The Reflection of Time [ongoing]

Chapter 4: New Home

Khael’s POV

A moment passed, and I realized that I had fallen asleep. Feeling hungry, I decided to leave the room in search of food. Patay na lahat ng ilaw at sa palagay ko ay tulog na ang lahat. Hindi komplikado ang pagkakagawa sa bahay ni lola, so I easily found the kitchen.

Agad kong tinignan ang lamesa kung may tira pa bang pagkain at wala akong nakita.

“What are you doing?” a voice suddenly asked, making me jump in fear. I heard a chuckle, and it felt like she was enjoying my reaction. “El, ako to, lola mo,” she said and proceed on turning the kitchen lights.

“I’m sorry for—” I said, but before I could finish, my grandmother signaled me to stay quiet.

“Are you hungry?” she asked, and as embarrassing as it was, I nodded.

“Then I will prepare something for you,” she said, pulling out a pan and retrieving something from the refrigerator.

“It’s fine, Grandma, I can do it my—” Once again, before I could finish, she stopped me with a firm ‘shhhh.’

“Hayaan mo ng gawin ko to para sayo. It’s my first time seeing you all grown up, and I feel like we’re so distant that I can’t grasp you at all,” she said, looking me in the eye before turning back to her pan. “Khael, I want to be a grandma you will remember as someone who loves and spoils you. Ngayon na nandito ka, let me make you feel that way, okay?”

I felt warmth in my heart, like I was being embraced in a tight hug, safe from harm.

I sat on a chair, watching my grandmother’s back. It was no longer straight, yet it seemed more reliable than the backs of those with perfect posture.

“Here, eat,” she said, placing a plate of food in front of me. I smiled at her genuinely, tears threatening to fall at any moment.
I began scooping the food and savored every bite.

“El, Nera mentioned that you’re going to the marketplace with them,” she said.

“Yes, I—”

“Khael, alam ko kalagayan mo hijo. Your parents told me everything, so I think it wouldn’t be wise for you to go. Kung gusto mo, I can tell them you can’t come along.” I could sense her worry, and it was clear she was aware of my social anxiety.

“It’s fine, Grandma, I already agreed to—”

“Yeah, yeah. Ikaw bahala,” she said, cutting me off again. I found her habit of interrupting me amusing.

“Khael, una na ako sa’yo. I’m already feeling sleepy,” she said as she stood up, ready to leave.

“Let me help you po, I can—” Once again, she stopped me mid-sentence by raising her palm as if to say ‘stop.’

“Kaya ko sarili ko. I’m not that old,” she said before leaving. I watch her back as I smile genuinely.

It’s been a long time since I have put a smile like this.

Nang hindi ko na makita si lola ay umupo na ulit ako sa hapagkainan para tapusin ang aking pagkain. Afterward, I washed the dishes and decided to step out onto the house’s balcony.

The night was peaceful, and the wind felt refreshing out here than our place in Manila.

It was cold outside, but the warmth I felt from my grandmother seemed to linger, keeping the chill at bay. Her kindness gave me a glimmer of hope that this vacation might actually heal me. I could sense that I am surrounded by people who were considerate of my situation.

To be honest, this wasn’t something I had hoped for or expected. I didn’t think my grandma would understand my struggles. Normally, older people wouldn’t try to empathize. Instead, they’d compare your situation to their own experiences, making you feel awful for feeling that way.

Receiving this kind of understanding and kindness, especially in a Filipino household, was something I hadn’t anticipated.

It made me think—maybe, just maybe, I’ll end up liking this home.