Chapter XIV: Kannawidan
It's the school break, and Isko finds himself restless at home. The house is quiet except for the faint sounds of Christine cooking in the kitchen and Benigno working in the garden. Wandering through the house, Isko explores the azotea, the comedor, and even the camarin, but nothing seems to catch his interest.
"Sobrang nakakainip," Isko mutters to himself.
As he walks toward the back of the house, he notices Benigno crouched in the garden, cutting and scraping bamboo. Curious, Isko approaches.
"Hi po, anong ginagawa niyo?" tanong ni Isko.
Benigno glances at him and smiles.
"Inaayos ko lang 'tong garden. Akala ko dati simple lang ang mga Vigan houses, pero tingnan mo, ang laki pala ng mga hardin."
Isko nods, seemingly interested. However, as Benigno turns back to his work, he notices that Isko has suddenly disappeared. He shrugs it off and continues working. But when he looks again, something is amiss—the pile of bamboo scraps he had set aside is gone.
Benigno heads into the kitchen to ask Christine about the missing bamboo.
"Christine, nakita mo ba 'yung mga bamboo scraps na iniwan ko sa garden?" he asks while Christine is cooking
"Huh? Wala akong alam diyan. Baka naman nadala ng hangin?" she replies, raising an eyebrow but not looking up from her cooking.
Benigno scratches his head in confusion.
"Ewan ko, pero nawala lahat."
Christine shrugs it off and continues preparing breakfast. When she's done, she decides to call Isko to eat. She heads to his room, knocking lightly before opening the door.
What greets her inside stops her in her tracks. The missing bamboo scraps are scattered across the floor of Isko's room.
Christine pauses, a mix of confusion and amusement washing over her.
"Ah, kaya pala... Nandito ang mga kawayan ni Benigno."
As she steps further inside, she notices Isko sitting in the middle of the room, weaving something intricate from the bamboo scraps. His hands work quickly and skillfully, threading and shaping the bamboo into placemats.
"Isko! Ano 'tong ginagawa mo?" Christine asks, intrigued.
Isko looks up and grins.
"Ma'am, gumagawa po ako ng placemats. Sayang naman 'yung kawayan, kaya naisip ko, gawing kapaki-pakinabang."
Christine raises an eyebrow, impressed.
"Talaga? Ang galing mo naman!"
Just then, Benigno peeks into the room. His eyes widen as he sees what Isko has done.
"Ah, kaya pala nawala ang kawayan ko," he says with a laugh.
"Isko, saan ka natuto niyan?"
"Trial and error lang po hehe. Natutuwa lang ako gumawa ng kung anu-ano," Isko replies with a shy smile.
Christine and Benigno exchange a look, their minds flashing back to Regie. They remember how Regie used to create native projects like this, but his efforts were often met with scolding instead of praise. For a moment, guilt washes over them, but they snap back to the present and focus on Isko.
Benigno clears his throat.
"Isko, sobrang nakakatuwa 'yang ginagawa mo. Talagang may talento ka."
Christine nods.
"Oo nga. Nakaka-proud ka, Isko."
"Salamat po" Isko says, his face lighting up with their praise.
The three share a moment of quiet appreciation, surrounded by the scent of fresh bamboo and the warmth of a home filled with newfound pride.
The house hums with quiet activity in the afternoon. Benigno sets up the laptop in the sala, typing away on his latest tasks, while Christine busies herself dusting the kitchen shelves. The sound of sweeping and the rhythmic tapping of keys echo softly.
Meanwhile, Isko heads to the garden for some fresh air. He pauses, scanning the tight and slightly chaotic space. The shrubs are overgrown, the vines tangled, and some trees look withered. Yet, something about the garden draws him in.
"Parang maliit lang dito sa baba," he mutters, looking around.
"Pero kapag sa azotea ka tumingin, parang sobrang laki nito."
He rolls up his sleeves and starts working, pulling at the dead vines and trimming the overgrown shrubs. As he clears more space, something unexpected catches his eye—a fountain hidden behind a thick layer of foliage.
The fountain, though dusty and neglected, is stunning. It boasts intricate carvings and an ornate statue of La Sagrada Familia perched proudly at its center.
"Grabe! Andito pala 'to," Isko says, marveling at its beauty.
"Sayang naman kung hayaan lang na ganito."
Determined, he fetches a hose and some plumbing materials from the storage shed.
Back inside, the house grows quiet. Benigno dozes off in front of the laptop, his head resting against the couch. Christine, exhausted from cleaning, joins him on the couch and quickly falls asleep as well.
The hours slip by until the sound of birds returning to their nests stirs them both awake. Benigno checks the clock—it's already 5:40 PM.
"Christine, nasaan si Isko?" tanong ni Benigno, rubbing his eyes.
Christine stretches and shrugs.
"Hindi ko alam, pero kanina pa ata nasa garden."
They head to the azotea for a better view, curious about what Isko might be up to.
As they step onto the azotea, they're greeted by a sight that leaves them speechless. The once-overgrown garden has been transformed into a breathtaking Spanish-style landscape. The vibrant hues of bougainvillea cascade over trellises, framing the pathways in bursts of pink, orange, and white. At the center of it all stands the white marble fountain, fully restored and gleaming under the golden light of the setting sun. The statue of La Sagrada Familia looks almost divine in its grandeur.
Benigno's jaw drops.
"Hindi ito... Hindi ito 'yung hardin natin kanina, diba?"
Christine clasps her hands over her mouth, her eyes wide.
"Sino gumawa nito?"
As if on cue, Isko emerges from behind the fountain, wiping sweat from his brow and grinning at them.
"Ako po, hehe," he says casually, as though what he's accomplished is nothing extraordinary.
"Isko, paano mo nagawa lahat 'to?" Benigno asks, still in disbelief.
"Sinimulan ko lang po isa-isa. Ang ganda kasi ng potential ng garden, kaya naisip ko ayusin."
Christine walks down to inspect the garden up close, her eyes glistening with pride.
"Ang galing mo talaga, Isko. Hindi ko alam na kaya mong gawin 'to."
Benigno nods, his voice filled with admiration.
"Isko, napaka-talented mo. Napakaswerte namin na nandito ka."
That evening, they decide to make the most of the revitalized garden. Christine and Benigno prepare a simple yet hearty dinner, bringing the food outside to enjoy under the soft glow of the garden lights.
As they sit together around the table, the sound of the fountain mingling with their laughter, they can't help but feel a deep sense of gratitude.
"Salamat, Isko," Christine says, raising her glass.
"Sa talent mo at sa malasakit mo sa bahay na 'to. Napakaganda ng ginawa mo."
Isko smiles, his cheeks tinged pink.
"Wala po 'yon, Ma'am. Gusto ko lang pong makatulong."
The family shares a quiet moment, gazing at the garden that now feels like a sanctuary—a space that, much like their bond, continues to grow and flourish.