Endless Memories

MEMORY II

I want to experience something that is worth remembering. They said that 'Life is a journey filled with twists and turns, highs and lows. But amidst the chaos, there lies a beauty waiting to be discovered-a beauty born from resilience, courage, and unwavering determination.'

And I agree...

Even though I didn't have that much experience, I'd still know it because I have something in me that is worth fighting for. But I'll only win it if I have to walk in the path of Life.

For fifteen straight hours, I've been lying my ass out in a business class and sleeping the entire flight.

I was jet-lagged the entire time, so I didn't know how I was doing. I just remembered someone waiting for us after we landed at the Mactan-Cebu International Airport. That long flight almost killed me.

It was already seven in the evening when we got home. My father's new family welcomed us with lots of Filipino foods that I had craved since earlier, when we landed.

Tita Jennel was accommodating, she was very welcoming and kind. She compliments me more than I remember. She and Daddy were sweet, and their love was as tender and soft as I'd imagine.

Their daughter, Elena, my half sister, was almost taller than me, and she's just eleven.

I don't hold grudges, but I can feel my voice constricted enough to even utter a word. And suddenly, all the joy in my body left out my soul.

Nakaramdam ako ng pagod bigla, kaya nagpaalam na ako sa kanilang lahat na magpahinga na ako.

Lola looks at me with a sad smile. I force a small smile to make her feel relieved, but I think she knows me very well. Well, I grew up with her my entire life.

I followed Tita Jennel; she smiled at me as she showed me my new room. Its theme was baby pink-just my favorite.

When she left me, my body easily broke down from the bed. I cannot control my tears as they stream down my cheeks.

How could my father be happy like that when he knew that I also needed him? As what I saw earlier, they were the happiest family. It feels like I am just a relative to them, who flew all the way from Canada to visit their country.

I'd never felt my father's sympathy in my whole life. He abandoned me to my grandparents. And now, I think it's not a good decision to leave Canada and live here for two years if all I'll see is a sweet, complete family that I would never experienced.

I have no strength to organize my things in my new room. I just took a short, hot shower and went straight to bed.

Alas otso na ng magising ako sa katok. Rinig ko ang tawag ni Lola sa akin sa labas at kakain na raw ng umagahan. Bago ako lumabas ay nag-ayos muna ako ng sarili.

Nagsuot lang ako ng dress at isang manipis na cardigan dahil nararamdaman ko na ang mainit na klimeta ng Pilipinas.

Masiglang tawanan at kwentuhan ang natagpuan ko sa baba. Binati ko sila Lolo at Lola pati na rin si Daddy at ang asawa nito.

Katabi kong umupo si Elena. Mabait naman siya at hindi makulit katulad ng napanood ko sa palabas. Nagulat ako nang nilagyan niya ng kanin at ulam ang plato ko.

"Thank you." Ang tangi ko lang nasabi.

Napatingin ako sa ulam ko. Puros ito preservatives at taba na ipinagbabawal sa akin ng Doctor noon. Pero isiniwalang bahala ko nalang dahil hindi naman ako pinigilan ni Lola.

Masaya silang nag-uusap sa mga buhay nila dito sa probinsya, pati na ang kompanya at ang mga kaganapan nung wala ako dito.

Napag-isipan ng buong pamilya na mag bakasyon kami ng dalawang araw sa Palawan. May rest house kasi si Tita Jennel doon at namimiss na rin daw nila ang maligo sa dagat. Puro tango lang din ang ginawa ko kapag tinatanong nila ako.