Summer is my Favorite Season

Chapter 16

Dahil ayokong maghanda noong birthday ko, nagpunta na lang kami sa mall. Kasama ko ang mga kaibigan ko at si Theo, kasama niya rin ang girlfriend niya.

Gustong gusto rin ng girlfriend ni Theo kay Lope. Gusto nga nilang i-uwi muna ang sabi naman ni Theo ay hindi ako sanay nang wala si Lope sa 'kin.

Umaga na at gising na gising na si Lope. Sobrang excited niya na kasing pumasok sa school. Noong nakaraan pa siya nangungulit sa 'kin.

Sa malapit na kindergarten school ko lang ipinasok si Lope para mabilis ko lang siyang mahahatid at masusundo.

"Are you ready, Lope?" I asked her.

Tumango naman siya. "Yes, mama." she answered.

Lumabas na kami ng bahay at pumasok na kami sa kotse. Saglit nga lang at nakarating na kami.

Nang nasa tapat na kami ng room niya, mahigpit na kumapit sa may bandang hita ko si Lope.

She looked at me. "Mama, I'm scared," she said. "Can you come with me inside?"

Lumuhod ako sa kanya para matapatan siya. "I can't come with you, mahal." sabi ko at nalungkot naman siya. Hinawakan ko ang pisngi niya. "Hey, don't worry. I won't leave, okay? I'll wait for you outside." saad ko pa.

"Promise?" she asked.

I nodded. "I promise," I said. "Remember you're strong, okay?"

"Strong like you, mama?"

I smiled. "Yeah. Strong like mama, Lope." I said. "Now, go inside. Your classmates are waiting for you."

Sumilip siya sa loob at ngumiti. "Okay, mama. Wait for me po, ah?" she said, and she kissed me. "I love you po."

"I love you too, baby." I said.

Tumayo na ako at nakangiti siyang pinanood na pumasok sa loob ng room. Ngumiti pa siya sa 'kin bago umupo katabi ang kaklase niya.

Nakatingin lang ako sa kanya habang pinapanood siyang makipagkulitan sa kaklase niya.

Balak ko sanang hintayin pa si Lope na matapos pero bigla akong tinawagan ni Jen. Kailangan daw kasi ako sa office ngayon.

"Hello, kuya? Are you busy? Can you pick up Lope?" sabi ko sa kabilang linya.

[Yeah, sure. Lana's with me, though. We will take care of her.] he said.

"Okay, thanks."

Umalis na ako roon at dumiretso na sa trabaho ko. Pinagbigay lang nila ako ng idea tungkol sa bagong project na gagawin. May pinagawa lang din sila sa 'kin.

After no'n, pumunta ako ng mall para bumili ng pasalubong kay Lope. Alam kong magtatampo 'yon dahil inaasahan niyang naroon pa rin ako after ng class niya.

"Cali? Hey, what are you doing here?" napangiti ako nang magkasalubong kami ni Theo.

"Bibili lang ako ng pasalubong kay Lope. Ikaw? What are you doing here?" tanong ko sa kanya at sabay kaming naglakad.

"I'm here to buy a gift for Diane. Fifth monthsary kasi namin bukas." he said. "Anyway, do you have any idea kung anong p'wedeng iregalo?"

I shrugged. "I don't know. But I know Diane will appreciate anything you give her." sabi ko naman.

Nagkwentuhan lang kami at nagtawanan habang naglalakad. Simamahan niya akong bumili ng ibibigay ko kay Lope at sinamahan ko naman siyang bumili ng regalo kay Diane.

Bumili siya ng bouquet of roses at teddy bear. Sabi ko sa kanya ay ayain niyang mag-dinner si Diane or pumunta sila sa peaceful na lugar.

Naalala ko tuloy 'yong pinuntahan namin ni Jacob noon. Gusto ko nang pumunta ro'n ulit. Gusto kong dalhin doon si Lope.

"Are you okay?" Theo asked. "Parang ang lalim ng iniisip mo, ah?"

Agad naman akong umiling. "Don't mind me." I said. "So, I'm going home now. Happy monthsary sa inyo! I'm rooting for your relationship." I said.

He smiled. "I know, Cal." he said. "Bye. Thanks,"

Tumango ako sa kanya bago naglakad paalis. Dumiretso ako sa parking lot at nag-drive na pauwi.

"Lope," saad ko pagpasok ko agad sa bahay. "Where is she?" I asked Kuya Jon.

He chuckled. "She's mad at you," he said.

Mahina naman siyang hinampas ni Ate Lana. "She's not mad at you, Em. Nagtatampo lang siya. She was looking for you after her class. She was so excited to see you." Ate Lana said. "Sige na, naroon siya sa kwarto."

Tumango ako at umakyat na sa kwarto. Pagpasok ko ay nakita ko siyang naglalaro gamit 'yong binigay sa kanya ni Theo.

"Lope, mama's here," I said. She looked at me, pouting. Lumapit ako sa kanya. "I'm sorry, okay? I needed to leave."

"Where did you go, mama?"

"I went to my work, sweetie." I answered. "Please don't be mad at mama."

Yumuko siya. "I'm not mad, mama. I was just so excited to tell you that I have a new friend, but you weren't there." she said. "Don't leave me again, okay?"

I smiled at her. "I won't, I promise." I said. "I have something for you." binigay ko sa kanya 'yong binili ko sa mall.

Natuwa naman siya sa binigay ko. Napahiga ako sa kama at pinanood na lang siyang maglaro. Maya-maya lang ay lumapit siya sa 'kin.

"Mama, can I ask you a question?" she asked.

I nodded. "Yes, sweetie. What is it?" sambit ko at umupo sa kama.

She held the necklace she's wearing. "Some of my classmates were asking about this necklace, mama." she said. "They were asking who made this. They want this kind of necklace, too."

I sighed. Hinawakan ko ang balikat niya. "I can't tell you yet who made it, Lope. But that necklace was made by a special someone." I said.

"So this necklace is important to you, mama?" She asked and, I nodded. "Then why did you give it to me?"

I smiled. "Because I think it's for you. He gave this necklace to me before he left, and then I had you." I said. "Don't lose that necklace, okay?" sabi ko pa at hinalikan ang noo niya.