One New Message

“Teka. Wait. Ka-text ko pa si Mama…”

Every time I hear those words, I instantly remember my high school days.

Back then, when I said said such a line, especially in front of my barkada, they would immediately assume that I was a mama’s boy. Often, this would be followed by a series of I-have-an-overly-protective-mother jokes. They put on high-pitched voices and went: “’Nak, kumain ka na?” “Yung likod mo baka basa. Magbihis ka na.” and “May pulbos ka d’yan sa bag mo. Ipinasok ka kagabi habang natutulog ka.”

In high school, I recalled that I raged against my mother when she snooped in my email account. I was irritated when she kept asking about my whereabouts, who I hung out with, and if I would have dinner with the rest of the family. Her questions would always be followed by her imperative need to know what time I would be home.

I grudged against her every time this happened. Sometimes, it left me wondering when I would actually be allowed to make decisions of my own and finally exercise my God-given free will. Thoughtlessly, I often ignored my mother’s text messages and even refused to answer her calls, just for the heck of it.

But that was before. In a span of just over 6 months, things have changed drastically and guess what?

“Teka. Wait. Ka-text ko pa si Mama…”

The setting changes. The plot is revised. A new chapter is rewritten with the old character having a fresh, new perspective on things. Suddenly, most of the old rages and grudges are gone.

The scene is now my college campus here in Davao City. It is more than 150 kilometers away from the home I shared with my mother, and here I will stay for the next few years. I find that I have no one else to depend on here except myself. There is no one to wash and iron my clothes for me as before. Food will not be served for free when I ask for it. I find that I no longer have a safe haven in the comfort of my room.

Just months ago, I was on the verge of begging my mother to stop interfering in my life, and to let me make my own decisions.

Now, I treasure each and every text message she sends and even eagerly anticipate her calls that usually begin with, “Hi kuya. Kumusta ka na d’yan?”

My friends call out to me, but I tell them, “Teka. Wait. Ka-text ko pa si Mama…”

* Edward Ray was born in General Santos City. He is currently enrolled in B.S. Accountancy in Ateneo de Davao University.