Flowing Through Pages

End

End.

"I'm sorry, anak. We have work today," Mom said, giving my shoulder a gentle squeeze before leaving with Dad and getting into the car.

I watched as they drove away. This time, I didn’t cry. I just held on to 'Nay Flor's hand. Hindi na ako umiyak katulad noong una nilang paalam dahil nasanay na ako. Birthdays alone were nothing new to me.

When I turned seven, it was just me and 'Nay Flor singing me happy birthday. My parents had left me with plenty of presents, but none of them mattered as much as eating 'Nay Flor's caldereta. While others might always have a cake on their birthday, mine was never complete without her caldereta.

"Malungkot ka ba 'nak?"

Ngumiti ako sa tanong ni Nanay at umiling. "No."

She patted my head and smiled gently. "Hayaan mo, balang araw makakahanap ka rin ng taong hindi ka iiwan."

"You?" I asked, hopeful.

She chuckled. "Pwede, pero iyon ay makakasama mo hanggang sa pagtanda. . ."

“Yeah, that’s you,” I said, because who else was there? She was all I had.

"Ganito, Yael, anak," she became serious and held my face. "Makakahanap ka ng magiging katuwang mo sa buhay. Na kahit wala ako ay nandiyan siya para sayo. Sa lahat-lahat."

I blinked up at her. “Is there really someone like that?"

It sounds like a fairytale!

"Oo naman."

"What is it?!" I asked, feeling excited. Isn’t it cool? Having someone to play with forever---it sounds fun!

"Ang magiging partner mo pang-habang buhay," she replied with a gentle smile.

I didn’t really understand, so I just kept eating the caldereta. She laughed at my reaction. My excitement faded---this whole 'partner for life' thing sounded kind of boring now.

"Yael, ito si Flare, anak ko, at si Ugo naman ay anak ni Mang Henry. Dito muna sila, p'wede ba 'yon?"

I nodded, glancing at the girl with pigtails who was smiling at me. Beside her stood a boy with chinky eyes who grinned so wide his eyes nearly disappeared.

I couldn’t help but laugh, pointing at him. "That’s funny!"

The boy's face turned serious as he looked at Flare, as if they had a major problem. “Patay."

Flare scratched and shook her head in frustration. “Lagot tayo nito, Ugo! Ayaw ko ma-nose bleed!”

I laughed again, mostly because of the way she pronounced Ugo’s name. "Why is your name Ugo?"

Flare stepped forward, hands on her hips as she looked at me. “Eh ano naman? Huwag mo siyang asarin! He’s not Ugok!”

I frowned. "I didn’t call him Ugok!"

Ugo quickly defended himself, “I’m not Ugok! My. . . my name is Ulrich Goston! Ganda ganda ng pangalan ko pinapa-pangit niyo!"

"Hindi mo nga bagay! Mas bagay ang Ugok!" Flare teased, making Ugo's eyes widen in shock. "I mean, Ugo pala."

I burst out laughing. It was hilarious! They were arguing about names, and it was ridiculous yet funny. I didn’t understand why they’d argue about something so simple, but talking with them was a lot of fun.

Since they came into my life, my world felt a little less lonely. I loved playing with them, discovering games I hadn’t known before. We became good friends. But even though I enjoyed their company, that feeling of loneliness still lingered.