Groggily opening my eyes, I stared into the plain white ceiling while basking in the warmth caressing my every nook and cranny of my body. I hovered my hands in an attempt to block the blinding rays over me. Bored, so I desperately searched for my laptop as a way to fill the void I feel momentarily. Gathering my thoughts, I looked at the date when I realized that it’s the day my beloved uncle’s arrival from overseas. My head in the clouds, wondering what impression I should make, what kinds of decisions I should take – when I realized that it’s already past 10:30.
In a daze, I hurriedly went downstairs with my towel as fast as I could. Took a shower then groomed myself at the double, afraid that my uncle might catch me looking sloppy and that would be horrendous. It has been established that we
Filipinos, be hospitable towards our guests so it’s already ideal that one must put a lot of thought in presenting themselves appropriately and respectably after all doing all the necessary preparations, and all that there is to do is to wait. The clock is ticking, getting jittery, annoyed and frustrated, I keep myself busy by filling my head with thoughts, frantically searching for ways to comfort these feelings of uneasiness. Distressed, I looked for something that would keep me occupied. I grabbed the remote to watch from the television. I was so engrossed with what I’m watching, I forgot that approximately 30 minutes have passed. A few minutes later I heard someone banging the gates, “he must be here” I thought to myself. I took the keys and sprinted to the gateway checking whether he’s already there, my hunch was correct. I opened the gates joyfully as my uncle stood there “welcome back” he said. He extended his arms as a friendly gesture and I hugged him in response. His warmth reached towards me and I smile cheerfully. I called my mom upstairs to tell the big news, she met with my uncle down in the living room and sat to catch up for the lost time.
As they took their sweet time I observed how my uncle aged like fine wine throughout the years. With his receding hairline, must be from hair loss, matched by his greyish hair made him mischievous and yet mature a piece of evidence that he has withstood through the hands of time which for an unknown reason suited his image. The lines on his face are like dunes lost in time everything I knew about him changed, still one thing remained the cozy-ness emanating from him remained the same which I admired.
Jealous and Irritated, “This might take a while,” I thought to myself as I went back to my room, the serene sanctuary where I belong. There I was again fixated on my laptop’s screen like a bee sipping on the flower’s sap. I indulge in the beauty the technology provides. Scrolling for a while and I smelled something good, I went back downstairs to locate where the pleasant smell is coming from and to my surprise, they were cooking what it seems as a buttery relished with garlic shrimp
With no hesitations, I helped myself, getting me some plate and utensils and eat to my fill. I waited for a while when they finally placed the meal in front of me. Starry-eyed, I stared at it momentarily savoring and admiring how it was visually presented, how well it was cooked with the shrimp looking tender with its orangey skin, it looked like a dream. After a few more discussions at the table, it was now time for my uncle to take his leave. Shocked because I thought he would stay over at our house, unfortunately, he still has his two kids waiting for him. I told him to give my regards while watching my uncle bringing along his suitcases filled to the brim, waving him some goodbyes wishing for him another safe trip.
ADAMAZING 