Hidden City

Province

I've waited for this moment for almost sixteen years and tadaaaa! My heart jumped out with happiness when I finally saw the lovely environment.

It is not the tall buildings and infrastructures, the various sounds of transportation, and the busy streets anymore. But, it is the tall trees, the green grasses, the simple but modern kubo houses, and even the beautiful mountain and plain terrains blended with perfect blue skies and the sweetest melodies of nature. The life that is full of green scenery, the province.

One thing is for sure, naa na jud ko diri sa balay sa akong Lola. So excited to be back here again because I've a lot of missed activities here that once made my childhood days memorable.

I stayed here before for only two years, I was 4 years old at that time but when school days started nibalik ko sa amoa. I've grown up in the City, that's why it's a big deal for me to spend a vacation at Lola's residence.

"Dalaga na kaayo ka Kiray ba. Sauna sip-onon paka katong last nimong bakasyon diri pero look at you now dako na kaayo ang kabag-uhan sa imo no. Ilang ginaingun nga when maturity hits pero except lang jud sa imong height."

Gilibot nako akong pang lantaw sa palibot ug there I saw him. A man with grayish hair approached me with his wide smile, my Tiyo Ricky.

I missed this man because looking back, he was the one who made me some cheap toys before such tabanog using a paper, pusil-pusil nga hinimo sa kawayan ug truck-truck nga hinimo sa sanga sa saging. My childhood was filled with so many genuine happy memories. Grabi! I miss those golden days which was my only problem is madagma ra jud because lampa kaayo ko. And of course, I was an instant billionaire back then.

This place taught me how to live a pure life even in a simple way. Different in the City where I came from, we have to spend some of our money first only to buy what we need and what we want most of the time. But here in my Lola's place, you can get most of your wants and needs in life anytime without even bothering to pay, libre ra halos ang tanan labi na kung kugihan ka and maayo nga pagka tawo. When you ask for something sa mga tawo diria, kusang loob na nila ihatag nimo, and yes just a simple thank you can make them smile like sweet candy.

"Si Tiyo jud oy, wala sad ka nagbag-o. Sungogan gihapon kang dako." I replied and gigakos nako siya'g duro.

"Di man sa sungog pero unta Kiray no, magluksuan ka kada bag ong tuig. Kitaa lang na imong height. Nah, di nalang ko magsulti." He teased me and laughed.

He's still my Tiyo Ricky that I've known before, ang pinaka sungogan.

Nibuwag kos pag gakos namo and I dashed him softly. Gikuha pud ni Tiyo ang dala nako nga maleta sa isa ka ulitawo nga nitabang nako ug dala sa akong mga gamit padung diri sa balay ni Lola. I didn't expect him nga mudala sa akong gamit kay he was doing something sa isa ka garden, pero when he saw me nga nag struggle ug dala sa gamit he approached me right away and gibiyaan ang iyahang pag pangguna.

"Thank you, Kuya." I smiled and handed the money sa ulitawo pero he refused with a wide smile.

"Ari nako Angkol Ricky ug Miss." Sulti sa ulitawo ug nilargo nag lakaw way lingi-lingi.

Tiyo nodded and guided me inside the house. Pagsulod nako, daghay nausab sa balay. Pero ang picture nila Lolo ug Lola ray nagpabilin nga nakabutang gihapon sa sala. You can see that they're both so inlove.

I didn't feel any rue or what of choosing this place because at first it's my will and I'm happy for it kay grabi jud ni nako na miss ang lugar. I could even refuse my mama's offer to follow her to Italy as one of her college graduation presents to me. I know that it might be simple being here but it means a lot to me that will surely make my vacation days priceless rather than staying abroad.