My Sweet Boy
by JeloStories (Jelo Dayday)
REVISED EDITION
Meet Archimedes Christian "Archie" Terrazo Royales-Charming, Admirable, Green Flag, Adorable, Malambing-that's what he is. Living with Asperger's Syndrome, a high-functioning form of Autism S...
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"Kuya, do you want to hear my story?" Paul asked me
I nodded
"Gusto ko, Paul." I answered
As my ears are anticipating Paul's story, I always prepare myself for whatever he tells me about him
His preparedness to say everything about him is the thing my ears anticipated the most, all the information about him already awaiting the perfect time to be shared to me
"Kuya Archie, bunso ako sa tatlong magkakapatid. I have two older sisters. Pareho na kasi silang nakapagtapos ng bachelor's degree, and now, they wanted to pursue master's degree next year." Paul informed me
Masayang-masaya kasi ako sa tuwing nagkukuwentuhan kami ng mga kaibigan ko lately about sa personal life namin
Lagi kasi akong komportableng nakikinig sa mga life story na ibinabahagi nila sa akin, and they are even aware of my condition tuwing may pagkakataon akong makapag-share ng life story ko with them
"Tatlo pala kayong magkakapatid? Si Darius din, tatlo din silang magkakapatid." Inayos ko ang aking anti blue light glasses. Graded naman ang salamin ko since I have double vision, I guess
Walang pinagkaiba sina Darius at Paul—Bunso din sila sa tatlong magkakapatid
Sa tuwing mag-uusap kami, we are always taught that respect is the key. Inirerespeto ko kasi ang buhay ng mga nakakausap ko, and they also do the same with me
"I'm so grateful na naging kaibigan kita. You're the only friend I have found, Kuya Archie." Patuloy ni Paul. "Hindi ko kasi makakalimutan 'yung mga moments natin as childhood best friends. Simula pre-school, magkaibigan tayo, and alam mo, magkalapit din pala tayo ng bahay, kaya madalas akong dumadalaw sa'yo."
I knew it. Masaya kong narinig na matalik na magkaibigan pala kami ni Paul since pre-school. We shared with each other the same bond as best friends, and parang brothers na rin kasi ang turingan namin sa isa't-isa, since naikwento niya na he wasn't given a chance to have a brother, dahil dalawa lang 'yung older sisters niya
Thankful ako na naging kuya niya ako, because I want to make him feel that he isn't alone, dahil he found a brother in me
"Look, may picture pa nga tayong magkasama." he showed me a photo of us together, and it was taken noong nasa Grade 9 kami, and we have the same section—Emerald
Tuwing special occasions such as birthdays, we exchange gifts. I simply remember that he gave me a powder blue square scarf as my birthday gift—it has my name embroidered on it. Grade 10 Section Sunflower pa kami niyan
"Naaalala ko 'yung gift mo sa akin, Paul." I replied. "Grade 10 pa tayo nu'n."
Ngumiti siya when I told him about the gift I received from him, two years ago
"Yes, Kuya. Incoming Grade 10 na tayo niyan when I gave you that scarf as a gift."
"Paul, excuse me, kailangan ko nang mag-wiwi." I stood up from the chair
"Okay, Kuya."
"Sige, Paul, tapos kukunin ko 'yun sa bedroom ko."
Umakyat na rin agad ako sa bedroom ko para makagamit ng toilet. I told Paul that I needed to pee. Kukunin ko rin sa cabinet ko 'yung scarf na ibinigay niya as my birthday gift, two years ago
After I peed, dumiretso na ako sa cabinet ko—Sa loob ng maliit na drawer, nakalagay 'yung scarf na 'yun. I opened the drawer, and kinuha iyon
"Heto na, Paul." I presented to him that scarf he gave me
It was a token of gratitude he gave me, that I will forever cherish, as I am about to enter the adulthood stage. Our friendship never ends because of our strong bonds we share with each other
"Ang ganda pa rin, hanggang ngayon." Paul touched the scarf. Malambot ito kasi it was made of silk
"Oo." I nodded
I remembered that
"Ibalik ko na muna 'to, Okay?" I told Paul
"Okay."
Umakyat na rin ako sa bedroom ko para ibalik sa cabinet ko ang scarf
It was true, that our friendship will never end, and he knew that. As his best friend, and older brother figure, marami na kasi kaming mga magagandang alaala na pinagsamahan
Hindi ako makakapayag na magkalayo kami, and he doesn't also want that
We always feel in touch with each other—online or onsite, and because of strong connection, mas gumiginhawa ang loob ko sa tuwing nagkakausap kami ni Paul
Hindi kasi siya marunong mang-api sa katulad kong Person on the Spectrum, dahil matagal na pala niyang nag-research 'yung about sa condition
"Kuya, naisip ko na bigyan kita ng earplugs as your Christmas gift." Paul suggested
Alam niyang sensitive ako sa maiingay. Nagsusuot kasi ako ng Earmuffs sa tuwing nagpupunta ako sa mga crowded events na may maiingay pa na sound system
"Also, if you want to, bibigyan din kita ng t-shirt na Amor Vincit Omnia." Paul added
Napataas ako ng kilay sa suggestion ni Paul
"It is a Latin phrase meaning Love Conquers Everything.Don't forget that."
"Okay!" I giggled
Nang makauwi na si Paul, nakabihis na kasi ako. I wore a pair of denim baggy pants, white rubber shoes, and a navy blue hoodie with the print saying Please Be Patient With Me, I Have Autism
Dinner date kasi nila Mama, and gusto nila na kasama nila kaming mga anak nila sa dinner
"Archie, order ka na ng gusto mo." Ate Cecille gave me the menu. Nasa isang fine dining restaurant kami magsasalo for the dinner. Nakauwi na dito sa Pilipinas si Mama, dahil tapos na rin kasi ang kontrata niya as a nurse in US
Masaya kami na nakauwi na dito sa Pilipinas for good si Mama. Nalaman ko na rin na gustong ipagpatuloy ni Papa ang pangarap niyang makapagturo sa mga may special needs na katulad ko
I was grateful for their love, understanding, and care for me. Wala na rin akong masabi para sa kanila, and I always see them happy
Nagsalo kami para sa dinner, and nag-enjoy naman kami
Mama gave me a pink pearl rosary with my name on it
"Archie, don't forget to always ask the intercession of the blessed mother."
