SEIRI GRAGNE
"Please look directly at the camera," I instructed my client while finding a good angle.
"We'll take a few more shots then we're done," I said then wrapped up after 7 shots.
"I'll send the soft copies of the pictures to your email tomorrow and I'll drop the printed ones in your workplace," I scanned the shots and picked out the best ones.
"Thank you, Sei! My friend recommended you and you're a great photographer. I love how the photos came out," she said while looking at the monitor.
"No, thank you for taking her recommendation and picking me. Send my gratitude to her too," pasasalamat ko sakaniya.
"Okay, I will. See you tomorrow!" She bid goodbye and left my studio.
Linabas ko ang laptop ko at sinimulang iedit ang mga picture. Pang-apat na kliyente ko na siya ngayong araw at pagod na pagod na ako. But it's still enjoyable. I love taking photos as it captures not just the best but most unforgettable moments.
My phone vibrated and a message from my mother arrived.
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Anak, may gagawin ka pa ba mamaya?
Wala na po, bakit?
Sa mall ka dumiretso. Your father wants us to eat dinner together.
Sige po, I'll just edit a few more pictures then go there.
Okay, hihintayin ka namin dito.
☀︎
Minadali kong tapusin ang page-edit at dumiretso sa West Edmonton Mall.
I rarely see my parents during weekdays since I live in an apartment alone, pero umuuwi naman ako sa bahay every weekends. Matagal na simula nang kumain kami sa labas na kumpleto. Nevertheless, I'm still happy that we got time to spend together.
Dito na ako sa Canada pinanganak at lumaki. Particularly at Edmonton, Alberta. Dad is a Canadian and my Mom is a Filipina. Kahit English ang madalas naming gamit ay tinuruan pa rin niya ako mag Tagalog. We visit the Philippines once in a while pero madalang nalang ngayon.
I work as a photographer and I have my own studio. Maswerte ako dahil buo ang suporta ng mga magulang ko. I love taking pictures ever since I was a kid.
Pagkatapos mag park ng sasakiyan ay dumiretso ako sa Tim Hortons kung saan naghihintay sina Mommy. They were watching an ice hockey match.
"I'm here," tawag ko sakanila.
"Oh, you're here. Have some cookies first. Gusto daw patapusin ng tatay mo ang laban," sabi ni Mom at inilapit sa akin ang ilang piraso ng chocolate chip cookies.
"Malapit na po bang matapos?" Tanong ko habang kinukuha ang extra hot chocolate.
"Oo, kanina pa nagsimula. Kids are the ones playing, that's why. Alam mo naman ang tatay mo, aliw na aliw sa mga bata," sagot ni Mom.
It's true, sabi niya sa akin ay halos 'di daw ako mabitawan ni Dad noong sanggol pa lang. Siya ang nag-aalaga sa akin at minsan ay dinadala pa ako sa trabaho niya.
He actually wants a grandchild already but he understands that I'm not yet ready. I'm more focused on my work right now.
Maybe he only want someone to entertain him since nananatili na lamang sila sa bahay at walang trabaho. Our family is quite well off kaya okay lang na 'di sila magtrabaho. I can feed myself using my own money naman na. They're also getting older kaya mas mabuting mag enjoy na lang sila kaysa magtrabaho.
"Okay, let's eat dinner," yaya ni Dad pagkatapos ang laro. "Where do you wanna eat, hon?"
"Food court! I want a variety of foods," sagot ko.
"If that's what you want then let's go," sabi niya.
I walked in between them and clung my arms as if I'm a 5 years old child. They taught me that the greatest love I'm going to receive is from my family, that's why I value them so much.
Pagkatapos ng maraming paghihirap para lamang may magandang kinabukasan ako ay gusto kong ibalik ito sakanila. I want them to live a comfortable life wherein they don't have to worry about anything.
Pumwesto kami sa medyo gitna ng food court. Nilibot ko muna ang tingin at nag-isip ng gusto bago tumayo.
"I'll buy. What do you wanna eat?" Tanong ko sakanila.
"Choose anything you want but buy me fried noodles from Wok Box," sabi ni Daddy.
Tumango ako at inunang i-order ang sakaniya. I bought shawarma, tacos, burger, chicken and of course, rice. It's self service so Dad carried the other tray for me. Bumili na rin ako ng bubble tea for drinks.
"How's your work?" Tanong ni Mommy habang kumakain kami. I swallowed the remaining food in my mouth before answering. "It's fine, I've been busy these days so I wasn't able to call you more often."
"I've been getting more clients and they're always satisfied after the shoot. Their smiles are enough to comfort me during stressful days," dagdag ko.
"I hope you don't overwork yourself, rest when you feel exhausted," Dad said.
Tumango lang ako ulit at pinagpatuloy ang pagkain. They literally are the sweetest. Bondings with them are like healing.
"May boyfriend ka na?" Bulong ni Mommy.
"Mom, not this again," sagot ko. Gustong gusto na nila akong magka-boyfriend pero mas focus pa ako ngayon sa trabaho.
"What? You're already 24, Seiri. You haven't introduced us to any boys until now. You're not going to be a nun, are you?" She said.
"I'm still not ready though. Maybe when I really find the right one. The first thing I'll do is to introduce him to you," sagot ko.
"That's better. I hope that's sooner, I want to have an apo already," sabi ni Mommy.
"I agree," pag-segunda ni Daddy.
"Please, I'm still considered young. You're both just 51 years old, you're not a senior citizen yet," sabi ko sakanila.
Sa totoo lang, mukha palang silang 40 years old. Alam kong gusto lang nila ng bata na maalagaan. My cousins are sometimes visiting our house with their kids so I think that's enough for now.
"Just one favor, hon," sabi ni Daddy.
"Okay, what is it?" Tanong ko.
"You'll spend an entire week of vacation next week. Alone."
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Hello, Moonlights! The publishing date came earlier than expected. I'll be writing 4EVER and Come Back Home at the same time so expect slower updates, LMAO. Let us witness how this story will unfold together. Not so many twists, this is your typical love story. Have a great day ahead!
Also read:
– Augury's Bestowal
– Come Back Home
YOU ARE READING
4EVER
Romansa"It was summer when I first met you. Fall when I officially owned you. Winter when I took my first step away from you and spring when I found you again. You're forever my summer, fall, winter, spring."
