Broken Promises

Irene had already told her kids that she would be flying back to the Philippines for a while. They all agreed without hesitation—except for Janella, who had a lot of questions.

"Mommy, can't I really go with you? Bakit kailangan mong umuwi?" she pleaded, her eyes wide, wanting to go with her mother.

Irene sighed softly. "Sweetheart, I'll be back soon. I just need to visit our family there," she explained gently.

"Why do you want to go so badly, Jea?" Luis interjected, but Janella just rolled her eyes in frustration.

"Mommy needs to go for a while, Janella. Stop asking too many questions and keep quiet for once," Alfonso said firmly.

Janella let out a heavy sigh, sinking into the couch, her frown deepening. The room fell silent until the ringing of a phone broke the stillness.

"Luis, someone's calling you," Irene said, glancing at her son. Luis quickly stood to grab his phone.

Irene looked at him, surprised. "Si Kate?" she mouthed. Luis nodded, and Irene was startled by the sudden rush of emotion.

"Go sit over there," Irene directed, motioning for Luis to sit on the other side of the couch. "That way Kate won't see me, but I can at least hear her voice."

Luis and Alfonso immediately followed their mother's instructions, answering the call after adjusting themselves to block Irene's view.

"Hi, Ayaah!" Alfonso and Luis exclaimed as soon as they saw Kate. She looked effortlessly beautiful, her hair tied up in a clip, glasses perched on her nose.

"You're so beautiful, bunsoy!" Alfonso added warmly.

Kate raised an eyebrow. "You've got to be kidding me, kuya... Look at my hair—it's messy, and I'm literally wearing glasses!"

"I'm not kidding. You're really pretty," Alfonso insisted, making Kate laugh softly. Irene smiled, the sound of her daughter's laughter filling her heart with warmth.

"Okay, okay, stop now, kuya. I don't have any change," Kate replied sarcastically, rolling her eyes.

"Pwede naman gcash!" Luis chimed in, making Kate glare at him.

"I knew it!" Kate shouted, looking at her brothers with mock exasperation.

Irene couldn't help but laugh softly, leaning in to peer at the screen. Her sons noticed and shifted the phone so she could look at Kate without being seen. Irene's eyes softened as she looked at her daughter's face, her heart swelling with emotion.

"My Aya..." Irene whispered, her eyes welling with tears.

Janella glanced at the screen, then rolled her eyes and smirked.

"So, how's our Ayah?" Luis asked, his voice full of curiosity.

Kate smiled. "I'm doing good. Just busy as usual."

"We have a surprise for you. We hope you'll like it. It'll be unannounced, so get ready!" Luis said with a grin, glancing at his mother, who was still focused on the screen.

"What is it? You better make sure I'll like it," Kate teased.

Alfonso and Luis laughed awkwardly, and Irene's faint smile returned. She was looking forward to seeing her daughter again, but there was an underlying nervousness in her heart. She hoped they could still mend their relationship.

Irene continued watching her children chat, her gaze lingering on Kate's beautiful face. She had grown up so much, and Irene couldn't help but feel a pang of longing.