"The doctor said she'll have to stay in the hospital for about a week. Just to make sure that everything will be fine," Erik said.
He saw his mother sigh deeply after he spoke. "What about your wedding? Isn't it supposed to be today?"
Erik immediately felt a pang of regret because of that. Despite having reasons to doubt all the care and concern Aurora was showing him and Mia, he chose to set it aside for now. He preferred to believe that his mother was sincere in everything she did. After all, he didn't want to have another reason to despise her.
"I already talked to Mia about it, Mama. I want her to be well on our wedding day," he truthfully stated.
He wanted Mia to be in a better condition when they got married. Besides, Bernie was already locked up, and Erik thought that he was the only remaining obstacle to their love. The only person who could attempt to snatch Mia away from him.
"By the way, would you like me to stay with Mia at the hospital later, son? So you can rest," his mother offered.
Erik was greatly surprised by what she said. And because he couldn't believe it, he stared at her for a long time, just to make sure he wasn't dreaming.
"W-What did you say, Ma?" he asked.
He clearly heard every word Aurora spoke. He just couldn't believe it, hence his reaction.
"The truth is, I also want to make up for all the wrong things I've shown Mia in the past few days, my child. Even now, it still hurts me that you chose her over us, your father, and me. Maybe the time will come when I can accept everything," his mother narrated at length.
"Mama, I love you and Papa," Erik clarified, correcting what he believed to be Aurora's mistaken belief.
His mother nodded. "I know, my boy. Maybe I just wasn't prepared because everything happened so quickly."
At that point, Erik didn't argue.
Because that was the truth.
Even he, in all honesty, couldn't believe how quickly everything unfolded.
He couldn't believe that in such a short period of time, Mia managed to make him fall in love.
In the end, his mind quickly contradicted itself. Because, just like what William often told him, he had loved Mia since high school. He just hadn't admitted it to himself. He hadn't looked for that love in his heart.
"I'm sorry, Ma. But please don't think that I don't love you and Papa. Because the truth is, I love you both dearly," he sincerely pleaded, his tone filled with honesty.
Aurora simply smiled at his words. And, as she wanted, Erik brought her along to the hospital to be with Mia.
*****
"SWEETHEART."
As Mia's gaze lingered on the television mounted on the wall of her room, she quickly turned her head towards the new arrival.
"Hi," she immediately uttered and sweetly smiled at Erik.
"You have a visitor," the young man said, glancing back at the door through which he entered.
"A-Aunt Aurora?" Mia uttered, unable to believe what she was seeing.
Mia quickly noticed the hesitant smile that formed on Aurora's lips as she approached.
"How are you feeling, Sweetie?" Aurora asked her.
Mia swiftly shifted her gaze between Erik and his mother. "I-I'm doing fine, Aunt," she replied, her voice still trembling.
At that moment, Erik took action. He pulled a chair and seated Aurora on it. Meanwhile, he positioned himself at the foot of the bed.
"Mama wanted to replace me in taking care of you," he said, holding her hand.
Mia's eyes stared at her boyfriend for a long time, full of questions. She wanted to ask for a more elaborate explanation. However, being in front of Aurora, she felt embarrassed and hesitated to do so.
But because she and Erik understood each other so well, even through simple exchanges of eye glances, that's all she did. The young man understood what she meant through the look she gave him.
"Mama thought I needed some extra sleep. But since taking care of you isn't difficult, the truth is, I'm not sleep-deprived," he said, following it with a soft laugh.
"He doesn't want to leave you. He wants to personally take care of you and watch over you," Aurora said with a smile.
Mia blushed at what the woman said. Deep inside, she truly felt relieved to hear from Aurora that Erik would still be the one accompanying her.
"Oh, by the way, I brought you your food again. Here's Sinampalukang Bangus. Luckily, I found tamarind leaves for the sour soup at the market earlier," Aurora said, placing the insulated bag she brought on the side table.
"Thank you, Aunt Aurora," Mia replied with gratitude.
"Aunt? I wonder why you don't just call me 'Mama,' Mia? Did you know that I have always dreamed of having a daughter as beautiful as you? But God didn't grant me that after I had my ovarian operation. Little did I know that you would come into our lives," Aurora expressed, her words filled with longing.
Despite the many unpleasant things that happened between Mia and Aurora in the past, including Aurora's attempt to pay her to stay away from Erik, Mia still felt the sincerity in the tone of Aurora's words. Even though the lady's eyes were devoid of emotion, Mia chose to believe in the underlying feelings conveyed by her words.
"If that's what you want," she replied.
After a few moments, Erik left them alone. Mia understood why. It was for her to have a conversation with Aurora.
A profound silence enveloped the entire room during those moments. The only sound was the faint volume emanating from the TV left open.
Mia wanted to initiate the conversation, but she couldn't find the right words to say. She still felt discomfort towards Aurora.
"You know, dear, I don't know what I should be feeling," Aurora began, interrupting Mia's deep thoughts.
"I know I didn't treat you well, I'm aware of that," Aurora spoke again, remaining quiet.
"Let's forget about that, Mana," Mia could only say.
Aurora shook her head before speaking again.
"I tried to bribe you, Mia. And do you know that even I couldn't believe I did such a thing to the woman my son chose to love and marry?"
As Aurora said those words, Mia truly felt a tightening in her chest. If earlier she had a slight hesitation towards Aurora, it was no longer there. She believed that even a skilled actress couldn't fake the sincerity and remorse in the tone and emotion of her conversation partner.
"If you'll allow me, I want to make it up to you," Aurora said, standing up and approaching Mia.
She tightly held Mia's hand and gave it a gentle squeeze.
"Ma," she uttered, feeling warmth welling up in the corners of her eyes.
"I hope you can forgive me, Mia. And also, I want to tell you that even before, I never envisioned any other woman for my son. I always wanted you for Erik. Perhaps, I was blinded by your past and the possible consequences for Erik if your marriage pushed through. But now, because of what you did, I see that you don't just love him. You're also willing to do anything for him. And as a mother, that's the kind of love I want my child to have."
Aurora's heartfelt narrative finally broke Mia's tears loose. She allowed them to flow freely because she realized that in front of Aurora, she had nothing to hide anymore.
"Thank you. Thank you very much," she said amidst her tears.
Aurora remained silent. She simply smiled and gently caressed Mia's forehead.
"I will be a good mother to you, Mia," she added.
Mia's heart filled with immense joy upon hearing those words. She was so happy in those moments. So when Aurora moved to embrace her, she didn't hesitate to reciprocate with a tight hug.
"Welcome to the family, my beautiful daughter," Aurora whispered, further eliciting tears from Mia's eyes.