RIVALRY [ heesun ]

ten.

"Happy birthday, Nanay!"

Saktong paglabas ko ng room ko ay naroon si Nanay Fina, pinupunasan ang mga collection of vases ni mom na nasaloob ng cabinets. Nang makita ako, she spread her arms para masalubong ko siya ng yakap. We swayed our bodies a little na parang sumasayaw. Laughing from what we did, pareho kaming kumalas sa yakap.

"Nako! Ako'y muntik nang atakihin sayo.." She was startled by my greeting, nakahawak siya ngayon sa kanyang dibdib, smiling, "..salamat, alaga kong iyakin." She said with a teasing smile.

"Nanay naman, I'm not iyakin anymore!" Sabi ko habang tumatawa. Niyakap ko siyang muli.

"Parang kailan lang ay umiiyak ka sa tuwing ihahatid kita sa eskwelahan dahil ayaw mong magpaiwan.. Hay, kay bilis talaga ng panahon, ano? Ang laki-laki mo na, chito ko."

I smiled upon reminiscing those times that I would cry really hard just for Nanay to stay in school until my class ends. I was so used to her presence that even just for a second na mawala siya sa paningin ko, iiyak ako at hahanapin siya. As for the nickname chito, ibinansag iyon ni Nanay sa'kin when we first met. Singkit daw kasi ang mga mata ko at ang balat ko'y kasing puti ng gatas kaya chinito ako. Pinaikli kaya naging chito.

"Right po. Time flies really fast. Anyway, Nanay, why are you still cleaning? Diba po you are going to Jerbania today? Dapat po ay nagpapahinga kayo." I said, pouting. Kinuha ko na sa kanya ang basahan na pinanglilinis niya.

"Eh alam mo namang hindi ko kayang iwanan itong bahay na marumi. Kailangan kong siguraduhin na maayos muna ang kalagayan niyo rito bago ako umalis." She smiled and I can't help but to feel touched by her words.

Kahit ilang taon na ang lumipas, siya pa rin ang Nanay Fina na ang prayoridad ay ang ikabubuti namin. Hindi ko pa siya narinig o nagsabi kahit isang beses na pagod siya. She loved what she's doing, but I know deep inside she wanted to be taken care of too. And that's my responsibility, to keep Nanay Fina healthy and happy.

Hindi ko napansing nagluluha na pala ang mga mata ko. Mabuti na lamang at hindi iyon nakita ni Nanay.

"I just want to let you know that I'm really thankful for all the things you've done for us, Nanay. Just like what you always say to me since I was a child, hindi rin po kita iiwan at papabayaan. I love you po!" I gave her a quick hug and she returned it.

Matapos ang konting drama ay sinabihan niya akong pumunta na ng dining area para kumain ng almusal. Siya naman ay maghahanda na para sa pag-alis niya mamaya papuntang Jerbania.

"Naroon na ang mga magulang mo kaya sabayan mo na sila." Dagdag pa ni Nanay bago pumasok ng kwarto.

My parents are here?

But it's weekdays?

I dismissed my thoughts and I went straight to the Dining Area, only to find my parents holding some papers and gadgets with their hands and barely eating their food.

Dahan-dahan akong umupo at kumuha ng rice and bacon para ilagay sa plato.

"Johann, you're awake." Dad said without looking at me. Nakatutok pa rin ito sa mga papel na hawak niya.

"Yes po. Good morning, mom and dad." a faint smile is visible on my face.

"How was school lately? We haven't heard any good news from you." Narinig kong sabi ni mom habang inaayos ang buhok niya na nakatingin sa iPad.

No returning of Good mornings..

"It's good as always po. I've been participating actively on class and I'm getting high scores too—"