March 28, 2021
Quezon City, Philippines
I'm now riding on my way back to our house pagkagaling ng ensayo ng mga Mang-aawit para sa pagsamba. This will be our last na choir practice bago magigng ECQ(Enhanced Community Quarantine) na ulit ang buong Quezon City dahil sa pagtaas ng mga COVID-19 cases.
"Nandito na tayo," sabi ni kuya Carlos nang naka-parada na kami sa harap ng bahay.
I grabbed my bag saka bumaba ng sasakyan habang nire-ready nang mabuksan yung gate para makapark na sa garahe yung sasakyan. But before that, I'm disinfecting my hands with my rubbing alcohol gel.
"Hi, ate!" Andrea ran towards me as I entered the house, hugging my torso while I can already savor the aroma of fried rice na nagpapakulo ng tiyan ko. Hmmm, sarap naman! 🤤
"Morning!" I hugged her back, "Nag-breakfast na kayo?" I ask.
"Opo, ate." sagot neto habang sinabit ko yung face shield sa tabi ng pintuan with the others.
"Morning po!" her younger brother; Nathaniel, greeted me also with a hug.
"Hewo, Nat!" bati ko. Ampogi niya kahit mukhang bagong gising!
"Hiiiii, ate Anna!" their napaka-pogi rin na mga pinsan; Sevier, Chris, and Albert, ran towards me with their arms open as I'm being squished by their super higpit na yakap. Goodness! I'm literally dying from their cuteness!
Annaliese Thalia Manalo pala ang buong pangalan ko, so they called me Anna for short. I'll be 16 soon - yes kasama ako sa kapisanang BINHI, and this is what my life is like bilang isang anak ng ministro. Or... anak ng - you know who it is! 😊
"Hello my babies!" I hugged them back.
"Hi, Anna!" bati ni tita Gemma sabay halik niya sa pisngi ko. Gosh! Even though turning nine months na ang tiyan niya, she's still had the glowing face.
"Morning po, tita!" sabi ko. "Si Daddy E po?" I ask, my eyes roaming around the room for his silhouette.
Tita Gemma chuckled, "Sumabay din sa amin kanina, baby. Don't worry."
"Hmmm, okie." I nodded, expected na busy yun siya sa kanyang tungkulin. Lalo na't Namamahala siya ng kabuuan ng INC.
That's what my day is usually like bilang isang Mang-aawit sa Iglesia Ni Cristo. Waking up earlier than 5am, igagayak yung sarili ko with the notes I'll be using sa pagsamba, then come home for like 6 or 6:15 and have breakfast with the fam bago ako pumasok sa school.
Most peeps would say na amboring naman ng buhay ko, walang thrill. But for me, hindi talaga kukumpleto ang araw ko without these.
And I'm not even complaining!
"Oh, palit ka muna ng damit saka sumabay ka na kina tito Angelo mo na magkain, 'kay?" utos neto, I nod lightly as response.
"Hi, baby Miggy! Can't wait to see you soon, buddy!" I greeted the baby inside tita's tummy saka ko pinatong yung kamay ko sa tiyan niya.
Boop! Ramdam ko agad ang sipa niya, haha.
"Magbihis ka na daw, oh!" said tita Gemma na parang naiitindihan niya yung sinabi ni baby, haha.
I went upstairs to my bedroom at nagpalit na ako sa damit pambahay. Pagkatapos nun ay tinabi ko muna yung bag ko sa sabitan kasama yung facemask ko, saka na ako bumaba patungo sa dining room where nandun na sina tito Angelo at tita Dorothy.
Mukhang ngayon lang din mag-aalmusal sila - except for their hubbies and kiddos since sumabay din kina tita Gemma kanina.
"Morning po, tito!" bati ko sabay kiss sa mala-bungisngis niyang pisngi.
YOU ARE READING
Where My Heart Lies Between
Fanfic| revised version & under editing | Annaliese Thalia is known for being an active member in the Iglesia Ni Cristo. Growing up from the conservative, yet a big, happy, and a loving family of the Executive Minister; her life revolves around school, ch...
