VC
Ngumiti ako sa dagat ng mga bata na nakaupo sa covered court ng Balay Kalinga, ang mga ngiti sa labi nila ay hindi maalis, maaga silang gumising at pumila pero ang energy nila ay hindi padin nauubos siguro dahil marami silang nakikita laruan at gamit na alam nilang ibibigay namin sa kanila.
"Magandang umaga sainyo!" Panimula ko dahil ako ang naatasan mag-opening ng program.
"Maganda umaga po kuya NuNew!" Sabay-sabay nilang bati. Napangiti ako dahil bakas talaga ang saya sa boses nila.
"Wow, ang energetic naman ninyo, sana hanggang mamaya ganyan. Madami tayong games na gagawin at madami ding prizes, kaya sana lahat ay magparticipate, okay? Ang mga kuya at mga ate na nandito ngayon ay makakasama niyo sa laro at pagbabasa pero bago natin simulan ang lahat magdadasal muna tayo. Andito si Kuya Nat para mag lead ng prayer." Nanlaki ang mata ni Nat nakikita kong ekspresyon niya na gusto niya akong saktan.
Paglapit niya sakin ay sinamaan niya ako ulit ng tingin, "Anong gusto mong idasal ko, "Bless us O'Lord and these thy gifts?"
"Pang-recess yon, gago." Bulong ni Yim na katabi ko. Natawa ako at pinasa ang microphone sa kaniya.
Nagsimula ang program, tapos na kami kanina magset up ng art supplies, para sa painting session. Zee insisted of helping me, kilig na kilig ang ibang officers at kanina pa nila ako tinatanong how did I manage to get the whole varsity to volunteer especially Zee, natahimik na lamang ako. How can I say nakipagmake out ako sa kaniya sa kotse niya hindi lang isang beses, dalawa. Last time ay sa condo niya pa!
Sila Nat ay nakatoka sa pagbabasa, nasa kabilang part sila ng venue. Nago-observe lamang ako sa mga bata at nag-aasssist kapag kailangan nila ng tulong or additional materials.
Staring at them now I can't help but ask how their parents managed to leave them. Maybe it's because I come from a complete family with loving parents that I don't understand why. Everyone has their reasons, but when you look at the innocent faces of the children abandoned in this facility, you'll feel sad and wish they weren't experiencing this. No child in the world should go through this. They all have the right to grow up with the love and care of their parents.
But, despite their situation, I still see hope in their eyes. Despite the pain and hardship they endure, I know they remain hopeful that one day people will come who will love and care for them. I am thankful this facility strives to give them a temporary home and care, but we know that the love of a real family is irreplaceable.
Because of my deep thoughts I hadn't realized that Zee was already beside me. He looked so concerned. Had I been staring off into space for a long time?
"Are you okay?" Zee asked softly, his voice pulling me back to the present.
"Sorry, ano yon?" I asked, standing up straight and looking at him. His white t-shirt clung tightly to his body, emphasizing his frame. The atmosphere felt tense as we both stood here, searching for the right words.
"You're zoning out, baka pagod kana? Take a seat." Akmang kukunin niya ang monoblock chair na bakante para ibigay sakin pero hinawakan ko ang palapulsuhan niya para pigilan siya.
"Okay lang ako may naiisip lang." Nagtagal ang hawak ko sa kaniya at hinayaan niya lang ako, nakakunot ang noo niya habang nakatitig doon.
