Endless Memories

MEMORY I

"But as the years passed and the city around him changed, Samuel remained steadfast in his dedication to the music box and the memories it held. For in its haunting melody, he found solace and comfort, a reminder that even in the darkest of times, love endures.

"And so, as the old antique shop stood silent witness to the passage of time, Samuel continued to tend to his treasures, knowing that as long as the music played, the memories would never fade away. For in the heart of Endless Memories, love was immortal, and its song would echo throughout eternity."

I smiled after I read the last sentence of the story I'd read. It was a mixed feelings.

"What's the title of the story?" Uncle Doc asked. He's been here since earlier, checking my condition and listening to what I've blabbered.

I beamed a smile at him and fixed myself to sit comfortably. "Endless Memories, written by FrancescaTheresita! The famous author in the Philippines."

"Alright, kid! I'm not a fan of books, but I'd sense that you really like what you're reading," said Uncle Doc.

I pouted at him when he stood up. "Uncle Doc,"

"You should rest now, or your fever will come back again," He pinched my cheeks. "Tomorrow is your flight to the Philippines." he added.

When I heard the word 'Philippines', my body almost jumped in happiness. I'd been wanting to go back to my country. My father sent me to Canada with my grandparents when I was thirteen years old, and I've been here for five years now.

"Okay, Uncle Doc!"

Uncle Doc, or should I call him Dr. Evander Drish, is our family doctor. He's twelve years older than me, and I still like calling him Uncle Doc to tease him that he's getting older but still single.

"I'll talk to your grandparents; don't forget to drink your medicine!" He stormed out of my room and went to my grandparents' downstairs.

My father was about to cancel my flight when he heard me getting sick again. Well, it's my fault though; I went out yesterday without my heater pads in me, and it was a blizzard. I foraged my books in my vanity and went back to lying in bed.

I'd miss the Philippines. I missed home.

I was awakened by a knock on a door. Grandma went inside and checked my temperature. She smiled at me when my temperature went back to normal.

"Labin isang oras kang tulog, Apo." She was half laughing when she said it. "Kumain na tayo sa baba at baka malate tayo sa flight."

"Sige po, Lola," I said.

Grandpa was already drinking his morning coffee when we entered the kitchen. He was reading his favorite book, and when he felt us, he put it on the table and pinched my cheeks.

Mukhang kay lolo ko namana ang hilig sa pagbabasa ng libro.

"Kamusta na ang pakiramdam mo, apo? " He asked.

I answered him honestly. We were quite enjoying our breakfast when Lola broke it. Lola smack Lolo on the arm when he wasn't paying attention to what she just said. They are like this every morning. They would tease each other until one of them gave up. And I will always just watch them at the corner, or sometimes I will join their conversation.

Pagkatapos kong ma check ang lahat ng maleta ko at maisakay na ito sa suv ni Uncle Doc ay bumalik na ako sa loob ng bahay dahil sobrang lamig sa labas. Lola was chatting with Uncle Doc when I entered the house. Pareho silang mabilis na napatingin sa akin.

"Apo, malamig sa labas, diba sabi ng Uncle Doc mo na magpahinga ka dahil ilang oras na lang ay pupunta na tayo sa airport." Ngumisi lang ako kay lola at saka nagmamadaling pumunta sa kwarto ko.

My room is now empty. I cleaned it properly yesterday. I lay in bed again, feeling the comfort it brought me for five years.

I have been homeschooling since I was seven. My father realized that it would be better for me to stay at home to keep me safe and away from danger. He said the world is a dangerous place for me to wonder; it will just bring pain and suffering.

But I rebut it after watching documentaries about wild life and after reading a journal from those travelers. I've come to think that there is an adventure lying on its surface.

The world is big. I want to see the world. I want to feel the ground connecting my feet. I want to feel the breeze at night, letting me flow in its cold but tender touch.

I want to see the world.

For eighteen years of my life, I have been controlled, stayed at home, never even made any friends, and never felt the real joy and pain from the world that is given.

I reached for my bag at the vanity table and rummaged through it. After I found my phone, I clicked the Notepad app and listed the things that I wanted to do in the Philippines.

My father gave me two years to enjoy the Philippines. It was my eighteenth birthday wish. I badly wanted to go back to my country.

Ilang minuto ay tinawag na ako ni Lolo at aalis na raw kaya mabilis kong inayos ang sarili at isinukbit ang bag sa balikat ko. Bago ako lumabas ay tiningnan ko ng huling beses ang kabuuhan ng kwarto ko. Napangiti ako ng malungkot. Mukhang mamimiss ko itong kwarto ko.

Nagpaalam na rin si Lolo at Lola sa caretaker ng bahay namin dahil aalis na kami.

Sa likod kami ni Lola sumakay at si Lolo naman ay sa passenger seat para makapag-usap sila ni Uncle Doc. Sinalampak ko ang airpods sa tainga at nakinig sa mga musik ni Taylor Swift. I love her, especially her music's, dahil galing talaga sa puso at may pinaghugutan ito.

"Kailan ka uuwi ng Pilipinas, Evander?" Tanong ni Lolo rito.

"Tatapusin ko muna ang mga papeles, Lolo, para makapagsimula na ako sa Pilipinas." Paliwanag nito.

"Mabuti, Apo."

Ilang minuto ay natahimik ang dalawa habang ako ay nakikinig ay nakikikanta sa pinakikinggan kong music.

"Lolo, mag-aaral na po ba si Renella doon?" Parang huminto ang oras naming lahat dahil sa tanong ni Uncle Doc.

Kahit si Lolo ay nahihirapang sumagot dito dahil kahit siya ay hindi niya alam. Si Daddy lang ang may desisyon sa buhay ko. At ang Lolo at Lola ay nandito lang para gabayan ako na hindi maggawa ng aking ama dahil kasama nito ang bagong pamilya.

"Hindi pa namin alam, Evan." Sagot ni Lolo rito.

Hindi pa...

I know my father's decision is fixed. We will follow his command, and everything will be fine.

But I realized something: I am not fine. I will never be fine, not until I see the world for myself. I've never been a rebel because I'd always follow him.

But not this time. Not now that one of my dreams is within my reach.