At past 3 in the morning:
"Kanina ka pa dumating?" She asked.
"Kakarating-rating ko lang po..."
"May kasama kang umuwi?"
"Ako lang mag-isa..."
"Umuwi ka lang mag-isa?"
"Sinabay ako sa taxi..."
"Hindi mo kasama si JC?"
I was tempted to say that JC was with me the whole time. But to do so might put me in a quandary where a categorical answer would spawn more questions. Her five-word inquiry, despite its naivety, packs a clear undertone. It's essence, no matter unspoken points to a certain recognition.
"Hindi po mama..."
The conversation ended there, as the matriarch needed to pee. She immediately got out of bed and lumbered towards the bathroom. Meanwhile, I was left sitting on the edge of the mattress, watching baby Lenin sleep, with a big smiley drawn on my face.