“Where are they?” tanong ni Kairo sa kasambahay na bumungad sa amin.
Around 8 a.m. kami nakarating sa La Union dahil 4 a.m. pa lang ay ginising ko na si Kairo para makaalis kami.
If only I knew, dapat kahapon pa kami dito para nasalubong namin ang birthday ni Celeste. We could have woken her up when the clock streaked at 12 a.m. A party popper would welcome her as she opened her eyes and we’d sing a birthday song. After the song, she’d blow the candle on top of her cake.
That would surely make her happy.
“Nasa balcony po sa itaas, nag-aalmusal po.” Aniya at kinuha ang mga regalo namin para kay Celeste.
Kay Kairo lang naman iyong limang paper bags at isang malaking box habang ang akin ay maliit lang na kahon na naglalaman ng kuwintas.
My gift for Celeste is a silver necklace with a small phoenix as its pendant.
A phoenix is a mythological bird that symbolizes rebirth, renewal, and immortality. This powerful symbol also represents resilience, strength, and the ability to overcome challenges and begin anew.
I thought of Celeste when I first found out the meaning of the phoenix.
She’s undergoing chemotherapy and I admire her a lot because she hasn’t just not lost her hair, but she also hasn’t lost hope despite being young.
Celeste is one of the rare individuals who didn’t lose her hair amidst the heavy dosages of the treatment she’s undergoing every month. And just like how her beautiful hair remained intact, her bravery and strength remained in her heart too.
I know that Celeste couldn’t yet understand everything that’s happening in her life. Maybe, she doesn’t even know that her life is limited—that she’ll bid farewell to this world earlier than others.
I admire her because despite the harsh treatments and difficult days, her ability to find light and happiness in simple pleasures mirrors the phoenix’s triumphant rebirth, symbolizing strength, renewal, and the enduring spirit of life.
She is indeed an epitome of strength and rebirth for me because amidst what she’s experiencing, she’s still very hopeful that one day, she’ll be able to survive and fight the cancer cells that have been trying to ruin her since she was young.
“Nandiyan ba talaga ang mga magulang mo?” kinakabahang tanong ko kay Kairo habang binabaybay namin ang kahabaan ng kanilang enggrandeng hagdan.
Hawak niya ako sa kamay—nagpapatiuna dahil ayaw kong sumabay sa kaniya. Nahuhuli ako ng isang baitang sa kaniya at kaunti na lang ay hihilahin ko siya pababa para hindi kami matuloy sa pag-akyat.
“Yeah…” Tango niya habang nakatalikod sa akin. “Why?”
“Sana ikaw na lang pala ang pumunta rito.” Bulong ko na siguradong narinig niya.
He was chuckling when he glanced at me behind. “Why? What made you regret your decision real quick?”
Ngumuso ako at muling humakbang nang magsimula muli siyang maglakad. Ipinagpapasalamat ko talaga na mahaba-haba ang hagdan nila kaya may oras pa ako para mapilit si Kairo na huwag na lang kaming tumuloy.
“Baka kasi alukin nila ako ng sampung milyon para layuan ka.” Nalanguso kong sabi. “Hindi pa naman ako tumatanggi sa grasya.”
It only made him laugh.
“Silly.” Aniya at hinila ako sa baywang para mapalapit sa kaniya.
Hindi ko namalayang narating na namin ang dulo at nilalakad na namin ang mahabang hallway kung saan naroroon ang magkaharap na mga kwarto. Sa dulo ng hallway ay ang nakabukas na pinto na magdadala sa amin sa kanilang balcony.
