I expect to wake up Sunday morning with the same vibes as yesterday with Maddox beside me. My phone ring awakens me at the break of dawn as the time on my phone tells me it's 5:15. It must be urgent, looking at Aunt Melanie calling me mark's on the screen.
"Hello, Aunt Melanie. What is it?" I answered but didn't put the call on speaker mode to avoid waking up Maddox beside me.
"Angel, sorry for waking you up this early. Your mom was rushed to the hospital at around 4 in the morning. I am with her now; I just called to inform you right away."
My heart is pounding, listening to Aunt Melanie. It's not the kind of morning I expect to have in one of the beautiful islands in the Philippines.
"Angel, are you there?"
"Yes, Aunt Melanie, thank you for taking care of my mom and for calling me. We owe you so much," I said as I walked close to the window to not let Maddox hear my voice.
"Don't mention it, Angel. We are family; your mom is like a sister to me. I just thought of calling you even though your mom is not allowing me. She said it's better to let you know when you arrive home from your holiday with friends. I sneak out of her room to call you."
"Aunt Melanie, you're an Angel. I will take the first trip out of the island. But, please, can you tell me why you had to rush mom to the hospital?"
A silence follows on the other.
"Aunt Melanie?"
"Oh, Angel, I'm sorry, but I suggest we talk about this when you get here. I'll be waiting for you."

I heave a sigh. "Okay, I'll get to the hospital as soon as possible."
"That would be all Angel, I will be back to your mom's room now."
"Alright, bye then, thank you again."
Aunt Melanie didn't give me a satisfying answer, but she has a point, though. I need to get to the hospital first. I hope that mom does not have a terrible condition, yet my instinct says otherwise, and I hate it.
My friends and I gathered in the room I shared with Maddox to have breakfast together as they insisted on taking breakfast before leaving the island. I plan to go without having breakfast, but they said there will be no ferry leaving before 7 in the morning. So I am forced to have a meal with them before leaving the island.
While waiting for the first trip out of the island on the lounge, I remember Cassandra's invitation.
"Guys, I think we have to let Cassandra and her friends know that we're leaving, or else they might think we want to avoid and reject their invitation."
"I agree with Angel. But I think calling them would be enough. Who got her number?" Samantha asked.
None of us spoke, and it was enough to confirm that we don't have any of Cassy or her friends' contact numbers, except their social media accounts.
"We can leave them a message on one of their social media accounts. They might be asleep this early, I guess," Maddox suggested.
"Yeah, that would be better."
Luke takes the initiative to open his phone and reach out to Cassandra. A few minutes pass and we are traveling back to Davao City.
I've never been so restless in my life, especially while traveling. I barely speak while on the ferry and choose to rest my head on Maddox's shoulder. It's a safe haven having him beside me.
"Guys, you don't have to come with me to visit mom. I know you are all tired and need some rest."
"Angel, we are fine. We rested long enough last night. We don't need too much rest. And besides, we can't just let this pass. We are your friends, and we want to be with you in these trying times," Sam said as she drew near me and pats my shoulder, which was comforting.
"Yeah, let them, we won't leave you," Lea seconded.
I heave a sigh out of gratitude. "Alright, let's go."
Maddox pulls me close into his arms before getting into his car and driving to the Davao Doctors Hospital.
I ask the nurse at the desk where my mom's room is when I see Aunt Melanie walking up to us. I stop the nurse and point to my aunt, mouthing thank you.
"Angel, you're here. How was your trip? You guys arrive earlier than expected," Aunt Melanie said as she came close to me and gave me a kiss on the cheek.
"Aunt Melanie, you have no idea how I wanted to get here as fast as I can. Where's mom?"
"Your mom is in her suite room. I'll take you there before I get home."
"But before that, can you tell me why you had to rush mom here?"
Aunt Melanie swiftly looked at each of my friends, and then she focused back on me.
"Angel, let's get to your mom's room, and we'll talk about that. Please," Aunt Melanie told me as she pulled me a little.
I can't protest as I am dying to see mom. We follow Aunt Melanie to the elevator, and we stop at the 5th floor and then get to the room where my mom's name is written. Maddox's hands interlace mine. It feels nice having his warm hand as if telling me his support without saying it verbally.
I twist the doorknob open, excited to see mom. By the look on mom's face, I can see that Aunt Melanie hasn't informed her that I will come earlier. Mom's mouth falls open as she looks at her best friend and me back and forth. I give her a hug immediately.
"Mom, I miss you."
I realize I badly miss mom when a tear rolls down my cheeks. And to think that mom wasn't well when I left pains me to my core. Mom is my rock. I don't even know what to do without her.
"Angel, you shouldn't come earlier. I told your Aunt Melanie to let you enjoy your holiday with your friends. Still, obviously, she didn't listen," Mom said, coughing in between.
I grab the handkerchief and wipe mom's lips and then interlace my fingers with her.
"Oh, please, mom, of all the people, you should have told me your health condition first. If I had known earlier, I would have stayed with you for the weekend."
"Don't exaggerate, Angel. Having fun with your friends is a must at your age. I don't want to forbid you from doing that anymore, and besides, I trust your friends, especially Maddox."
"Hey, what about me? I'm the best friend," Lea chimed in.
Everyone in the room laughs at Lea's wittiness. Even mom can't help herself but laugh even though she coughs in between laughing.
I gently pat mom's back to help her release all the phlegm she's trying to spit. "Mom, what's really going on?"
"Angel, we will talk about that later. For now, please take care of your friends; they came here even if they're tired from your vacation."
"No, ma'am, please don't think about us. We came here to visit you and to support Angel as well. We are her friends, so we want to be her support system in this time of trials," Maddox narrated.
Maddox is sitting on the couch beside Luke and Samantha, Glenn and Lea on the opposite side. They made themselves comfortable after placing the fruits and flowers on the table they insisted on buying on our way to the hospital.
I obey mom and stop asking about her condition while my friends are with us. But I can't help myself formulating questions. Why does Aunt Melanie keep dismissing what's going on with mom's health? And even mom herself. I hate having my heart beating fast in my chest like it's telling me a terrible thing might happen or has already happened.