- Tina Pascual
- Aug 21, 2019
- 3 min read
Updated: Aug 31, 2020
PART 2:
I wandered around the town - walked and walked tagging along my heavy baggage. I can still remember some of the places around. It all looked the same as my childhood recollection of it, except that it is older and filthier.
As soon as I begun to feel tired, I took a jeepney, crossed the scary and disorganised road and searched for a pension house to stay. I chose a room with 2 double beds. I was hoping that I can persuade mom to sleep with me. But ironically, I opt to off my phone so she wouldn’t be able to reach me. Afterwards, I shut the world around me.
I felt good and well rested when I woke up early at night. I called Mom and she offered to pick me up for a dinner with relatives. I declined. But of course, Mom is Mom. She always wins. She eventually convinced me to stay with her at Aunt's place. So the next day, I met her at the mall full of displayed masks because the city is celebrating their first day of Maskara (Mask) Festival. I went gaga and was interrupted when Aunt Yen arrived to fetch us.
Anyway, I busied myself mapping out the places I wanted to visit on our first night at Aunt's residence. Before we sleep, Mom talked to her about my plans. Unfortunately, Aunt discouraged me and she won that night.
The next day, Uncle Martin was supposed to drive us so we can settle Mom's agendas. But he suddenly had something more urgent to attend. We resort in taking a public transport instead. Our commute wasn't comfortable due to all the dust and smoke that pestered us along the way. But mom is determined to sell our ramshackle house and lot. I was hurt when we arrived at the vicinity and to finally let go of something that had been valuable to us. It was full of precious childhood memories.
Days gone by, I was always left at Aunt’s. Mom had been too busy in processing the papers of our properties which she was selling. Two days before we will bid good bye to the province, I asked mom if we could at least go to the famous hot spring resort. She refused telling me that she did not come all the way from Manila for leisure. She was there to settle important matters. I was stunned.
Swiftly, I remember her telling me over the phone that she needs to go back to Negros to sell our estate. But I diffused it. I replaced what I heard with what I wanted to hear. I felt disappointed from I don't know whom - myself or Mom.
The next day, I occupied myself playing with Aunt’s dogs and preparing our bags back to Manila. In my mind, was a repetition of all the days we stayed in Bacolod. I was there for pleasure after a hard months of working abroad. I wanted to unwind, explore around, shot attractive photos, and enjoy the culture. But Mom's purpose was to engage in settling our property. To her, that is what she came for and that only matters.
We went back in Manila with all of her schedules a success while mine wasn't pushed through. Looking at her, I can see fortitude. Mom was mom. She is still the master. Even if sometimes at my age it was hard for me to obey her. She always executes firmness with all her decisions. Because of that, my respect to her had grown more.
Some people said to try travelling with our mother because there will be plenty of valuable lessons to learn. In fact, after my ruined itinerary, I was still glad, I travelled with Mom. I had deepened my understanding of how we are different from each other. I saw the other side of her strength and personality. Above all, I realised that not all people travel the same way as we do albeit we journey together. Each time we travel, may have different purpose and different experience.
Sometimes I found myself arguing with my husband because I refuse to go in a touristy places where most people go. I feel like I will not be of different from them. But my travel with Mom made me realised that despite we all go to the same places, our exposures, insights and feelings may not always be the same as the others. Our background, values, reasons for visiting the place, may influence the overall experience. After all, its the journey, the lessons from the people we travelled with, and the magic it creates when we knew ourselves and the one we travel with in a deeper way.
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