3
"Aika, paano gumawa ng Spotify playlist?" I asked my eldest daughter who was currently having breakfast with me. Tricia was still on duty and Jill was in New York for work kaya kaming dalawa lang ni Aika.
"Bakit, Ma? Sawa ka na ba sa old school CDs mo sa car?" She replied jokingly.
"Oo. Sabi ni Bryce gumawa daw ako para hindi kami palipat-lipat nang radio channel kapag ayaw ko no'ng kanta eh."
"Ang choosy mo kasi, Ma! Pero here, I'll show you how."
For my third gift, I thought about giving Risa a playlist. Random thought ko lang 'to ulit but I suddenly remembered na when we were in Hong Kong, she often played her favorite songs habang nagpapahinga kami.
I don't remember all of them but I remember most. Lalo na 'yung mga kanta na she sang along to. Isa sa mga weakness ko 'yung boses niya kapag kumakanta kasi she sounds so angelic.
Aika left for work and I left for mine. Since maaga pa naman, I decided to finish up the playlist. Ang kaso, I don't know how to give it to her. Buti na lang, dumating na si Bryce kaya I asked him how to send the playlist anonymously.
Instead of answering my question, he asked, "Para kay Sen. Risa po ba 'to?"
"Oo." I replied shyly.
"Swerte naman ni Sen. Risa. Pinag-eeffortan ng presidente ng Pilipinas."
I blushed when I realized na para akong nanliligaw kay Risa. Hindi nga lang niya alam na ako 'yun.
Bryce fixed the playlist and told me na through QR code ko na lang i-send para mas anonymous. We printed the paper and I told him na tatawagin ko na lang siya ulit kapag ipapadala ko na.
I took out another purple envelope from my drawer and placed the QR code inside. Tapos nag-umpisa na akong magsulat ng letter.
To the ever beautiful Ana Theresia, I wrote.
3 more days before your birthday. I hope you know how much brighter the world is with you in it.
Taking the previous years into consideration, aside from being my constant and bliss, Risa made my world a lot brighter and a lot easier to live in. She's bright like the color yellow.
The other paper contains a QR code, scan it and you'll see what I have for you. I explained and held back a laugh, imagining her confused face kapag nakita niya 'yung code without any context.
I finished the letter off with a little motivation for the day since maaga pa. Don't let anything bring you down :)
I kissed the back of the note again and sealed the envelope. Tinawag ko na ulit si Bryce para siya na 'yung magpadala sa office ni Risa.
"Tandaan mo ha, bawal malaman ni Risa na that's from me. Obvious naman na marerecognize nila na staff kita kaya sabihin mo na lang na 'wag silang maingay."
"Okay, okay, noted po." Bryce looked like a giddy kid. Hawak niya 'yung envelope at kulang na lang tumalon siya sa excitement.
"Ang saya mo today." I remarked.
"Wala lang po, kinikilig lang ako sa inyo ni Sen. Risa. Para kayong high school students eh."
True naman, daig ko pa nga ata ang mga high school students sa ginagawa kong 'to.
"Sige na, dalhin mo na 'yan. 'Yung sinabi ko kanina 'wag mo kalimutan ha."
He nodded and I started to work as soon as he left.
