Forgiven

There was a mother — she had three sons — but also she was struggling financially. Every day, she works hard selling flowers while walking the busy road. After the day ends, she sighed, gasping for fresh air to breathe: “I shall rest. My sons are waiting for me,” she said while walking home.

As the long day ends, she visited her sons, asking: “My sons, have you eaten yet?” As she spoke, her sons did not reply. Furthermore, she cooked as if exhaustion never existed. She went to the market to buy an apple, even if her legs are unable to walk, just to make sure her children aren't hungry.

After her children ate, she asked them to clean their plates, yet only the third one obeyed her request. She spoke: “Why don't you help your dear brother?” The second son replied: “Well, we need to read. Thank us, even if we home study, we have a bright future far from here. So when we got older, don't ask us for money.” He arrogantly spoke.

Earlier in the morning, a postal worker came to their small nipa hut. Passing the mail through their small, decomposing wooden door. “Ma'am, I think we need to change the door, it's too smelly.” He roughly said. Then she replied: “I'm sorry, that's the only one cheaper.” Morning came, she struggled to find a cheaper bread, so she only cooked a rice via masonry oven and prepared a soy sauce that is the main meal for them all.

As the three sons aroused, she bathed them in the river before breakfast, just to make sure they were pleasant. The two thanked her, except for one. “Why is the food disgusting?” The eldest replied as he stared at the food hesitantly. They continued eating, but the eldest walked out. At noon, the mother went into her wonderful garden to pick some flowers, and also she picked the best roses.

A man walks by her garden, but he pauses and asks: “Can I have one?” She politely replied: “I'm sorry I am selling these, but you can have one.” As the man picks a flower: “Do not treat your children like an angel once will return a demon,” He phrased while laughing. She was flustered after she heard it, yet she shall remember those words until death.

17 years later, the sons have grown up. The eldest became an Engineer, the second is a Lawyer, but the third one is a beggar. Why? The third son has brought the love of his mother into his heart, so he can't live without a glimpse of her beautiful face, always by her side. Unable to work, he helped his mother all day to plant roses and daisies in their garden. Then he remembered his brothers, who left them without any money and other resources. In the distance, his mother shouted: “My son, your brother, sent a mail.” Then he ran quickly to her “ What is it?” He asked.

“Amidst our relationship and memories, I would cut off ties with you, and move back to Hawaii. Likewise, I enjoy, we would rarely see each other. We shall forget our relation by now, and I shall not help you in any circumstances. Thank you.” The letter said.

The mother started to weep, but she suddenly held back her tears and wiped them.

A week later, while walking the mother pauses and felt dizziness, nausea, light-headedness, and collapses while selling her most precious roses in the streets. The son got a gossip from one of his neighbors saying: “did you know? There's a woman who passed out in the street while selling roses. The witness did not saw her face but saw the birthmark on her arm, it's like a perfect circle. I think it's your mother.”

The son was suddenly feeling too warm. Feeling like a lump in his throat, difficulty swallowing. Nausea, vomiting, or diarrhea. So he rushes rapidly in the streets and saw his mother asleep. He carried her onto his back and brought her to the hospital quickly, speaking to the nurse to make an appointment afterward. “Your mother has leukemia, it results from an as-of-yet undetermined combination of genetic and environmental factors that can lead to mutations in the cells that make up the bone marrow. These mutations, known as leukemic changes, cause the cells to grow and divide very rapidly.” knowing she was diagnosed with Leukemia, he sent a mail to his siblings telling them that he needs their help, but they refused. So, he tried to apply in anything he came across in the streets, Job finding, and bar service, but they all refused. Months passed by, the mother is slowly struggling, nurses aren't helping, doctors are refusing to say: “We can be fired, sir.” he can no longer pay the hospital bills. A week later, his mother suddenly passes. His elder brothers attended their mother's funeral, walking with sadness marked on their faces. Regretting what they did, they felt sorry for her. Now, every night after their mother's death, their dreams are always haunted by regrets and their mother's forgiving face.

Suddenly while the third son was cleaning the house, the postal worker came. “Brother, the hospital sent you a letter.” He said while passing it onto him.

As he opened the envelope, he saw three letters inside. One for the Engineer, one for the lawyer, one for him, and a card. He first read what is written in the fourth card: “This is from the hospital. Your mother said if she passes away, let us give you these three letters. Thank you.

This is, Nurse Kath”

Then, he reads the letter for his elder sibling: “Dear son, I know we cut ties weeks ago, but I hope you read this. While I was struggling, I remembered the same as giving birth to you. So I fought hard for my three sons, but I think I can't handle it any longer. I wish you have the very best year. I FORGIVE YOU.”

Then, he reads the card: “We may have not seen each other for a long time. But, I shall always love you without any hatred. I wish you the best, my son.”

The last one, as he held the third letter he was trembling and felt his knees shaking like he can't walk. He reads the letter I know you worked hard, so I can be healthy and alive. But I am sorry for breaking your plans. I hope I am not a burden to you, now get back on track! Be happy for I am always near you. I love you.” Water starts to come down in his eyes dripping on each side. And finally, he said. Thank you.