MY EX-NANA

I'm still confused about what the old man said to me yesterday. Last night I was unable to sleep because of it. I saw my old phone ringing, displaying the name of Danica. I quickly declined it and turned it off. I don't want to talk to anyone right now.

I'm thinking about where will I go after my stay here. I'm considering on finally going to Danica, but my thoughts and heart are fighting with each other. I was lost in my thoughts when one name crossed my mind, Nana Igta, My ex-Nana. She served my family when I was born until I reached the age of 15.

I opened my phone and check If I have her number. Woah! Thank god, I still have her number after years. I just wish that it's working and it's still her number. I tried calling it but the line keeps ringing. I rang it a few times more, when I'm about to lose hope, luckily someone answered the phone.

"Hello? Who's this" a sweet yet old voice answered me.

"Hello, Nana" I answered, starting to get nervous. What if she doesn't recall or even remembers me?

"Celestina? Sweetie, Is this you?" My nervousness died as the feeling of happiness arises in my system.

"Nana, do you really remember me?"

"Of course, Sweetie. Why would I even forget you?"

I smiled at her answer. I really do miss Nana. She's the sweetest person I have ever met besides Danica. And I wish to meet her again.

"Nana, Can I go to you?"

"What happened, sweetie?" I bitterly smile at her response. I guess she did not forget me. She really cares for me and I can say that through her words.

"Just some family problems, Nana" I answered her honestly. There's no point in hiding it anyway since I know that Nana will just bug me to death until I give her the right answer.

"Alright sweetie, you know my address, right? I'll just send it to you again in case you forgot it already"

"Thank you very much, Nana"

"Anyways, remember to take care of yourself, Celestina. Love you" Nana's word touched the bottom of my heart.

I bid my final goodbye to her and ended the call.

I recall the time when Nana left our house...

-/-

*flashback*

A young girl excitedly jumped out of her bed and quickly go downstairs. Today is her birthday. Every birthday of her, her Nana Igta always sings and greets her happy birthday. But when she got down. It doesn't feel the same. It's almost quiet and her Nana is nowhere to be seen.

"Hi! Do you know where Nana is?" I asked the maid who is currently cleaning our grand staircase.

"Ahm… Miss Celestina—"Her words got interrupted by my Mother.

"Don't bother for looking at her Celestina. She already left and will never come back to my house" My mom's words echoed in my head.

I'm speechless how can she do that to me. The person who truly loves me already left me.

"How can you do this to me!" I angrily said to my mother.

"See Celestina! She's brainwashing you by saying that she cares for you."

"NO MOMMY! Make Nana go back" I fought back with my words. She's not entitled to make someone leave in our house.

"YOU LITTLE BITCH!" she angrily points her fingers to me. I got scared because of that

"Is that the attitude your Nana taught you?" I bowed my head unable to answer back.

"Go back to your room now, Celestina. You're making me angry at 8 in the morning"

I quickly run to my room and lock my door. She doesn't even know that it's my 15th birthday. She took the one person who really and truly cares for me in my special day.

I look around my room. I'm sure that Nana wouldn't leave me without something.

While looking at my room. A white envelope caught my attention. I opened it and read its contents.

"Dear Celestina,

Happy birthday to you, Happy birthday to you, Happy birthday, Happy birthday, Happy birthday Sweetie." I sadly laugh as I sing the supposed to be a happy song

"Celestina, if you're' able to read this. It means one thing, I failed to greet you, happy birthday on your special day. I'm sorry if Nana had to leave. It's not because I want to, but I had to. I'm sorry for not being present on your birthday. You know that Nana loves you right? I already treat you as my own daughter that it deeply saddens me to leave you and not to be able to see you anymore. Maybe it's really the time for me to let you go and realize that you also want to be independent. I'm also happy to be able to see you grow until now. I will gladly look upon you in the sky and share my wishes for you in the stars. Remember to take care of yourself, sweetie. Remember that your parents love you dearly and they only do what's best for you. If you have doubts about yourself, just look at the necklace that is with this letter. I hope this will remind you that I will always love and will always believe in you.

From your Nana,

-/-

I don't know that I'm already crying. I wiped the tears which are rolling on the side of my cheeks. Remembering that day will always be hard for me. I touched the gold necklace that I'm wearing around my neck. A young picture of me and Nana. I bitterly smile. The days when I knew that someone is there for me.

The days without her is the hardest part of my teenage life. Not being able to adjust because she made me get used to things that my parents couldn't even do to me.

She is the one who always attends my school meetings, The one who'll I see first thing in the morning and the last person whom I'll talk to every night. She knows my strengths. my weaknesses, my likes, and dislikes, and my dream to be a flight attendant that even my parents don't know.

I really miss my Nana and knowing that I will be seeing her again made me incredibly happy.