a trip back to you [on-going]

ikapito

"Yung pagkain, Damaro." I looked at my mom as she pointed out a small box on top of the dining table. It has already been a week and she still prepares my food to work.

I nodded while buckling my belt, "You don't have to do this, ma." I said.

"What do you mean I don't have to do this?" She asked.

"This. Preparing food for me. Pwede naman akong bumili along the way." It's not that I don't want to eat what she cooks, I just think she doesn't necessarily need to wake up earlier than she usually does to prepare for me because I can manage. Besides, may trabaho rin siya and I want her to rest for an extra amount of time.

She chuckled and came to me to fix my collar, "Nothing tastes better than home-cooked food prepared by a loving mother." She kissed my right cheek. I had to wipe it with a hand. I am a grown up man and both my parents are treating me like I am still a kid. It's annoying sometimes.

I rolled my eyes, "Whatever." 

Dahil hindi ako makatagal sa kinikilos ng mga magulang ko, napilitan na akong umalis agad kahit maaga pa. They're being cheesy and I hate it.

Pagkadating ko sa office, ako palang ang tao. Nilapag ko ang bag ko sa upuan at nilabas ang konting mga kagamitan na kailangan ko for work. Green accents make the workplace easier to endure kaya naglagay ako ng maliit na vase na may succulent plant sa tabi ng mini book organizer.

Nilabas ko ang laptop ko at ipinatong ito sa table. After making some notes, I closed the notepad app at bumungad sa'kin ang picture namin ni Acacia. It's been a while since I had this photo as my desktop wallpaper and hindi ko na pala napalitan. 

Sandali ko iyong tinitigan bago ngumiti nang tipid. Mas lalo ko lang siyang maaalala sa ganito kaya pinalitan ko ng plain back background. 

Tinabi ko yung laptop at napagdesisyunang magtimpla ng kape sa lounge area. I wasn't able to sleep well yesterday for some unknown reasons. It took me a while to make a coffee that was put to waste because of the strong taste. Where did it go wrong? I'm pretty sure I added the right amount and mixed it well. 

Sinubukan kong tikman ulit pero muntik na akong masuka. Nanununtok sa ilong yung kape, grabe. I should've just bought one sa organic cafe na lagi kong binibilhan or yung coffee-in-can nalang sa vending machine. Nagpakahirap pa ako dito.

Umiling ako habang tinitiklop pataas sa braso ang sleeves ng white polo ko. Hinugasan ko ang baso at bumalik nalang sa desk ko pagkatapos.

I creased my brows as I held a grip on what's on top of my table. Lumingon ako sa paligid at nagmasid. Binalik ko ang aking tingin sa coffee na nasa white tall glass bottle.

I got confused and returned a gaze on my co-workers, "Whose coffee is this?" Turo ko sa hawak ko. Nagtitigan sila saglit at tinapunan ako ng 'hindi ko alam' gesture.

"Who came to the office after me?" Tanong ko ulit. Nakita ko na nagtaas ng kamay ang isang lalaki.