Our driver Roland and two other men help us in getting to our condo unit. Mom uses the wheelchair as she is having difficulty in breathing.
The condo unit is beyond what I expected in size and in the interior. It has a spacious living room, dining area, kitchen, balcony, and 4 bedrooms. The condo we are staying in must be expensive. Based on what I know from the research I had, living in Singapore is costly.
Angelo makes sure we live in comfort while in Singapore. There’s no doubt he spent a huge amount of money to provide this condo for us. I couldn’t thank him enough. On second thought, he wouldn’t even notice the amount he spent, for he has a lot of it.
“Mom, you’ll be staying in the master’s bedroom. Lucy, Candace please help me settle mom in her room.”
“Sure, I’ll check the bedsheet if it’s ready,” Candace said, and then she went inside mom’s room.
“I’ll put all her clothes in the closet,” Lucy said as she started pulling mom’s luggage.
“Thank you, guys. Mom, let’s go.”
Mommy stops me as I start to push the wheelchair.
“Angel, I can walk; you don’t have to push me.”
“Mom, you’re not feeling well. Let me do this. It’s not that hard, I’m not carrying you.”
“Alright”
“Mom, you need to have your dinner after this. It’s almost 9, you still have to take your medicine.”
“Oh, Angel not now. I don’t feel like eating. I might vomit if you force me to eat. Give me my medicine, it might help me get better.”
“Ms. Lucy, can we give mom her med even if she hasn't had her dinner yet? Mom said, ``It might help her feel better.” I asked nurse Lucy as we got into the master’s bedroom.
“Yes, let me check what she needs to take tonight.”
“Angel, let me help you.”
Candace helps me in getting mom on her bed.
“Mom, how can I help you?”
“Just give me my medicine.” Mom said as she tried not to scrunch her face because of the pain.
“Ms. Lucy is getting your medicines. Let’s wait.”
I gently touch mom’s forehead to her neck to check if she has a fever. I get the thermometer to make sure mom doesn’t have a fever. And I confirmed that she doesn’t have a fever after the thermometer beeps and mom had a normal temp.
Mom’s eyes have dark circles in them resulting from a lack of sleep for months. Even when she wasn’t hospitalized I noticed mom has dark circles on some days. She was probably in pain by that time but didn’t bother to share it with me.
It pains me to think mom was fighting her illness alone. I know she doesn’t want me to worry about her too much. My mom always thinks about my own good and forgets about herself most of the time.
“Athena, here’s your med.” Lucy, walk into the room holding a bunch of meds.
“I got this Angel.”
“Thanks, Ms. Lucy. Mom, I’ll just wash my face.”
I go to my mom's elegant and spacious full bathroom. I splash my face with water to help me awaken and stare at myself in the mirror. My eyes are weak and tired, having dark circles in them.
“Angel, someone’s calling you.”
Candace shouted for me to hear her.
I splash water for the last time and wipe my face with a towel. Candace hands me the phone when I walk out of the bathroom.
“Mom, it’s Angelo.”
“Answer it. Your dad might want to check on us.”
I immediately swipe the screen to answer the call. “Hello”
“Angel, how was your trip? Have you arrived in your condo? How’s your mom?”
Angelo asked questions and he sounded worried.
“Listen, one question at a time. We’re fine and yes we have arrived at the condo. Mom is not feeling so well though. We had to give her medicine even though she hasn’t had her dinner. Mom said she might throw up if she forced herself to eat…”
“Oh my God. Angel, can you give the phone to your mom?” Angelo asked, cutting me off.
“Sure. Hold up.”
“Mom, Angelo wants to talk to you,” I said, handing the phone to mom.
I watch how mom was so delighted talking to Angelo on the phone. They definitely love each other. I witnessed how Angelo’s mere presence in the hospital when mom was admitted could lighten mom’s day.
I waited for almost half an hour before the call ended. Talking to Angelo must have helped mom feel better as she wanted to have dinner afterward. Though mom didn’t finish the food we served, at least she had dinner.
When mom fell asleep we had our food delivered from the nearest restaurant. Lucy, Candace, Roland, and I are having a fast-food dinner on our first night in Singapore. It was good though but I didn’t have a good appetite thinking of mom’s suffering since we arrived at the airport.
I go to my bedroom after having dinner. My room has the same interior as my mom but is smaller. It has a double-size bed, a closet, and a full bathroom. It’s been a long night but I have to fix my clothes in my closet since tomorrow will be a busy day for mom.
I stop when my phone rings, puzzles who might call me at midnight. Baby marks on the screen. Of course, he never forgets to check on me. Too cute.
“Hello, baby.”
“Hey, baby. Thank God you answered. I was trying to reach you several times but I failed to connect. I was worried.”
Finally, I'm hearing Maddox's soft and calming voice. So relaxing to listen to.
“I’m sorry, Angelo called a few minutes ago and he had a long talk with mom. We’re perfectly fine, nothing to worry about.”
“Good to hear that. How’s Singapore?”
“Well, it’s beautiful. I love their airport but I wasn’t able to tour a little bit. I had to take care of mom; she wasn’t feeling well when we arrived.”
“Sorry to hear that. I hope she’s feeling well now.”
“Yes, mom was sleeping when I left her room. How about you? It’s midnight and you have class tomorrow.”
“I was just checking on you. I missed you already.”
My heart skips a beat hearing Maddox says it.
“You have no idea how much I miss you. Knowing I will only hear your voice and not see you in person makes me sad.”
“Baby, be strong. When I find time for at least 3 days, I’ll visit you in Singapore.”
“Maddox, no…”
“Didn’t you say, you missed me?”
“I do, but I don’t want you to skip classes. And besides, you’ll get your dad worried about you. Baby, don’t do that.”
“I’ll try not to. If I can’t help it; I’ll surely visit you. Singapore is not that far.”
“I know you can do that but please, don’t make your dad worry about you. I’ll make sure to text, call, and connect with you on social media. I love you, baby.”
“I love you too, Angel, and I miss you. You’ll get in touch tomorrow, right? I will call you tomorrow.”
“Of course, let’s talk in the afternoon after mom’s doctor’s appointment and after your class.”
“That’s settled then. Are you going to sleep now?”
“After I fix my clothes I’ll prepare for bed.”
“Baby, I’ll join you in your dreams after I write you a poem.”
“Baby, you’ll write me a poem? That’s sweet.” I sit on my bed, having butterflies in my stomach.
“Yeah, remember our poem writing activity? I’ll give it to you at the right time.”
“I’ll be waiting. Thank you, baby, I love you. Have a good night's sleep in the Philippines.”
“Good night baby. I love you so much.”