𝑾𝒂𝒍𝒌𝒊𝒏𝒈 𝑫𝒊𝒔𝒂𝒔𝒕𝒆𝒓

Chapter 9

Chapter 9:

𝑾𝒂𝒍𝒌𝒊𝒏𝒈 𝑫𝒊𝒔𝒂𝒔𝒕𝒆𝒓

After living in the US for years, going back to the Philippines seemed like entering a dream. I felt a tornado of emotions hit me the instant I stepped off the jeep. My heart danced with excitement, eagerness, and a little bit of nervousness as I made my way to our house, which was really simply a sari-sari shop with our house above it. My younger sister Fia, my father Thomas, and his wife Kaina were waiting for me there. An unbelievable delight overwhelmed me at seeing them after all this time. I hurried into their embrace and had a wave of nostalgia.

"Daddy! Maria! "Fia!" Barely able to control my excitement, I yelled out. With pride and joy in his arms, my father gave me a firm hug. He said, "Welcome back, Tristian," with a voice brimming with emotion. Maria greeted me with a bright grin. "Hijo," which is the charming Spanish phrase for son, said, "It's lovely to have you home." Now five years old and full of energy, fia clung to me and her happy eyes glowed. She cried, "Kuya Tristian, you're here!" while cuddling the teddy bear I had sent her.

"My little bunny grew up," I said, lifting my younger sister up and giving her a strong embrace after years of not seeing her. It was an emotional moment for me to watch my sister grow up digitally, so I kissed her a lot.I turned to face my stepmother, grinned, and planted a kiss on her cheek."Hi, Mom." Maria gave me a motherly look and touched my cheek. "Hun, it's nice to have you back."

They pulled me inside. My father was carrying my bags inside the family's house. "Fia, you have something from Kuya." As I gave it to her, I reached into my purse for a Barbie doll. "Mommy! Daddy! See! , Kuya got me barbie! She proudly showed it to our parents, bouncing up and down with delight as she held the gift in her hands and said, "Daddy! Open!" She squealed, pleading with our father to give her the gift. "sure, princess." She played with it right next to me once and broke it open. As a gift, I bought my folks some new outfits. "You didn't need to buy this nak." My father accepted the item I gave him with a smile and a gruff voice. With a smile on her face, my stepmother thanked me for giving her the gift. "These are lovely presents sweetheart specially the dress that you've given me.." I nodded my head and grinned broadly, saying, "Mom, it's not such a big deal; you deserve it."

We spent a few hours conversing and having fun before the sun fell and we all got ready for bed. Even though Fia wouldn't go to sleep, she pleaded to spend the night with me if she could she wouldnt sleep at all."No, no! I sleep a bed with Kuya!" My parents had no choice but to let my younger sister sleep rather than have her cry, so I tucked her in my bed and reassured her that she would sleep, saying, "You sleep na ok?" Thankfully, she granted my request without causing me any problems. We switched rooms, thus my bedroom slightly changed, but other than that, everything is ideal. My sister was sound asleep.Despite our difficult circumstances, we were content to have each other's company because that was what truly mattered to us. I will always be grateful that I have this family. I would never trade them for anything.