Be the First

23 : Yellow Skies

"Dani, wake up." I heard my Mom's sweet voice near my ear as she starts to tap my shoulder gently. "Dani, baby, wake up or we'll be late."

"Hmmm. Ten minutes pa po, please." I mumbled, dahil sobrang inaantok pa talaga ako. I stayed up late last night doing advanced reading on some subjects.

It's a Sunday. I should get more sleep.

"You told me to wake you up no matter what." Naramdaman kong kinikiliti na ni Mom ang tagiliran ko kaya napapitlag na ang katawan ko.

"Mom! Stop!" I giggled. "Okay! Okay! I'm up!" Natatawa pa ako nang hilahin ako ni Mom papatayo at niyakap niya ako nang mahigpit.

"Happy sixteenth birthday, my girl." I pulled away and noticed her sniffing with tears in her eyes. "Time flies so fast. Oh, my... Parang kahapon lang, ang liit liit mo. Now, I have a young lady who gives me smart remarks like her father." Natatawa niyang sabi.

Niyakap ko rin siya in return. I hate seeing Mom cry, kahit na happy tears pa 'yan. "Thank you, Mom. I love you, always."

"Oh, I love you too, anak." Nagtagal pa kami ng ilang minuto bago pa niya ako bitawan. "So, what do you wanna do today? Maaga ka nagpapagising."

"Punta tayo kay Grandpa sana." Sagot ko sabay lingon kay Mom. Hindi niya ako masisisi na palaging maalala si Grandpa tuwing birthday ko.

My birthday is the very same day my Dad's father died. He died when I was eight, and since then, palaging hiling kong bisitahin ang puntod niya every morning of my birthday bago kami mag-celebrate.

By celebrating, I don't mean parties and dances and roses. Tinanong na ako noong nakaraan kung anong gusto kong gawin sa sixteenth birthday ko, at tumanggi akong magpa-party because that's not like me.

Matagal akong tinignan ni Mom tapos ay hinaplos niya ang pisngi ko. "My sweet, sweet girl. Kumain muna tayo sa baba."

Sabay naming tinungo ang dining area and I found the table full with hot meals, but with empty chairs. "Gising na ba si Dad?" Nilingon ko si Mom, at hindi niya ako masagot.

"Well, he's...." Hindi ako matignan sa mata ni Mom, and I know what she would say. It's either a business trip or an emergency at work I don't know about. "He'll be here later, Dani. I promise."

"Okay." I did not let disappointment ruin my day. Dahil sanay naman na ako na absent ang Dad ko sa maraming importanteng araw ng buhay ko. And he makes it a point that he always makes it kahit late pa siya umuwi. "Did you make the pancakes, Mom? Smells heavenly!"

After devouring breakfast, I went back upstairs for a shower. Nagsulat muna ako saglit sa daily journal ko saka ako naghanap ng maisusuot. Let's make today fun!

I decided to wear a yellow skirt with a white collared blouse and a pair of white short boots. Mom walked in to give me her birthday gift. Gusto niyang buksan ko na kaagad.

It was a collection of hair pains and clips that Nona and I wanted so bad! It's a limited collection kaya naman pricey at balak naming paghatian ni Nona sa Christmas money namin this year. I love it so much!

Sinuot ko ang isang puting pares ng hair clips and I let Mom do my hair. I let her put some light make up on my face, and we both wore matching shades today.

Mom and I drove to the cemetery first and paid respects to Grandpa. Naulit na naman ang kwento ni Mom sa akin na noong una, ayaw raw ni grandpa kay Mom para kay Dad. Their relationship were tested too many times. Eventually, grandpa's heart has changed when I was born.