I resumed working on my laptop when my phone buzzed for a stranger’s phone call. I stared at the screen for a second before answering.
“Hello? Shamikha?”
The voice made me scratch my right cheek. My eyes glanced at the unknown phone number.
“Who is this, please?”
“This is your mo-aunt! Your auntie who visited you. I borrowed my roommate’s phone to call you.”
I almost dropped my phone.
“Sorry, I wasn’t able to visit you yesterday. My phone broke, so I couldn’t text you to cancel our meeting. There was an urgent concern I needed to finish in my dormitory.”
“How urgent was it?”
“I…” she breathed a heavy sigh. “I got robbed.”
“Huh?”
"I can't afford to book a hotel or a motel, so I rented a dormitory instead.” She sighed, sounding problematic. “A transient room good for four people. I had two female roommates. One of them left yesterday morning. The other one is still staying there.
When I got back that night, the same day I visited you, a small bag of mine was gone. Stolen. I asked my remaining roommate about it, but she had no idea how it went missing. We checked the CCTV footage. And that's when we saw it, my first roommate took it. Clear as day.
We contacted the police to file a report. But honestly… the chances of getting it back are very slim. I don't have high hopes. Ahhh… It’s so helpless right now." She groaned. "I never expected something like this to happen to me. Back in the province, crime rates are low. I could leave my bag anywhere and not have to worry. People are more trusting there. Should have been more careful with my things while living here in the city. It's different here. It’s worse to learn a lesson this way."
“Since it was futile to search for it, you didn’t visit me, still? You had all the remaining hours to at least come and visit me since you’re two rides away from where I currently live. Besides, you only called me now when you were able to borrow your roommate’s phone. A quick heads up would suffice, not to make me wait.”
“It was catastrophic. I forgot about our meeting. Don’t worry, let’s have it rescheduled. I am free tomorrow and can even spend the night there.”
She suddenly sounded excited.
"We will go out and try different food places in the afternoon. Or visit the plaza nearby for a nice stroll, or join a Zumba session! It's popular with mothers like me. Some of the participants are senior citizens already." She chuckled warmly. "A salon date for a manicure and pedicure sounds lovely. It's been years since I last had my nails done. What else would you recommend doing here in the city? I've also heard about a midnight market. They sell clothes and shoes at bargain prices. That might be worth checking out."
I didn’t answer.
“Hello? Are you still there? Shamikha?”
“I’m crippled, and we both don’t own a car. I couldn’t simply go out like I own a car with fully working limbs. This isn’t a vacation, so stop acting like you’re a tourist. And don’t call me by my name so casually.”
I disconnected the call without waiting to hear her voice.
You couldn't even afford a decent phone. You couldn't get your nails done. You couldn't look after your things, and they got stolen because of your neglect. You couldn't even take care of yourself. You're not even mature enough to know how to navigate the world you live in. And yet… you're planning to move in with me?
I spent the night inside my bedroom, alone, and couldn't fall asleep. There comes a child's laugh. I pressed my ear against the wall, the one facing Maria and Nathan's house, right next to ours. I discovered that if I listened closely enough, I'd catch their voices, faint but there. They were playing and tickling each other. Mother and son.
"Enjoy your remaining blissful days and nights," I whispered under my breath. "Playing outside and inside your house. Be restless… because you're going to enter eternal rest soon, Nathan."
I was still cursing under my breath when I noticed a shadow by the door sill. Again.
This frustrating night made me turn off the light and force myself to fall asleep earlier than my schedule.
***
The day came when Auntie kept her promise and visited me again. It put a soft smile on my face when she called to say she was on her way. Ravael couldn't make time for today. He had already taken time off work days ago to meet her, but back then, she didn't show up. It felt like his effort was wasted for nothing. I tried not to dwell on it.
Auntie arrived with a rental car and a driver. She had planned everything carefully so I wouldn't have to worry about transportation. When it was time to go, she helped me get up, and I held onto my crutches tightly. She assisted me with every little step, making sure I was steady before we moved. Her hand was warm on my arm. We slowly made our way to the car, and with her help, I climbed inside. This is my first time going out with her, just the two of us.
“Isn't this trip going to be fun?”
“You don’t have to do this.”
“I’m sorry if I got too excited about going out with you. I was too inconsiderate and anticipated doing and experiencing things with you. Everything will go well for both of us.” She smiled and hugged me. “Okay, driver, please take us to a happy place!”
The driver dropped us off at the mall.
Auntie spun, her arms spread widely. With closed eyes, she said. “Ah, this is one of my dream places to visit in the city.” She walked close to me and pulled my wheelchair. “Let’s go!”
Praying that this trip will go well.
Auntie's eyes lit up at almost everything we passed. She is so happy, acting like a child seeing a playground for the first time. She marveled at the luxury brand stores with their elegant displays, the mannequins dressed in global trends, and the newly released sale items neatly folded or hung in the windows. Every few steps, she'd stop and point at something, asking me if I'd ever tried this.
The food stalls made her pause, especially the ones with sweet, buttery smells drifting out into the hallway. She kept saying how different everything was compared to the province.
She decided to stop by an expensive restaurant for an early lunch. Looking at the menu prices, it made me question her.
“Are you sure we’re eating our lunch here?” I asked her, not to judge her or anything, but I knew this restaurant was famous for two things: its sumptuous food and its skyrocketing prices.
"We're celebrating," she said with a reassuring smile. "We deserve this. You deserve special treatment from your special auntie, okay?
I never tried eating here, so it wasn’t a bad idea. We sat down by the window, ordered dishes we'd never tried before, and laughed over little things while eating our food. We got full and were more than satisfied with what they served us.
“How clumsy of me…” she murmured, looking disturbed. “Shamikha?”
“Hm?”
“This is so embarrassing. I was the one who was supposed to treat you for everything…”
“Why?” This is what I’m talking about.
“…I am short of cash. Did you bring some with you?”
“Ma’am, we also accept digital payments,” the female cashier stated.
“A digital payment would do,” Auntie added.
Her phone was broken. Her stuff was stolen.
“Here,” I handed some cash to the cashier.
“You saved me back there. That was embarrassing!”
As you should.
“Thank you! I’ll pay you on my next visit.”
“You don’t have to. You already made your way here to visit me, I can contribute at least for that one.” I smiled at her.
She hugged me. “You really are a saint.” She caressed my head gently. “A beautiful and well-mannered young woman is such a blessing. I’m glad grandmother raised you well.”
“I’m glad as well.”
She loosened her hug from me. “Let’s go to the salon next.”
The more time we spent together, the louder and livelier Auntie became. She wasn't holding back anymore. Her laughter filled the little salon, and her voice carried from one topic to the next like she had years of stories saved up for today.
We were both getting our nails done side by side. She picked a bright pink and blue combination, and I chose a light color. The sound of nail files and the hum of small fans surrounded us, but all I could really hear was her. She talked about life back in the province, about the neighbors she missed, about how different everything felt here in the city. Then she asked about me.
I found myself opening up more. Told her about my work, about how I still miss my grandma every day, and how grateful I am for Ravael's kindness even when I feel like a burden. She listened without interrupting, nodding and squeezing my hand now and then.
It’s warm and homey. So normal, like having a mother around again.
“Is that all you’ve got to tell me? We spent hours today going out. You’ve told me your stories, I’ve told you mine.” I confronted her if she could the gist of what I was pertaining to.
“We will get plenty of time once I return here to live with you.” She grinned.
“Do you really intend to live with me under one roof and be my auntie for the rest of your life?”
She paused. “What do you mean? What else should your auntie be doing with you?”
My eyes widened.
“Of course, as a distant cousin of your mother, I may not be the one who should fill her role or the role of your grandmother, but I am willing to be with you… like your mother. What do you say about that?”
My eyes twitched, moved on their own. “Ouch!” I shrieked in pain. My right pinky finger bled.
“I-I’m sorry, Ma’am!” the nail tech panicked and grabbed a tissue, wiping my pinky finger.
A woman wearing a different uniform came to us. “We apologize for the inconvenience it has caused you. She’s our newest trainee and employee. In compensation, we offer you a free full facial waxing service.” She said humbly.
“Whoa, that’s a good offer. We will accept it.” Auntie confirmed without my permission.
“Ma’am, only she would be receiving this service for the trouble she had gone through. You are most welcome to avail this service for 1000 pesos only.”
“What the? Not only is it expensive, but you also don’t treat your customers well. What do you say, I post a complaint online about your faulty service and neglect of compensation to someone who accompanied the woman you gave a headache?”
“No, Ma’am. We understand your concern. But please, consider-”
“She can have it.” I intervened. “My Auntie could get the free waxing instead.”
Auntie raised her eyebrows. “No, no, that’s not fair. We both should have it.”
“I’m not fond of waxing, Auntie. My pain tolerance is bad; I might not be able to handle the pain.”
“Are you sure?”
“Yes. I’m more than satisfied getting my nails done for my feet and hands.”
The nail tech tended to my wound, and it turned out fine.
She grinned. “Okay! I’ll have the facial wax.”
“T-Thank you, Ma’am,” The manager said to me. “Kindly proceed to that room, Ma’am, for waxing.” She led the way, and Auntie entered the room mentioned.
After a few minutes, the nail tech finished working on my nails. I stared at them. My new extension gel nail polish in clear white nude jelly. It was my first time getting my nails done. They looked cute, chic, and elegant. I almost couldn't believe they were in my own hands.
Something came over me. I folded my fingers slowly, brought them toward my mouth, and started biting my fingernails hard. I kept going until three out of my five right fingers started bleeding. The pain didn't register at first. I kept grinding my teeth with my fingernails in between.
The nail technician who had finished my nails glared at me. Her forehead creased. I could feel her staring, but that didn't stop me until I spat on the floor the fake extension nails with my real nails and blood on them.
“Ma’am, is everything alright?” the nail technician asked.
“All good,” I affirmed.
“But Ma’am, your fingers are bleeding again.”
“No worries. I won’t sue you or ask for compensation.”
“I can treat your wounds again, Ma’am.”
Is she concerned with my wound or my behavior?
I dipped my fingers into my mouth and sucked the blood out of my fingernails as much as I could. “I’ll handle it. Please clean the floor”
“O-Okay, Ma’am,”
She left me alone, cleaned the floor where I spat my nails, and tended to the next customer.
Many minutes passed, Auntie was done, and was pleased with her facial wax.
“We should file a complaint every time in an establishment to get free services,” she whispered to me, giggling at her heinous plan.
I simply stared at her while she was caressing her newly waxed face.
“I’ll come back to the province in three days. Let me know what our decision will be. I yearned to live with you finally. I’ll come and get you.”
Auntie hugged me inside the car. We stopped in front of the compound, and I got out of the car with my crutches.
With soft cries and anticipation, she said. “Let’s see each other again!”
The rented car drove off, heading to drop Auntie off at her dormitory. I watched it disappear down the street before turning toward the house. I opened the gate using the spare keys Ravael had given me. When I stepped inside, he had left a light on in the living room. This is the first time I went home later than Ravael. I went straight to my bedroom. My body felt exhausted, but my heart was fulfilled. I had fun today, more than I'd had in a long time.
I walked near my desk and ran my fingers along the edge. I tore the picture Amilah had given me. The sound of ripping paper felt louder than it should have in the quiet room.
I opened the small jewelry box I kept on my desk. It was old, a little worn, but special to me. Beneath was another picture. One I had kept for years and would never forget. My fingers trembled slightly as I lifted it. Grandma had shown me this same picture before, the exact same one Amilah had shown me. Same people, same place, same memory frozen in time. But this one was different. On the back, written in Grandma's handwriting, was a note.
It had a date. It says:
Dearest Shamikha, hold this keepsake of your mother. May you reunite with her when the time is right. Love, Granny Mommy.
My Granny Mommy was right. This is the right moment. That's why my mother and I met again after fifteen years.
And it's also the right time to end it.
"Amilah Junayo, my dearest auntie. The only relative I had left. How ironic that we only meet again for such a short time. I pray not to prolong this agony… but to end it by ceasing your existence. You've lived long enough. Fifteen useless years. Let's make your soul useful this time by burying you six feet below the ground. Feeding the vermin. Just like you."