Inciang wept deep inside of her as she cooked rice in the kitchen a little later. She had seen Itong stay at the door and make signs to Nena. She resented his attentions to Nena. She resented his height, his pink shirt, his necktie. But that night, as she lay awake on the floor, waiting for Itong to come home, she knew despite all the ache of her heart, that she could not keep Itong forever young, forever the boy whom she had brought up. That time would keep him growing for several years yet, and more distant to her. And then all the bitterness in her heart flowed out in tears. In the morning, when Nena came to borrow one of the pestles. "We are three to pound rice, Manang Inciang; may we borrow one of your pestles?" Inciang could smile easily at Nena. She could feel a comradely spirit toward Nena growing within her.
Doon na raw muna siya sa kaibigan niya sa Fairview. Iiwan na raw niya sa akin ang ref niya, ang kama niya, ang ito niya, ang iyon na. Aalis na raw siya at di siguro kung babalik--pero di pa siya makaalis kasi'y basa pa ng pintura ang mga maleta niya. Di malaman ang gagawin, bumigay ang tear ducts niya."Totoo ngang nababaliw ka na. Sabi mo'y matino ka na. Ibabalik uli kita sa basement.