Hindi naman magkamayaw sa pagkakagulat ang dalawa nang biglang may kumatok sa pintuan. Tinanggal ni Irene yung pagkakayakap niya kay Seulgi at napatayo na lang nang punasan niya ang mga namuong luha sa kanyang mata.

“Am I interrupting something?” Nakangiting tanong ng nanay ni Seulgi habang nakadungaw sa naka-awang na pintuan.

Nag-panic naman si Irene nang makita ang pamilyar na mukha. Bukod kay Seulgi, limang taon niya na ring hindi nakikita ang nanay nito. Naghahalong hiya at tuwa ang nadarama niya dahil nahuli lang naman silang ganito ang posisyon. “We were just exchanging pleasantries, Chief Justice.” Napayuko na lang siya nang sabihin.

“Para ka namang others niyan, Irene. I’d be much happier if you’d call me tita again. Nakakatanda masyado ang title na ‘yan.” Tuluyan nang pumasok ang mom ni Seulgi at dire-diretsong naglakad kung nasaan si Irene at niyakap ito. “You look much prettier now, iha.” Comment pa nito nang maghiwalay sila pagkatapos magbeso.

“Ay! Hindi naman po, tita.” Naramdaman ni Irene na biglang umakyat ang init sa pisngi niya. She’s not used to getting this much compliments from the older Kang.

“Mom, you’re making Irene really uncomfortable!” Ingit ni Seulgi sa gilid. Hindi pa rin talaga niya mapilit ang sarili na maiangat man lang ang upper body niya sa kama. Kung pwede lang na tumayo siya, gustong-gusto niya na sanang takpan ang bibig ng nanay niya. After kasi nila mastuck sa Baguio ni Irene dati, the tension between them eased. Their relationship slowly got better with Irene around. Apparently, si Irene ang nag-rereport sa mom niya that time regarding their quarantine situation. Hindi niya alam kung anong gayuma ang pinainom ni Irene sa nanay niyang kontrabida ang peg at biglang umamo ang pakikitungo sa kanya.

“Relax! You’re being extra!” Sabat ng chief justice sa anak niya. “How was Seulgi’s operation by the way?” Tanong naman nito kay Irene.

Pinaliwanag naman ni Irene lahat ng procedures na ginawa niya during the nine-hour surgery ng ex-girlfriend. She tried to be very professional dahil kahit na wala na sila ni Seulgi, she still wants Seulgi’s mother to at least be impressed with her. It comes with how she saw Seulgi strive hard to overachieve. With that, parang nahawa siya na gusto niya siya rin, would be like that so that she could say na hindi nagkamali si Seulgi sa pagpili sa kanya.

“She needs to be monitored for at least two weeks in the hospital. It would take her three to six months to be finally doing strenuous and stressful activities.” Dagdag pa ni Irene.

“Really appreciate you for saving Seulgi, Irene.” Sabi naman ng mommy ni Seulgi.

“I was only doing my job, tita. I’ll go ahead na po. Just let me know if you have other questions and I will try to attend to them as soon as possible.” Irene cannot stand it any longer. She’s being suddenly overwhelmed with feelings again. Not to mention, na nahuli pa silang magkayakap kanina. She didn’t try to look back at lumabas na agad ng room.

Nagkatingan lang ang mag-ina pagkalabas ng doktor.

“Mom, seriously?” Seulgi desperately sighed. Hindi niya alam kung madidisappoint ba siya sa nasaksihan niya o maiinis siya dahil hindi niya natakpan yung bibig ng nanay niya para manahimik na lang ito.

“It’s been too long, anak. Are you certain, hindi mo pa rin siya babalikan?” Umupo ang nanay ni Seulgi sa kama ng anak kung saan nakapwesto kanina si Irene. Seeing them back together hurts her so much dahil alam niya kung gaano iniwasan ng anak si Irene sa loob ng limang taon. She patted her daughter’s head next.

“Pwede pa kaya?” Puro buntong-hininga na lang siguro ang kayang gawin ni Seulgi ngayon. There’s a lot on her mind, pero hindi niya masabi sa mga salita. Mahirap magdesisyon, lalo na’t napakarami nang nagbago. She isn’t even sure if Irene would take her back after what she did. She broke this promise she made with Irene. If only she didn’t, they both wouldn’t suffer this much.

“Anak, pwede ka namang magdesisyon ng sarili mo. I don’t think you’re happy with the life your lolo and I imposed for you. Seeing you right now, having thought of losing you just made me realize you’ve missed out a lot in life. Hindi mo naman kailangang tumakbo for senate.”

“Ma, we already talked about this. This is my decision.”

“I know it is. But is it really what you want? You’ve already proven yourself to me. Even your lolo is very proud of what you’ve achieved all your life. Anak, gusto ko piliin mo naman yung sarili mo.”

“Ma, you know I can’t face Irene with what I did. I helped her dad be acquitted in a case he was guilty of and I promised Irene I would never do such a thing. You know how I am with promises.” Seulgi remembers how Irene’s dad called her five years ago asking her for a huge favor. She deprived a dead patient’s parents of justice because Irene’s dad was asking her. Irene made her promise no