About half of the school year, we had a writing contest and I took the liberty to represent our class. It was a contest between seniors, one for each year and class. The contest will be held in an empty science laboratory on the second floor. I'm walking up the stairs with a book on my face, I'm already used to reading while walking.
"I know it's dangerous but hey, I still live till now." When a group of students walking together, talking, a breeze from the open corridor blew through the stairs. I smelled a scent that was somewhat familiar, it was only for maybe 3 seconds while they walked past me and then went down the stairs.
"Little baby powder!" I snapped to look their way, they were a group of 5 boys and when somebody saw me staring at them as they walked through the corner, he was smiling while they talked and was still smiling when he looked my way.
Then, with a thread of curiosity, he stopped and everybody noticed, The next thing I remember they were all looking at me.
"Do you need something?" The other asked with some sarcasm,
"Can we do something for you?" another asked with a sound of care.
"No, none of them is him" I thoroughly looked at them one by one.
"I'm sorry, I thought I heard somebody I knew" After that, they continued walking on their way.
"I realized, I'm not sure if any of them is him. How could I recognize him anyway, he must have changed and grown all these years. I can't even see myself anymore. I can say, I still have some resemblance from my childhood. But totally different"
With Little Baby Powder in my mind, I entered the laboratory room, it was all white in all corners even the board was white. The smell is like a little bit of chlorine and alcohol. A sentence is written on the board, cursive and big.
"LOVE, IS IT BOON OR BANE?" Before I could process the meaning, the instructor went into the room and made us all sit.
"One seat apart please" he walks in from the door passing the blackboard from the other end. He put his hand on the board with wide fingers.
"You get one hour to write a one-pager essay, poetry, a song, or a sentence. Anything that could express the topic here on the board with the words"
Then he gave out a blank intermediate paper each. I'm still processing what should I write but I just let it flow in me slowly, trying to pour out my feelings.
Love, is it boon or bane?
How can anybody be so happy?
If love concerns me too blindly
Others already think they're silly
But still, they put aside their pity
Holding back their loneliness,
Creating tragedy with consciousness
If that is the aspect of love, isn't it pointless
Loving someone out of bitterness
Is it that love is a boon?
a benefit that can be enjoyed
something that can be thankful for,
even accepting everything if it annoys
Or love is palpable a bane?
A deadly piece of poison
A shocking kick of shame
And something that destroys a name
How would somebody explain love?
Can it be a boon or a bane
How can anybody know what is love
If everybody around were not the same
Half an hour passed, and I was satisfied with what I had written. I've been waiting in my seat for a long already and the hour seems to slow. I saw somebody pass their paper out on the front desk and walked out. Then, I just did the same.
After my shift in the video store, I took off and stopped by a grocery store. I bought some necessities and one cute hat for little Chuna, this time. Sometimes, it's snacks or dresses. They're not too expensive and very small, like dresses for dolls.
Then, when I get home, take her from grandma or grandpa. It's not that hard. At times the only thing I could help with if I'm not playing with her is just to put her to sleep.
It's been like that for almost a year. It's almost Chuna and my birthday. Ever since we lived with our grandparents, we celebrate birthdays extra special. And since I've learned that Chuna and my birthday fall on the same day. I started liking my birthday as well. It was simpler than before that I got different expensive things. Now, I look forward to finding or doing something for that day for Chuna.
This year it's a regular day, I already asked my manager to transfer my shift the next day, approved and I'm free. I heard my alarm went off.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lZ7FwBqx0xg [song not mine]
I was trying to reach out for it at the bedside table, with my eyes still closed.
Then, my alarm turned off, I tried to open my eyes…
"♪♪♪ Happy birthday to you…" Grandma is holding a cake with open candles, Grandpa is carrying Chuna into his arms, and Chuna is clapping her hands. All of them had wide smiles on their faces and I sat up.
"♪♪♪ Happy birthday to you, happy birthday… happy birthday… happy birthday, Dear Jun and Chuna!" I was so happy…
"Make a wish Jun, and then you both blow out your candles" I stood up and took Chuna from Grandpa. I carried her into my arms. I closed my eyes and made a wish
"I hope for everything not to change" Then I opened my eyes and told Chuna to
"Blow it with me Chuna, 1… 2… 3!" Chuna helped with her little blows and our birthday started the day full of love.
I went to school and finished my day. I stopped by a gift shop to bring something to Chuna. Then the grocery and buys a tub of ice cream.
I walked home so excited and happy to finish the day celebrating with everybody. I opened the door and called for them.
"Chuna! Big bro's here… Grandma? Grandpa?" I kept calling for them as I walked through the house but all the rooms were empty. I went to the kitchen, but still nobody was there. Then I saw a note from Grandma.
"Jun, honey, we are going to ABC Hospital. Grandpa fell ill and I had to be there with him. I left Chuna to our neighbor. We'll get back as soon as possible" I couldn't think, I stood there for a minute, reading the note 5 times. Then, when I snapped out of it. I hurriedly stepped out of the house, it's a 15-minute walk to the main road from our house. I ran my fastest.