A Year Again (TagLish)

CHAPTER 2: Home Again

ISABEL's POV

I opened my eyes slowly, annoyed at the baby who woke me up because of crying, but trying to understand the situation too. When my eyes were fully opened, i looked at the mother trying to calm her baby down, while the father is just reading a newspaper. "How stupid of him", i thought.

I looked at the window, and the sun is finally up. Im near my destination, Philippines!

After hours of flight, we finally arrived in the country. I checked my luggage, and dragged it all the way to the exit, my body is aching, i don't even have much strength to carry this thing. I saw a familiar woman waving at me with a big smile, it's my mother Belinda, and beside her is my aunt Mabel. Yes, all Bel, like my name, IsaBEL.

I quickly went to them, pretending not to feel the sore on my body, and now feeling energized that i finally saw my mom. I took a deep breath before my final step, then i wrapped my arms on both of them, leaving my luggage on the ground, showing how much i missed them. "Anak, namiss kita, kumusta ka naman? Hindi ka palagi nagtetext sakin, hindi kanga nagsabi na nakapunta kana ng airport, anak ba kita?" at ayun, nagtampo na ang napaka cute kong nanay.

I looked at tita suspiciously, ano na naman kaya ang ginawa ng dalawang to? Aber? "Ma! Syempre naman anak mo ako, ayaw mo ba na nandito ako? Busy lang ako kagabi, kaya hindi na ako nagtext", i explained "Tita, namiss din kita! Kamusta na sina Nene? May mga chocolate kaya ako dito" i added.

Her eyes widened, and looked at me. "Talaga anak? Aba, matutuwa sila nyan, salamat talaga" Sabi nya saakin habang may kinukuha sa bag nya, anak din tawag nya saakin, at parang ina ko na si tita Mabel, "Tsaka pala, may pinadala si Tinay para sayo, sabi ko bigay nalang pagkita nyo, eh gusto daw ngayon eh."

She handed me a paper that probably contains a letter from Tinay, "Sige po, babasahin ko nalang po kapag nasa sasakyan na po tayo" sabi ko. "Ngayon mo na basahin, sabi nya sakin pagdating mo, dapat basahin mo daw kaagad" sabi nya saakin while pushing the paper on me. "Sige po, sabi nyo po yan tita."

I was curious for a second, but of course, i will open it anyway. I opened the mysterious paper, and saw a letter, it really is written by Tinay, looking at the handwriting of the person.

What the letter contains: "Isabel, i left something inside your room, check your drawers! Before ka magsabi na sana tinext ko nalang, wala lang, feel kolang gumawa ng letter para kunyari romantic."

Buang talaga 'tong kaibigan ko nato eh, kinabahan naman ako masyado sa wala. After reading what's inside the letter, i saw tita and mom having a secret conversation. I smell something fishy, may surprise siguro sila sakin pagdating ko dun eh, now i know.

I approached them and they look nervous, i raised my left eyebrow, still trying to read their minds, which obviously i can't do. What are they up to? Now im even more curious.

They look at me, "Anak, si tito bert mo, nandun na sa sasakyan." mom said, "Si tito bert nandun? Aba, tara na po, namiss kona po sya eh."

We quickly walked to the parking lot, finding the car of tito Bert. I remember exactly what color his car is, it's red, his favorite color. We found the car right away, since it's an easy color to find. I saw tito Bert waving from the car, we then saw him getting out to greet us.

I ran towards him despite the weight of what im holding, and gave him a hug, "Tito! Namiss po kita, mabuti naman at nandito ka", i said while catching my breath. He looked at me for awhile, "Ikaw ba talaga yan? Parang may iba sayo eh, may boyfriend kana no? Aba, sino naman kaya yun?" Hindi ko alam kung seryoso ba talaga si tito, pero seryoso ang pagkasabi nya.

I looked at him with a sad face, "Ako lang po to tito, ako lang to hahaha. Syempre wala pa po akong boyfriend, wala naman po nagkakagusto sakin eh" i said. "Paanong wala, ang ganda kaya ng pamangkin ko, akin nayan ang dala mo, mukhang mabigat eh", he said, "Tama nyo nayan, basta kapag may boyfriend tong anak ko, saakin muna dadaan yan", mom added at kinuha na ni tito ang dala ko, "Thank you tito", i said and he put it at the back of the car.

I looked at mom and tita, i noticed tita is on her phone, typing something. The weather is great, the wind is cold, despite the bright sun today. I look up at the sun, while covering some part of my eyes by my hands, oh, i miss this. I miss all of the trees surrounding us today, and the smile of the people as we walk, or even as we hit the road. This is where i feel like home, with my family and friends.

I thanked God for today, for the safe trip to the Philippines, and keeping my family and friends healthy. I looked around, and saw the happy faces of the people, hugging their relatives or friends that just came back to the Philippines. Maybe this is why i decided to come back, maybe i just miss this atmosphere.

We decided to go inside the car, and tito Bert drove us to our farm, where we built our very own house. I looked at the surroundings, a lot really changed these past few years, and those are great changes. I noticed the abundance of our crops, the changes of quality, and the quantity of every plant we have in this farm. I miss this life, just planting everyday, taking care of them, fresh coffee in the morning, playing with the kids, training the dogs, i miss it all, especially the cold breeze.

As i step out of the car, i took a deep breath, and smelled a familiar scent. As we go closer to the house, the scent is becoming stronger and stronger, until i knew exactly what it was. My eyes grew wider, my body filled with excitement, and my mouth just saying "food!"

Finally, after a long ride, makakakain din naman ako. Adobo, my favorite food! I hop as i walk, like a child once again, while i notice my mother looking at me. I ran towards the entrance and didn't bother to knock, my mom, tita, and tito tried to stop me, but whatever, im hungry.

As i step in, nakita ko ang mga pamangkin ko, grabe, napakalaki na nila. They didnt notice me as i walk towards them, as they are playing. I decided to surprise them "Booo!", I shouted and they just looked at me, not even surprised. They scan my whole body, and they smile, of course i smile too, they stood up and hug me.

I can smell the sweet perfume that they used, "Ate!" They all shouted while hugging me. This might be the happiest day of my life, it's just full of everything im longing for so long. "Gusto nyo ba ng pasalubong?" I asked, "Oo po, ate" they all shouted.

I looked glanced at the door and looked them in the eyes again, "Im gonna go out, kukunin ko ang mga pasalubong, gusto nyo bang tumulong?" I asked. They all nod and said "Oo naman po, tara na po ate", we make our way outside, at kinuha na lahat sa sasakyan.

I didn't bring much clothes since im just gonna stay here for a week, all i got are gifts for them, thanking them for making me strong all the time. We put my luggage on the floor in the living room, and i opened it. I saw their expressions and reminded me of myself when i was a child, everytime my father comes home with my favorite chocolate.

I divided all the chocolates for the 3 kids, Andrea, Luna at kay Dominic. I left some of the chocolates for the adults to divide, and also left some for Tinay. The kids looked at me with the biggest smile, "Thank you po talaga ate!" they shouted, but i noticed that Dom is looking sad. I faced him, and looked at him, "Dom, anong problema? Mukhang ayaw mo yata ang binigay ko", biro ko sakanya.

He looked at me with a worried face "Ate kasi eh, sabi ni mama, hindi daw po ako pwede kumain ng chocolate, sayang naman po", he said with a very innocent face. I tapped his shoulders, "Ito nalang, secret nalang natin to, kainin mo yan ngayon, habang wala pa si mama mo, easy lang yan Dom" i winked, at biro ulit. Still, he looked troubled and worried, "Oh ito nalang, i will tell tita na payagan ka, ngayon lang naman yan eh" he looked at me and widened his eyes with excitement.

I stood up, "Kainin nyo nayan ngayon, baka mabawi ko payan" i said and laughed. I dragged my luggage to my old room and just let it stay there, im too exhausted to even do anything. Minutes later, someone knocked at the door, "Pasok po", i said. Someone opened the door and it's mom, i stood up, "Ma, ano po yun?" I asked. She made her way to my bed, and sat there, she tapped the bed lightly giving me a signal to sit.

I sat beside her and she hug me. "Anak, namiss kita. Kamusta ka naman doon? Ang mga kaibigan mo, okay lang ba sila don?" Ang dami naman ng tanong ni mama. "Ma, mukhang mas miss mo sila kesa saakin eh, they're doing well, actually great ma" i explained. I looked around my old room, and noticed something missing beside my study table, "Ma..... Yung box!?" I panicked, hindi pwedeng mawala yun.

She just laughed at me, so i was annoyed, i made my way quickly to search for the box, "Anak, nandun sa kwarto ko, alam ko naman kung pano mo inaalagaan ang box nayun eh. Nililinisan ko yun every week, kaya umupo kana dito" she said calmly. "Ma naman eh, i was scared, that's my only memory of him, kukunin ko nalang po mamaya, salamat po ma", i said and sat beside her again.

She run her fingers through my hair, "Nak, sure kaba na okay kalang dito? Hindi ba maliit itong kwarto mo?" she said. "Ma, favorite ko nga to eh, you know, papa built this. This is one of my biggest memory of him" i said while the tears are falling down from my eyes. She looked at me with a worried face, but i can feel that she is sad too, "Alam ko, kaya kailangan mo nang kumain ngayon, ang paborito mong adobo, nakahanda na" she said and stood up, "Thank you ma, mauna ka po muna, susunod lang ako" i said and she left the room.

I looked around the room once again, it's still the same, yung box nalang ang kulang. I walk towards my study table, and sat at the chair. I remember how i used to stay up all night studying, just to make my parents proud, i remember how i decorated this table, full of stickers of my favorite show.

I looked at my left and saw my cabinet, i stood up and open it. I can smell the old wood, and the old clothes, all these doesn't fit anymore, but i left them here because of sentimental values. I saw the window, i remember how i broke the glass because i was playing volleyball, i cried a river that time, saying i was sorry.

I heard my mom call me, so i left the room and helped her out at the kitchen. "Ang mga bata po?" I asked her while i was getting some plates to get ready to eat. "Nasa labas, wag kang mag alala, kumain na sila, ikaw nalang wala", pagsabi ni mama nun, binalik ko ang ibang plato, and saved one for myself, kumuha nadin ako ng kutsara at tinidor.

I can smell the chicken adobo all around the house, the smell I've been longing for. I sat at the chair, then ate the adobo. Mom joined me but she didn't eat, she only watched me as she was reading a new book. I finished the adobo in just one sitting, and i can say, im proud of myself, but also feel that im gonna be fat later on from all this food.

I always love it everytime my mother cooks, i always try to eat a big quantity, just so she can say that she cooked it well, that's my way of saying thank you to my mom. My mother for me is like the best mom in the world, she knows me very well, and she raised me well.

She noticed that im done, so she stopped reading and put her book aside. "Wag kang umupo lang dyan, uminom ka ng tubig, tapos maglakad lakad ka, para madigest mo yang kinain mo, hindi naman ako nagpalaki ng baboy ah" she said, and i laughed. Tumayo na ako at uminom ng tubig, tapos nilibot lang ang buong bahay.

I was about to clean the dishes, pero sabi ni mama, wag na daw, she told me to rest since i had a long flight. I decided to just sleep, so i took a nap to recharge some energy i used today.

I woke up by the sound of my alarm, it's already 3:00pm. I slowly opened my eyes, sat, yawned and stretched my arms. It was a long day, it's now time for me to get out of this room to see what's new, or what's going on outside.

I opened the door and what i saw really surprised me, like really. I jumped because of what i saw, "Surprise!" they shouted loudly, i saw some of my old friends, and Tinay is also with them. They have balloons, and my mom is holding the cake in the center. I almost cried, because i never expected this from them.

I look ugly, kakagising ko palang eh. "Grabe, new year na new year ah, napa advance handaan kayo hahaha. Thank you guys, i appreciate it" i said. I saw some of my friends moving towards me, to greet me and welcome me, "Ahhh! Isay, ang ganda mona, bakit kasi hindi ka umuwi nung last na new year, hindi kami tuloy kumpleto", Gavin told me.

I hug him, "Gav, kumusta ka naman? Naging busy lang ako noon, kaya hindi ako nakapunta" sabi ko. At nandito din ang kambal ko na kaibigan, sina Kate at Kit, oo, babae at lalaki. "Kambal!!!" I shouted, "Isay!!" They shouted back, kaloka tong mga kaibigan ko, napatawa nalang ako.

Nagkamustahan lang naman kami, "Tinay, ano ba yung letter nayun? Kinabahan ako nung una eh hahaha" Sabi ko habag tumatawa. "Wala lang, feel kolang syempre hahaha, ano bang nasa isip mo laman nun? Kaloka naman hahaha."

We all just laugh, "Oh ano na, may mga love life naba kayo?" Tanong ko, kasi wala naman akong alam sa buhay nila ngahon eh, ang alam kolang, successful na sila. "Ano ba yan, syempre meron na, may boyfriend na ako", sabi ni Kate. "Oh, mabuti naman yan, ikaw lang may boyfriend? Hahaha" tanong ko ulit, and everyone just nodded.

We ate what they prepared after we talk about our lives, the last thing we ate was cake. I noticed there is still cake left, "Guys, may cake pa po dito, baka gusto nyo pa" i said while some are still eating or talking.

Pinuntahan ako ni Dom, at gusto nya daw ang cake, pero kumain nadaw sya ng chocolate kanina. "Ito nalang, hatiin nalang natin, baka gusto ni Andeng (Andrea) yung kalahati" i said, and he agreed, ang cute talaga ng bata nato.

I called Andrea and she ate the half of the cake, that was the last piece. We cleaned the plates and everything else, and it was time for some of my friends to go, so they can prepare for New Year's Eve tomorrow.

"Aalis na kayo?" I asked, "Oo Isay, marami pa kaming gagawin eh, magkita nalang tayo next time?" Kate answered for her and Kit, "Isay, sorry, aalis na kami, di tayo nakapag bonding ng matagal" Kit added. "Uyy okay lang talaga, ikaw Gav?" I asked, "Uhh, i have to go too, i will pass by tomorrow, okay lang? Message nalang kita" Gav said. "Sige ba, magsabi kalang ha? Walang surprise hahaha".

I saw Tinay running towards me, "Oh, hinay hinay lang" i said, worried she might fall. "Bes, kailangan ko nang umalis, tinatawag na ako ni mama, matulog kana, magpahinga ka ha? Ang haba pa naman ng byahe mo papunta dito" she said while catching her breath.

I looked at all of them, "Thank you for today, guys, mabuti naman nagkita tayo ulit" i said, "Ang problema, may kulang lang satin eh", Kit said with a sad face, i understood what he meant by it. "Uyy, ano kaba? Syempre di natin yun malilimutan, wala naman tayong magawa eh" Tinay said.

Kate looked at me worried, "Okay ka lang?" She asked me, "Of course, im fine", i answered. "Ito kasi eh" Tinay said, "Really guys? Im fine, okay?" I reassured. Gavin checked on me, "Isay, baka gusto mo pumunta bukas? Lahat kami pupuntahan sya. Nanotice kolang, hindi mo na sya dinadalaw, sana ngayon pumayag ka" he said.

I totally understand, im trying to get over him, but i can't, hindi ko nga sya madalaw eh. "Ill try, message ko nalang kayo sa group chat ha? Magpapahinga na muna ako, mag-ingat kayo pag-uwi" sabi ko na parang matamlay. "Kayo kasi eh, hayaan nyo na muna si Isabel, pupunta sya kung gusto nya, o kapag kaya na nya, dapat nga tulungan sya natin, di nakakatulong mga pinanggagawa nyo eh" Kate said in a slightly angry tone.

I will run out of patience anytime soon, "Guys, magpapahinga na ako, mag-ingat kayo, bye na ha?" Sabi ko, at pumunta na sa kwarto.

I looked at every spot in the room, there i saw the box, here again. Baka binalik na ni mama yung box, am i even ready to open it tomorrow? Can i even do our promise Xi? Ikaw kasi, hindi mona magawa ngayon, hinayaan mo nalang ako mag-isa, you left me with all these things. How can i even move on when i have to do this every New Years Eve?

END OF CHAPTER 2, IT'S SHORT, BUT I HOPE YOU ALL LIKE IT!