Love at First Sight (One Shot/Short Stories)

Pakawalan

The sun began to set as it cast a warm golden glow over the neighborhood of my city as I walked side by side with my mother while our footsteps creating the same movements on the pavement.

The air was delightful as usual, carrying the scent of freshly bloomed flowers on each flowerbed we passed through while distant sound of the barks of the neighbor's dog and laughter from children playing nearby.

"Bumili ako ng paborito mo," sabi ng aking ina habang itinataas ang hawak niyang paper bag na may logo ng Pan De Manila para makita ko.

"Egg pie?" tugon ko, bago kuhain ang paper bag sabay bulatlat sa itaas nitong parte paraan para masilayan ko ang box sa loob nito na may sulat sa ibabaw na egg pie.

"Salamat, Ma." Isinarado ko ang paper bag matapos kong sambitin ang mga salitang iyon habang patuloy kaming naglalakad.

Napagdesisyunan kasi ng aking ina na bumisita sa aking bahay nang panandalian. Isang taon na rin ang lumipas mula noong huli kaming nagkita.

Halos kalahating oras kaming naglakad bago namin narating ang aking bahay. Pagpasok namin sa loob, napamangha siya sa kalinisan ng bawat sulok. Madalas kasi, hindi ko nalilinis ang bahay, lalo na noong huling punta niya rito, kung saan halos bawat bahagi ng pasilyo at kuwarto ay puno ng kalat.

"Kamusta na kayo rito, Gerome?" tanong niya sa akin nang may pag-aalala habang nauupo siya sa sopa.

"Maayos naman kami, Ma," sagot ko bago ko binuksan ang telebisyon para manood siya, pagkatapos ay naglakad ako papunta sa hagdanan.

A flicker of concern was painted across her eyes before turning her gaze from the television to my direction before saying, "Sigurado ka ba?"

"Opo. Kaya ka ba bumisita, Ma?" Pagtango ng dalawang beses at pagtaas ng kilay ang naging sagot niya sa aking tanong at ngumiti lamang ako.

"Saglit lang, Ma. Aakyat muna ako sa taas," paalam ko.

Naglakad ako paakyat sa hagdanan habang pinapanood ang nanay ko na nanonood ng T.V.

She doesn't have to worry about me, I'm doing just fine.

My eyes adjusted to the dimly lit room after reaching the hallway of my second floor while a smile slowly spread across my face, walking slowly toward a certain room.

Inside the room, I saw a sea of books above the table while my daughter sits on a chair, completely engrossed in the story she's reading. Her eyes are currently sparkling at the moment, her imagination must be taking flight with every word she devoured before changing her focus from the books to my direction when she heard my footsteps.

"Daddy!" my daughter said, wearing a beaming smile painted across her lips.

A smile spread across my face, brightening my expression as I witnessed my daughter's infectious happiness. Her eyes began sparkling with excitement, reflecting the joy that bubbled within her. Each step brought her closer to my comforting presence, where I stood near her room's door with open arms, ready to embrace her.

"Nandiyan na po si Lola?" tanong niya habang nakadikit ang mukha sa aking tiyan at mahigpit na nakayakap.

Pagkatapos ng kanyang yakap, tumingala siya upang tingnan ako bago ko sinagot ang kanyang tanong.