JAR OF SENSES

16

"Tine, bakit ka malungkot?" my friend Dani asked me while she's busy giving Azi a little tickle.

I'm happy she's here, with the group, they did not let me feel alone. Dinamayan nila ako from the beginning.

It's my first time celebrating new year with a special blessing, my Azi baby. I don't know why I'm sad, I can't explain myself at the moment.

"Kasi siguro nam-miss mo naman family mo, your mother and your siblings?" dugtong niya matapos hindi makatanggap ng sagot sa akin.

Pinasa niya si Azi kay Aizh na giliw naman na tinanggap ang bata.

"Tine, we know iba iyong pakiramdam na nadyan iyong family mo, but still nandito rin kami, si Dana, Aizh, Cheyl, Jean at Kara, mga kaibigan mo, pamilya mo rin." she said before pulling me into a hug.

Tumulo na lang ang mga luha ko, they did not failed to not feel me alone.

"Group hug," ani Dana na gumitgit sa aming dalawa na sinundan din ng iba. Dinig ko pa ang bungisngis ni Azi nang sumiksik din si Aizh sa amin.

"Hoy, malamig na iyong lumpia, makunat na naman ito." si Dana na nakaharap na sa mga pagkain.

It's the 30th day of December. Maaga na naming ipinagdiriwang ang new year, at hindi kami magkikita-kita bukas to celebrate the new year. Medyo malayo rin kasi ang mga bahay namin kahit na nasa parehong barangay lang naman kami.

May palabok, lumpia, adobo, kanin, at fishball na malapit na maubos sa mesa. Kunting salu-salo kasama ang mga kaibigan ko na hindi ako iniwan nang ako ay lugmok na lugmok.

It's not all about how expensive the food serve on the table. It's not the place you will hang out. It is the laugh and smile on the conversation we have. It is all about the memories we created, that someday I will reminisce.

It's okey to not have your family beside yours, as long as you have your true friends who love you as who you are.

And I'm grateful enough to have this people.