I am Clarissa, a young mother. I was only 16 years old when I got pregnant. I was in high school when I met Jacob my boyfriend. We didn’t have school mates because I thought Jacob was in college because that was his story to me. Jacob would give me gifts, even my JS prom dress, he paid the rent and when he came to visit us he would bring a lot of food. Our relationship lasted six months until he got me pregnant. I was afraid to go home because I knew my parents would be angry. So I lived at Jacob’s house, my parents went to take me there but they couldn’t take me home because I didn’t go. I told them I was pregnant and Jacob was responsible for me.
Nine months passed and I gave birth to our baby boy. At first, Jacob and I were happy together, until one day his behavior suddenly changed. He was hot-tempered and hardly ever came home. Our son doesn’t have milk and diapers and when I ask him for it, he always has no money because he only depends on his father’s remittances, who is an OFW. His parents are the ones who support us because Jacob doesn’t work. My life life with him was difficult and our lives were full of fights.
Until one day I decided to separate. He agreed but I would leave our son with him. At first I didn’t agree because our son was only 3 years old and I couldn’t bear to be away from him but I though about how I would be able to work if I took my son with me. So. even though it was against my will, I left my son with him because I was confident that they would take care of and love my son coz he was their the only grandchild.
I went to Manila and worked there, but no matter what I did in life I was still not happy because my son was not with me. I always ask how my son, I always call Jacob’s mother to check on my son’s condition and I also send money every paycheck for my son’s expenses. I found out that Jacob was with another woman but even though I still loved him I just left him and we are completely separated.
Five years later I decided to go back to the province to see and be with my son. I wanted to see him at that time and I was near Jacob’s house while I was walking I saw a boy who immediately made my heart beat, this was my son Jared. I recognized him because I saw his pictures on face book. I called him but he didn’t come to me, until Jacob’s mother came out and called Jared. She told him to come to me because I was his mother. I was depressed because he didn’t want to and he didn’t know me. He said I don’t have a mother, my mother has been dead for a long time. My tears flowed there, I didn’t expect my son so be angry with me and he didn’t want to see me.
I went home without even being able to hug or talk to my son, but I didn’t give up. I visited him everyday and brought him toys and food. He just took them but he didn’t come near me. I do that everyday, I woo my son just so he can forgive me. I’m also grateful because Jacob’s mom is also helping me get my son closer to me.
It wasn’t until two months after I wooed my son that he forgave me and accepted me as his mother. I was so excited for my son, that same day I told my son to tell his grandma that I was going to take my son. We were going to live there with our family, there was another family in Jacob and so my son could get used to me. Jacob’s parents didn’t object, as long as I didn’t leave Jared alone and always took him out to visit them. Since then, my life has been fine, including my son.
