There is a boy in the house living with us at the moment. He is the grandson of our kasambahay who says she had to take the boy away from immediate family members who are not good influences. He is a wee boy, tiny for a four-year-old. He is cross-eyed on the left and his beautiful black and shiny hair is in a classic bowl cut.
I took to him immediately. I love kids, but there are special kids who just capture your heart. When he plays, it's like he's making movies, complete with dialogue, sound effects and premises. He makes up songs in a snap. and he tries valiantly to help his lola around the house.
His name sounds rich, Giancarlo, but he likes to be called Dagul ("big guy").
A few days ago I got him a banana-caramel treat from a coffee shop. When I looked for him when I got home, he was already asleep. His lola said "Ay kaya pala sabi niya uuwian mo daw siya (That's why he said you were going to bring him something)". The next morning, while he was playing on his play banig, I gave him the slice. He peeked into the paper bag, held it, and just looked at me for the longest time, at least long enough for him to blink several times. I thought he was going to cry or something (glad he didn't). He didn't say thank you (and I'm not sure he knows how to), but the look he gave me said it well enough. He took a bite and smiled at me.
The other day I asked him for a hug, and it's like he didn't know what to do with his arms. His lola said "Nakalimutan mo na kung paano yumakap (You have forgotten how to hug)". It broke my heart. How often did he get hugs where he used to live? And I couldn't help but admire his spirit--still bright despite not getting everything a child should be getting. I've a mind to send him to school (but will need to make inquiries). For some strange reason, I want him to have a good future, or at least a fighting chance.
I knew it, falling for a boy is always trouble, the good kind.
I took to him immediately. I love kids, but there are special kids who just capture your heart. When he plays, it's like he's making movies, complete with dialogue, sound effects and premises. He makes up songs in a snap. and he tries valiantly to help his lola around the house.
His name sounds rich, Giancarlo, but he likes to be called Dagul ("big guy").
A few days ago I got him a banana-caramel treat from a coffee shop. When I looked for him when I got home, he was already asleep. His lola said "Ay kaya pala sabi niya uuwian mo daw siya (That's why he said you were going to bring him something)". The next morning, while he was playing on his play banig, I gave him the slice. He peeked into the paper bag, held it, and just looked at me for the longest time, at least long enough for him to blink several times. I thought he was going to cry or something (glad he didn't). He didn't say thank you (and I'm not sure he knows how to), but the look he gave me said it well enough. He took a bite and smiled at me.
The other day I asked him for a hug, and it's like he didn't know what to do with his arms. His lola said "Nakalimutan mo na kung paano yumakap (You have forgotten how to hug)". It broke my heart. How often did he get hugs where he used to live? And I couldn't help but admire his spirit--still bright despite not getting everything a child should be getting. I've a mind to send him to school (but will need to make inquiries). For some strange reason, I want him to have a good future, or at least a fighting chance.
I knew it, falling for a boy is always trouble, the good kind.
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| Dagul, my favorite big little man |
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