One phone call. This is how our friendship started. I was working for a tutorial centre at that time and she called to inquire on becoming a tutor and how to enroll for a basic computer lesson. She sounded so sweet on the other line. I asked what her name was and she answered me. Cecile Arnaldo. I discussed with her our computer tutorial package and before i knew it, we were on the phone discussing about a lot of things. She finally agreed to the package and asked me which subject i teach. I told her i teach basic computer. She requested me to be her tutor and that she wants the classes to be held at her house.
She is beautiful - more of a Caucasian type. She knows a little tagalog but doesn’t speak much. Her face is angelic and her smile is pretty. Her house was a huge house with a huge garden. When i entered the house, i noticed their lovely antiques and their big, hairy dog who does not know how to bark, named batchoy. We went upstairs to her room since the computer is in her room. Her room is full of angels. Paintings, books, etc. The room is big and simple. I enjoyed teaching her because she has this enthusiasm to learn. After the tutorial, we would always have a short chat. She told me she was diabetic and had to use insulin 3 times a day (i think. im not sure anymore). On our third session, I noticed a large portrait of a familiar face along the hallway. It was her daughter. She also told me she has a son and that she has only 2 children.
We became close. I started going to her house even though we didn’t have a session. One day, she asked me if i want to spend the night at her house so that we can watch movies together and eat dinner together. I asked permission from my mom and she allowed me. The first night led to so many happy overnights, happy chats, wonderful movies and delicious dinner. Even before we finished the entire computer module, i resigned from the tutorial centre. This gave us the chance to have fun and work together.
She is like my sister — according to her 
… We’ve spend afternoons going to Robinsons Galleria to watch movies, To Greenhills to eat hofan noodles. Sometimes I would stay in their house of 3 or 4 days. I cook for her (she loves my cooking!) … I tell her everything that i feel. I also had the chance to know her children, her daughter specially. They are like my second family.
One time, I introduced her to a boyfriend. She treated him well and even warned him never to hurt me. But that was also the day that i broke up with that guy. When my ex boyfriend left, i admitted to her that we broke up that day. I was crying, pouring out myself to her. She embraced me and told me that I am a beautiful person and that I deserve to move on. She went out of the room and when she came back, she was carrying a big notebook. She sat down and told me to write everything that i feel. I was crying while i was writing. She stayed beside me till i finished my entry. She got the notebook and read it. Afterwards, she wrote at the back of the cover of the notebook. I was crying after reading her message. She embraced me and told me that she loves me and not to worry because somebody better will come along. All these years I have been alone and I only got my mom beside me… That time, i felt warmth and love from another mother… my second mother.
A lot of things happened. I was not able to visit her for almost a year. The last time i visited her was on her birthday. I brought her a dozen white roses. I felt how happy she was when she saw me. I told her I wasn’t able to finish school and that I started working again. That was the last time I spoke to her.
5 days before Christmas of 2006, Tita Ching’s house was burned to the ground. I cried when i heard the news. I lost chin’s number so i had to look/ find another person close to her to contact. I went online and went to her website and found her manager’s number. I was informed that they were in the hospital. The following day, I visited tita ching in the hospital. I cried when I saw her. The strong, jolly person that i used to know is now lying in bed, motionless. I cried because i missed her and i wish that she could still talk. My mom was with me when i visited her the first time. I apologised for not visiting her and told her over and over again that i love her.
Last week i visited her. I arrived at the hospital at 5 pm. She just looked at me. I was telling her stories about my work, my friends, my dad, my family. Then the nurse told me that she will have her x-ray at 6pm so I had to go out of the ICU room. I was about to go back when i saw 2 women at her room. I decided not to go in first to give them the chance to be with her. After 20minutes, i went back it. She was facing her right side. I started talking to her again. I asked her if its ok for me to visit her again. To my surprise, she moved her mouth and said yes. No sound came out of her mouth but the mere movement of her lips, mouth made me cry. I told her i love her over and over again. She smiled at me. I asked her if she still loves me. Her answer overwhelmed me. I was so happy that day. That gave me hope that she will get better. I told her the hospital won’t allow me to bring her white roses but once she gets well, i will bring her white roses in her room. I told her ill be back this week to visit her. She answered yes.
Last night, a text from chin’s manager gave me one of the saddest news in my life. My tita ching passed away. I was so devastated. I was supposed to visit her today (Saturday) after my overtime but she was not able to wait for me.
I lost a best friend, a sister, a mother. She changed my life big time. She was the one who encouraged me to write more about what i feel. She taught me a lot of things no one can ever teach me.
She made my life extra special and i will always be grateful to God for allowing me to share my life with her.
My tita ching, i love you so much… I’ll be missing you. At last, you are now with your angels and Our Creator. May God bless your soul and welcome you in heaven with open arms.
Thank you for the wonderful memories… I will treasure them forever.
