100 DAYS OF YOU (A MAYWARD STORY)

Part 51

Dumating na kami sa bayan kung saan gagawin ang outreach program.

Kasunod ng sasakyan namin ay ang sasakyan nina Grandma at ng mga kapatid ni Tita Cathy. Ang sumunod naman ay isang truck kung na kinalalagyan ng mga grocery items na ipamimigay.

When I got down of the car, nakatinginan ko ang Uncle ni Ethan na syang nakakita sa pinaggagawa nito kanina. Napayuko na lamang ako sa hiya.

Sa isang basketball court kung saan may maliit na stage gaganapin ang event. Umakyat si Grandma sa stage para magbigay ng magandang mensahe tungkol sa buhay at pag-asa.

Pagkatapos ng paunang salita niya ay pinapila na ang mga makakatanggap ng groceries. Magkakasama kami nina Laureen sa isang banda at nagaabot ng mga plastic bags na naglalaman ng mga delata, bigas, gatas at kung ano ano pa.

I looked for Ethan but I cannot see him around.

'Asan si Ethan?' Tanong ko kay Laureen habang patuloy pa din kami sa pag abot, pagngiti at minsan pagyakap sa mga nabibigyan ng tulong.

'Maybe he's just outside. Everytime we go here, he plays with the children.' Paliwanag naman ni Laureen

'Talaga? Dito kayo lagi nagpupunta?' Tanong ko kay Laureen

Binaling ni Laureen ang atensyon niya sa akin. 'You know my Grandpa used to be the governor here right?' Tanong niya

Tumango ako dahil yun din naman ang sabi sa akin ni Tita Cathy 'Oo. Tita Cathy mentioned it yesterday.'

'So my Grandpa. They were not born rich. They used to live here. in a hut.' Panimula ni Laureen

She got my full attention cause it seems interesting. These are the things na hindi ko malalaman kay Ethan kaya nakikinig ako ng mabuti.

'He told us that when they were young, they only eat rice once a day. Most of the times they'd be eating root crops. They have to really work hard just to be able to put food in their table and in times that they were unable to, theu will just sleep the hunger away.'

Laureen not being able to experience such things told the story as if she is feeling the same pain and struggles their Lolo had.

'My Grandpa really worked hard to study. It took him longer than usual years to graduate as he needs to fund himself. So when he did, he dedicated his life in being able to help other.' She smiled at the end of her story. I guess telling someone a story of her Lolo makes her remember him in flesh again.

Once we were done handing the goods, everyone's attention was called by the host as the people of the town have a small gift for Grandma. I tried to look for Ethan and he is still not anywhere in sight so I went out of the court to look for him.

Umikot ako labas ng court para hanapin si Ethan pero wala. Pabalik na ako sa loob ng marinig ko ang tawanan ng mga bata sa isang open field ilang pagitan mula sa kinatatayuan ko.

I saw Ethan playing football with a bunch of kids. They were laughing and goofing around.

'Kuya Ethan, yan yung gelpren mo diba?' Turo sa akin ng isang bata habang papalapit ako. I wondered how they knew I am Ethan's girlfriend.

Lumingon sa akin si Ethan with his full perfect smile on, then he came closer.

'Start na ng program for Grandma.' Sabi ko sa kanya

'Oh okay. Wait.' He said and he get back to the kids and rumble their hair.

'Alis na ako ha?' Ethan said and it is obvious that he was struggling.