VACATION
Today is the first day of summer and we are on our way to the province! I am really excited to see my cousins in Nueva Ecija and spend the vacation with them.
My heart drums and delights the fact that in there, we will be playing tumbang preso in the morning, and together we will all be eating at noon beside the patubig of my Lolo in his farm, while he irrigates his calamansi plants. Calamansi juice is a good source of vitamin C.
At night, I picture my Lola, in her thick and round glasses, reading bedtime stories as we gather in the sala on our pajamas. The thought of recounting these to my classmates in the city after the holiday makes me even more cheered.
“Marco, you should bring your cap,” my mother reminded while I pack my things. She explained that it is better to bring one because of the hot weather.
“And do not forget your toothbrush!” my sister added. Yna dreams to become a dentist someday. She told me that clean teeth make a smile stunning.
“Are you all set? The traffic is heavy. We better be going!�
Father shouted in the garage after checking the tires and the machine of our bright sunflower mobile.
On the road, the tall buildings flashed fast our windows, dancing and waving us goodbyes. “Kids, you better take a nap. When we get there, I will just wake you up,� father said.
And ate put on her snake neck pillow as soft as the cloud. I pretended asleep and watched the buildings disappear. My father played music, pleasing to the ears. After hours of driving I saw the nature, and trees beamed like joyful hearts.
“Nanay, the trees are cool green!” “Not only that, they provide us oxygen. Because of them, the air we breathe becomes clean.” Then I promised myself to plant trees with my cousins in the province. Such thought kept me smiling.
Tatay stopped and parked the car in front a store near the road. There are sweet treats – packed and sold in bulk. He asked the seller, “How much is this pasalubong?” .
“Ah, that is delicious! There are garlics and chillies in that Sukang Paombong.” The seller held the bottle high. Tatay bought one and I asked him buy two packs of sinuklob for my cousins Caloy and Robb.
Tatay continued to drive and the car zigzagged after sometime. He stepped out and found the flat tire. “I will look for someone who can vulcanize.” He returned together with a man wearing shirt in dirty white.
“People here are talented. They cleanly work for their bread,” nanay said. Tatay and nanay beamed at the man and expressed their thanks for fixing the problem and making us again all set.
Then in my lola’s house we arrived at noon, all safe. Everyone hugged me and kissed my head. We ate lunch and I exclaimed, “Province is love with cousins around. Summer is cool to have some fun!” They all smiled.