Countless Tears (UNEDITED)

Chapter 8

[Chapter 08]

Isinara ko na ang cabinet ni Dariel nang maayos ko nang mailagay roon ang mga damit niya na tiniklop ko. Nilingon ko ang oras mula sa maliit na digital clock na nakapatong sa side table ng kama ni Dariel.

"Mommy did you see my choo choo?" Nilingon ko ang lumabas mula sa pinto ng banyo na si Dariel. He was wearing his navy blue shirt and maong shorts. He was pouting and he looked like he was about to cry.

"I put your Choo choo on the laundry. It's dirty so i need to wash it. I'll give it back to you later okay?" Saad ko na tinutukoy ang stuffed toy niyang truck.

"Oh, okay Mommy." Lumapit siya sa akin at ipinulupot ang mga braso sa leeg ko. Binuhat ko siya at sabay na kaming lumabas sa kwarto niya.

Dumiretso na kami sa kotse nang nasiguro kong nai lock ko na ng maigi ang bahay. Today is Saturday at ito ang araw kung kailan madalas kong dinadala si Dariel sa mall. It's our bonding time at alam niyang ngayong araw rin siyang magkakaroon ng bagong laruan. I set our date as his price for studying well. Tumawag kasi sa akin kahapon ang teacher niya para iupdate ako tungkol sa activities ni Dariel sa school, natutuwa akong marinig na he's doing great!

My son is smart just like his father kaya naman gusto kong bigyan man lang siya ng premyo dahil kita ko naman na talagang nag aaral siya ng maigi—hindi dahil sa sinabi ko, kung hindi dahil sa curiosity niya sa mga bagay bagay. Sa katunayan nga ay lagi siya ang pinupuri ng teacher niya sa kinder garden dahil sa kanilang lahat ay siya ang nakikitaan nito ng malaking potential and skills. Anak Santos ba naman eh.

"Mommy can i have both?" Nakanguso sa akin si Dariel. Bumaba ang tingin ko sa hawak niyang toy gun at sa box kung nasaan ang iba't ibang klase ng dinosaurs.

"No."

"But Mommy, pleasee? I will do much more better next time!"

"No, Dariel." Bumagsak ang balikat niya at mukhang paiyak na.

Hindi naman sa binabarat ko ang anak ko, some mothers wanted to teach their children not to be too greedy. He must be patient to get what he really wants. I can't let him tell me that he will do better next time just for me to agree. I want him to know that he won't get what he wants until he work hard for it.

I bend my knees so i could reach his eyes, "You know Mommy can't give this to you at the same time right? You know why we are here right?"

He nodded, "Because it's my price for doing a great job. Mommy will only buy me one because i did a great job for the whole week and..."

"And?"

"Mommy always give me rewards that i want so i should restrain myself from being greedy because it's bad." Ginulo ko ang buhok niya habang nakangiti.

"That's right. So what will you pick? I think this fellas is better, didn't you watch Hiccup and tootless?" Sumimangot sa akin ang anak ko na para bang naguguluhan.

"Yea?"

"Oh, i think dinosaurs is better!"

"But why?" Ngumuso ako.

"Hindi ba at Dinosaur si Tootless?" Saad ko dahilan para tingnan ako ng anak ko ng tinging nadidismaya. Kulang nalang ay matampal niya ang kanyang noo.