Dream Sequence

This story happened when I was 13 or 14 while in 2nd year in Philippine Science High School (PSHS).  I only told this story to my friend while we were sawing something together in the machine shop at university, bored as hell.

Story Start

When I was in PSHS, I stayed at the dormitory, but during the weekends, I stayed with my relatives in Cubao.  We had a live-in maid named Pia.  If I recall, she was only two years older than me.  She was pretty and she was a bit taller than me.  She had short black hair that went down to her neck.  Her eyes were brown (I think) and they were piercing, especially when she’s scolding me. 

She does the housework like cleaning and laundry.  Me?  I was busy doing homework, watching TV and playing games.  Well I was lazy but I was nice to her.  I called her Ate Pia (ate = elder sister).  We would watch soap operas and eat snacks together during her breaks.  Sometimes I would tease her and she’d get annoyed.  Her eyes would narrow and she’d pinch me.  Hard.  It hurts but by next weekend, I would tease her again.  I forget what pranks I pulled or what jokes I told that would lead to that; I just remember the pinches that came after.

Anyway, a few months before my family left for Canada, she had to quit being the maid and go back to her home province, Surigao del something (I forget if it’s del Norte or del Sur).  The night that she left, she was quite emotional.  She went around the house saying goodbye to my relatives.  I was in my bedroom watching TV, sitting on the bed, when she came in.  She looked so sad and her eyes were filled with tears.  Then she suddenly knelt down and hugged me.  I was stunned.  Her chin was on my shoulder and her arms were around me tightly.  Choking back her tears, she said "Aalis na ako, Jennard.  Magpakabait ka. (I’m going, Jennard.  Be a good boy.)".  I said nothing; I couldn’t think of anything to say.  We stayed in silence for a few seconds, with her sobbing a bit and still embracing me.  Finally, she got up and left the room without saying a word.  I was still stunned that by the time I got out of the room and went down the stairs, she was already at the front door.  Then she was gone.

Story End

I never heard from her again.  Soon after, my family left for Canada.  In hindsight, I should have asked for her contact info.  Also, I regret not hugging her back and not saying anything.  She might have hugged me for a while, waiting for words of farewell.  Tsk, I was such a stupid boy.

Ate Pia, sana mabuti ka, saan ka man.  Sorry dahil wala akong sinabi noong niyakap mo ako.  Gusto ko lang sabihin na na-miss kita mula nang umalis ka.  Maraming salamat sa lahat ng ginawa mo para sa akin at sa pasensiya mo.  Sana maligaya ang buhay mo ngayon.  Maraming salamat uli.

I was looking at anime I can download when I came across an OVA called "Today in Class 5-2". Apparently 3 episodes are out with the 4th and last one will be out before the end of March. Fortunately, the manga has been translated and I gave it a read. I was engrossed. It’s totally hilarious. The 5th grade protagonist gets into these hilarious situations with his classmates. Anyway, if you’re into manga, give it a read.

So anyway, this morning, I woke up at 6 am to drive my mom to work. As I was driving her, my mind drifted as I tried to remember what hijinks I got into when I was in grade school and high school back in the Philippines. I also tried to remember my high school life and early university years here in Canada. It dawned on me that I don’t really remember a lot so I decided that morning that I would write them down before I totally forget as I grow (even) older.

So to all the people I met in life, I just want you to know that you might be mentioned in this blog. It’s ok though since no one reads it anyway except my friend who leaves comments all the time (thank you very much!). If you’re offended, comment on the post or send me an e-mail at jennarddy@gmail.com. You can also yell at me through MSN. My Hotmail account is jennard@hotmail.com. If you remember it differently than I remember it, correct me. If you have any stories that involve me, let me know.