod. Nanatili ang mga kamay ni Artemia sa magkabila niyang pisngi. Dama rin niyang nakatitig ito sa kanya na tila nag-aabang sa kanyang sagot. But when Stacey kept her silence for too long, Artemia simply let go. Bumalik ito sa pagkakatihaya ng higa sa kama.

She slowly opened her eyes and saw her mother staring at the ceiling. There was a film of tears in her eyes and a hint of satisfied smile. Artemia didn’t look happy, but she certainly wasn’t regretful. That hint of satisfied smile already says that she found her confession worth it . . . relieving. So, Stacey scooted a little closer and draped an arm over her mother’s abdomen to hug her. She buried her face on Artemia’s shoulder. And as for the rest of the night, they stayed that way until they fell asleep.

Inihinto na ni Stacey ang kotse sa tapat airport entrance. Sinigurado niyang nakatabi ito para may madaan pa rin na mga sasakyan sa daanan. Pagkatapos, nilingon niya ang ina na nagmamadaling magpaalam sa ka-videomchat nitong foreign client. Pagkatapos, napatingin ito sa kanya at nahuking nakatingin siya.

Stacey sported a smile. “We’re already here.”

Artemia sighed and smiled. “Let’s go.”

Pagdating sa airport terminal, nadatnan nilang mag-ina si Renante na naghihintay. He wore a pair of pastel blue slacks and a white button-down, short-sleeved  with intricate little blue birds embroidered on it. His shiny, jet blackhair—as black as his leather shoes—was donning that slightly mid-parted style. Itinabi nila sa isang bakanteng row ng mga upuan ng airport terminal ang mga maleta at bag ni Artemia. Then, Renante stretched out his arms to offer her mother a light embrace.

Stacey watched the two and could not help a small smile on her lips. It felt good to see that the people she cares about are being on good terms now. Even if she knew they were only being like this in front of her, Stacey was glad to see that these two people love her so much, that they are willing to do anything that will make her happy and at peace.

“Have a safe trip to Budapest,” ngiti ng binata rito nang maghiwalay sa kanilang pagyayakapan.

“Thank you,” Artemia beamed, her perfect set of teeth showing as she patted his upper arm. “And I will thank you more if you take care of my daughter.”

“I will. And I’ll always take good care of her,” he promised.

Masayang nilingon si Stacey ng kanyang ina. “Will you stay here? O sasamahan n’yo akong maghintay sa flight ko?”

Inilipat ni Stacey ang tingin kay Renante. Aware kasi siya na may trabaho pa ito sa VVatch habang siya naman ay nagpaalam na magha-half day muna para sa araw na ito.

“I'll wait with you,” he decided, looking at Artemia. “Nakapagpaalam naman ako sa employees ko na maghihintay.”

“Nagpaalam?” gulat niyang bulalas. “Eh, bakit hindi ko alam?”

Napayuko saglit si Artemia at ngumiti.

“I said, ‘employees.’ Eh, girlfriend kita, ’di ba?”

Pinanlakihan niya ito ng mga mata. Stacey was just not ready to show her mother the sweet side of her relationship with Renante.

“But,” Renante continued, facing her mother, “if you want more time alone with Stacey—”

“No,” angat ni Artemia ng tingin dito. “It’s okay. Samahan mo si Stacey, kasi every once in a while naaabala ako sa—” Napayuko ito nang tumunog ang cell phone. Inilabas ito ng nanay niya mula sa bulsa at ipinakita kay Renante. “See? Heto na naman ang client ko. Mabuti na narito ka para may makakausap si Stacey.” Sinilip uli nito ang cell phone bago nagpalipat-lipat ng tingin sa kanila. “I’ll just take this video call.”

“Let’s move somewhere private then. May private waiting lounge dito sa airport,” suhestiyon ni Renante. “I will just need your ID and boarding pass.”

“Sure, sure,” nagmamadaling sagot ni Artemia at isinukbit sa balikat ang isang bag matapos iabot kay Renante ang mga kailangan nito.

Nagpalitan ng tingin sina Stacey at Renante. All at once, he managed to read her eyes. Kapwa nila pinagtulungan ang paghila sa mga maleta ni Artemia. Nauna sila sa paglakad para i-guide ang nanay niya patungo sa private waiting lounge. Si Renante ang nag-asikaso para maka-secure sila ng isang silid na magagamit nila sa loob ng tatlong oras bago ang flight ni Artemia.

Sa loob ng silid, abala si Artemia sa pakikipag-usap sa kliyente nito. Pumuwesto ito sa maliit na table set sa gitnan ng private lounge para maipatong doon ang laptop nito at ang naka-stand na cell phone. Stacey never saw a vlogger who works as tediously as this. With lots of papers and jotting down on a journal. It made her realize that probably, Artemia’st travels doesn’t make her reflect on things like other travellers. Instead, she’s so preoccupied with concepts, client’s expectations, and content concepts that her travels make her forget about everything else. Stacey overheard a lot of things like Artemia’s itenerary in Budapest, the content that her client wants to see in her vlog, and double checking if the reservations made for Artemia are still valid within the timeline of her stay in that country.

Then, Stacey looked at Renante. He was on his phone talking to Paige about VVatch. Binabalitaan nito ang kanyang nobyo kung ano na ang nangyayari roon. She overhead him saying something about a delivery. May palagay si Stacey na ang Rosa Cobra design wrist bands na iyon.

Umupo siya sa isang leather sofa at pinanood ang dalawa. She could not believe how fortunate she is to have the free time to stop and just look at them. Noon, katulad siya ng mga ito—laging busy, on-the-go, at hindi maistorbo. She felt an adrenaline for that, but seeing the state of busy in this perspective made her see how chaotic it is! How she wished, these two would pause for a minute to relax!

Unang natapos sa ginagawa nito si Renante. Nanonood na noon ng TV si Stacey habang umiinom ng non-alcoholic sparkling wine. He squeezed in the leather seat where she was seated with her legs up. Pagkasiksik sa kanya ng binata, maingat nitong ipinatong ang kanyang mga binti sa mga hita nito. Inangat saglit ni Stacey ang likod para mapadaan doon ni Renanre ang kamay at makaakbay sa kanya nang sumandal siya uli sa back rest ng upuan. She sighed and rested her head against his shoulder.

“How’s VVatch?” tanong niya habang nakatingin sa TV.

“It’s good. May naghihintay na trabaho sa atin doon. Dumating na ang sample ng wristband para sa Rosa Cobra design.”

“And how are you?” tingala niya rito, nakapatong ang baba sa balikat ng lalaki.

He looked down and met her gaze. What he did only brought their noses close. In their nearness, they both smiled.

“What?” she chuckled. Bakit ba kasi napangiti ito?

“I’m just feeling great,” he replied in a low voice that made him sound throaty.

They had some drinks and watched TV after that. They barely talked, siguro dahil katulad niya ay nahihiya rin si Renanre na marinig ni Artemia ang mga ka-cheesy-han nila sa buhay. Ni hindi na nila namalayan na nakatulog na pala sila sa upuan na iyon. Hindi rin nila alam na may ilang minuto na libre ang oras ni Artemia kaya habang nagi-snacks at drinks ito ay malaya sila nitong pinagmasdan habang matutulog at napapangiti pa. Napabalikwas lang si Stacey nang maramdaman ang mabibilis na mga tapik sa kanyang balikat.

“Mom?” naguguluhan niyang tuwid ng upo. Nakailang kurap siya ng mga mata bago naihilamos ang kamay sa mukha. Mahirap na at baka tumulo ang laway niya o may muta pa siya.

“Kagagaling lang dito ng staff. Tinawag na ang flight number ko.”

“Oh, shoot!” nagmamadali niyang tayo at maingat na tinapik-tapik sa pisngi si Renante. “Boo, flight na ni Mom!”

He remained calm and quiet, pero kita ang pagmamadali sa kilos nito. Kinolekta na nila ang mga gamit at dali-daling tinungo ang departure area ng airport. Nagmamadaling kinuha ni Artemia mula sa kanila ang dalawng maleta at hinawakan ang mga ito ng tig-isa nitong kamay.

She was about to walk away when she stopped, remembering something. Humarap si Artemia sa kanila. Isa-isa nitong tiningnan ang mukha nila ni Renante bago sila nginitian. She looked confused, as if not knowing if she should cry or laugh.

“Bon voyage,” ngiti niya sa ina. She was hoping that would give her the courage to keep going.

“I love you,” ngiti nito.

Nakakainis. Bakit parang napuwing ang mga mata niya?

“I love you too,” sagot niya rito.

Artemia struggled whether to run to them or now. Stacey didn’t know how much her mother wanted to embrace her and Renante. But she just shook her head.

“I’ll see you soon.” She looked at Renante too. “I hope to see you soon too.”

“Until then, Artemia,” ngiti ng binata sabay akbay sa kanya. Stacey was so thankful he did that. Parang bubuwal na kasi siya sa kinatatayuan. Mabuti at may masasandalan na siya.

“Until then,” tango nito para tuluyan nang magpaalam.

Habang sukbit ang dalawang bag sa iisang braso at may tig-isang mga maleta na hila ang bawat kamay, tumalikod na ito at tinungo ang scanner sa entrance para makasakay na sa eroplano.