28/05/2025
maingay ang hapag-kainan, it was one of those days na kumpleto kaming naghahapunan. the table was filled with laughter— the kind of dinner that not just feed your hunger, but also fills your soul.
we were about to eat apples. as i stood to wash them, i heard my mom’s laugh.
“naalala mo ba dati? tawag mo jan mananas, it was your favorite fruit when you were little”
i smiled as i cut the apples into pieces. ipinatong ko ang mangkok ng mga hiniwang mansanas sa mesa.
“kapag may palaro noon na pabitin hindi pinapansin ni ate yung mga kendi eh, laging mansanas lang ang kinukuha” my sister added as she took a piece.
“kahit gaano kataas yun, tinatalon mo talaga. you always come home with bruises on your knees, along with an apple” my mother laughed as she recalled those moment.
i looked at the apples and smiled.
“hindi ko naman talaga paborito ang mansanas. dati kasi, feeling ko mayaman ka na kapag nakakain ka ng mansanas. it felt like a luxury for me back then” i said as i took a bite
tumahimik sandali ang mesa. i looked at the apples again and sighed. para bang ipinaaalala nun yung dating ako— kasi if she would see me now, she would be so happy. she would say we already made it.
siguro nga nagbabago ang mga pangarap natin sa buhay, madalas nadadagdagan even without fulfilling the previous one.
but today, i was reminded how i should be grateful about life— despite struggling with it. kasi dati, yung mansanas, ang hirap-hirap makuha.
it’s really the little things that would make you feel like hoping— again and again. as for me, it was apples. i pray you have your apple for your tiring day too.
gi-yan
