The moment I stepped on the place, I smelled and felt that old breeze tinged with familiarity. I kept thinking how long has it been since I’ve last been there as I ran my fingers through its worn round, red–painted, immoveable seats and sat down.
The place hasn’t changed that much, except that its handwritten menu board was now replaced with a tarp; and the owners’ children have grown so much and there were two new tots running around. I managed to peek through a window a line of framed photographs placed atop a piano, and discovered, the owners are grandparents now. How long has it been?
Apart from the pancit canton and egg, I ordered that beef loaf I almost forgot was a favorite. I remember looking for that particular brand in supermarkets before. Sometimes I did get lucky to find it, sometimes I didn’t. But whether I did or didn’t, I didn’t mind much for I always used to find myself drawn to this place, to this corner shaded by a lantern-adorned tree; until life happened.
I have a feeling I was smiling the whole time I was there. I felt just like a kid staring through that kaleidoscope I’ve put off, placed in a corner, and forgotten for such a long time. Suddenly, the lights shone in shades I thought I’d never see again. Suddenly, I thought how come a place as wonderful as this could still be here, and not change, or yet change but still is what it is to me.
I looked at the person beside me, and started to wonder, how long has it been?
Then, full and grown, it was about time to leave.
6 comments:
kahilakon ko ani! yes, how long has it been??? where did the years go?
me too, kahilakon ani. nice kaayo to remember places like this. lovely!
your musings just give one a food for thought..indeed, "how long has it been?".a question we need to ask ourselves..
tiris and chi, aw gahilak jud ko pag-uli namo ani. paets. :hide:
chelo, may na lang na-food for thought. hihi.
nahan ko :) i think people think of home too much as that structure we get back to every night. for a transient like me, though, home is places like this where regardless of how long you've been away you'll always find joy and comfort waiting for you :)
leebog! salamat...nalipay ko kay nakasabot ka nako...pero di buot pasabot na lisod ka pasabton...nalipay ko kay nakasabot ka sa akong wachinanggong sinulatan. haha! :hide:
seriously, sakto jud mam. home is a place where you'll always find joy and comfort waiting for you...bisan kapila na ka minglayas. hihi. =)
Post a Comment