13th of a series
Blissful beginnings
At 8:00 in the evening, the guests bade goodbye while Dinah and my kids took care of all the wedding gifts to be sent home. We spent our first night in an air-conditioned suite of Tierra de Oro, courtesy of Atty. Marius Zabat and wife Mila, the owner of the place. If you think something epic happened on that “first night”, you are all wrong. My grandchild Cyrenne slept between us while my kids occupied the adjacent room.
Having been a widow for twelve (12) long years with only my kids around the house, the days that followed after the wedding were a total paradigm shift. I had to make major adjustments at home and at the office. Every once in a while, we would visit Romy’s kids in their house at ADB Subdivision at Brgy. Del Remedio in San Pablo City to check their activities and whereabouts. Sometimes, we would spend a day or two in that place.
Romy’s family was and still is a closely-knitted family. They are all Christians who spend Sundays and other religious holidays at the Church of Christ, a practice totally opposed to ours because we would rather pray and do bible studies at home rather than go somewhere else. I am not a religious person but I swear I am a great believer of God.
When we got married, Romy’s only son Engr. Ronel, his wife Dr. Floricel Orillaza Belen and their only child then, Lorraine Grace had already migrated to Dubai, United Arab Emirates. He was followed by Ruth, a Registered Nurse and Roreen who was admitted to Mashreq Bank Al Quoz, also in Dubai. Rona, the eldest and Raquel, the youngest were temporarily left behind for some unfinished business. They later followed leaving Rona’s children, Dindin and Francis, to the care of their Lolo Romy. Dindin was in high school while Francis was in Grade school.
There were sleepless nights especially when Dindin was out of the house attending some school parties, and church activities. There was an incident when I drove at midnight looking for her because she was neither in the Church in Alaminos, Laguna nor in the school. Upon inquiries from her churchmates, we found her in a secluded Barangay in Sto. Tomas, Batangas with a female friend. One time, we also fetched her late at night at Brgy. Sto.Nino in San Pablo. During those bumpy days in our marriage, Romy who was a doting grandfather would simply utter a joke in jest, “Nabawasan ako ng isang basong dugo.” When Dindin graduated from high school at Laguna College, she also went to Dubai to pursue further studies. She later finished college and worked at the Emirates airline, one of the two flag carriers of the United Arab Emirates wholly owned by Investment Corporation of Dubai. Francis was left to the care of his Lolo but would also travel alone to Dubai during vacation and long holidays. He was thoughtful, loving, kind and sweet to both of us – no wonder, he was secretly Lolo’s favorite!
(To be continued)
Melinda Bagsic Evangelista
I was born to write and I believe that’s my calling. I love writing because it brings me to the realm exclusively of mine. It is also my opinion that “immortality” can be achieved not by searching for the Holy Grail and drinking from it but by living your life worth-writing or writing something worth-reading. Since I cannot promise you a life worth-writing, I keep myself busy writing something worth-reading. I am thankful to God for giving me the talent and skill to see life in different perspectives not seen by many and the courage to share it to my readers. This first ever Tutubi Digital News Magazine is a perfect avenue to bring you the many facets of life that you can ponder upon in this time of the pandemic. Enjoy reading all the articles.
