Yesterday was a great day. A really great one for I am now officially a registered nurse. But what completed my day was when I just became the kid again. I felt good.
It was years back since I slept in the very same bed I last slept with my “Mama Ping”. Long story short, Mama Ping was my surrogate mom and my aunt. I spent the almost my first five years under her care. I mean, total care. Literally, she saw me grew to the man I am now.
Last night, I arrived in La Union at around 7:00pm, it was TV PATROL WORLD on the idiot box then. I chatted with my aunts, grandparents and with my cousin. Topic moved from this to that, here to there and then I lost track on how we got to each topic. At around 10, my cousin that it is bedtime for my nephew, so she had to put her to bed.
I decided to stick with the tube for a while. There are only two channels known to this flat screen tv in front of me, ABS-CBN and GMA. I tried to glue myself to the seat while watching judai and piolo’s “Sa Piling Mo” but I cant stand too much drama for tonight so then I finally decided to go to bed. I got my a new blanket for myself and tried to put myself to bed in the sofa.
After twisting and turning, I can’t go to sleep. I don’t find the comfort. I read a few page’s from the novel I am reading. Sleep did not catch up. Then I thought I would go to bed in Mama Ping’s room. Now, at 21, I would return to the same bed that took me in her arms when I still pee at night.
It stood up from the sofa and took my discman, blanket and cellphone and paced my way up to Mama Ping’s room. When I reached the door, I began for feeling for everything. Then I slowly moved into the bed, trying not to wake her up but of course I failed. To her surprise, she uttered “nakigtut nak pay” (I was surprised). But did not ask any questions. So at 21, 5’7”, and approximately 135 lbs, I was back lying on the bed that I slept on when I was younger. I stayed on the same side, near the window. It felt good and weird at the same time.
As I lay in bed, I remembered those days when I was way smaller and the bed was way bigger. I reflected, what has changed over the past years. I dreamt of having my own room so I stayed in the other room when having my vacation here. I then realized, well I am glad to have made the decision to return to former room with Mama Ping since I would not be able to do that more often. I mean, I would have to look for a job and I am planning to get employed in Manila, about 300 km away.
For once, I felt the same warmth of my former bed, the feel of it in my back felt good. And the best part is having to sleep side by side with my mama Ping. I have not done that in years and it feels good reliving my childhood days---of course, less the midnight pee on bed.
When I woke up this morning, like the old days, Mama Ping is not there. She is already up and doing some chores. I sat up to bed, looked around. Everything almost looked the same. Then I glanced above the closet, I saw my trophy when I was in first or second grade and it made me smile. It seemed unmoved for years. So I fixed the bed and went downstairs.
At midway of the stairs, I saw Mama Ping attending to my nephew who is preparing for school. He is six and I remember that back in 1992, I was as old as he, as tall as he and had my Mama Ping to look after me.
Now, I am all grown up just revisiting my childhood. Looking at my mama Ping, I think and believe that when she grows old and gray, I would be by her side like she did when I was the little Ritcher. Time would come and I would return the favor and I am officially starting it NOW!
after all, i am just the kid and the man all in one package.
