Since the start of summer vacation, my son Zach stays more days with his father than with me. The few nights that he slept with me were sweet and precious..here's why...
The other night, Zach came to my office after a game in the internet cafe with his cousins. I readily asked my messenger to buy some groceries as my son has different taste buds than mine...where I can live with crackers, he would prefer bread; I would be satisfied with milk, he wanted rice and viand with it...thats how different we are when in comes to food, but we share same gusto for bacons, hotdogs and instant pancit canton. That night was not the usual night because a friend of mine invited me out to dinner. Zach suggested that we eat at KRI, a restaurant whose chef is the same chef of LIKHA...a famous vodka & tapa bar at a local beach resort. Since I havent been to this place yet we took Zach's suggestion. Zach ordered the grilled pulled out pork sandwich, my friend had the General Tso's chicken while I had the Fish of the week. My food was fish rolled and fried with an interesting dip to it...very yummy. Zach enjoyed every bite of his sandwich....lingering on some spiral fries on the side. T'was such a nice way to start our evening. Zach behaved really well.(hmmm, except for pestering my friend to lend him her iphone from time to time).
My friend and I dropped Zach to his fave net cafe while we proceeded to our hang out place and chit chatted over few beers...then it was time to go home. I was a bit apprehensive coz it was quite early yet (9pm), I was thinking Zach would compete with me on what tv show to watch since my pc at home is busted. I thought of just reading but I remembered I got no books left to read...so was praying Zach would still behave the way he did while we had dinner....
As soon as we arrived home, I told Zach I will watch a soap then a rerun of Bachelor 14...Zach didnt object nor cut a deal with me...inside I was rejoicing. There was a 50minute gap between the soap and the next show so I told Zach he could watch then. Zach was more pre occupied in tickling me and wrapping himself with the blanket...then we played a game. We took turns in hiding under the blanket and the one outside would kiss the one inside on the lips. It must be right on target or else you dont earn a point. Zach and I had a great time turning and tossing while the other one figures out what position the other one was on through the voice. We laughed hard everytime we'd find out where our kisses landed...then we played another game, the spot-the-change-in-my-position-game. One would stay still on the bed...the other one tries to memorize your still position very well, then change one bit at a time and the observer will guess what part of you moved or changed position..this was fun as even the pinky finger moving should be so subtly done...and we laughed hard again!!!
Zach has been with me for 2 nights now and we played same games...as expected it gave us a hearty laugh...as I would sleep ahead of Zach, I would wake up at dawn seeing him embracing me while he is still watching tv...then with the same tone as the first night I would tell him to shut it off and go to sleep which he obeyed without argument. And we would hug each other again til we both go to dreamland...
Breakfasts now with him is quite relaxed than when he had classes. He is not grouchy and not in a hurry...so it gave me time to sleep few minutes more and cook food that we both like. This morning we had eggs, pancit canton and rice. Zach ate a lot and saying afterwards that he doesnt think he'd have lunch anymore...with a smile on his face. Looking at him while saying sorry for dilly dallying, I see myself in my son...his love for life is overflowing that Im sure he would go places when he is all grown up, he is smart, he is talkative, he would talk to anyone, plays with anyone even older than his age, I sometimes wonder what the future holds for him?...and I aint excited to see him that way yet, as I am still savoring every moment of his childhood...and these bonding moments with him is clearly non-negotiable! Priceless indeed!!
