LIFE'S CHALLENGES...

Life is full of challenges. When you wake up and rise you arms up, be ready for the day. You do not know when obstacles and hindrances come along your way. You don’t know that there is a misfortune intended for you that day.

It was my birthday when that moment happened.

My uncle called up on the phone. He said that he is coming. He will be there with us. We are going to celebrate my 7^th birthday. He is my most favorite uncle. He is very kind and he cares for us. I was waiting for him for the whole day. But he didn’t come. He said he will be in our house before 3 o’clock p.m. It was already around 4:30 o’clock but still he was not there up to now. I felt a little bit of sadness at that moment.

We ate supper without my uncle. My mother began slicing the roll of chocolate cake.

Then my fork was dropped on the floor. Suddenly, somebody knocked on the door. He is there! My uncle came!

He kept on explaining why he came late. He was so sorry about it. But I understand.

He brought an umbrella for me. It was his gift for me. I don’t like it but it’s alright. In fact, I should be thankful for someone gave an umbrella to me.

My mother gave him a slice of the creamy and moist chocolate cake. Meanwhile, dad asked me to buy a bottle of soft drinks. My sister went with me. When I crossed the street with my sister, there were no vehicles. I was like a crazy lady that I stayed at the center. My sister ran towards the other side. She shouted at me, “Pagdali sad, uy. Father is waiting”. But I was chitchatting that time. I was still at the center of the street. I thought the street was all mine. I was confident that no vehicle will pass. I kept on walking and running the road. Suddenly, I didn’t notice that a motor vehicle was coming. My sister shouted. I know that the cruise will bump me. 3…2…1…

Huh… thank God! I wasn’t knocked by the vehicle. I cried, I sob, I screamed. My sister and I went back to the house. My father asked us where the soft drink is. We didn’t answer. My sister said to my mom, “hapit maligsan si ate.” We didn’t tell dad because I know he would be very angry. He was also drunk at that time.

After some hours, my uncle decided to go home. Of course, as what most Filipino do, my dad went with my uncle outside the house. My dad told me to stay because it was pass 10 o’clock p.m. but I can’t stay. So what I did is that I followed them outside. My uncle’s red car was parked at the other side. So they need to cross. I was behind them. My dad didn’t know that I was following them. I decided not to cross to avoid repeating what happened a while ago. But I wanted to.

I ran immediately because my uncle was leaving already. Again, I didn’t notice that a vehicle was coming. My father ran to save me. Yes, he has saved me. I was really ashamed. We went home.

My father told my mom what happened. My mom then said, “Hah? Hapit, NA SAD!!!”

Mom said ‘again’. Oh, God! Dad will make a “double-sermon” at me…

…if you know what I mean!