Love at First Sight (One Shot/Short Stories)

Pakawalan

The sun began to set as it cast a warm golden glow over the neighborhood of my city. I walked side by side with my mother while our footsteps creating the same movements on the pavement. The air was delightful as usual, carrying the scent of freshly bloomed flowers on each flowerbed we passed through while distant sound of the barks of the neighbor's dog and laughter from children playing nearby.

"Bumili ako ng paborito mo," saad ng aking ina bago itaas ang paper bag na kanyang hawak na may logo ng Pan De Manila para makita ko ito.

"Egg pie?" tugon ko bago kuhain ito sabay bulatlat sa itaas nitong parte paraan para masilayan ko ang box sa loob nito.

"Salamat, Ma." Isinarado ko ang paper bag nang sambitin ko ang salitang iyon habang patuloy kaming naglalakad.

Naisipan kasing bumisita ng aking ina sa aking bahay ng panandalian. Isang taon din kasi ang lumipas simula noong huli kaming magkita.

Halos kalahating oras ang aming paglalakad bago namin natuntong ang aking bahay. Sa oras matapakan ng aking ina ang loob ng bahay ay namangha ito nang mapansin niyang malinis ang bawat sulok. Minsan kasi hindi ko nalilinis ang bahay ko-lalo na noong huling punta niya sa amin kung saan halos bawat sulok ng pasilyo at kuwarto ay may basura.

"Kamusta na rito, Gerome?" Pag-aalalang tanong nito sa akin nang makaupo siya sa sopa.

"Maayos naman kami, Ma," saad ko bago binuksan ang television para manood siya, bago ako naglakad papunta sa hagdanan.

A flicker of surprise was painted across her eyes before turning her gaze from the television to my direction. It was a look that spoke volumes without uttering a single word where I sense the weight of her worries before saying, "Sigurado ka ba?"

"Opo. Kaya ka ba bumisita, Ma?" Pagtango ng dalawang beses at pagtaas ng kilay ang naging sagot niya sa aking tanong at ngumiti lamang ako.

"Saglit lang, Ma. Aakyat muna ako sa taas," paalam ko.

Naglakad ako paakyat sa hagdanan habang pinapanood ang nanay ko na nanonood ng T.V.

She doesn't have to worry about me, I'm doing just fine.

My eyes adjusted to the dimly lit room after reaching the hallway of my second floor while a smile slowly spread across my face.

Inside the room, I saw a sea of books above the table while my daughter sits on a chair, completely engrossed in the story she's reading. Her eyes sparkled with wonder and curiosity, her imagination must be taking flight with every word she devoured before changing her focus to my direction when she heard my footsteps.

"Daddy!" my daughter said, wearing a radiant smile painted across her lips.

My face lit up with a matching smile as I witnessed my daughter's infectious happiness. Her eyes began sparkling with excitement, reflecting the joy that bubbled within her. Each step brought her closer to my comforting presence, where I stood near her room's door with open arms, ready to embrace her.

"Nand'yan na si lola?" tanong nito na nakadikit ang mukha sa aking tiyan habang nakayakap ng sobrang higpit.

Nang matapos siya sa kanyang pagkayakap ay tumingala ito para makita ako bago ko sinagoy ang kanyang tanong.