Turn The Page

Chapter 1

2004

"Summer, let's go! We're going to be late!" June yelled from the bottom of the stairs. "Coming!" Her daughter yelled from her room. "Naku, we'll be late if you don't come down now!" June yelled back. She grabbed her daughter's belongings and headed for the car. "Sweetheart, are you sure you're okay to drive? Kagagaling mo pa lang sa flight mo. I'm sure you're tired," June said worriedly as she sat on the front passenger seat next to her husband. "I'm okay, sweetheart. No need to worry," he said smiling at her. June smiled back at him. "Naku naman toh si Summer, she'll be late na talaga. She knows naman the traffic here in Manila," June said as she checked the time on her watch. "Sweetheart, relax. Your daughter knows what she's doing. Ayan ka nanaman sa pagiging stage mother mo eh," he said with a gentle smile. "I know. I know. I can't help it. Where is that girl??" She said. She was about to open the car door to get her daughter, but Summer came dashing towards the car. "I'm here! I'm here!" She said as she finally settled in the back passenger seat. June sighed in relief. "Did you get everything, anak?" June had to make sure. "Yes, mom. I did. You're always so worried. Relax. I've got everything under control," Summer tried to reassure her mother. "Okay, okay. I trust you," June said as she took a deep breath. "All aboard?" Dezmond asked. "Yes, father!" Summer immediately replied. "Sweetheart, are you sure you're okay to drive? Andyan naman si Joel, I can ask him," June said worriedly. "Sweetheart, ayan ka nanaman. Tama yung anak mo oh. You worry too much. I told you I got this diba? I'll be fine. I won't miss this for the world," Dezmond said as he winked at his daughter at the rear view mirror. Summer grinned back at him. "Yeah mom, it's been a while since dad drove us, and I know he won't be driving us like this again after tonight," Summer said. June sighed. "Fine, fine. Kelan ba ako nanalo sa inyong mag-ama?" She said as she took another deep breath. The father and daughter giggled in return.

When they reached the venue, Summer immediately gave her parents a hug and rushed towards the backstage. June became fidgety. She took a deep breath and was startled when her husband pulled her into a tight but gentle embrace. "Hindi ka nanaman mapakali," he said to her. "How can I be, sweetheart? When did she grow up to be this—this amazing and talented young lady? Parang kelan lang yung time na we got her her first ballet shoes when she was only three years old. Now she's sixteen and exploring many kinds of dances, competing all over the world. Who would have known na mapapauwi tayo ng Manila because of her passion for dancing? Hindi ako makapaniwala. She's growing up way too fast, I feel like everything happened in a blink of an eye. I kind of miss having a little kid to chaperone. Dati she needs me all the time and now she's just out there. She dresses on her own. She does her own makeup. She shops for herself. She refuses to be helped. She's so independent—" June rambled. Dezmond hugged her even tighter. "Sweetheart, isn't it too early for you to feel the 'empty nest syndrome'?" He said to her. "I know. Yun na nga eh. I have no idea I'd be experiencing it this early. She was so shy noon. She needed us to hold her hand all the time. Ngayon, it's almost like she doesn't want to be seen with us anymore kasi she's growing up way too fast," June claimed then she swallowed. She was teary eyed. Dezmond held his wife's face, "Magaling ka lang mag-palaki ng anak natin, sweetheart. You raised a strong and independent young woman. You raised a smart and outgoing girl. She knows what she wants, and she's going to work for it at all costs kasi you made her feel na kaya nya ang lahat. Pinaramdam mo sa kanya na kaya nya magawa at ma-achieve lahat ng dreams and goals nya kaya ganyan sya. She's a go-getter. You raised a young woman who believes in herself because you believe in her. You have faith in her. You have confidence in her. That's why our girl will never back down until she gets what she wants from life. And that's a good thing, sweetheart. Alam mo ba kung gano karaming bata ang walang suporta katulad ng binibigay mong suporta sa anak natin? Kaya napaka-swerte ni Summer. She has a mother who believes in her and supports her and loves and cares for her no matter what. Not everyone has that."