Precisely 7 pm, Angelo knocks on mom's door. It's not a surprise that he's here; I actually waited for Angelo not to confront him about the island vacation but to have an update with mom's doctor's appointment. Like he told us the last time he visited, he wanted to help and arranged for the best team of doctors who could look into mom's condition.
"Come on in," I said as I nodded at him. "Have a seat."
Before he sits on the couch, Angelo is watching mom sleeping. I sit opposite him.
"Thank you; I'm here to talk to you and your mom about my appointments with the best team of doctors for her in Singapore."
"That's great news. Have you chosen which hospital will you be taking, mom?"
"Yes, one of their best; Mount Elizabeth Hospital. I also got a condo unit in Rhapsody near the hospital where you can stay if you need some rest. And in case the doctor will allow your mom to discharge after the treatment."
"That's too much, but I can't say no to all the help you offer. I badly want to have mom recover as soon as possible."
I lowered my head in shame, thinking of how badly I treated Angelo during our first acquaintance.
This is me swallowing my pride for mom. Mommy will do anything for me without a second thought. Now, it's time for me to make some sacrifices for her. May the heavens be on our side all the way to mom's full recovery.
"Angel, you don't have to say that. As I've said before, I'll do my best to help your mom's speedy recovery. I don't want to see your mom in agony while you are sad as well."
"What else I can say? Thank you..."
I heave a sigh when I can't even say the next word I was supposed to say. I'm torn between saying dad or Angelo's name. Do I have the right to call him dad? I asked myself in silence.
"Can you wait until mom wakes up? I prefer to let her sleep for a while as she rarely sleeps like this. She's having a hard time sleeping, so I make sure I don't make any noise to wake her up when she falls asleep. Just like last night when you were here, it was the only time she rested. After you leave, she finds it hard to sleep again."
"I can wait, Angel. Don't worry about it. Regarding the symptoms in your mom's stage, these things are expected. Tomorrow, I will send a nurse to help you take care of your mom. This is not easy for you, especially since you have to attend your module lessons."
"No, I'm fine; I can manage. Classes are not a burden for me while taking care of mom."
"Angel, look at yourself in the mirror. Dark circles have started forming around your eyes. You can't be sick while your mom is in this condition. You need to take care of yourself as well."
Angelo has a point, though. If I get sick, it won't do good to mom. I nod at Angelo, and then I heave a sigh again as I am left with no choice.
"Alright, that's settled then. Regarding your mom's symptoms, what are the other things you've noticed?"
"Lack of appetite, she barely eats her lunch, and she hasn't had her dinner. She will probably have it around 10 in the evening. Other symptoms are shortness of breath sometimes and her frequent coughing. Starting yesterday, she had blood in the phlegm she spit."
"Yes, they are all present in the symptoms that the doctor has discussed with us. We only have 3 days to fly to Singapore, and everything will be much better. A team of doctors is ready to attend to her."
"I can't wait for this to be all over. I mean for mom to fully recover and get back to our life, the life we are used to."
"It's so nice to see you talking casually like you've known for a long time."
I quickly shift on mom, sitting on her bed.
"Mommy, you are awake."
"I wish I haven't. I'd like you two to have a long talk."
Angelo walks up close to mom.
"Thank you, Athena. How are you feeling now?"
I see the joy in his eyes as he holds mom's hand.
"Angelo, I'm fine. Nothing to worry about."
"You can share anything with me; let me know how I can help you. I am here to listen, you know that, right?"
Angelo assures mom like they are a husband and wife.
If only that's the situation here, I will be on cloud nine. Ever since I was 7, I have dreamed of having a family where I have a mom and dad. I don't dream they provide me luxury, only a complete family, and then I will work hard to give them the luxury that life can offer.
But that I killed those dreams before I even graduated grade school. I lost hope of having a glimpse of my father, and I started loathing him.
"Angel, you don't have to worry about your studies if you want to be with your mom. We will arrange an online class with your school. You must continue while you are in Singapore taking care of your mom."
I startle Angelo calling my name, cutting me out of my daydream. I only nod at him in reply.
Mom looks up at Angelo, still holding his hand.
"Angelo, you are doing too much for us..."
"Athena, we talked about this before. We are in this together, alright? Stop worrying about anything; Angel and I will arrange this and take you to Singapore three days from now. I talked about this with Angel, and she agreed."
"Mom, everything is settled. Please, do this for me."
I begged.
Mom closes her eyes as she realizes she is left with no choice but to pursue the treatment. She used to be against it, losing hope that she could recover. I'm not going to allow it to happen.
Angelo holds mom's hand even tighter as he looks at mom in adoration. I wonder what's even harder Angelo and mom’s situation or my relationship with Maddox.
"See? Athena, listen to our daughter."
Mom replies with a smile that reaches her eyes.
I can't help but think about my relationship with Maddox. Funny how we have the same type of relationship with my parents. My heart hurts thinking of the possibility of having the same future, like mom and Angelo. The worst part is that they clearly love each other so much, but they can't be in each other's arms. I can't bear the thought of it.