FIRST PERSON POINT OF VIEW
I opened the window of my room and looked at the night sky.It's full of stars tonight.It sounds cliché but I've always loved the idea of watching the stars with the person I love.As I stare at the starry sky,a shooting star appears and just before it drops out of my sight,I closed my eyes and wished something.Something that I have been wishing since she taught me what wishing stars are.I'm Luna Javier by the way.I'm just an ordinary 18 year old girl who is in search for someone so important.My mother loves the moon so much that she named me after it.She loves everything about the night sky actually.I can still remember the very first time she introduced me to the wishing stars.
I'm in my room doing my homework which I barely understand just like any typical 10 years old school girl.I'm waiting for my mom,Alexandra.That's a unique name for a mother right?She said she's gonna teach me so I can answer the homework given to me.
"Ugh!What took her so long?I've been staring at my notebook for the past minutes. I'm getting bored"." I uttered as I lay down on my bed.
Few minutes later I fell asleep.I closed my eyes and few minutes later I just found myself dreaming.
I felt somebody sat beside me. I slowly open my eyes. My vision was blurry at first but later on, I recognized my mother who is sitting beside me while reading my notes.
She then stop what she is doing and looked at me, " Hello sweetie.I'm sorry it took me an hour before coming here." I chuckled. "That's okay mom.Good thing I fell asleep.I got bored trying to understand those."
"Come here.Let's begin our discussion shall we,daughter?" she laughs and started to teach me everything.
After an hour I finally understood and answered my homework.I looked at her and smiled.
"Thank you mom.At last, I can sleep peacefully." I said as I walk towards the window.
"Look,the stars are plenty tonight mother.Also the moon is shining bright.Just like you."
My mother is attractive.I am named after the moon.But my mom is the moon,she shines beautifully even at night.
"You inherited that from your daddy Pete." she told me and hugged me.
"What?" I asked. "That.Being mambobola." she replied and ruffled my hair.
"Heyyy!Dad's not lying.And I'm not born to be a lier.It is true." I pouted as I face outside the window.
Just then something appeared in the night sky.I turned to ask my mother but I saw her closing her eyes as soon as she sees it.
"What are you doing?" I asked her.I'm curious you know.
She opened her eyes and smiled at me.I don't know ha but I have never seen my mother cry.She's always smiling like she doesn't have any problems at all.
"Are you not familiar of wishing stars sweetie?" she said this time facing me.
"Wishing stars?No.What are those?And what's with them?Why are you-" She covered my mouth just before I can bombard her with questions.
"Easy there little girl.I will tell you what is a wishing star."
Because of that I listened to her carefully.
"Are you ready?" I nodded.
"Legend has it that wishing upon a shooting star makes the wish come true.As a result, stars sometimes slip out of this gap, becoming visible as shooting or falling stars.Since the Gods are already looking at us at such a time, they tend to be more receptive to any wishes we make." she explains.
"So you're wishing a while ago?And why are you closing your eyes?" I asked AGAIN.
"Because anything like external happenings like birds flying won't distract us and concentrate on our wishes." she told me
"Oh that's why.May I know your wish,mother?" she smiled.I swear if she's not beautiful and she's not my mother,I'd say she's crazy.Just kidding.
"No.Someone told me,telling your wish to others hinders the granting of your wish.It won't come true so,I say no daughter.I can't tell you."
"Hmm.Thank you for sharing something about wishing stars mother!" I kissed her cheek and hugged her.She hugged me back.
I jerked as I heard a knock on my door.
"Luna?" my father whose name is Pete Javier,called my name.
Ah,I remembered that night again.Today that woman,is no longer with us.I don't understand why she left us.No reason,no words at all.I've been searching for her but I can't find even a single strand of her hair.The day she left us was the day my father became miserable but luckily he's much better now.I'm not mad at her.Maybe because i love my mother so much.Whatever the reason is,I think I can totally understand.
"Luna are you there?Don't tell me you sneaked out again.God." he said and knocked again.
Yes I always sneak out the house because I always hoped I could see her somewhere.I've been hoping and sneaking for four years now.I sigh and went to open the door.
As soon as the door was opened,my father's worried face met my blank face.
"Did you went out again?' he asked. I smiled.
"No.I was just looking at the sky from my window." I replied.
He made a sigh of relief. "Let's go downstairs.Let's have a cup of milk before going to bed."
I mouthed okay then followed him.I know he's just trying to spend his little time with me because he's been working since mom left.And that's okay,atleast.I sat down and started drinking it slowly as we're having a conversation.
"Dad aren't you mad at mom?" I asked him
"No.Never.I love your mom and I'm sure she has reasons." he answered.
I'm proud of my father.He's miserable I'm telling you but because he loves mom so much,he can't get mad at her.
"Anyway,tomorrow's my final exam dad.After that I will be able to fly to Amsterdam." I informed him
"Are you sure Alexandra is there?" he asked,worried again.I nodded and gave him a reassuring smile.
"Yes dad.And don't give me that look.I'm gonna be fine.I'm going to find mom." I said with finality then I decided to go to bed.
Finally,Amsterdam.Wondering why I'm here?A friend of my mother told me that she went in Amsterdam.So I'm here.I'm not giving up on searching for my mom.Even if it means spending all my money,I don't care.I'm willing to follow her anywhere to see her.I just need to hear her explanation.
I'm currently staying with my auntie Zel,my father's sibling at Amsterdam-Zuid.Her house is big enough for me.And good thing she's not strict at all.I told her about my mother and she totally understand.She's cool.
I just stayed inside my room until evening came.It's a starry night again mother.I know you're out there,we're looking at the same sky.Waiting for a wishing star to appear.I chuckled in my thought.I missed doing this with them,when we were still complete.Then a shooting star really appeared.I quickly closed my eyes and made a wish.
'Please make it come true.'
A few minutes later I decided to sleep.It's gonna be a long day tomorrow then I fell into a deep slumber.
"Ugh gosh." I uttered as I walk to go to another house to ask people.
I knocked on the door and waited patiently until the door opened by itself.Just kidding,it was opened by a woman,I think in her 40's.
"Hallo goedenmiddag.May I ask?" I smiled. "Yes sure.What is it?" she gladly replied.
"Do you know her by chance?Or is she familiar to you?" I asked. "No sorry.I haven't seen her here." she answered apologetically as she handed me back my mother's picture.
"Oh okay.Dank je madam." I said and left
I sat down on the nearest bench.This has been going like this since last week.There is still no progress.No one knows her.I've been to many places in amsterdam and I can't still find her.I went to buitenveldert,amstelveen,diamantbuurt,rivierenbuurt and stadionbuurt.There's only one place left and that is Apollobuurt.One last place and I'm living amsterdam.
Darkness came,I went home after eating dinner.I looked so tired my auntie asked me if I'm okay.I only smiled at her and said "I am." then went straight to my room.
"Aish.Wishing star I need you.I'm losing all of my hope." I said almost crying because of being tired.
An hour later a wishing star appeared again.I closed my eyes and made wish.Same process but too much sadness inside me.Then I fell asleep heads on my table.
Andddd today is another day.I'm going to Apollobuurt.My one last hope.So I continued my journey on finding my mother.From one house to another house but I really don't wanna give up.I promised my father I would find her.i saw a woman,standing on her patio.I called her with politeness.
"Excuse me madam!May I ask?" she went near me. "What is it?" I handed her the picture and a hint of recognition is evident in her eyes. "Yes yes.I know her.She is lady Alexandra." my heart skip a beat as the woman recognizes her.
"Really?Can you tell me where she is now?I need to see her." I told her.
"Sure.I'll just get my keys." "W-why?Can't we just walk?" I asked. "No.Lady Alexandra's house is a little bit far from here." "Oh okay." i uttered.
Few minutes later, "We have arrive." the woman announces.I got out from the car.
"This,this is where she lives." the woman says. As I was about to knock,the door suddenly opened.A familiar eyes met mine.I stared at her trying to fix myself.Those smile as bright as the moon.I can't stop myself.I uttered the word, "Mom?" she was also shocked as she recognizes me. "Luna!" she said and quickly went to me,with trembling hands,she cupped my faced. "My Luna." both of us cried.
A moment later she invited me inside her house.I went inside and saw a handsome guy,just the same age as hers.I ask her why she left us.And she gladly answered it without any hesitation.I learned that her first family is here.18 years ago she left amsterdam because she and her husband had a huge fight.Then she met my father and they had me.She thought of not going back but her husband was sorry.They have 3 children.Although it broke her heart,she decided to leave.So basically,we're just her second family.Ofcourse it broke my heart.
"I'm glad you searched for me.I'm so sorry sweetie." she was about to cry but I told her,"Mom,I knew you have reason." i said and hugged her,tight as if I'm never letting her go.
"I miss you so much.After I left you,I've been wishing for this." She said.
"The day you left me mom was also the day I began wishing everytime a wishing star appears." I said and cried.
I told her for four years,I've been sneaking out to find her and sleep late just to wait for the wishing star to appear.
After talking with her,I met her family.They're really nice.They're not even mad at us.Few weeks after I flew back to the Philippines to tell father the good news.He was so happy.Atleast we're not that that father and daughter tandem that doesn't know why the light of their life left them.Mom is visiting every year and talks with us through video calls.I say we're happy now.Never feeling empty.Since then,when a wishing star appears,I don't wish anymore.I only close my eyes and says thank you.
Some people say wishing upon a star is just for foolish people.They said it's not true.I say it is true.I have been wishing to find my mother and I did.Impossible things happen all the time,you just have to believe it can.My father taught me that being angry is never the answer.If you truly love the person,you would understand them 'cause they surely have reasons why they have done things against our will and sometimes,we just have to accept what happened,smile then move on.