Richard's Standard

Chapter 15 - Richard's New Standard

Two days had passed since that incident. I bade Mom goodbye, and she was happy about my plans.

I sat comfortably in my seat while beside me was a happy couple. As usual, listening to Mozart's classical music made me relaxed.

Sabi nila, kapag may gusto ka, gagawan mo talaga ng paraan. I am doing what my heart really wants.

Napasulyap ako sa asul na karagatan at naalala iyong panahong magkasama kami ni Dona sa Mabua. I looked at the sky, and it was as clear as crystal. I saw Dona's genuine happiness reflected in the clouds. My lips curved into a smile, but I didn't know if everything would be okay.

Leaving Surigao City was one of my choices to let my heart be full of happy memories. I was traveling to a new place  because I wanted to explore what I had been missing so badly. For sure, this destination would be my shelter to a happy, normal life. This new environment would always make me believe that I'm just a human being.

I couldn't clearly hear what the crew member was saying, but he was collecting tickets, so I prepared mine.

Lahat ng natatanaw ko ay perfect creation ni God. The tall trees from the mountains, birds that were flying freely, and the white sand of the shoreline. This moment was so great, and I wanted to wander around this place.

I was done living my life in luxury, it was my time now to feel a life of peace and simplicity. These changes that I decided to trail, they were for a lifetime. I didn't want to miss the chance to make myself happy.

I was already over my obsession with perfection. It was now just part of my history.

When I reached my destination, I roamed my eyes around the place. The cooling wind touched my skin, and the new environment amazed my sight.

As I followed the directions on my piece paper, many people looked my way. They were all open-mouthed, so I smiled at them. But I was quite busy looking for someone.

When I found the place, I saw a simple house standing tall with dignity and love, though riches were out of sight. I saw the familiar back of a person that made my heart skip a beat. She's always the person I want to love. She's really a good model to everyone around her. Right now, she was feeding a boy.

I let out a simple cough to make her turn around.

"Richard?" she said, utterly shocked. Maybe she couldn't believe that I was here.

I smiled. "Hey... you... little... messy witch."

Her face turned red, and she tried to compose herself. But the boy grabbed her arm. "Manang... kaon pako."

She turned around to feed the boy. She called someone, and it was her mother. Her mother was shocked when she noticed me.

I waited for her to come my way.

"Chad? What are you doing here? How'd you find my place?" She looked messy as always, but I was loving it even more.

"I told you. I have my own ways. Ngayon, napag-aralan na kita."

Her eyes started to well with tears. "I'm sorry, but I'm busy right now. I-I... I... can't offer you anything. Baka... na-naligaw ka lang."

She turned her face away from me.

"I wanna follow the place where my heart belongs to, and it's your heart. Your heart is my new home, Dona."

She still looked puzzled. "Ginagantihan mo ba ako dahil niloko kita noon kaya lolokohin mo na rin ako ngayon?!"

"What are you feeling?"

"Dona? Nak? Kinsa na?" her mother asked.

Dona went to her family and talked to them. I guessed she asked them to go inside, because they did.