bartolome
There is a young boy named Bartolome, his parents thought he is the most precious gift they ever received. Bartolome grew up to be a very obedient son. His father will bring him to shore and tell him stories, his face will reflect its amuse glow. He never realized how his parents treasure his smiles. His presence complete their life
One morning, Bartolome meet a new friend who happens to be their new neighbor. She has the prettiest smile he had ever seen and she fancy so much about growing up and becoming a very fine lady. He would ask her what is it that grown-up does that she cannot do at her age now. She would laugh and tell him, why could he not know the difference
While looking and admiring the stars in the sky, his father approached him and say, “Bartolome what do you want to do when you grow up?” His father will not hear his reply but saw him sigh. His face seemed to have so much thoughts and so he said, “I don’t know father. I don’t even know if I want to grow up.”
His father would not know what to think about his son’s reply. “Don’t you want to become a successful someone one day?”
Bartolome looked at him and asked, “Father, do you consider yourself successful?” His father laughed by an unexpected answer he got from his son. “I don’t know if I’m successful son, but I consider myself happy
“I prefer to be the same, that’s why I’m not sure if I wanted to grow up. I am happy now and will tomorrow promise me the same?”
“Son, I don’t know where are you getting those ideas, but I know one day you’d realize what you really wanted to become when you grow up.”
“Isabel, my father and I will go fishing this Sunday, would you like to go with us?” Isabel smiled at her friend Bartolome, “I don’t think a young lady like me is suited for that Bart.” He couldn’t help but laugh by her answer. “What’s wrong?” she asked. “Can you not tell, first you call yourself a young lady, and then you assume what ‘young ladies’ are not supposed to do.”
“Huh, and you think that’s funny? What should I tell you then? Okay, NO I don’t want to go fishing Bart.” she said with irritation. He hates to see her angry. “And by the way Bartolome, I am a young lady.” she said with emphasis on every word then left.
“Are you done with your homeworks?” her mother asked him. It’s more of a statement like ‘You have not done your homework yet and you will not stop playing with that silly car’ The toy was a gift from her aunt who came to visit them this afternoon and his excitement to open the wrapped box to find a new toy car did not end after an hour of playing at it.
“Mother, I think it’s my lucky day, our teacher did not gave us any homework, and Aunt Hilda came to visit us and she even brought us gifts. Don’t you just love what she gave you, please put on that beautiful dress she gave you, I’m sure you look even lovelier wearing it.”
“Smart kid, you really are your father’s son. He always has good things to say and so I believed every word.” And both of them end up laughing.
“I don’t how to tell you this, but I think Bart needs a lot of coping up to finish his fourth grade, I’ve always thought of him as a smart child but I don’t know why he keeps failing with his exams, he seems to be struggling with his studies.”
The worried look on Bart’s parents did not seem to vanish the moment Ms. Cruz came and talked to them. He knew it was something about his failing grades. How could he not go to fifth grade at the end of school year and repeat his fourth grade. He used to top his exams before and he can’t even pass it no matter how hard he studies. Something must be wrong, awfully wrong
When Ms Cruz left, he thought that his parent will summon him to explain his failing grades. “Bart.” he heard his father’s call. “ I don’t know what Ms Cruz is saying but I always thought you to be smart, and always will. You might need a little help right now, your mother and I will be happy to help.” he started with a serious statement and casually ends it with a smile.
“Father, you said one day I would realize what I wanted to become, but now all I want is pass my fourth grade and never give any trouble. That’s all for now, after that I still am not certain what I wanted to become.” He saw his father smiled, but he could not tell what is behind those until he speaks “What makes you think you’re troubling us?”
“Do not be silly son, you are a source of joy to us, how could that be a trouble.” he doesn’t understand why his father seemed to understand what is hard to understand. He is very understanding, and it left him confused. He would often heard his classmates say “My dad will not forgive me if I fail.” He wonders if all his classmates misunderstood their father just like him.
Bartolome woke up and saw the worried faces of his parents. This is not their house, and not his room, he wonders where he was, all he could recall was he was running and jumping as much as he could, for he got a passing score in their exam, and his teacher told him to prepare for fifth grade. He tried to speak and tell them the good news, he thought asking them where they are could wait, but he has to tell them he made it.
No voice came out of his throat. He heard them mumble, he couldn’t figure out what they were saying. He suddenly felt so tired, he wanted to sleep but before losing his consciousness, he felt a warm hand holding his, and he saw him mother sobbing, he’s trying to understand her mumbles but he couldn’t. His tiredness grew stronger and he closes his eyes to sleep.
In his dream, Bartolome saw his mother doing her household chores, he came and asked her if he could help, his mother looked at him without answering him then continue with her task. He then saw his father smiling at him, he smiled and waved for he seemed to be going fishing and he would love to come. But he could even utter a word, his father left.
“you are our source of happiness Bart but if you have to...”
“if you have to what mother?” “Bart, my dear Bart..” then heard her sobbed, he doesn’t understand.
Then he found himself lying on her mother’s lap, telling him stories while she’s trying to put him to sleep. “I missed being like this mother.”
“I love you son, I love you.” Those words were music, just like the soft wind blowing unto his face, and he felt so light but those words kept ringing in his ears. “I love you son.” ‘I love you mother, I love you father.’
It was a disease they did not knew he has. But before leaving he happen to make his small dream came true.
His parents source of joy and will always be.
