Where My Heart Lies Between

Chapter 72: Time well-spent - Part II

Meanwhile—

Bongbong

"You have arrived to your destination."

Sabi ng Waze sa phone ko saka binagalan ni Troi ang takbo ng sasakyan as he's parking the car. 

I checked the time on my watch, and it's now 15 minutes before 3 nang nakarating na kami sa tapat ng bahay ng Ka. Eduardo. We're actually inside of Tierra Bella Homes dito sa Tandang Sora. Most of the people who lived in this gated residential area ay ang mga ministro at yung mga bagong graduates ng ministerial school ng INC with their families.

Traffic talaga nung papunta kami ng SM Mandaluyong. Kaya tama lang na umalis na agad kami right after ng lunch namin. 

"Is this their house?" tanong ni Liza habang tumitingin siya sa bintana. It is their first time coming here—except for me, syempre.

"It looked like those houses dun sa McKinely Village." pag-oobserve naman ni Simon. "Big, but understandable naman ang size since it's a one big family living here."

"True." pag-agree naman ni Vincent saka niya tinignan ulit yung bahay. "It didn't look too modern and grandiose, from what I expect it to be— of course."

Liza giggled. "Okay, okay. Enough muna sa pagdadaldal about the itsura ng house and let's go!" panimula nito saka kinuha yung bag niya. "Baka magtatampo na ang bunso natin, gusto niyo ba?"

We laughed afterwards dahil may point naman siya. "Your Mom's right, boys. Tara!"

We immediately got out of the car with they boys helping Troi for our baggages and the pasalubongs. Even though it's a hot afternoon, ramdam ko yung simoy ng hangin na tumatama sa direksyon namin.

While Liza is still observing the surroundings, I walked towards the gate saka ko pinindot yung doorbell...

*ding dong~ ding dong~*

Umabante ako ng onti para ma-give way for someone to open it. We heard some clicks, a soft creaking of their door, and the clapping of slippers; signaling us na may tao na sasalubong sa amin. At bungad namin pagbukas ng gate ay si Dorothy.

"Tito! Welcome back po!" sinalubong niya agad ako ng mano at yakap. "Oh, salamat sa Diyos! Okay ka na po!" masayang netong sinambit.

Natatawa ako dyan. "Thank you for the prayers, 'nak." panimula ko, kumalas naman siya sa yakap. "Hmmm, musta ka na, Dory?" sabi ko, with a nickname I call nung bata pa siya.

Dorothy smiled. "Eto, busy bee po in my church duties. We're okay naman po, don't worry." she giggled. 

Agad niyang nakita ang asawa ko. "Hi, tita!" pagbati ni Dory saka lumapit kay Liza and the two ladies are happily catching up about their day.

"Dichi! Long time no see!" Simon greeted Dorothy with a friendly fistbump and hugs, ganun din naman kay Vincent.

Silang tatlo nina Gemma at Angelo are my sons' playmates back then before kami lumipat ng Ilocos Norte at pinanganak si Anna. Minsan, sinama ko ang tatlo para ma-visit namin ang Ka. Erdie and family— pag maluwag-luwag naman ang mga schedule namin.

"Nandito na ba sila, 'nak?" our attention turned to the woman who's probably at Liza's age, walking towards us. Yan siguro ay isa sa mga house angels nila.

"Opo, 'nay!" sagot ni Dory. "Si Nanay Sanya po pala yan, tito; tita." pag-introduce neto sa amin.

"Aahhh! Jusko po! Kayo nga!" nagtititili si Nanay na patalon-talon nang makita niya ako at sumalubong with a hug and a squishy handshake na dahilan para natatawa kami. "Naku! Welcome nga pala, BBM! Salamat at nakarating na kayo dito, jusko!" dagdag pa niya.