Oops! Ang larawang ito ay hindi sumusunod sa aming mga alituntunin sa nilalaman. Upang magpatuloy sa pag-publish, subukan itong alisin o mag-upload ng bago.
Astaciandra Rama
Warren Gideon Arespacochaga.
A strange flutter surged in my chest as I read that name emblazoned on the bright red banner held high by a group of girls of different ages. They also wore matching red shirts with a bold print: In War, I Found Peace. Above the name and that phrase, a silhouette of a man playing drums added a touch to the banner.
From my vantage point inside my car, I watched as the girls chatted and laughed, their energy infectious. The bright colors of the banner and their shirts stood out against the ordinary surrounding of the mall, drawing me in.
Ano ba ang ganap ngayon sa mall?
At sino naman kaya ‘yong Warren Gideon Arespacochaga na ‘yon?
“Mommy! What are we waiting for? Buy me my drums now!”
From looking at those girls standing at the entry doors of the mall, my gaze shifted from the window to the rearview mirror where I caught sight of my son who had been clamoring for attention.
Help me, Lord!
I closed my eyes tightly as I murmured that silent prayer above, my hands tight on the steering wheel as I tried to calm my nerves down and while trying my best not to strangle my son’s neck which I was really so close to doing now.
Astacia Rama, for chrissake, you love that child more than anyone else in this world, okay? Ni hindi mo nga ‘yan hinahayaang kagatin ng lamok, kaya papaanong magagawa mong sakalin at saktan siya?
Humugot ako ng isang malalim na hininga at dinagdagan pa ang pisi ng pasensiya bago muling nagbukas ng mga mata. Through the front mirror, I glanced at that handsome little ball of sunshine at the backseat who was struggling with his seatbelt, tila ba kating-kati sa kinauupuan niya at gustong-gusto nang kumawala roon.
Saan ba nagmana sa katigasan ng ulo ang batang ito?
“But you promised me, Mommy! You promised to gift me a drum set! I got a perfect score in my Math quiz! I deserve a reward!” he shouted and at the same time demanded, his tantrums on full flight again.
Namamanghang napailing-iling na lamang ako habang pinagmamasdan siyang nagwawala na roon sa likuran ng sasakya. I was honestly irritated and pissed off at him already. Kanina pa niya ako pinagmamaktulan dahil doon sa pangako ko sa kaniya. Actually, kasusumbong lang ng teacher niya sa akin kung papaanong nag-attitude ito sa klase nila kanina, and I felt really so sorry at her. I knew and I was aware that my son was the most annoying toddler ever, probably also the naughtiest and the most hard-headed kid in her class. But then again, at the same time, he was also the most adorable baby boy for me.
