Warmest Rays Of Sunshine

Warmest Rays of Sunshine 000

PROLOGUE

"A sign language class? Out of the blue?" I stared at the special paper Ate Lexi handed me.

It is a membership one that is effective for the whole three months. It is actually free since it will help you train and become good at it. The schedule is not as bad as I thought. Kailangan mo lang mag attend ng FSL class ng 2-3 times a week.

"Yup. One of my colleagues gave it to me. Ribbon cutting nila last week at iyon ang pinuntahan ko that time. Her family owns it and her younger sister is their inspiration." Sagot niya sa'kin.

Muli akong napalingon kay Ate Lexi na kasalukuyang nag-aayos ng mga gamit niya. Nakapusod ang kaniyang mediyo curly at mahabang buhok at naka oversized white t-shirt ito. Nakaupo siya sa lapag at pinagsisiksikan ang mga damit sa maliit niyang maleta, habang ako ay nakaupo naman sa kama niya. May flight kasi siya mamayang gabi at baka after two weeks palang ulit siya makakauwi.

Pinapunta niya ako rito sa kwarto niya para lang ibigay sa akin 'to?

"What do you want me to do with it? I'm not interested, Ate Lexi. And I believe this is for you." Sabay abot ko ulit sa kaniya ng pastel blue envelope.

Sign language really intrigues me. It is like learning and getting into a whole new different world by trying to communicate through hand gestures. Sounds difficult if I may be honest. Interesting but not enough to make me want to learn it.

Tumigil siya sa ginagawa at tinignan ako. "Para sa'kin talaga 'yan. But, it would be great if you could use it on behalf of me. You know I can't do it because of my schedule."

"And what about me? I also have things to do."

"You're not even working, Mad. Hindi ka gano'n ka-busy, huy. Sayang naman 'yan kung hindi magagamit. Tatlong buwan lang naman tsaka hindi ka naman papasok everyday."

Napasimangot ako nang nilapag niya ulit ang envelope sa tabi ko. Just to be clear, I do have work at busy rin ako katulad niya. Tumutulong din ako sa resto-bar ng parents namin from time to time. I even do deliveries.

"I have work and hella busy." Giit ko.

"Yeah? Kapag gusto mo lang."

"Kaya nga self-employed, eh. At least I'm earning quite big just like you. The only difference is you got to travel the world. Perks of being a pilot, tsk."

Ate Lexi is a licensed pilot and already in her higher rank. She's called captain in her work line kaya minsan ay ginagamit niya yung position 'kuno' para lang utus-utusan ako.

Hindi ko rin expect na iyon ang kukunin niya.

"Envious of me?" She gave me a mischievous smirk kaya binato ko sa kaniya ang envelope na nilapag niya sa tabi ko kanina lang. Naiwasan niya 'yon kaya bumelat siya. Tinawanan niya pa ako.

"Why would I feel that towards you, Ate Lexi? Traveling is hassle." Napailing ako. "My work requires me to drive miles away just to meet a client, site visiting and what not. Enough na ang gano'ng hassle sa buhay ko."

That's only my opinion and I know it doesn't apply to everyone. Others might feel offended if they heard me say that, but not with Ate Lexi. She understands me so well. Alam niya kasi kung bakit ayoko.

Nakapunta na rin naman ako sa iba't-ibang bansa kasama ang family way back when my sisters and I were still kids. Occasionally ay nag-aaya rin naman sina Mama and Daddy pero hindi na ako sumasama katulad ng dati. Maganda, oo. Kaya lang hindi ko talaga hilig ang adventure. I find it hard to enjoy.

"Hassle in terms of planning, budgeting and packing and unpacking. But once you see the beauty the place has to offer, it's majestic. Traveling is entertainingly fun." She argued with an eye roll.