The Next Chapter (Steps To Redemption)

Rain Check

Just a week at home, and that number one issue' been settled. How could I run away from the ever persistent bug of my life?

Ipasa ba naman sayo ang napaka-cute nilang insecto.

Who am I to turn my back and be hard-hearted to a smiling little creature in my arms?

First Sunday, the gospel is reminding me of how great the Lord is to forgive my sins and died on the cross for me. How awesome is our Lord.

The church had been very welcoming. I was showered with hugs, kisses and encouraging messages. Answering the how's and when's of the entire congregation. Overwhelmed with the love they have for me.

Out of the many well prayers came a chokingly-tight hug from a  chubbylicious arms that wrapped around me from behind.

"How dare you snub me Mike? Do you really hate me that much to ignore me?" he's brows meet as he stared at me gloomy.

"Hey, Benj. Watsup?"  That's all I can say. Parang ako pa yung na hiya. Parang ako pa ang may nagawang kasalanan. Ako lang ata Ang naka feel ng awkwardness. Ni walang explanation na nang yari. Lumapit nalang bigla si Christine with full smile, at binigay sakin ang napaka-cute nilang  anak.

Buti pa nga si Christine nag sorry after handing me her baby, parang nahiya. While si Benjamin, walang hiya talaga!

"Hoy! Ano titigan mo nalang ba si Miki? "Paninita ng walang hiya kong best friend. We talk this way to each other but we're respectful to others, the way a Christian should be.

"Hoy mo mukha mo! Ikaw pa 'tong matapang. Sino ba nag sabi sayo na mag lihim ka sakin? Aber! 'Di sana hindi ako ma me-mesmerize sa ka-cute-an ng baby ninyo. Kung kahit  picture man lang eh pinadalhan mo ako. Noh? Walang hiya ka talaga Benjamin!" I'm only this rascal around Benj. Promise.

"Abah, malay ko ba." Nanlalaki ang mata at talagang ang tapang kung makasagot. Buti nalang nasa labas na kami ng simbahan. Kung hindi masisita talaga kami ni Pastor. Sa ingay naming 'to.

"Malay mo talaga, loko-loko ka kasi. Kahit sa facebook wala akong nakita. Naka hide sa akin ano? Naku Christine, batukan mo nga yang asawa mo. Nilamon na ng calculator ang ulo."

"Mike kahit hindi ko pa eh hide or eh-customize ang  mga post ko. Hindi mo parin naman makikita. Kasi, hindi ka marunong mag FB." sabay belat sakin.

"Grabe ka, nakapag asawa't nagka-anak ka lang eh akala mo kung sino ka nang magaling. Hindi ba pwedeng, Hindi ako mahilig sa fb na yan?"

"Naman. Ako pa! Sabihin mo may iniiwasan ka. Kaya hindi ka nag e-fb." he tap his chest, proud of what and how he said it.

He is teasing me. May sayo ka rin mamaya. I will definitely remind myself of vengeance.

Hindi ko ma wari ang reaction ng mukha ni Christine. Kung  aawatin ba kami o hahayaan nalang niyang mag umbagan kami ni Benjamin. Tawa lang kasi ng tawa ang ngayon ko lang na notice na magandang asawa ng  baliw kong best friend. Ang swerte din ng kolokoy na 'to kung iisipin..

"Hoy! Wag mo ngang titigan ng ganyan ang asawa ko." he pulled Tyn closer to him.

"Ay ang possessive mo parin talaga. Saka wag ka ngang maharot Benj. Baka mabitawan ko si Miki. Kurot ka ng kurot eh. " he never changed, ang hilig parin nyang mangurot. Since then yan and talent nyang ayoko sa lahat. His been pinching me all the time. " Tingan mo nga oh, nag kapasa na tuloy ako. Sinasadya mo to noh? Naghihiganti ka sakin. " Eh diniin ko ang braso ko sa mukha niya, sakto sa pag yuko niya kay Miki. He got hit straight on the nose. That made him wince a bit.

He wanted to pinch me again but I hide behind Christine.

"You two should stop. Kanina pa tayo hinhintay ng parents ni Mike oh. Tara na. " Christine took Miki from me and said. "Thank you Mike" with a smile and turned her back from us, went straight to hug Mama and Papa. Then  started to play jokes with Tobi. 

So my family started to like her. Oh, or should I say love her already.

                                  ° ° ° ° °

"I can smell conspiracy in here." I tell my mom as soon as she's sited beside me.

She smiled her sweetest smile and took my hand. "Mike, nakita namin kung gaano kasaya si Benjamin nung pinakilala niya si Christine. To think sino ba naman kami para pag-paalaman niyang ligawan si Tyn? Diba? But he did kasi  alam nyang hindi magiging madali kung sayo siya unang magsasabi. You'll get angry to  him pag nalaman mo. He's worried. And he don't want to hurt you. We know he loves you Mike, but Benj also deserves to be happy. Right?"

"So he got you covering things for him instead?"

"No. He just want to let us know who Tyn is. The kind of woman she become and kung gaano s'ya nagsisi sa mga  nagawa niya dati sayo. Its been a long time. Mike, teenagers tend to be foolish, but everyone can change and be better. You've all grown up and matured.  And that's what happened to Tyn. She's totally different. That probably is the reason why your best friend had fallen in love with her."

"I know I'll freak out if he told me. Pero, for sure naman I will understand him Ma'." That got me thinking, right. Just now. But of course I'll understand. Siguro aabotin ng ilang libong pamamaktol, pero matatangap ko. Kung yun ang maka pag-papaligaya sa best friend ko. I'll support him. So long as he'll provide qualified-right reasons. . . Then, yes.

"Talaga? Baka sampong milyong beses mo munang sisigawan si Benjamin sa telepono." My father caught my thoughts and multiplied it. Naku talaga. They knew me well.

"Papa naman. Ten million talaga. Pwedeng ten thousand lang?" and we cracked a laugh.

I was moved, when we were having our lunch at home. I've witnessed how Christine changed. Hindi na s'ya yung brat, wrecless, at insecure na feelingerang tanga nung high school. (Hahaha, that's funny. But that's how I called her) I suddenly covered my face. Froze for a few seconds with my thoughts.  God, I've been branding her soo bad.  Now I understand why they never told me about her.  I can't imagine, how Benjamin have the guts to introduce her to my family. Buti nalang understanding at just ang parents ko. (Unlike me) Pano nalang kung pinanghawakan nila yung mga sinasabi ko dati. They might have condemned Tyn. Good thing hindi. Good thing hindi judgemental ang mga magulang ko. Thanks God.

When we were younger and Tobi's still a little kid. Benj and I would always ask Mama if we can bring him in the garden to play. There are times that my Mom would ask my father to go with us just to make sure we'll be fair with Tobi. Benjamin and I will run around the house carefully carrying him. Playing and laughing along. Now he's the one playing and taking care of Miki. He was just a little kid when I first left.. how time flies, and how fast they grow. The twins are also growing bigger each day. ako lang ang naiwan ang height. (haha)