When Time Slips

by Marlo Nepomuceno, BSCE Blk. I

to Ms. Jemimah Formilleza-Miñon, Instructor
March 20, 2020

Dad handed the newspaper. It wasn’t the headlines that stopped me but the date: March 20, 2030.
An inordinate length of time has passed magically and unexplainably. I was so surprised that I didn’t
noticed the subtle changes of our house. It has indeed improved and I couldn’t fathom what was
happening, really.
As I walk beside the mirror, I ended up in total shock. My figure was not the same figure that I remembered
I had. I became taller, more mature and was a fine young adult in twenties. I told myself, “I am indeed in the
year 2030 but yesterday was just 2020. I could still vividly remember what happened yesterday, I had a
conflict with mom. I had hurt her feelings for being so disrespectful to her. By the way, where is mom?”
I called for dad and asked him if he happened to know where mom was. He was startled by my sudden
question. He told me, “Not a good joke, early in the morning. Let her rest in peace. You should have been
matured enough to change that vile attitude of yours.” I was again shocked by another revelation. I never
expected that mom has already passed away. I became perplexed and unsure of what I am feeling. I
calmed myself first and tried to figure out what to do next.
It was purely a horrible nightmare for me and I just wished to wake up in this dreadful slumber, if it really
was. But still, I walked out of our house and strolled, hoping to discover something that will explain this
predicament I had.
The thing I first noticed was how people in this age addressed the elders. It was so surreal. I encountered
children that I never recognized. They smiled and greeted me. However, it surprised me for they called me
by my first name like it was common sense. Too many unrealistic scenes entered my sight. An elder being
carried away by a little boy. A group of teenagers ganging to beat up an old lady. A high school student
hitting on a beautiful young teacher. Everything seem out place. I couldn’t imagine that such things could
take place.
I wandered through the familiar streets, occasionally greeted someone I thought I knew. Visited the places
that had drastically changed over time. Still, wondering what I have missed. At this point in time, as I
walked in the church where I was baptized, I figured out what I had been missing out.
Respect.
Only on this sacred place could I still witness a hint of respect. If not for the little girl, who was kneeling,
while silently praying, I might still be confused of what I have experienced at this very moment. As I have
realized this, I sat on a bench, closed my eyes, and reminisced.
Before I ended up on this world, I quite lack respect. I tried to sort my mind and seek for any memory that I
had shown even a tiny bit of respect. And never would I imagined that it would be so difficult for me. I
ended up recurring yesterday’s events.
My mother was talking sweetly with my other aunties and I could not take being ignored by my own mother.
I impulsively butted in their conversation. My mother was so embarrassed that she made a hurtful remark.
And I unexpectedly responded back with offensive and harsh words. I am prideful so I didn’t take it back
and just run off to my room and slept. That’s it.
Tears were dripping without me noticing. Realizations kept on flooding me. I stood up and ran back to our
house, back to my room. I searched for every nook and corners of my little room. Until I found the letter my
mom slipped under my pillow while I was sleeping yesterday, technically.
Written on March 19, 2020, I unfolded the letter, it said:
A mom’s confession
My child,
If there is a time I enjoy most in my life, it’s when you first acknowledged me as your mother when you
were such a little angel. “Mama,” it was the first word you uttered since you were born in this world.
I enjoy it when you call for me and need my help for everything when you are so helpless. It feels like I am
born to fulfill this wonderful responsibility God has given me, and that is to guide you. I like the feeling of
teaching you everything. And just as butterflies enjoy lurking around the flowers, I enjoy watching your
every steps and to be there to correct your mistakes. I will never be tired of protecting you and caring for
you to such extent. Sometimes I have to make sacrifices that is so hard but watching you smile, made my
worries and hardships fade.
Now, you are a grown teenager I could no longer control you that strictly. I just hope that the things I have
taught you have been engraved to your heart and mind. Respecting elders is one of them. Whenever you
converse with someone older than you, you should always remember using po and opo. The first time I
heard you say this, it made my heart feel warmth.
Moreover, there was a time I didn’t enjoy much. Such was the time I got too carried away and I mistakenly
disciplined you so badly. You cried a lot. It made my heart weep for sympathy and I endured so that you
will learn from your mistakes, but still it made my heart aches. When you realized you actions are wrong, I
felt like I have accomplished something tangible that enlarged you as a person and will make your life
better, from hereon in, forever.
But that was before though, now it seems like you are ignoring everything I had to say. It hurts everyday
seeing you being so disrespectful to me but I thought you were just having your adolescence period and
being rebellious is normal. I waited. But you never went back to the way you were before.
I felt bad after that, knowing that I think of myself as an accomplished mother but I didn’t manage to guide
you back to the right path. I cried every night since that day even until today.
As time passes, I tried to bring you back to light but I might have done it exaggeratedly. That moment
earlier when you said those words, it struck me. No anger brewed inside my heart, only sadness and self-
blame.
And then I remember all the memories we shared. I remember the times we were so loving. I remember
the satisfaction and joy those moments have given me. Eventually, I realized that I could still make this
work out and here is my chance that is to write to you. This letter will be that chance to be what it should
be… an instrument of expression. And I, your mother will be the instrument of your change.
Now, I am pleading and praying that I would be an accomplished mother, that I would continue to be an
instrument conveying sensible guidance, that I would be an instrument of enlightenment and a channel for
your change and development. Surely, I will give my best till the last drop of my breath.
Truly yours,
Your mother
I already started crying from the very beginning of reading this letter. And after I read it, I felt mad of myself.
I blamed myself for being so disrespectful. I never knew my actions were significant enough to create this
much emotions to my mother. I felt regretful and helpless. And as I unknowingly crossed time, the future, I
could no longer correct my mistakes. My strong emotions ravaged my mind. The thought of being helpless
engulfed my whole body. I cried the whole day until I felt asleep.
As I woke up, I remembered everything so clearly. I had literally no intention to live. But still, I hoped that it
was just a terrible nightmare. I slowly creeped out of my room. And when I opened the door, there I saw the
usual scenery that I used to see every time I walked out of my room every morning.
I cried so loud that it startled the one who was preparing the table for breakfast. She looked at me with
undeniable feeling of concern and said, “What’s wrong, sweety?”
Then, I clearly didn’t know how I ended up in her warm embrace while murmuring, “I’m very, very sorry
mom. It won’t happen again. I will be good. I will never be that impolite, ever again.”
And, she just smiled at me and said, “I know.”
Life teaches us so many things if we just listen and respect. I remember that one gets nothing but
cacophony out of piano; another gets harmony. No one claims the piano is at fault. Life is about the same.
The cacophony is there, the harmony is there. Study to play it correctly, and it will give forth beauty, play it
falsely, and it will give forth ugliness. #