My mother's expression immediately changed when she saw Mateo come and pursue her. She said softly, "Good boy. Only you who are respectful. I won't get angry anymore. It's pointless."
When she turned to me, she glared viciously and retorted, "Nothing in you comparable with your cousin. You two are so different, how the hell did I ever give birth to a loser like you?"
Mateo helped my mom back to the table and sat down as if nothing had just happened.
My daughter who was lying on my arm suddenly bobbed her head up and down frantically. Something felt off. I glanced down and there it was, a small patch of blood staining my clothes.
I shouted to Tia, "Blood! Tia! Our daughter is coughing blood!"
My daughter's eyebrows were furrowed, her eyes were closed tightly and only a pair of small hands were gripping my clothes tightly, enduring the pain with great difficulty.
I turned around to face the crowd then threatened my aunt, "Auntie, if something happens to my girl today, I won't let you off the hook! Tia, let's go to the hospital!”