The Little Things That Almost Matter Too Much

There are days when family misunderstanding become unforgettable arguments. Then there are days when they become stories we laugh about years later. This was one of those days.

At the breakfast table:
“Mama, nood tayo Crazy Rich Asians mamaya.”

Whenever my children invite me somewhere, my answer is almost “Yes.” It is an opportunity to bond with them while I can as long as they still want me to. 😉

“G! Gusto ko ring panoorin yung ‘The How’s of Us’. Okay ba yang movie na yan?" I replied.

But even in this situation, a small piece of ‘truth’ can ironically spoil a rather happy and cheerful spirit in me.

Tenten blurted out, “Ayaw ko! At saka napanood na ni Yeye yun!”

Why did I not know that?

“Bakit hindi ko alam Yeye na nanood ka ng movie? Kelan? Sinong kasama mo?”

“Ma, kasama ko po yung friend ko na pinagpaalam ko sa inyo kahapon na lalabas kami. Di ko lang nasabi na manonood kami ng sine.”

It was a small detail. But somehow it didn't feel small. My rule was for them to ask permission.

A Canceled Movie Date

In the afternoon, we were in our room and Yeye reminded me of the time we will leave for the movie. Tenten was still in the office.

"Hindi na po kayo manonood?'

"Hindi na ako sasama"

"Bakit po?'

"Tinatamad"

"Totoo po ba yan? Or ayaw niyo po kami kasama"

"Pahinga lang"

"Sorry po, mama.Wala naman po ako balak itago. Akala ko lang po talaga nakapagpaalam si yeye po sa inyo kaya po siya humihingi ng pera.

Gusto ko po sana manood kasama niyo kasi don po tayo nakakapagbonding talaga na di po ako naiinis. Di tulad pag pinagddrive ko po kayo. Saka po wala po kami buong weekend gawa busy sa BLD. Kaya kung di po kayo sasama mamaya eh di na rin po kami manonood. Para next time na lang po pag okay po kayo.

Sorry mama, mahal ko po kayo."

The Power of a Text Apology

An hour after my text conversation with Tenten, I received this message from Yeye.

"Hi ma. Sorry po kagabi, di po ako nakapagpaalam nang maayos kagabi. Nagtake advantage po ako kasi busy ka. Sorry po talaga. Sana po makanuod tayo movie bukas. Dapat po kanina pa po ako magsosorry kaso natatakot po ako. Sorry po talaga Ma, I love you po."

Tenten and Yeye are allies—the best of friends. They may have communicated with each other.

The next evening, we watched Crazy Rich Asians together as if nothing had happened the day before.

The movie was fun. Mababaw lang ako!

But if I'm being honest, the best part wasn't the movie. it was simply being with them.

  

 

Fourteen days later, while Yeye and I were out window shopping, I read a message from her friend...

“hi titaaa hehe tita sorry po doon sa last na labas namin ni toni nung nag sta rosa po kami. nagkayayaan po ulit kasi hs friends tonight po sa grove lang po kami tita promise po hehe ako po bahala kay bff. thanks titaaa 🤗”

“Kaloka ka, Yeye! 😠”

Then it hit me!

“Wait...Sta Rosa?! I thought you went to Calamba!"

"Kaloka ka, Yeye! 😠”

With this simple miscommunication or non-communication, I could have disengaged and let it pass. But I have always believed in family communication and honesty. How much more now that I am a solo parent?

Looking back, it wasn't really about where she went. It was about the little things left unsaid. 

Families don't always drift apart because of big mistakes. Sometimes, it's the small assumptions that quietly build unnecessary distance. 

And perhaps that's why Yeye's words stayed with me more than anything else.

 

"Wag naman din sanang masanay ng ganun. Usap pa rin agad, wag sa text/chat." ❤️