A/N:
#SLEDerpHerp
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E
"Ninong, why do we have to dress up today?" Theo asked as I fix his white polo.
"Diba it's daddy's 5th death anniversary? Mamu wants us to have a simple gathering for daddy."
"But it's not his birthday naman po eh."
"Yes, I know, little buddy. Pero kasi, we also want to have a small gathering for daddy to remember him on this day."
"I always remember daddy. Even though I was just a little monkey when he went with Jesus." he pouted. Natawa ako and kissed his forehead saka pa ginulo ang buhok niya.
"Little monkey talaga?"
"Yes. Mommy said daddy likes calling me little monkey tapos daw I'll laugh everytime he does that." sabi niya. Tumango na lang ako saka na siya kinarga pababa sa kama.
"Go downstairs na. Tell mamu that I'll meet you there in 5 minutes." sabi ko. He nodded and ran out of my room. Nagpunta na ako sa bathroom para muling tignan ang itsura ko. I was just wearing a plain white polo and black pants. Simple lang pero ewan ko ba kung bakit gusto ko maayos ako tignan.
"Elmo! We'll be late for the mass!" I heard mom called. Nagwisik na uli ako ng pabango saka na lumabas at bumaba papunta sa kanila.
"Come on, anak. Baka andun na ang mga tito at tita niyo." ani mom saka na nauna maglakad palabas.
Ako ang nagdrive papunta sa Heaven's Gate Columbarium. Dun kasi nakalagay ang ashes ni kuya kaya dun na lang din sa chapel nila naisipan gawin ang death anniversary niya. Marami na kaming relatives ang andun pagdating namin. My mom's only brother, Tito Fred and his family and also my aunts and uncles from dad's side. Andun din ang ilang friends ni kuya and Ate Iara. Pati mga kabarkada ko ay nagpunta rin.
When the priest arrived ay nagsimula na agad ang misa. After the last prayer of the mass ay tinawag ako ni father to say something about kuya. Naglakad na ko papunta sa podium and cleared my throat.
"Uhm... I'm not actually prepared for this. Akala ko kasi sa interment lang to ginagawa. Anyway, we all know that Kuya Eli is my only brother. Dalawa lang naman kaming magkapatid pero ngayon, isa na lang ako. Madaya kasi tong si kuya eh. We made a pact when we were kids na kailangan mareach namin ang age na 150. Impossible siya pero we wanted to believe na aabot kami dun dahil sa turtle sa Finding Nemo." nagtawanan ang lahat ng andun dahil sa sinabi ko. "Well, ngayon magkasama na sila ni dad and I'm sure they're both laughing at me right now. Kuya, wag ka masyadong feeling diyan. Ako pa rin favorite ni daddy na kalaro ng chess. Mas magaling ka lang saken sa pag-ibig..." napahinto ako when I saw Julie and Rob enter the chapel. Nagkatinginan kami and she just smiled weakly at me. "Pero ngayon alam ko na ang tama at mali, kuya. Ikaw nagsabi sa akin na kapag mahal mo, ipaglalaban mo. Kapag mahal mo, itatama mo lahat ng maling nagawa mo. At pag mahal mo, babalikan mo. Ingat kayo ni dad diyan and bantayan niyo kami palagi nila mom, Ate Iara and Theo the great. He's growing up to be just like you kuya. And he's gonna make you proud someday. I love you, kuys. Miss na kita."
Nagpalakpakan ang lahat as I gave the mic back to father. Bumalik na ako sa upuan ko and waited for the mass to end before I talk to Julie.
Natapos na ang mass and as I shook father's hand ay napalingon ako sa gawi nila Julie. Nakaupo lang sila sa pinakalikod and was talking to each other when Ate Iara approached them. I saw how she hugged Julie and even kissed her cheek saka nakipagshake hands kay Rob. Theo went to them too and gave Julie a hug after ate introduced them to each other. Sunod ay nakita ko si mommy na lumapit sa kanila at nakipag-usap na din.
