First Days of Vacation

Here’s a funny story at home—since I’m typing this at Starbucks.

The FEU Advocate had an overnight party on the 20th at a private pool, “Relax”, at Pansol, Laguna. I got home at around 9:30 am. I slept from 10am of the 21st to 5am of the 22nd. My aunt, with a traceable worry and anxiety on her face, shook me awake at around 5:30 pm of the 21st.

“Huy, gising! May sakit ka ba? Nilalagnat ka? Buong araw ka nang tulog ‘ah. Ano ba ginawa mo dun? Bumangon ka na.”

All I remember doing was grunt and shrug her off. I was just too sleepy. I guess the whole semester’s exhaustion finally caught up with me.

The next day during breakfast, I was so hungry. My stomach seems to have a mind of its own as it craved for anything edible. My mom bought 20 pcs. of pan de sal. I started devouring one after the other, but of course I dip it in my coffee first. They weren’t finished with the Sopas, while my bowl was already empty. I didn’t notice that I ate all 20 pan de sals in one seating. But that wasn’t enough to saturate me, I stood up and asked if there was plain mayonnaise.

I started boiling egg, whipping mayo with a bit of ketchup and pepper, washed pechay, chopped tomatoes and fried barbarically skinned potatoes—egg salad. My folks couldn’t stop laughing.

Then my aunt suddenly bursts out,
“Akala naming na-Marky Cielo ka na kahapon eh. Ginigising ka nung tanghali para kumain.. wala. Ginigising ka nung alas tres para mag merienda.. wala pa rin. Tapos mga trenta minutes yata bago ka nagising kahapon eh tapos balik ka rin sa tulog. hindi ka na ginising tuloy nung gabi para kumain”

They laughed… I just ate.