All over again

Chapter 1

After 5 years working in the city, I decided to book a flight home for the upcoming holidays. As the panganay of the family I was assigned to do the holiday groceries alone while everyone else is busy. The lazy human inside me decided to sched the errand day before the actual holiday. Wow. The introvert me really enjoy the thick crowd in every corner of the mall.

It was nearly dawn after I finished shopping, as a result of holiday and 13th month pay everyone is out for shopping. Commuting is not bearable. I was outside the mall waiting for a tricycle when an unfamiliar sedan stopped in front of me. I noticed someone familiar as it rolls down the windows. It was someone from my past, the last person I wanted to meet.

"Laba ang pila sa terminal pauli sa banwa nyo" he then said. I know he knows that I won't dare to ride in his car.

"Basi madulum nalang wala ka pa kaabot sa baryo" he continued persuading me to ride his car.

It took a while to convince myself that I'm an adult, so I need to think maturely and be professional.

"didto lang ko ipanaog sa banwa bago ang amon. Mapasugat nalang ko kay papang" I said upon seating beside him. Well at first, I really want to ride at the back seat because I want to treat him like my personal driver.

"Malakat man japon ko sa baryo kay idul-ong ko ning padala ni mamang kag papang kay tiyoy kag tiyay" he said while driving.

I never dared to initiate a conversation until we were in front of my house. The first house he designed ever. The first project he took after passing his licensure exam and getting his license.

I remember back then; he was my human diary. Whenever my day ends, we would catch up and talked about our day at work. He would listen to my rants, celebrate with me whenever I achieved something, and would comfort me in my mental breakdowns. Even though we end up like this I know that he will and always be special to me.