The Other Woman

Nine months of carriage in her womb; whole life of nourishment through words to ponder on: What I am now speaks how she has reared me and I venture say that she’s done a sterling job. I love her so and I know life wouldn’t be complete without her. Ergo, my prayers aren’t complete without asking Him to give my old woman, longer and healthier life.  But I am sorry Mother because there’s one more woman I love the way I love you.

I seldom saw her in my childhood but I knew she had had the kindest heart. I still recall when Father and Cel, my youngest sister, met her in the city nearby. She bought us school supplies and treated us meal in a well-known restaurant. Young as I was, I could easily appreciate such gesture and didn’t have to convince myself to treasure the moment. I’ve never forgotten her since then. But that was the last time I saw her until my high school years were over. Thought I would never see her again.

Life was financially tough so sending us, siblings, to college was a big challenge to my parents. I knew and felt that they always dreamed of a bright future for us. But I also knew and felt that they didn't have the means to make the dream come to reality. Cel and I took exams for a scholarship program and we both made it. But adhering to the polices of the program, only one could be honored and i knew it couldn't be me. So after high school i decided to get a job to help get the money coming in. I didn’t even have to ask my parents because I knew it would be very awkward for them to say “Sorry son, we have worked so hard but...Okay, you may get a job and...”

I worked for a gasoline station and believe it or not it was a dream came true. That’s how superficial I was; just like a child whose ultimate goal was to ride a bicycle on his own. But two years after, the sight of my high school classmates in their uniforms and backpacks lead me into collision with envy. It was great Father was so ready when I told him I wanted to go back schooling. I didn’t have the slightest idea of his plans neither did I expect I’d see Aunt Esther again.

Going to college made me feel belonged to a dreamers’ club.  I was given a sudden hope for a better future for myself and for my family. But success doesn’t come without challenges and one of which came earlier than I expected. Father passed away before my first year in the university ended leaving Mother his responsibilities. Mother was only fifty when Father died but she had become sickly so couldn’t work to the fields as she used to. My dreams once again seemingly lurked in the dark clouds of November. But I was so wrong because Aunt Esther didn’t give up supporting me. My thought of her leaving my family for good since her brother has passed away was surprisingly false. From then on, my respect to her grew bigger; unfathomable. 

I finished a degree with Aunt Esther standing by me till the end. She wanted to keep me near but I was so ambitious that I escaped and preferred to explore the metro. I was sorry I did that but was sure she would understand. And she really did. I miss my aunt so much. I don’t have the courage to tell her but I really do. Apart from Mother, she will be one of the women I will never forget. Thank you for the selfless love auntie.