Romancing the Nanny

Four years later

Helga's POV

4 years later...

I missed Philippines. I missed the pollution, the traffic, the people. Ang bilis ng pagdaan ng mga araw. Parang kailan lang noong...

I sighed.

Kumaway ako kina Ate Olga nang makita ko sila sa pick up area. They were holding banners with my name on it.

Napapailing ako.

Nagmadali akong naglakad palapit sa kanila dala-dala ang dalawang luggages ko. She is with my parents.

Yes. We are all in good terms now.

Two months after I left Philippines, they gave me a surprised visit in South Africa, kung saan ako nadestino. Hindi ko kasi pinasabi na aalis ako at that time. Nasanay na kasi ako na umaalis na lang bigla.

We talked. We said sorry. Maybe it was true that time heal all the wounds, because I can finally say that in my heart, I already forgiven them.

I spent my day offs with them hanggang ako na mismo ang pumipilit sa kanila na umuwi. They refused, instead, they bought a vacation house in Cape Town. The house was overlooking the beach and the sunrise was beautiful. I can't wait to go back and probably live there. Why not?

I spent the last four years with Filipino-British family. The couple were environmental researchers and they temporarily moved to South Africa to work with a research institute.I took care of their two daughters who were such a sweethearts to me. They were adventurous like their parents. Akala ko nga hindi na ako makakabalik dito ng buhay because our activities involved hanging out with wild animals, petting and feeding them. Hanggang sa nakasanayan ko na rin. Minsan nga gusto ko na rin ng alaga na Tiger.

This is my last work as a Nanny because I am thinking of going back to school and enrol in a Masters program. Pinag-iisipan ko pa kung dito or sa South Africa ako mag-aaral. Na-inspire kasi ako sa employer ko na tumulong sa environment. Kapag nasa Africa, mai-inlove ka sa nature kasi sila ang makikita mo buong araw hanggang gabi.

"May pa-banner talaga?" Natatawang sabi ko. I hugged my mom then Ate.

"Of course, ang tagal mong nawala." sabi ni Mommy.

Kung makapag-sabi ng matagal si Mama, para bang hindi kami nagkita last month. Nauna sila na umuwi kaysa sa akin dahil nga nag-extend ng ilang weeks ang stay ko sa employer ko.

"I am loving your tan lines, little sis." sabat ni Ate.

"Oh thanks... i love it too."

Bumaling ang tingin ko kay Daddy. I kissed his cheeks.

"Hi Dad." bati ko.

"How was your flight?"

Tinulungan niya akong dalhin ang bagahe ko. We started walking towards our SUV. Nakayakap si Mommy sa akin.

"It was long and tiring." sagot ko. "But thinking about Philippines, make it tolerable." masayang dugtong ko.

"That's good. Ipinaluto ko lahat ng na-miss mong pagkain. Hindi ka masyadong nagkakain sa Africa kaya sobrang payat mo na." saad ni Mommy.

"Mom, tumaba nga ako. Pero excited na ako kumain dahil hindi ako masyadong nakakain sa biyahe. Natulog lang ako."

Hindi nga nagbibiro si Mommy when she said nagpaluto siya ng madami. Napuno ang long dining table namin ng iba't-ibang Filipino dishes.

"Woo, Mom. Parang may fiesta." i exclaimed.

Agad akong pinaghain ni Mommy. Excited akong sumubo at ninamnam ang kinakain.