The Serrano Family Saga

Of Birthdays and Cakes

February 7
5:45 AM

"Emma, anak, gising na. Baka ma late ka sa school."

Emma wakes up to see her Papa Fabio sitting on her bedside. Ever since her yaya left, her Papa took the responsibility of making sure that she wakes up early every day.

"Pa, five minutes?" Emma asks him groggily while rubbing her eyes.

"Okay, five minutes pero bubuksan ko na ang kurtina para siguradong gigising ka talaga." Fabio chuckles. He wakes her up around this time everyday because he knows she would always ask to spare her another 5 more minutes. He walks back to her bedside and gave her his usual morning kiss at the top of her head. "Magbihis ka na at sabay tayong mag breakfast ng Mama mo sa baba."

Fabio exits her room, making sure to close it slowly and let the little girl enjoy her extra five minutes.

6:30 AM

Fabio sips his coffee while he reads the latest headlines from the printed newspaper. He hears a pair of feet rush down the stairs, the sound gets louder as it gets closer.

"Good morning Papa!" a little girl shouts behind him.

"Anak, diba sinabi ko na sa'yo na huwag kang tumakbo pababa at baka madapa ka?" He scolds her, but she only laughs at him. The creases on his forehead smoothens. He can't get mad at his little girl, she has him wrapped around her little finger. Emma takes a step forward and kisses her Papa on his cheeks.

"Papa, di naman ako madadapa eh. Malakas kaya mga binti ko. Kaya ko na nga umakyat sa kabayo na mag-isa!" Emma smiles at him.

"Hay nako, mana ka talaga sa Mama mo. Palagi kang nakakalusot sa mga argumento. Oh siya, kumain ka na." Fabio gestures her to take the seat in front of him. Emma immediately takes her seat and uncoils the table napkin to cover her lap.

Fabio helps Emma fill her plate. "Gusto mo ba ng corned beef? Egg? Hotdog? Porkchop?"

"Papa, kahit ano naman kinakain ko at kaya ko naman maglagay ng pagkain sa sarili kong plato. Big girl na kaya ako!" Emma lovingly scolds her Papa.

Fabio sighs, "Emma, you will always be Papa's little girl. Hayaan mo na ako. In a few years, magiging dalaga ka na, magkaka boyfriend, at mag-aasawa. Kapag nangyari yun, may sarili ka nang bahay at ibang tao na ang maglalagay ng pagkain sa plato mo."

"Papa, di naman ako aalis sa bahay eh. Ayaw ko malungkot kayo ni Camila kapag umalis ako." Fabio smiles at her statement. She just knows how to comfort her Papa when he gets sentimental. Emma is a very loving child and he is lucky to have her as his daughter.

"Fabio hindi ka papasok ng opisina? Hindi ka pa ata naka bihis?" Camila stops beside him.

"Nakabihis naman ako ah. Hindi ito ang pantulog ko." Fabio said while he checks his clothes.

"Fabio, naka v-neck shirt ka at khaki shorts. Don't tell me papasok ka sa opisina na naka ganyan." Camila crosses her arm.

"Aaaaah... hindi ako papasok. Masama pakiramdam ko eh." Fabio reasons.

"Masama ang pakiramdam mo? Tatawagan ko na ba ang doktor para dumaan na dito sa bahay?" Camila inquires further.

"Huwag na, pahinga lang ito. Mga ilang araw na din akong masyadong babad sa trabaho." Fabio assures her.

"Sige, kung 'yan ang gusto mo." She sits at her place at their table. She saw Emma eat quietly. Fabio also notices the change in Emma. She was giggling a while ago, but now she is too quiet. Emma is still scared of her own Mama.

"Emma, natapos mo na ba ang assignment mo?" Camila looks at Emma.

"Opo Camila. Natapos ko po lahat ng assignments ko at nag review na po ako nang maigi sa math."