Cruel Summer

ika-3

Nilibot ko ang buong unit ni Lolo dito. The grand piano caught my eye. Hindi pala ito nakuha noong binenta nila ang bahay noon.

I sat on the chair in front of the piano and I swept away some dust on it. I pressed some of the keys, and I was about to play when Lolo spoke.

"Ito na lamang ang natitirang alaala ng Lola mo sa akin," aniya. I looked at him and I can already see that he's very hurting inside. Tears formed in his eyes.

Lola died 3 months ago. Nagkasakit kasi si Lola, at kahit na may kaya ang pamilya ko ay hindi pa rin siya gumaling dahil hindi na raw kaya. Lolo and Lola resided in Netherlands for a very long time now, and our family did not choose to reside here as well since Mom and Dad believe that we could get the best education if we're going to study in the Philippines.

3 months have passed and seems like Lolo hasn't moved on yet. Hindi naman nga kasi madali.

"I'm pretty sure Lola will be happy to see you happy," sabi ko. "Besides, you still manage to keep the grand piano."

Lolo nodded and forced a smile while slowly caressing the piano. "Sa tuwing nakikita at natutugtugan ko ang pianong ito, lahat ng pinagdaanan namin ng Lola mo ay bumabalik sa akin."

"Every 2 pm, we always used to play piano. Ako ang tutugtog, samantalang siya naman ang kakanta," dagdag pa niya. "It was like a routine, kaya naman lagi ko nang ginagawa ito."

"I miss Lola," naiiyak kong sinabi.

"And so do I, apo."

When I checked the clock, it was already 2 pm. Dahil nga sinabi ni Lolo kanina na iyon ang oras ng pagtugtog nila ay tumayo na ako sa inuupuan. Lolo Roman sat and played the piano. He played "Love me" by Yiruma, and it is very pleasant to hear. Halo-halong emosyon ang makikta at madadama habang tinutugtog 'yon ni Lolo. Saya, pag-ibig, at lungkot.

After playing the piece, sakto namang tumunog ang cellphone ko. It was Mom and Dad.

"Hello?" bungad ko. It was a video call kaya naman pinakita ko na rin si Lolo sa kanila. Mom waved.

"Nandyan ka na pala," aniya. Um-oo naman ako. Kaunting kamustahan pa ang naganap kina Mommy at Lolo. Claudia was there too.

After a couple of minutes, bigla naman akong nagutom. Bumisita din naman sina Tita Leah kasama si Paul, at inaya ako na mamasyal sa syudad. I was hesitant at first, but Lolo said it's fine and I should really take a good look to the city here in Rotterdam. Pumayag na ako.

Tita Leah took me to a restaurant here in Rotterdam. Napakaganda rito, at masarap din ang pagkain. Nagkuwentuhan naman kami ni Paul habang kumakain, at isang taon lang pala ang agwat namin sa isa't isa.

Paul has the looks that every girl is looking for. I mean, this is the first time I saw him kaya hindi ako masisisi kung mapapatitig ako sa kamag-anak ko. He's nice too. He's half Dutch.

"You may come visit us sometimes our home too," ani Tita Leah. I smiled and nodded at her.

We were walking in the middle of the tall buildings here. Maganda, at napakaraming bulaklak rin ang makikita rito.

Bago naman sumapit ang gabi ay nakabalik na kaagad ako sa apartment na tinutuluyan. Hinatid na rin ako ni Tita Leah at Paul pauwi dahil hindi pa ako masyadong pamilyar sa mga lugar dito.

When I got home, I saw Lolo drinking his medicine. Bukas ang TV, at iyon lamang ang tanging nagpapaingay sa paligid namin. He was smiling widely when I got there. I got confused.

"What's with the wide smile, Lolo?" tanong ko, nagugulahan.

"I met a boy a while ago," aniya. "I want you to meet him. He's musically inclined too! Just like you, apo."