Flecks of Varied Colors

I don't like to cry here but this one made me. Traversing back to my very distant past, during my childhood days. I was turning eight at that time. It was a season to harvest the rice fields of my Uncle in Bayawan - a city situated far north from our hometown. It will take few hours of travel back and forth and it's costly. Also, the harvest will take almost a month to finish so my father had to stay there. At a young age and first time separated with my father, one month is very long and lonely. I didn't want my father to leave but he had to and I couldn't do anything to make him stay - even if how hard I cried. He had to go. He said he'll be back and will bring me that toy car I once saw in the market when my mother brought me with her.

         My mother stayed to take care of me and my eldest sister. She had to do all the household chores, run errands, cook for us, feed our hogs, bring our goats and cows to pasture, and wash our dirty clothes after having soiled with mud. I only feel pity of my mother every time I think of this. That would be too hard for her to do things at once and we didn't even bother to help. Well, what do you expect? Our childish minds were focused into playing.

         I remember that moment I heard that papa arrived. I was ecstatically jumping and running towards him. I gave him a hug and then he carried me on his shoulders. I was so happy that time. He brought sacks of rice and grains and lots of different fruits. But I didn't care all of those. I searched for his promised toy car. But I found none. No toys. Then I started crying again. Nah, I can't remember him bringing one. It's something that we can't afford. So I had to stick with that wooden toy car he made out of coconut shell and bamboo splinters for me (he's good at crafting and making things, he's a carpenter).

         On my birthday, I was only surprised when my mother handed me a box. I didn't know what it was but when I opened it, it was the toy car I saw in the market. The exact same yellow car. I was so happy. Perhaps it was my happiest childhood moment I had and one of my fondest memories. Thank you for reading this. Cheers!