Walking to our house
In just 15 minutes, we were in Kuya's house by the road. Our house was a stone's throw away. My dad parked the car inside their yard and we walked to our house. It now has a decent toilet not like the last time when I had to take a bath outside covered with a patadyong or tapis. It was okay because nobody was in sight except for some houses dotting the fields. The barrio where Kuya's family lives is a few minute's walk from there. I squinted my eyes to look at the spot where our house used to be. It used to be bigger and was standing beside a stream where people would occasionally walk through. The original farm house however was built on a higher spot from the second location. I was able to go there a few times when my Auntie Analyn climbed a lumboy or duhat tree so we could eat its fruits. My Nanay Mameng pointed out the spot to me and we found a coin stuck on the ground and a few things that were left when they moved.
Tobacco plants in abundance
In the dry riverbed beside the house
We took a few pictures and spoke to the old woman who was looking after the house with her son and two grandsons while my grandfathers were away. Since several robberies occurred in the area, my grandfathers opted to sleep in town leaving the carabao to the old woman and her son. However, my lolo Domingo decided to leave the carabao with Kuya Ray's dad in the barrio where a lot of people live. It was a lot safer that way because the night before, somebody from outside the yard threw a stone into the roof. The old woman turned the lights on to reveal that somebody was inside the dwelling. She wanted to fire a shot from a gun that my lolo left but it has only one bullet and she was scared that they may fire shots into the house and they would have no ammunition to fight back.
Ten years ago, my parents and I stayed in the farm with my grandparents for a week. We enjoyed the tranquility. Every night after eating dinner, we would sit outside and look out into the fields or stare at the starry sky. Once, everything was so quiet and I felt so far away from civilization until a plane passed by noisily. It made me realize that I wasn't out of touch after all. In the afternoon, I would stay inside the house and listen to the drama shows broadcasted in the local radio stations. It bored me to death sometimes, but I was used to it so I didn’t really have a miserable time.
I wanted to sleep at least once in the farm but my parents found it dangerous so we had to go back to town. My lolo asked me if I wanted to take a bath since the water there was abundant. In town, we had to store water because the tap flows only about four times a day. Sometimes only for an hour before it stops so when the water flows, we rush to the bathroom to take our baths.
I wanted to visit the old location of our house but it was scorching hot and a bit far from where the current location is. I could see it from the doorway but could only look at it longingly. I had the best memories there. I used to take a bath in the stream, climb trees, and play in the yard. That's where our pet monkey pulled my hair too. A distant memory that never fails to make me smile and tear up at the same time.
Gem and I with the fields right behind us
We went back to Kuya's house where we sat in the papag they placed in the yard. There were trees lining the yard and the shade made it possible for us not to bake while we were lounging around. I entertained myself by throwing dry leaves into the irrigation canal and watching them float away. My dad asked Kuya Ray to buy alcohol and peanuts in the barrio. Kit rode the motorcycle with him and went back with stories about how huge Kuya's dog was. Much bigger than the one that chased us in Lemery. My dad, Kuya Ray and his dad drunk brandy while Kuya's younger brother climbed up a coconut tree to get coconuts for us. I enjoyed sipping the cool coconut juice that I poured into a small glass while the others engaged in an animated conversation about things that happened in the past. When I felt bored, I went inside the car and read the newspaper that my parents bought in San Jose the day before. After about two hours, we drove back into town for lunch. We had to attend to my lolo Cresencio's needs also. He had to be fed by lunch and given his medication.
Just like a kid
The rest of the afternoon was spent sleeping in our room and texting friends. I felt relaxed and happy all throughout. I missed Augy though because he was sad about my going home. Happy that my prayer was granted but sad because of the distance.