Send Me In Orbit

My Hero

Clark and Leah took their seats in the auditorium, front and center row. Their families were also present, as well as friends from the tenement, but only the parents had reserved seats in the first four rows so they all sat a little further back. CJ had his own personal cheering section. Some of the other parents looked confused and some seemed irritated but Clark and Leah didn't care. Their little boy was making his very first speech in front of a big audience and they couldn't contain their excitement.

CJ had been chosen to represent his second grade class in the school declamation contest. Clark and Leah had no idea what his speech was going to be as CJ refused to practice in front of them at home. But they were immensely proud and excited to watch CJ onstage. Manang Tiffany and Kuya Tolayts had wrestled all the cameras and phones from Clark and Leah's hands. They said that they would take care of filming, Clark and Leah should just be in the moment and watch their son. Nanang and Tatang had taken Claire and Ceres off their hands as well.

"And now we welcome to the stage, Clark Solomon Medina, Junior."

Loud cheering erupted in the auditorium and Clark and Leah stood up to clap for CJ. Tears were already falling down Leah's face. CJ waved to the audience as he walked to the center of the stage where the microphone was. Clark and Leah sat back down, gripping each other's hands.

"Hello. My name is Clark Solomon Medina, Junior but I am called CJ. I am seven years old. Today I will talk about my favorite superhero. My favorite superhero is not Superman or Batman or Spiderman. They are fun to watch on TV but they are not real. I know I will never be able to fly and I won't get bitten by a spider that gives me superpowers and I don't have the money to make a batsuit that lets me do everything."

People laughed. CJ spoke eloquently and effortlessly held the crowd's attention. Clark couldn't help thinking that he was exactly like Leah up there on the stage.

"No. I can dress up as those superheroes on Halloween but I can't be like them every day. My hero is someone who does not have superpowers, he does not fly.

He reads me a bedtime story every night, he teaches me to play guitar even though my hands are still small, he taught me how to ride a bike and bought me ice cream when I fell and scraped my knee. My birthday is on Christmas Eve and he brings me to an orphanage to give away Christmas presents to children with no families. He tells me stories about the time he used to live in an orphanage. When people's houses gets wrecked by typhoons, he helps build them new houses and donates furniture from his shop. My hero is Clark Medina Senior. He is my Dad. He does not need superpowers to do a lot of good in the world. He makes my Mommy happy. He takes care of me and my sisters. When I grow up, I know I can be just like him because he is real. I want to grow up to be kind, loving, and generous like my Dad. Thank you."

CJ took a bow and the crowd went wild. There was loud cheering, clapping, and whistling that was coming from their section but Clark was frozen in his seat. His heart was beating so loud, he could barely hear anything else. He couldn't believe what he had just heard. Tears were flowing down his cheeks and there were no words to describe the joy he felt. Leah hauled him up to his feet and hugged him tightly.

"Anak natin 'yan," she murmured happily into his neck.

CJ got fourth place. He didn't rank for a medal but it was still impressive as he was the only second grader to make it into the top five.

When CJ left the stage, Clark and Leah were right there to meet him. He ran straight into Leah's arms and she picked him up and hugged him tightly.

"Ang galing galing mo Anak! Proud kami sa iyo." She kissed his head.

CJ looked over at Clark and he held his arms out, taking him from Leah. "That was amazing, Buddy. Thank you."

"Totoo po, Daddy. Hero ko po kayo." CJ hugged him. Tears dripped down Clark's cheeks as he held his son. He looked at Leah and she was also crying happily.

Clark had grown up without a father and he had no idea if he would be a good father to his children. All he knew was that he loved his family more than life itself and he tried to be an example for his kids. He wanted them to grow up to be good people and looking at CJ now, it was like he was finally doing something right. He was raising this amazing boy.

Clark kissed CJ's forehead and together with Leah, they went to go find their family and friends who immediately engulfed CJ in hugs and kisses.

"Ang galing ng apo ko!" Tatang cried out. "Magiging Presidente 'yan ng Pilipinas, tingnan lang natin."

Leah took Clark's hand and pulled him aside from the celebrating crowd. She kissed him, not caring that the other parents could see them and were no doubt judging them.

"What was that for?" Clark smiled when she pulled away.

"Hindi ka lang hero ni CJ. Hero ka ng buong pamilya natin. I love you, Hubby. Thank you."

"I don't-"

Leah put her fingers to his lips. "Alam mo ba na siya talaga ang nagsulat ng speech niya? Tinulungan ko ng konti sa grammar at sa flow ng speech pero ang laman, kanya talaga."

"You helped?" Clark asked, though he should have known.

Leah smiled. "Mahal na mahal ka ni CJ. Mahal na mahal ka namin lahat."

Clark wrapped her up in his arms. "Thank you," he whispered into her head. "Thank you for loving me. Thank you for this beautiful family."

"You deserve it, Clark. Binabalik lang namin ang sobra sobrang pagmamahal na binibigay mo sa amin."

Clark pressed his forehead to Leah's and they just stood there like that for a long while. They could have stood there all day, just lost in one another, but Claire came running up.

"Mommy! Daddy! Let's go! We hungry!"

Clark and Leah looked up to find everyone staring at them and laughing.

"Hoy Leah, Clark! Mamaya na 'yan," Mama Lulu said. "Kumain na muna tayo. Baka mamaya makabuo pa kayo ulit diyan..."

"Halika na, may handaan sa bahay nina Leah at Clark," Tatang announced.

Everyone cheered and trooped out of the auditorium. CJ was sitting on top of Kiko's shoulders, Tita Jack held Claire's hand, and Nanang was carrying Ceres. Clark held Leah's hand and they followed behind the crowd.

Growing up, Clark never thought that he could have such a large family. It filled him with so much joy to give his children what he didn't have. The memories of the time when Clark was alone, scared, and had no one to turn to were faint now. He barely thought of that time in his life anymore, it was overshadowed by all of the love and companionship and fulfillment that he gets now. He wrapped his arm around Leah's shoulders as they walked across the parking lot.

Content. He was utterly content with his life and it was an amazing feeling.