Seeing his old mother emitting a strange smell, the son was shocked to discover the horrifying truth in the bathroom….
Arvin is the only son in the family. Since getting married and moving to Quezon City to live with Lea, he rarely went back to Malolos, Bulacan to visit his mother. Every month, he transferred money via GCash, thinking to himself: “As long as there is money, Nanay will not lack anything.”

Recently, kapitbahay called to report that Nanay Pilar’s house – a small wooden house in a quiet barangay – often emitted a strange stench. At first, Arvin thought it was probably from the sewer or rotten food. But as the days went by, the smell became stronger, making the neighbors worried.

One afternoon, Arvin decided to drive back to Bulacan. As soon as he entered the yard, he smelled a musty, foul smell spreading throughout the house. His heart ached with an ominous premonition.

– Nanay, I’m home! – Arvin called out loudly.

From the kitchen, Nanay Pilar came out, thin and haggard. Seeing her son, she smiled gently but her voice was trembling:

You’re back? Nanay thought you forgot Nanay.

Arvin hugged his mother’s shoulder, but as soon as he got closer, he was stunned: from her body, a strange smell was clearly emitted – a fishy smell mixed with the smell of old medicine.

– Nanay… have you bathed recently? Why does your body smell like this? – Arvin worried.

She smiled awkwardly, avoiding her son’s eyes:
– Nanay is old, bathing too much can make you catch a cold. Besides… the water is weak, Nanay is shy…

The answer did not reassure Arvin. He looked around, his eyes stopping at the old CR (toilet) door. The door was tightly closed, the gap below emitted an indescribable smell.

Arvin trembled as he pushed the door open – and was stunned.

Inside, the CR was dirty, with stagnant water for a long time. What shocked him the most was the scene: the toilet had been turned into a place filled with dried blood stains and old red cloths.

– Nanay! How did this happen? – Arvin panicked.

Nanay Pilar sat down on the wooden chair, trembling, covering her face with her skinny hands. Tears streamed down. A moment later, she choked:
– Nanay didn’t want you to worry… For the past few months, Nanay had severe stomach pain, and passed blood. Nanay was afraid of the cost of going to the hospital, afraid that her child would be burdened… so she silently endured. Every time she finished, Nanay washed a few pieces of cloth, hid them in the CR… unexpectedly, they smelled so bad.

Arvin was stunned, his heart felt like it was being squeezed. He held his mother’s hand tightly:
– Oh my god, why did Nanay hide such a big thing from me? I can take care of everything. As long as Nanay is healthy!

She shook her head, her voice weak:
– I still have a wife, and grandchildren. Nanay didn’t want to bother… Nanay’s PhilHealth was also low…

It was then that Arvin realized: having been so busy with his own affairs, he had forgotten that Nanay was old and weak, and needed care more than anything. The remittances could not replace presence.

Without hesitation, Arvin called a car to take his mother to Bulacan Medical Center in Malolos. After the examination, the doctor said sternly:

– The old lady had a long-standing gastrointestinal bleeding, and had left it untreated for too long. If it had been detected earlier, it would have been different…

Hearing that, Arvin collapsed. He hugged his mother, crying like a child:

– I was wrong… I was so heartless. From now on, I will be by Nanay’s side, no matter what.

In the following days, Arvin asked for leave from work and stayed by her bedside. He personally fed her porridge and wiped her body – as a way to make up for the years of heartlessness.

In Nanay Pilar’s cloudy eyes, there was a mixture of happiness and sadness. Despite her physical pain, she still smiled, because finally she had her son sitting beside her, holding her hand tightly.

In Arvin’s heart, the regret was deeply engraved: a mother’s love cannot wait. Just one day of negligence could be the day we lose our last chance of love. From then on, every weekend, Arvin returned to Malolos – not only bringing money, but also time and a warm hand holding Nanay’s hand.