Best Regards, Feli

Chapter 12

The time for Aaron's science competition was fast approaching. Feli's younger brother would be absent from school for one week since he needed to go to another province for the said event. She had seen how much Aaron worked hard in the past weeks.

"Did you pack your clothes?" She asked.

"Done!" Aaron replied.

"Toiletries?"

"Inside the mini-bag."

"Phone? Charger? Wallet?"

"Here in my belt bag."

"Snacks?"

"In the travel bag."

This boy was indeed very responsible, she thought.

"How about your rosary and prayer booklet?"

Feli and her siblings were raised in a Catholic family. When the siblings were young, they would see their mother praying and reciting the rosary. Their grandparents were devotees of the Black Nazarene so they got to experience joining the procession every January.

However, Feli was not actively involved in the religious practices of Catholicism. She just maintained her connection with Jesus Christ through prayers and attendance in church masses.

"They're in my belt bag."

"Pray for a safe journey and peace of mind during the competition, okay?"

"Yes, Ate Feli," Aaron nodded as he slung his travel bag on his shoulder.

"Are you sure you had everything? Let me check your bag just in case."

"No need, Ate. I'm sure everything is here," he assured her. Then he grabbed a folded piece of paper from his pockets. "See? I have a checklist."

She inspected it and true to his word, it was a checklist. She sighed because she should not fuss over Aaron. She knew that his youngest brother was responsible unlike the other one.

When August and Andre were in elementary school, they would go on campings as boy scouts. August was so messy with his things and he would usually misplace his stuff. Naturally, Feli would go to the camping site and bring him his forgotten item.

"Alright. I won't check your bag anymore. Let's go."

After they said goodbye to their parents, they stood on the sidewalk to hail a ride. A tricycle stopped before them.

"Kuya, to the bus terminal," Feli instructed the tricycle driver. The tricycle driver nodded, then drove towards the station.

When they arrived, she saw that the representatives for other subjects were already there. Some teachers, who were the designated coaches, were also present. Feli waved at Michael who was seated with the contestants for the Poetry competition.

She and Aaron walked towards the group huddled in front of the rented bus.

"Secure all your belongings, especially your wallet. Always bring your belt bag with you. You'll never know, there might be thieves in the venue."

"Yes, Ate Feli. Don't worry about me. I can take care of myself."

She turned to him and smiled. It hurt a little bit when her younger siblings say those words to her. Feli helped their mother in raising them when their father was working abroad. She bathed them, fed them, changed their diapers, and sang them lullabies. She had been a nanny, a playmate, a teacher, and a protector to them.

As she looked at Aaron, she was reminded that he was already 14 years old. It was surreal because he was just the baby that she held in her arms when he would cry. It felt like it was just yesterday when Felicia witnessed some important moments in her brothers' lives like the first time they were able to walk and to talk.