when i was much younger

mumdad would bring me and yana
on bus rides

those feeder buses
cool breezes as opposed to airconditioned winds
those single red seats

~

he was the grampa
who lived across the street
in that quaint green house

he usually carried a huge umbrella
a shelter for his wife and him
from the sweltering sun

he always wore a sincere smile
neat sliver of hair
tiny eyes that lit up each time we met

~

'kak, kasi atuk duduk'

i slowly budged off from the single red seat
-i wasnt exactly about to give up my favorite seat-

patting my shoulders
he motioned me to continue sitting

that sincere smile

~

a beautiful passing
peaceful sleep

~

i never would forget him

that grampa
who lived across the street
in that quaint green house

~

Inallilah
From the Lord we come, to Him we shall return

~