Rhythm of Life (Varduzco Series #1)

Fifteenth Rhythm

Fifteenth Rhythm

Birthday

I WAS busy swaying my feet when I sat on the high chair at the kitchen. Masyadong mataas ang upuan na ganito para sa maliit na kagaya ko. But that should be fine! Papa told me that someday I'll be someone who's as tall as him!

It feels great! I can't wait for that day to happen.

"Gutom ka na ba?" nakangiting tanong ni Papa habang abala siyang nagluluto sa kusina ng paborito kong pagkain, fried chicken!

I shook my head as I put both of my hands on the top of the table, tapping it to make a sound. "Medyo po!"

"Alright, patapos na 'to! Can you wait for Papa?"

"Yes!"

Nang matapos magluto si Papa ay sabay kaming kumain. He even gave me an extra piece of chicken because he wants me to get bigger soon! Papa said that every time I'm going to eat plenty of healty food, I'll quickly grow! Gusto ko nang mangyari iyon para sa susunod ay makakawork ko na si Papa!

I couldn't help but smile widely as I took a bite on the chicken.

"Papa, what's your birthday gift to me?" I asked excitedly. I'm turning 10 years old tomorrow and I'm going to celebrate it with my Papa. Sabi niya ay hindi raw siya papasok sa trabaho para sa akin.

I don't really want him to ditch his work because I love it when he's playing music. Papa is the best every time he's gonna play piano and I want to be like him someday! But I want him to be with me tomorrow too.

Balang araw ay magiging magaling din akong musician kagaya ni Papa!

Habang kumakain ako ay nakita ko si Mama na lumabas mula sa kaniyang silid. She's wearing a red dress and some branded heels. Her hair and makeup are both good and I think she put a lot of effort to it.

"Mama!" tawag ko sa kaniya. Sandali niya akong nilingon bago sinimangutan. "Kain po tayo!"

Hindi niya ako pinansin, sa halip ay tinignan niya si Papa. "Aalis ako ngayon, may trabaho ako."

"Work po? It's already eight in the evening-" she cut me off.

"Ano bang pakialam mo, ha?! Sinabi nang may trabaho ako!" tumaas ang kaniyang boses kaya nabitiwan ko ang hawak kong leg part ng manok.

Papa scolded Mama for shouting at me but it wouldn't change the fact that Mama is always mad whenever I'm going to approach her.

I wonder why my mother is like that. Hindi niya ba ako mahal?

Nalungkot ako sa aking naisip kaya nagyuko na lang ako ng tingin at kasabay nito ang biglaan kong pag-iyak. Papa saw that I'm already crying, he immediately confronted Mama as they went inside their room.

Tumayo ako sa aking kinauupuan bago ako nagtungo sa lababo para hugasan ang aking kamay. Papa and Mama are going to fight again and I don't want to hear it.

I went outside our house to go to the near playground. Gusto ko ang duyan na nandoon at isa pa, ako lang ang batang naglalaro ro'n kaya wala akong kaagaw. I wish there are other kids who will play with me but I don't have any friends, even at school.

Nang marating ko ang playground ay napasimangot ako dahil may batang nakaupo sa duyan na lagi kong pinaglalaruan. He's holding an ice cream in his right hand while humming an unfamiliar song.

Ngumuso ako bago ako unti-unting lumapit sa kaniya. Kaagad niya akong tinignan at doon ko nakita ang mapula niyang pisngi at labi.

I think we're at the same age? I haven't seen him in this place before, bagong lipat siguro sila?