Caroleen’s Treasures

I was happy to be back here in our little town with our little bundle of joy. It was Tuesday morning when we decided to pack our things and head home, Eman’s first bus ride at 11 days old. Donald and I wanted to go home a few days after I gave birth because we are running out of cash. Although Donald was reluctant to be going home since Ella was looking forward to my sister’s invitation to go to the beach this holy week and me wanting my father to be with his grandson for a longer time (because I am sure it will be months or maybe a year that he would see his grandkids again), we still went ahead packing as we do not want to be staying in the city for so long without money. It would be easier for us to survive here in the province because we could just have some “grass” (vegetables that is) on the table everyday.

The trip back here went quite fine. We had so much stuff with us and I wondered how we fit in one taxi going to the terminal. In the bus terminal, I was expecting there would be too many passengers and a longgggg queue in the inspection area because of the Lenten season but it was just like any ordinary day. I stood at the back of the line with Eman and Ella in tow. The woman in military uniform who checks for bombs, drugs or any other deadly weapons in the baggages looked at me and signaled that we can go ahead. I thanked her and passed more than ten people in line waiting impatiently to get checked. Donald on the other lane was asked by the officer if he was on “Lipat Bahay” (if he is moving) because of the bulging bags. When he answered no and explained that his wife just gave birth and most it are baby stuffs, the officer did not go through any of the bags anymore. When we got to the area where the bus to Butuan was, I saw it was packed so we told the conductor that we will just wait for the next bus because we need a comfortable and safer seats which according to my Daddy – the right side, middle portion of the vehicle. This has been taught to us since we were small and though sometimes I would opt for front seats so we could have a good view of the road, having kids especially with a baby calls for otherwise.

The little guy slept almost the entire trip in my arms while the big sister was at her daddy’s lap. I told Ella that she won’t be asking for another baby anymore because Buses with AC hs only two seats on both sides and we cannot fit on the two seats anymore. She shrugged and said, “Doon tayo maupo sa likod.” (We will sit on the back) She was talking about the the six seats at the rear portion of the bus. :-/

We had dinner at Monkayo at about 7pm and the guy (I think he is the owner of the restaurant) stared at us in surprise. He had seen us eat lunch or dinner during the past months there and although he had witnessed me turn from a woman to a penguin he was still surprised to see us with the new member of the family. It was already 8:30pm when we finally arrived here in the parsonage. Our family have really grown because we hired two motor trikes to get us here. While Donald was still busy bringing in our stuffs, I sat on a chair with Eman in my arms and I almost cried when Ella blurted out, “Ading, si Mamang Eling oh!” (she was pointing to his ading – an Ilocano term for little brother or sister- the portrait of my mother which is hanging on the wall). Mamang could have been very happy to welcome Eman if she is only here and she would be the comfort of Ella each time she would a little jealous of the attention given to Eman or someone would tease her that they will take her little brother with them.