K-Date

I rushed to get dressed to attend the afternoon mass. 

I heard my Lola asked my Mom,

Lola:      “Saan ang punta nun?”

Mader:  "Sisimba daw."

Lola:      "Aba.. himala… sinong kasama?"

Mader:  "Ina naman… mag-beinte otso na yan… Hayaan mo na kung may kadate!"

Lola:      "Nagulat lang ako at sisimba.  Tuwang-tuwa ako at bumalik na sa dati."

I smiled at their conversations…

They are so happy that finally, I’ll be attending mass. So I went there. 

Iba na pala ang priest.
Malaki na pala ung baby na dating katabi ko pag nagmamass
At may syota na pala si Ineng at si Tutoy.
At hindi pa pala sira ang wall fan na nagpapahilo sa akin.
Andun din ang Elders ko sa Couples for Christ… all smiling at me.

I received communion…. Was among the first on the line…I knelt down and prayed fervently… it took me awhile before I sat in.   I saw myself crying… for the many sorry’s and many thanks I told God.

Whatta relief to be back!

I was still in the midst of praying when I felt …
May kumulbit sakin..
I ignored..  
“Araayyy… may kumurot…”

So I end it up and asked the girl beside me..

“Sino ung kumurot sa akin?”

Girl :  “Wala naman pong dumaang tao.”

So I sat comfortably and waited.   While looking at the altar… I saw one familiar face of a friend standing beside the priest.  The priest at that time is mentioning about the Caravan in Cavite and that Caviteños need to wear Light Blue… my friend signaled that he, too, is wearing Light Blue…

He did nothing but to stand, smile, and wink…

I was left… smiling too.. And watching him.  When the mass is ended, the people went out of the church and I remain sitting.  My friend waved… and I nodded… He even tried to move the banner of Cristo Rei on the foot of the altar… but he never succeeded… he smiled at me again and laughed.  “Hangkulit”

I followed him… but he disappeared in the crowd.  I can’t see him anymore.  I saw my friend… this time, I am wide awake… and I’m in the church.

Hopefully, the next time that you’ll gonna see me… not in a crowd… mapapagkamalan akong “Natuluyang Timang…”