MONTGOMERY 6 : Take A Chance

Special Chapter 2

Kathleen and Carl's Home

"Tali, sabay kayo ng Kuya mo uuwi mamaya?"

Inayos ko ang kanyang baon at nilagay ang ginawa kong ham and cheese sandwich sa kanyang lunchbag.

"Yes po, mama. Half day lang po kami ngayon dahil exams." My daughter sweetly answered.

I smiled at her and went towards her. Inabot ko siya at tinulungan ayusin ang kanyang uniform. Pinasadahan ko ang kanyang mahabang buhok at hindi ko mapigilan mapangiti habang pinagmamasdan ang anak ko.

She's now six years old, she just turned six yesterday pero dahil busy sila sa exams nila ay ngayon namin i-cecelebrate buhat ng last day na ng exams nila.

"Happy Birthday, my baby."

I kissed her forehead and can't help but to smile sweetly again.

Napanguso ang anak ko at kumunot ang kanyang noo.

"Kahapon po birthday ko, mama."

Natawa ako ng bahagya. "But still, it's your birth month."

Nanlaki ang kanyang mga mata at sumilay ang malawak na ngiti sa kanyang mga labi.

Oh... how I would trade everything just to see this smile everyday.

"Ibig sabihin, every day is my day this month, mama?" She said with so much anticipation.

Kunyari ay nag isip ako ng malalim pero sa huli ay hindi ko rin napigilan ang mapangiti dahil sa ekspresyon na kanyang binibigay.

She was intently looking at me with wide eyes. Magkahawak ang kanyang dalawang kamay habang nakadikit sa kanyang leeg. Habit niya ito kapag may bagay siyang sinusuri o hinihintay, hindi ko alam kung saan niya nakuha ang mannerism na iyon.

I raised an eyebrow while her eyebrows furrowed.

She's literally everything to me.

"Well... if you will be a good girl... yes."

Napaawang ang kanyang labi at mabilis na tumango-tango. She smiled widely as her eyes smiled too. Sumunod ang kanyang mahabang buhok sa bawat pag-galaw niya nang bahagya siyang tumalon-talon sa ibabaw ng upuan.

I immediately watched out for her, and laughed with her too. She has been a good girl, minsan nga ay mas mature pa siya sa kuya niya, hindi ko nakakaligtaan na sabihin kapag may ginagawa siyang mabuti kaya alam kong naiisip niya na madali lang iyon sa kanya.

"I think I will really get good grades, mama! Plus, sabi ni teacher ko, baka daw model student pa ako this year po."

Tumango-tango ako, I heard it too from her adviser. Na— wala pang sigurado pero baka nga siya ang model student sa klase nila, at running for top one rin siya. But regardless... I am already proud.

I don't need her to be the best at everything, I just want her to remain the humble, sweet and full of love I taught her to be.

"It doesn't matter, Tali. Hindi kailangan ni mama 'yon, it doesn't define who you are. Basta you promise me that you will continue being good to your brother, and to everyone around you. Okay?"

She nodded and hugged me. "I love you, mama."

Nanglambot lalo ang puso ko sa narinig. I guess, it is every mom's dream to hear this everyday, and thank God... I hear this every single day.

"I love you too, my baby. So much!" I hugged her a little tight and laughed as she wiggled.

"Masikip, mama," daing niya kaya bahagya kong niluwagan.