sweaty, exasperated and panting tired, he ran along beside me as i stepped on the pedal circling the big oval on my BMX bike. he hung on and manuevered the bicycle's wheel making sure i'm doing it right.

after circling three rounds with him, i earned my guts. i finally told him, "i can do it alone. you can let me go now."

reluctantly afraid, he slowly let go of his hands on the bike's seat. it was an unwilling gesture but he did it anyway.

his eyes were keenly glued to me. he watched me vigilantly as i coasted the bike in advance. i was self determined to go on my own.

i saw his delight when he smiled ecstaticly from ear to ear to see me handling the bike unaided.
boastfully showing off, i mobilized that bicycle hard and fast uncontrolledly.

despite his cautious warnings, i accelerated the speed even more. i was trying to brag and exhibit to him, i can burn rubber and go even faster.

"slow down...don't go too fast yet. do it carefully," he instructed me with care and concern and with that apprehensive glare in his eyes.

but my stubborn, stick necked, harddeaded self insisted i pedalled even more with great power. i was persistent that i can speed dash these new wheels.

i was egotistic. in fact, with my chin up high, i steered that bike arrogantly like a quick, racing, rapid supersonic speed ball.

the wind breeze blew on my face. so with all my might, i drove that bike double pronto like winged jetplane in the sky.

as i approach the ending turn, i was in bliss to almost reach the starting line on my first cirle on that oval riding my bike for the first time.

but i underestimated the curve on that turn. i miscalculated the elliptical concave arch on the oval.

unable to hit the brakes on time,i fell sidewise on my bike. but even worse, i fell straight on my face towards the rocky ground.

crying from the seeing the blood on my skinned knees and bruised face, i hollered for help with my screaming voice.

from a far and in panicked, i saw the sight of him hurriedly rushing to my rescue.

panting again, almost burned out, he ran as fast as he could.

"are you okay? where does it hurt?" he asked. he seemed rattled and anxious.

"eddie, get something to wipe the blood," he instructed our house boy hurriedly.

"are you okay? tell me where it hurts.it will be okay. i am here." he uttered. this time, he said it calmingly.

he rubbed my bruised spot. and i, i just stared at his distressed face.

"i'm sorry, i did not listen. i was too excited to ride my bike, that's why." i responded.

from there, he scooped me with his strong arms and took me to the bleachers. he wiped the red spots my bleeding knee and cleaned the dirt on my face with his handkerchief.

"i'm okay now. it is okay now," i assured him.

"are you sure?" he asked.

"very sure." i replied.

"now, do you want to ride the bike again?" he asked me.

i smiled in glee.

then i asked him, "can you walk next to me again while i am on the bike?"

willingly, he said, "sure. but this time, be careful. okay?"

and so even with my skinned knees, i rode that bike again...even until now.

that was 24 years ago.

i rode my bike on my own at the clisoc field by the oval in my hometown, bayombong, nueva vizcaya, philippines.

that wonderful man was my dad - PAPA BERT.

he taught me many things after that...

he taught me how to cook, clean the house, wash the clothes & dishes, take care of my siblings, budget the grocery because he claimed i will not have maids forever.

he taught to be kind to the poor, to be generous and share my blessings, to serve others and not asked anything in return. he claimed i can not bring all wealth to heaven, only my friends.

he taught me many more...

there were many more lessons after.

up to this day, i still learn everyday.

but the greatest compliment i have ever received is that i am like MY DAD.

why? because i have the greatest dad.

HAPPY 60TH BIRTHDAY PAPA BERT!
HAPPY FATHER'S DAY not just today but everyday!
we love you.
<3, len

posted by pinay freestyle @ 9:19 PM

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