Second Chance

Chapter 37

M

“ Mawwie, ikaw na magsasalita…” I heard Jayvee said. It was Lolo’s last night and we are all gathered at the chapel for his mass. I looked around and saw everyone waiting for me. Pati si Father nakatingin sa akin. I then looked at Jayvee and he smiled sadly.

“ Do I have to?” tanong ko. Marahan siyang tumango saka tumingin kay Bea na katabi ko.

“ Kaya mo yan. You’ve written everything naman diba?” ani Bea. I looked at the paper I was holding and nodded. Medyo lukot lukot na ito mula pa kanina dahil sa pagpiga ko rito. She rubbed my back and gave me a kiss on the temple.

“ I’m here lang. Okay?” sabi niya.

Tumayo na ako and stood by the podium. I looked at everyone again and heaved a deep sigh saka na ako nagsimulang magsalita.

“ I was 14 when my parents died. Nung nangyari yun, akala ko magiging ulila na ko ng tuluyan. Akala ko walang mag-aalaga sa akin. My aunts and uncles are all living in the US kaya naisip ko na hindi ako makakasurvive dito ng mag-isa lang ako. But then Lolo Oliver went home from California and told me that he will be the one to take care of me. You see, si Lolo Oliver was a retired pilot and he and my lola used to lived in their home sa US dahil halos lahat ng relatives ko ay dun na nakita. Dun na din nakalibing ang Lola kaya dun niya naisipang manirahan. Ang naiwan lang talaga dito ay ako at ang parents ko dahil sila yung namahala sa negosyong naiwan ng Lola. When Lolo O came home he brought my Lola’s ashes with him nang makarating sa kanila ang balita na naksidente sina mama at papa. When lolo took me in ay medyo takot pa rin ako. I was an only child and a very introvert person. Marami akong fears in life. Marami akong tanong. And Lolo Oliver took all those fears away. He answered all my question. He loved me unconditionally like he was my own parent. Sabi nga nila ang pagmamahal ng lolo at lola ay higit sa pagmamahal ng magulang. Kung ang magulang natin, mahal na tayo na higit pa sa buhay nila, yung mg Lolo’t lola natin, mas hihigitan pa yun.” I took a deep breath as I continue.

“ Lolo Oliver became my bestfriend. He was always the first person that I will talk to kapag may mga problema ako or kapag may kwento lang ako. Gusto ko siya ang unang-unang makakarinig nun. Gusto ko siya ang unang tatawa sa kung anong mang kahihiyan yung nangyari sa akin sa school. Gusto ko siya ang unang matutuwa sa kung ano mang achievements ang natatanggap ko. He was a blessing to me. He has always been… I can still remember nung high school ako and when he was appointed as a head coach of Ateneo’s Men’s Team. He has a passion din kase sa paglalaro ng volleyball and when Ateneo offered him he was actually a bit hesistant dahil nga medyo may edad na siya at inaalagaan niya din ako at the same time but I encourage him to do what he loves sapat na sakin na kasama ko siya dahil alam kong hindi na ako mag-iisa i have and he loves me that's enough for me. Then sa sobrang paghanga ko sa kanya, I decided to study in Ateneo were i took my Bachelors Degree and play for their Women’s Team. Tapos when I was in my 4th year nagkaroon ng palitan ng coaching staff and he became my coach. No one in the team knows na apo niya ako, he was very strict to me like everyone else di niya ako pinaburan o binigyan ng special treatment dahil lang sa apo niya. He was my coach and I was his player when were in training. Pero paguwe sa bahay he will take care of me like what a grandfather shoud do. Natalo man kame sa first year niya bilang head coach niya. I promise to myself that on my final year in Ateneo we will bring the crown back and walk home as champions and we did exactly that i can still remember how proud he is for the team and for me, double meaning nga sakin dahil alam kong i made my lolo so proud he even bragged it sa relatives namin sa states. Lolo Oliver was my strength. Siya ung ginawa kong inspirasyon sa lahat ng bagay na ginagawa ko. I would always tell Lolo na kailangan siya ang maghahatid sa akin sa altar kapag kinasal ako. Gusto ko makikita niya pa yung magiging mga apo niya sa akin. Gusto ko makikita niya pang magstart mag-aral yung mga magiging apo niya. Palagi siyang kasama sa mga plano ko and I never thought that he is getting older. Kasi kapag magkasama naman kami palagi naman siyang masaya at malakas…”

Huminto ako sandali sa pagsasalita at nagpunas ng mga luha. My vision’s getting blurry by the minute pero pinipilit kong magpakatatag because I want everyone to know how great my Lolo Oliver was. Bea was on the edge of her seat and was waiting if she needs to come to me pero sinenyasan ko siyang okay lang ako. I will be okay for lolo.