Senior High Series #6: A Tale Of Pens And Pans(A collaboration Series)

CHAPTER 5

   “Zup, Shy! Una, huwag kang maniwala kay Sir, gaga baka maubos na buhok ko hindi ka parin magpapatalo. Kidding, won’t say anything good cause you have never been good to me naman. Joke again! Here, I want to tell you that you are loved, and valued from all of us here. So, never ever think that you are not worthy, because you are. From the bottom of my heart, yes, you are. Happy birthday, Shy!” Nginitian ko ito ng nakakaloko at tinanggap ang regalong hawak hawak nito.

   “Bumili ka na lang ng wig.” Panunukso ko dito, kaya’t mas humaba ang nguso itong bumalik sa kaniyang puwesto, at pinuno naman ito ng kantyaw ng mga tao dito sa bahay.

   “Girlie! Happy birthday! I wanted to say, more birthday to come! Not boys, kase ako lang ang mangongolekta noon. Biro lang, ito na talaga. Whatever happens, know that we love you so much girl, your existence means a lot to us, for you made us all alive. Nagawa mong iparamdam sa amin na mahalaga ang aming presensya, at hinding hindi din kami susuko hanggang sa ma isip at maramdaman mo ang halaga mo sa mundong ito. Stop finding your purpose girl, because you are the purpose on your own! I love you, and happiest birthday, girlie!” Naiiyak itong tumakbo palapit sa akin at inakap ako ng mahigpit.

   “I made you alive? Kailan ka namatay?” Pagbibiro ko. Isang mapanuksong irap lamang ang aking nakuhang tugon at muli na itong bumalik sa kaniyang puwesto.

   “Girlie! Oh my! Maari ka ng makulong girl kaya dahan dahan na sa pagiging gaga kase baka next month dadalaw-dalawin ka na lang ni Tita sa prisento HAHAHA, just kidding. Ito na talaga, happy birthday girlie! You admire a solar eclipse so much, and because of you I also do. Thank you for making me realize that even if we have that kind of difficulty, that sometimes we encounter those eerie twilight in life, we should not lose hope and must focus on the extraordinary feeling and view of that thing would give us. I will always live with your words, girlie! And you should too, stop inspiring others, go and inspire yourself too. We love you so much girlie!” She smiled at me and hugged me tight before going back to her position.

   Lastly, my mom step up. Wearing the pain reliever of mine, her smile. She hugged me and give me the sweetest kiss on my cheeks and on my forehead before she started her message.

   “Happy birthday anak! You are now finally legalized, I am happy anak kase lumaki kang matapang at may takot sa Diyos. Nagpapasalamat ako dahil lumaban ka, maraming salamat sa pananatili anak. Mom wouldn’t be still here kung pati ikaw ay sumuko. Alam kong lubos ang naging kasalanan namin sa iyo anak, ngunit huwag mo itong dalhin hanggang sa kahuli-hulihang hininga ng iyong buhay. Deserve mong maging masaya anak, palayain mo ang iyong puso mula sa pagkakagapos. Ikaw ang tanging dahilan ko kung bakit narito parin ako, sa kabila ng lahat ng hagupit na ibinigay sa atin ng mundo, meron akong Shy na nagpapangiti sa akin. You are an independent beautiful woman, a woman who didn’t lose hope after everything she's been through. Mas matatag ka pa nga siguro sa akin e, ipagpatuloy mo iyan anak, lalo pa’t hindi sa lahat ng panahon ay magkasama tayo. Anak, nawa’y mahanap mo na rin ang kapatawaran diyan sa puso mo. Ngunit, huwag mong madaliin anak, mahirap, alam ko, ngunit naniniwala akong kaya mong magpatawad. You have blossomed into a graceful and strong individual, and I am in awe of your beauty, both inside and out. May this journey be filled with endless opportunities, love, and joy. Remember, my darling, that no matter where life takes you, you will always have my unwavering love and support. Dance with confidence, embrace every moment, and know that you are cherished beyond measure. I love you so much, Shy!”

   Mula sa pagkakaupo ay tuluyan akong tumayo at niyakap si Mama ng mahigpit. Naging emosyonal ang lahat at naki akap na rin ang mga ito.

   “Ma, ba’t pa po kayo nag abala? Nai-celebrate naman na natin ‘to noong nakaraang mga linggo pa.” Hindi ko maiwasang tanungin si Mama sa gitna ng aming pagsasalo.

   Two weeks ago, I have already celebrated my debut. In an aristocratic restaurant, kaya nabigla ako ng muling nagpahanda si Mama.

   “Iba naman kase kapag sa mismong birthday mo talaga anak. Tingnan mo, mas madami kang nailuha ngayon.” Saad ni Mama at marahang hinaplos ang aking pisngi.

   I eyed them one by one. Masaya naman ang buhay ko kahit wala si Papa, this people were enough for me to live my life the way I wanted. Pagtanggap na lang talaga ang kulang ang hindi ko magawa.

   Hanggang ngayon, hindi ko pa rin matanggap na si Papa ang kauna-unahang taong sumuko sa akin. Na hanggang ngayon ay hindi pa rin siya bumabalik, kase umaasa pa rin ako e. Umaasa pa rin ako sa kaniyang mga pangako.

   But, I am already full of love. Even without Papa, this people that surrounds me now never failed me to feel my worth, that I am loved, and I am a treasure for them. Kaya hindi ko sila dapat inuuhaw sa aking pagmamahal dahil lang hindi ako mabigyan nito ng aking ama.

   After the celebration ay nagpaalaman na ang bawat isa at umuwi. Hinanap ko ang aking ina at nakita ko ito sa harap ng aming lababo.

   “Thanks, Mom. I love you po!” Saad ko habang nakayakap sa kaniyang likuran at hinagkan ang kaniyang pisngi.

   “You are very welcome baby Shy. You deserve this, you deserve the world my darling. Know that I am always willing to take the risk just to give you everything in this universe.” I smiled, my mom’s sweetness were always overflowing.

   “I already have the world, Mom. I already have you.” Saad ko’t muling hinagkan ang kaniyang pisngi at niyakap ito ng mas mahigpit.

   “As you are too, sige na, magpahinga ka na.” Muli ko itong ginawaran ng halik sa pisngi bago tuluyang umakyat ng aking silid upang makapagpahinga.

   Thank you God for surrounding me these lovely people of your universe, thank you for giving me your universe.

   I was about to take a nap when my phone suddenly beeped.

   whylle_vermauv.

   happiest birthday, moon cake! 🥮❤️

   I smiled, sweet.

   I reacted a heart on his message and replied.

                          you’re welcome, Sir 🐳!

   I immediately logged out.

   I really appreciate this. Thank you so much, G!

  

  A special credits to the song You Are So Beautiful by Mr. Joe Cocker.