Borrowed Time (completed)

30. gifts

"A little over a year ago, our son Ricky, had a procedure done on his heart. Although we were assured that it was a minor procedure and the success rate was high, we were still worried, scared even. We were also dealing with other family matters at that time so it was a difficult time for all of us. We wanted answers, solutions. We were too busy looking for gold that we failed to see the silver lining. Then, just as things seemed to crumble around us, things began to change. The once vague suggestions and solutions to our problems began to become clearer. We are still in the process of learning, adjusting, and coping but at least our life has somehow returned to normal.

When Ricky was only four years old, he came up to me with a toy he had made with his Lego blocks. He always showed me his creations and this particular one he said was a building. He was pointing to parts of the toy saying that this was where Papa and Mama were and where Ikki-boy was. I wasn't really paying attention to him when I felt his small hand touch my jaw, to turn my head and look at his toy. His cold, clammy hand startled me and when I looked at him, I noticed that he was slightly more pale than normal. I don't remember what happened next but I think I lifted him from the floor and made him sit on my lap. It was then when I put my hand on his chest and felt how fast his heart was beating. After months of tests, it was determined that our only boy had supraventricular arrhythmia where his heart rate increases abruptly, at any given moment.

His mother decided to homeschool him, hiring the best tutors and teachers we could find so that Ricky would not have to go through the stress of moving around too much. His Ninong gifted him with a bike but this was quickly snatched from him because it might cause too much excitement. His doctor assured us, though, that for as long as he is able to manage his activities, he can live a very normal life. We were scared so we sheltered him for as long as we could.

I guess he couldn't bear the sheltered life we gave him so he eventually left home. My wife wanted to find him right away, I did too. But at the same time, I wanted Ricky to experience the life he should live. Four months later, my wife's brother, whom we have had lost contact with for so many years, came with news that Ricky, his godson, had been staying with him all along. I also found out that Ricky needed to have a heart ablation done since his arrhythmia seemed to be acting up again.

During his months away from us, Ricky met Meng, Nicomaine Mendoza. She had helped him as he struggled with his condition. When I met her and got to talk to her, I learned that she was a student of this school. The very school my wife and I own. I inquired more about her and I learned about her academic achievements. She was a consistent honor student since her elementary years and even if her family had financial difficulties, Meng worked hard to continue her education. As everyone knows, she still works while attending classes. That's why I did not hesitate to offer to pay for her education until she graduated today. Meng, ikaw ang kauna-unahang full scholar ng Richard Faulkerson Foundation. And beginning next month, mag-r-report ka na sa Faulkerson industries for training..." Papa Rico ended his speech.

The whole auditorium erupted in applause. Meng stood up from her seat in a daze. In fact, even Rj, Nanay, Tatay, and Nico were stunned with what Papa Rico had said. Rj hugged Meng then she hugged her family who were being congratulated by the people around them. It was truly a joyous day. Apart from the revelations they had heard through Papa Rico's speech, Meng graduated top of her class and Summa cum Laude of her batch.

"Maraming maraming salamat po..." Tatay could not stop thanking Papa Rico whom he hugged and shook hands with as the latter joined them at the foot of the stage after his speech.

"Thank you po" Nanay told Mama Rose.