After All

MEMORIES

Albert's POV

Ninoy Aquino International Airport

There's no place like home. Finally, I am back in the county after 10 years of residing in New York City . After much prodding from my Mom, I finally gave in to her request to left the United States for good and return to the country to manage our company's law firm that my late Father built. Besides my mother is not getting any younger and she's living alone in our family home in Quezon City after my Dad passed away 5 years ago. I sold my share in a top law firm in New York where I am one of its senior partner. I have a lucrative and successful career as a corporate and criminal lawyer in the States but I can't break my Mother's heart anymore. She suffered enough when I left her ten years ago.

"Albert! Welcome back!", Mang Tibor our long time family driver happily greeted me at the arrival area.

" Tay Tibor! Kumusta po? ", I hugged him tight. He's been like a father to me. Infact mas naging ama pa nga siya sa akin kesa sa totoong ama ko. Tears were beginning to well up in his eyes.

"Batang to oh. Na miss kita ng sobra . Mahigpit sampung taon kang hindi umuwi ah", he said as he started to put my luggages in the car.

" Na miss ko din po kayo. Parang di po kayo tumatanda ah Tay Tibor".

"Kalabaw lang ang tumatanda Iho!", he laughed. "At ikaw naman mas lalong naging gwapo".

"Si Mommy po? Akala ko sasama siya sa pagsundo sa akin?", I asked.

"Ayun nagpaiwan. Masyadong busy sa paghahanda sa bahay para sa pagdating mo. Nag imbita ng mga malalapit na kaibigan niyo at kamaganak", Tay Tibor informed me.

"Si Mommy talaga oh. Sinabihan ko na siya na ayaw ko ng welcome party. A simple lunch would be enough".

"Alam mo naman ang Mommy mo. Hayaan mo na. Masyado ka lang na miss nun. Halika na. Sumakay ka na sa kotse. Kanina pa naghihintay sayo ang Mommy mo".

I get in the car. On our way home, napansin ko na ang laki na ng pinagbago ng Maynila from what it was 10 years ago. Traffic becomes worst. Commercial buildings, malls and residential condominiums are everywhere.

"This is it Albert. You're back!", I told myself.

Then our car passed by at UP Diliman on our way home. My beloved Alma Matter. A heavy feelings engulfed my wholebeing as memories from the past flashes back. I closed my eyes and images of what transpired in this university 20 years ago flashes on my mind.

"Talaga girl friend na kita? Sinasagot mo na ako"? di makapaniwalang tanong ko sa kanya.

"Yes Albert! Oo. Sinasagot na kita. Boyfriend na kita at girlfriend mo na ako", she happily replied with the sweetest smile I have ever seen.

"Yes!!!  Wow. Daig ko pa ang nanalo ng jackpot sa lotto", I shouted which caught the attention of some students. I hugged her tight and lifted her frame body. We are at Sunken Garden in UP.

"Al, ibaba mo nga ako. Hahha. Nakakahiya. Pinagtitingan tayo oh", she giggled.

"You dont know how you made me the happiest man today. Pangako. Hinding hindi mo pagsisisihan na ibinigay mo sa akin ang matamis mong Oo. Mahal na mahal kita. I will do my best to be the man you deserve", I sincerely told her.

"And I love you too. Ikaw ang inspirasyon ko Albert. Ang lalakeng pangarap ko na makasama habang buhay. Pangako, I will be the best girlfriend for you", she replied.

I picked a stem of red rose from the garden and gave it to her. "Para sa pinaka magandang estudyante ng UP na girlfriend ko na".

"Hoy Albert. Bawal yan! Naku pag may nakakita sayo malalagot ka. Baka ang bagsak mo sa Office Of Discplinary Affair", natatawang sagot niya sabay abot sa rosas at inipit niya ito sa hawak niyang libro.