"Daughters"

"Daughters"
By
Jose Andres Mabini

Do you know why mothers always say; “Don’t talk to strangers” when we are young? You may say, so that we can’t be kidnap or can’t be deceived easily, And also because mothers wanted us to be safe all the time. That some strangers can’t be trusted and can do harm to us. So in order to avoid them we must not talk to them. It easy to understand if that is our mothers’ reasons for saying that. What if there is something else, something else that we may not understand when we are young. A reason that been hidden in that context. Don’t talk to stranger, think about it again. And when you do that let me tell you a simple story. I know is not a good one but this is all that I got.

This story is all about a girl name Jem, she was five yrs old when her mother told her not to talk to strangers. And so she kept it in her mind and believed that something bad will happen if she talks to someone she didn’t know. When she turns to six yrs old her mother bring her to school. She become more aware about everything and asks too many questions. But since she can’t talk to anybody she only asks her mother. And her mother always gives the best answer in the world. I guess so, because when she in 6th grade she is nos. 1 in her class. Young Jem was so competitive, honest and eager to learn. Her motivation in life was all thanks to her loving mother.

But sometimes in life there are things that happen purposely to make us stronger. When she turns in high school her mother got sick and need to go abroad for treatment. Jem was so sad when she found out that her mother was moving away from them. At the same time she was also confused about the changes that happening in her life. The sadness and confusion gave Jem a hard time in high school. She never felt anything like this before. That is why her hearth always longed for her mother sweet gentle smile. She always thought just one smile from her mother can take away all her sadness and confusion. Time pass so fast that she never heard anything about her mother. His father was busy about work and everything. She thinks that his father was working too hard to earn enough money for her mother’s medication. That is why she never had a clue about what happen to her mother that time. She is just praying that someday her mother would come back and smile at her again. That is the only reason why she keeps on moving, that someday her mother would be back and she must not fail her.

High school graduation had finally arrived, she ask his father if her mother can come to her graduation. But her father said that her mother wanted to see her, but she can’t make it at the moment, but rest assured that she will always see her no matter what. By hearing that Jem was so happy but sad also thinking that maybe her mother was too sick so that she can’t come to her graduation day. The graduation ceremony started and she becomes the salutatorian, that time she thinks that her mother would be disappointed because she never become the valedictorian. And when the medals are need to put on to her neck she was surprise from what she see saw. Her father have someone with him, she never recognize it yet but when they come closer to her, it was clearly from her heart that it was her mother. Her mother put her medal to her and embraces her with a smile. She was static and started to cry. Her tear starts flowing like jewelry in her eye. And her parents were so proud for her.

After the graduation her mother stayed in their house for about one month and died. She was very lovely when she died Jem said while narrating her story to us that time. That time we are on a same club in college. She found out that her mother got bone cancer and had only four years to live. His father said that her mother want it to be secret so that she can continue her study without hindrances. That the moving away thing was part of her mother’s plan. And little she didn’t know that her mother is always watching her. She is just a few blocks from their house and watches her every day in almost four years of her life. Her mother cooks her meal and everything and his father bring it to their house. And her mother got all her pictures every time she got an award from school. Her mother was always there as her father tells her. She is just hiding herself so that she won’t be out focus from her study. That is also the reason why his father was too busy because he got two houses needs to check on to.

After five years Jem got married and have a beautiful little daughter. She calls her next after to her late mother Jana. When Jana was five she tells also the exact line “Don’t talk to strangers. When Jana turns six years old she brought her to school. Like her Jana has a lot of question to ask and she give the best answer in the world also. I guess so, Because Jana become nos. 1 in her class too. She always accompanies Jana in any activity. Up until J.S prom she was there also dancing with Jana, Jana’s classmates and teachers. Sometimes I ask her why you need to come to Jana’s acquaintances. Jana is too old to have someone to look for her though. Sometimes I ask question without thinking about what I said hoping to have a good conversation. But everybody needs a friend even there are old she just said to me. I was shock after what she said. She knows that I was in a state of shock so she just ask question to me. Do you ever wonder why your mother tells you “Don’t talk to stranger” she asks. So that I can get out of trouble I replied to her. Yeah maybe that the typical answer she said. Out of confusion to what she said, so I ask her so why you said to Jana not to talk to strangers yourself as her mother, I ask. She smiled like cherry blossom that time then replied to me. My mother always said that to me also, I guess I just copied it to her. But before my mother died she said simple words I won’t forget in my life. These are what she said, as your mother I want to witness you to grow for good or for bad. That doesn’t really matter. I just want to be the first one to know your story of life. I don’t want to hear it to someone else. I don’t want secondhand information. I am sorry that I need to leave you for four years in your life and never heard your story every day. But you know what I will always treasure in my whole entire life. Your stories you told when you are at five years old. You can’t even tell what you are saying that time. I am happy that you tell it first to me. And our secret will be secret forever. While she was saying that Jem was crying. Then Jem said to me maybe that’s the reason why my mother say “Don’t talk to strangers” so that my mother will be the first one to hear my life story. After that I never ask again ever.

Years past and Jana are now graduating in high school. Jem was so popular in Jana’s school. She was called the best mother in the world by other students. I think that would be Jana’s friends and classmates so I don’t give any special attention. But I was startled when Jana gave the valedictorian speech. Because in the very end of Jana’s speech this was all she said. And lastly I would like to thank my best friend who would talk to me every day just to know what happen to my life. To my best mentor thank you for sharing me your knowledge. To my mother whom I love so much that becomes my best friend and mentor at the same time by loving me as a mother. This day is not just for me but for the best mother of the world. To my dearest and loving mom this is for you. I love you so much. Our secret will be secret forever. The crowd was in a great applause I never heard such noise in my entire life. And the most shocking part is they all looking at us. Not really in me but to Jem. I am sitting next to the best mother in the world that this all people love. Thinking about it makes my tears fall unconsciously. Then I hear someone’s voice talking to me. Why are you crying? This is the first time I see you cry Jem said to me. Her voice was like music in my ear that makes me come back to reality. I can’t help it I was so proud to become the husband of the best mother of the world. And why are you not crying the speech was all for you I said. She smiled with little tears in her eye. Nah I already read it, and I also teach her to recite that speech. So that is the reason why every time our Jana makes a speech you never cry I said exasperatingly. All along you know all her speech from the start. You know how much I try not to cry in all that celebration I said. She just smile at me and kiss me. I guess their secret will remain forever.

Then she hugs me like she was just my daughter.

mabuhay!!!