Mothers on Vacation
It was 9:00 a.m. Friday morning. I woke up fresh from a 12-hour sleep and felt rejuvenated and relaxed for the weekend.
But as I walked downstairs, three luggage piqued my interest. Somebody is about to go on a vacation.
"What are these bags doing in the living room?" I yelled loudly while preparing for breakfast.
Seconds later, Charissa strolled her way down dressed in a familiar white shirt and blue jeans. She promptly joined me for a feast.
"Christine, Karina and I are headed to New York," Charissa excitedly revealed.
"But you didn't inform me," I bitterly replied. "Why now?"
"Sorry Christine," Charissa explained. "It's a long story."
At the dining table, she revealed Karina had been visiting her home for several weeks. They shared many laughs, sang together and even posed for a few selfies.
It became clear to Charissa and Karina that they were in dire need of a reconnection away from home. And that led to them booking airline tickets for New York.
"I hope you understand, Christine," Charissa assuredly said. "Karina and I will be back home soon, promise."
Later that morning, Charissa received a phone call from Michelle. She had been informed that Karina had just arrived at the condominium.
Upon opening the door, the two lifelong friends joyfully embraced in front of me. Meanwhile, I joined Michelle at the living room and sat down with her.
"So were you also informed of your mother's plans as well," I humbly asked Michelle.
Upon hearing my question, she immediately broke down and cried inconsolably. I tried my best to soothe Michelle, but she continued sobbing.
"Christine, it's a lengthy story," Michelle tearfully narrated. "What my mother said didn't sit well with me."
With tears still awash from her eyes, Michelle explained the same story Charissa told me awhile back. But then she suddenly stormed out of the room, unable to contain her raw emotions.
Karina immediately sat down for a short conversation.
"Michelle must be a little mad right now," I informed Karina. "Your daughter looked unwilling to part ways with you."
"Michelle has been like that ever since Mychal died," Karina explained. "She never wanted to be alone back home, always concerned about me every day. Michelle is fiercely determined to stay at my side no matter what."
Seconds later, I walked down the hallway and saw Michelle still in a somber mood. Rain started falling on the window and her tears dropped along with it.
"We must talk," I convinced her to have an intimate discussion.
Michelle looked down and sat along on the stairs. She gradually stopped crying and held my hand.
"My friend, you shouldn't feel left out," I advised Michelle. "Karina and Charissa will be out for a week which isn't that long of a vacation."
"But Christine, one week seems too long," Michelle responded. "It's difficult not to have my mother home."
"That's nothing compared to my personal experience," I explained. "Charissa left the comforts of home for over 15 years, which was essentially my whole childhood."
Michelle and I stood up and walked back to the room.
"Trust me, you'll get used to living alone," I assuredly reminded Michelle. "It's just one week so be patient. And don't worry because Ella, Kyla and myself will take care of you."
Over at the living room, Karina and Charissa were standing still while looking eagerly at their watches.
"Damn, it's already 12:00 in the afternoon," Charissa reminded us. "Our flight coming up in 30 minutes. We better hurry or else."
Michelle and I promptly carried Charissa's luggage down the parking lot. Shortly after we all left the condominium for the airport.
Fortunately, the traffic was on the lighter side so driving became a lot smoother. It also gave Michelle an opportunity to belt out another tune.
Love hurts
Love scars
Love wounds and marks
Any heart not tough or strong enough
To take a lot of pain, take a lot of pain
Love is like a cloud, it holds a lot of rain
Love hurts
Ooh love hurts
Michelle was on the verge of crying when Karina clung to her right shoulder. Almost immediately, she gently wiped the tears off her eyes and continued driving.
"Michelle, you must grow to become an independent and responsible person," Karina sincerely convinced her. "You're in your 20s now so don't act like a child."
Michelle stopped driving for a brief moment, gazed towards Karina and smiled graciously. She then kissed her lovely cheek for good measure.
"And don't worry about it, friend," I assuredly reminded Michelle. "We can stay with our friends all week and have fun."
Just then, we arrived at the airport. Before leaving, Karina and Charissa offered one final embrace to both of us.
"Take care kids," Charissa said thoughtfully as she waved goodbye. "We'll see you in a week."
Seconds later, Karina and Charissa disappeared from our sights. Michelle and I then boarded back to her car and drove ourselves directly to school.
But as we arrived at the campus, Michelle and I were immediately confronted by the security guard.
"Girls, I'm sorry but the campus is closed until Monday," the guard informed us. "There is an ongoing maintenance work that's taking place inside."
With school locked until further notice, Michelle drove her Vios directly towards Kyla's condominium. But upon arrival, we were surprised to see the door locked.
Michelle contacted Kyla and was informed that she was at Kelly's unit for the day. Shortly after we left her condominium and devoted the rest of the afternoon dining and shopping for new clothes.
Later that night, Kyla suddenly showed up at Greenbelt with a bunch of bags on her hands. She must have shopped for some new clothes as well.
"Hey, we've been waiting eagerly for you," Michelle called Kyla out.
"Sorry about that captain," she courteously said. "I was at Kelly's home tending to her sick husband. Anyway, why you and Christine are in Makati?"
"It's a long story," I promptly informed Kyla. "We better talk about it at your place."
And so Kyla, Michelle and myself drove to her condominium and slept over for the night. But as morning dawned, we wondered if Karina and Charissa finally made it to New York.