Alvin and Anika are so close that I am almost jealous of how Anika adores him and how she looks up to him. In my daughter’s eyes, her Tatay is always right — to a point it gets annoying sometimes.
ALVIN: Ang iksi ng shorts mo. Hindi maganda.
ANIKA: Oo nga, Nanay!
Or
ALVIN: Ang hilig mo kasing magshopping eh.
ANIKA: Oo nga, Nanay!
Or
ALVIN: Kaya hindi ka tumangkad eh. Hindi ka kasi kumakain ng gulay.
ANIKA: Oo nga, Nanay!
Sabay high five!
I call Anika “The Echo” because lagi yang si oo nga pagdating sa Tatay niya.
Anika is also Alvin’s strongest defender.
ANIKA: Nanay, I saw Tatay smoking a cigarette.
ME: Then get mad at him so he’ll stop. We don’t want him to die early.
ANIKA: I did. But I saw him again smoking outside.
ME: Then get madder. Try not talking to him to make him feel that you’re mad talaga.
ANIKA: I can’t do that.
ME: Why? I thought you want him to stop smoking.
ANIKA (getting mad at me): If I don’t speak to him, how will I tell him I love him or I miss him before he dies? Sige nga?!
Ang morbid. Grabe.
There was this Sunday when Alvin took is motorcycle to a relative’s house nearby to have it fixed. Hindi na yan mapakali simula binili niya yung motor na yun. He always wants to go out so that he can drive it. Minsan, naghahanap pa yan ng anything that we need sa house just so he’ll have an excuse to ride the motorcycle. Eh we are supposed to spend time together as a family every Sundays. Alvin said that he’d be home daw around 9pm. Past 9 na, wala pa.
ME: Call your Tatay. He’s supposed to be home already. Ask him if he needs us to pick him up.
Anika called and was able to speak to Alvin.
ME: O, what did he say?
ANIKA: He said he’s on his way na. He’ll take the motorcycle.
ME: Pfft. He’s on his way na? Baka mamya sinasabi lang niya yun tapos late na siya uuwi.
Anika looked a me and took a deep breath (eto yung look na parang pinagpapasensyahan ka lang).
ANIKA: Nanay, do you trust Tatay?
ME: Yeah.
ANIKA: Then chill.
Hanep.
Chill-chillin ko silang mag-ama eh.
Although, I am very, very happy that they are close. Alvin will be her basis to judge all future men who will come in her life and Alvin is close to be that ideal man. At least, in Anika’s eyes. I believe dun sa saying that you marry someone like your father (or at least how you perceive your father). Gusto ko yung mataas yung level ng ipe-peg niya na ideal man. That is the reason why Alvin showers Anika with love, affection, and attention. Effort levels in making occasions extra special for her. Kahit simple lang, hindi expensive, pero may effort. Puros din yan si Alvin pangaral kay Anika. Wag maging matapobre. Help other people in need. She is pretty but she needs to be smart too. Respect other people. They also spend a lot of time together because of their music. Alvin taught Anika to play the guitar. He also spent to enroll Anika this summer for voice lessons. Alvin wants Anika to grow into a well rounded person. Maganda din that Anika has a consistent father figure in her life. It will make her feel safe. Malambing silang dalawa sa isa’t isa. I am hoping with all the attention that Alvin’s giving him, hindi na muna siya agad agad maghahanap ng attention from other boys.
I wish. I wish. I wish.
And I shall pray very hard for that.