Love, Abby.

Chapter 3

Hard beats

Dad told me before that things with sentimental value are often forgotten by those who have forgotten love. Those people who think they have no hope anymore eventually forget what is it to remember the memories of the past.

"But don't be like that, Abby. Happiness and sorrow are two different things but they both complete the heart. Di pwedeng masaya ka lagi, dapat may lungkot so that you'll know the value of each thing. Kung hindi ka malulungkot, di mo malalaman kung kailan ka sumaya. At kung hindi ka sasaya, di mo malalaman kung kailan ka nalungkot. And Abby, you won't appreciate life if all you feel is happiness. You won't. You have to experience both so that you'll learn their values in your life."

Kaya sa bawat hakbang ko, sinisigurado kong tama lang. Hindi ako madadapa. Kung madapa man ako, ngingiti lang ako at tatayo kase sa paraang yun, malalaman kong sakto lang ang buhay. Di porket nadapa ka ay titigil kana, patunay lang yun na hindi basta basta ang daan sa buhay natin kaya dapat tanggapin din natin at i-appreciate ang kahalagahan nun.

"We'll be having a mini party in our Gallery shop, 'By." Bungad ni mama pagkababa ko para mag almusal. I was surprised of what she said. Party? Did something good happen to our shop?

"Victory party?"

"Sort of." Aniya. Inabot nya sakin ang chocolate coffee. "Nabili yung tatlong painting which worth 14 million each."

Nanlaki ang mata ko. Who would buy that? The buyer must be damn rich! Di pa ko nakakabawi ay may dinagdag na naman sya na nagpalaglag na talaga ng panga ko.

"And the other 4 paintings which worth more than 14 million are on the process pa. Remember Don Zalazar's wife? Sya ang bibili nun."

I'm shocked. Mabenta naman talaga ang paintings namin sa shop pero mostly mga worth of 5 million ang halaga nun at sa isang araw ay mga 20 paintings ang nabebenta not to mention the other branch we have across the country. Tapos eto naman 7 paintings at a time and those are with high prices. Nakakatuwa. Last year kase medyo tumagilid ang negosyo at ngayon ay masasabi kong nababawi na lahat ng nawawala.

"Congratulations, Mama!" Niyakap ko sya sa tuwa.

She laughed. "So you wanna come? Later pa naman. Alas sais."

Today is the cheerdance competition. Sure akong matatapos yun within this morning. Tapos mamayang hapon naman gagala kami sa mga booth at manonood ng ilang games. Yes, I can still make it to the party.

"I wanna come."

"Okay." Aniya. "You can bring your friends if you want."

"I'll try to invite them. Baka mapagod sila sa dami ng gagawin namin ngayon kaya ewan po kung makakasama pa sila." Umupo ulit ako sa upuan ko.

"Okay. I'll be waiting. And," medyo sumeryoso ang mukha nya. "Abby Elena, don't you dare pick the style you did last time kung ayaw mo himatayin ako sa party. Dress properly please."

Humalakhak ako. "Ma, you are overreacting!"

"Basta. Gawin mo yung inutos ko or else I'm gonna cancel the party right away."

Nanlaki ang mata ko. She hates my style that much? Now this is the proof that I'm really sucks of dressing myself up.

"Oo na po."

Tinapos ko agad ang pagkain at nagpahatid na rin kay mang Edi pagkatapos. Sa daan panay call and text sina Johnly, gustong magmadali ako dahil mag-uumpisa na nga daw ang kompetisyon.
"Ikaw mag vi-vid samin loka!" Ani Johnly. Dinig ko ang ingay sa loob ng gymnasium. Third performers pa naman sila, makakaabot pa ko.