Wednesday, April 8, 2009

25 and counting





He looks at her fondly. His one hand on the steering wheel, the other on her lap, holding her hand. They were laughing their hearts out. He steers the wheel; She’s in the passenger seat. I am watching them from the backseat.

 

         They’re no teenagers, no love team and not the characters of a mushy film. They’re in their 40’s. They’re the lead characters of my most favorite love story, and by the way, they’re my parents.

 

         Papa and Mama first met when he was 8, and she, 7. They were then Grade 2 students at Compostela Central Elementary School. From that year onwards, they have known each other only as classmates. Papa, who was the infamous bully of their batch never failed to make my Mama cry each and every time he teases her of being “Anak ni LokLok”. The tag my Mama hates the most then because that odd-sounding nickname happens to be that of my Lolo’s. When they were in high school at the Assumption Academy6 of Compostela, Papa courted Cel, my Mama’s best friend who was also my teacher in 5th grade. That time, Papa even made Mama the “bridge” to get to know Cel more. In an uncanny twist of fate, however, Papa fell in love with the “bridge” instead. On the fateful day of February 11, 1984, during their recess in the afternoon, my most favorite love story unfolded.

 

         Since Mama went to Cebu to study Dentistry, they somewhat found it hard to keep in touch considering the poor s advancement of technology then. However, Papa was never weakened by their distance. For him, Cebu was just a stone’s throw from Davao. In fact, he made the effort of going to Cebu twice a month with only a meager amount he saved from hi 500-peso allowance. And when they had their first date in the city, Papa even broke his piggy bank to treat Mama and her friend with a hearty hamburger meal. Because of unfathomable love founded in trust, they were led to the union in matrimony on May 18, 1989, six months before I was born. When I made Mama explain how it went that way, she said that my Lola on her side did not give her permission the first time they asked because they were so young then. To get her nod, they “made” me :). And that’s how they became Mr. and Mrs. Reynaldo Solis.

 

         Looking at how great their love was and how it is until now, I could not help but marvel and wish for my own. And no that I was given a chance to meet someone who resembles my father in more ways than one, I would try to keep it and make it grow for it to become the best love story my children would ever know. At least, I won’t have to worry about Papa and Mama saying: “ Puppy love ra na (That’s Puppy Love only).” After all, their puppy love turned out to be the love they’re sharing for 25 years now; a love to last a lifetime.

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