Unexpected

Years ago, I had no choice but to rigidly adhere to an agonizing routine. I was very young and my options were too limited thus powerless to fend off the fact that I had to wake up at 4:30 in the morning during weekdays.

As soon as I wake up, I mutter for a few minutes before I stand up to gargle. I complained everyday because I had to wake up that early. Then, while squinting due to the light emitted from the fluorescent lamp, I eat my bland-tasting breakfast. Then I brush my teeth to eliminate the awful taste of what I have eaten. Then I take a bath…this is the time that my eyes will be fully opened. Then, I wipe myself dry and wear my uniform. Afterwards, I comb my hair…no applying of hair gel because I didn’t have one. (I asked my father to buy me one but since he’s very thrifty, he just told me that I could use his Tancho pomade instead - Wag na lang. Ambaho kaya non.) Then I await my school bus’s arrival at around 5:15. I was the first passenger to be picked-up and the last one to be brought home because my house was the farthest from school.

This is one of the many reasons why I hate my grade school life. It was such a very unpleasant experience for me…

Okay, to continue…

Then at school…the same boring stuff. Everyday. I attend classes from 8:00 am till 3:30 pm. Then at 4:00 pm, my school bus leaves school to bring us students to our respective homes. This is the only fun part of my day – the ride home. Aside from the fact that I’m already home bound, my bus mates and I did the craziest and barbaric things just to have fun. I arrive at home at around 5:00 pm…do my homework, have dinner and go to sleep at 7:30 pm.

So that’s about it. That went for about three years…until one day, when I alighted my school bus, our maid approached my school bus driver. I was puzzled why would our maid talk with my bus driver. I thought that there was a problem. I didn’t bother to ask and just went inside our house. As I entered our house, I was surprised to see that there were balloons, lots of food and smiling relatives who greeted me a happy birthday. It was a surprise birthday party for me. Oh…so that’s why our maid approached Mang Bhoy, my bus driver. He was being asked to attend my party.

Hindi ko na kilala yung buhat ng yaya and yung dalawang naka talikod sa left.

I was too excited to eat. All I did was to go around and speak with my guests. I went from one seat to another. Sequentially, I arrived at the portion of our living room where my bus driver was enjoying his meal while being entertained by my aunts. When one of my aunts saw me, she then asked my driver in jest: “Siguro makulit si Barley sa school bus niyo, ano?” Her voice was audible enough to catch the attention of the guests near us. Seemingly interested, they went near us to hear about what my driver had to say…

“Ayan? Kasama ng mga barkada niya sa bus ang gugulo…” At this point, I was hoping that Mang Bhoy wouldn’t go into details. He then continued: “ Nag babatuhan sila ng mga pagkain…gamit nila mga baon nila, nang-aasar sa mga tao sa labas…kadalasan pa nga, binabato nila ng kung ano ano. Nandudura pa mga yan…”

AW, COME ON. Birthday ko!

As a seven-year old kid, I have been humiliated many times especially at school by my teachers. My parents also never hesitated to abash me in front of my relatives if I have done something wrong. But what I felt that day was very different – I have never been embarrassed that way before. My head was bent down and I couldn’t look into the eyes of my relatives. There was silence within our small group for a moment and then I heard the voice of my mom – “Bhoy…mukhang hinihintay ka na ng pamilya mo…dalhin mo na itong barbeque sa kanila, salamat sa pag punta.”

Pinaalis na yung walang modo kong bisita. Pinahiya ba naman ako sa birthday ko…*sniff

Papahiyain mo ba ang batang ito? Ang bait tignan, eh (A pose beside my cartolina banner before sleeping - wala pang tarpaulin noon.)

Overall, it was an unforgettable and enjoyable experience. It was unforgettable because of what that ingrate did…and enjoyable because I was able to spend my birthday with my cousins and other relatives from both sides.

Thank you Mommy and Daddy.