Chapter XLVI: One Step at a Time
The morning sun slowly filters through the thin curtains of the Bensmert Store. Meric opens her eyes. For a moment, she forgets where she is. The familiar scent of canned goods, coffee, and sacks of rice surrounds her. A ceiling fan lazily turns overhead, producing a steady humming sound. Then she remembers. She is inside the store.
The northern portion of the Caluipat house is gone. After Mark's graduation, the demolition of the old section of the house begins. The walls that had witnessed decades of laughter, arguments, celebrations, and tears have already been torn down. Due to the construction, there is no proper place for them to sleep. The store becomes their temporary bedroom.
Beside her, Ben is still sleeping soundly. His arm is stretched across the thin mattress while a small blanket is tangled around one leg. Meric smiles. Even after all these years, Ben still sleeps like someone who has just finished a week-long construction project. She slowly sits up. Outside, dawn paints the sky with shades of gold and blue.
"Nagdaras ti panawen (How fast time passed)," she quietly mutters.
Her eyes drift toward the ceiling. And her thoughts drift backward, back to Mark's graduation and back to the day that seems both recent and distant at the same time.
At the graduation, the open gymnasium of Hermosa Central School is crowded. Parents fill the seats. Teachers move around organizing the graduates. Colorful decorations hang from the rafters. The atmosphere is joyful, proud, and hopeful.
Mark sits among the graduates. His toga is neatly pressed. His medal shines beneath the lights. Meric remembers her heart pounding as she watches her son wait for his name to be called. Ben is seated beside her.
Nearby is Ben's father. The old man has traveled all the way from Atuley, a province south of their Heritage Province. Despite his age, he insists on attending.
"I wouldn't miss my grandson's graduation," he says proudly.
When Mark's name echoes through the gymnasium, applause follows. Mark walks toward the stage. Steady, confident, yet a little nervous. The principal shakes his hand. A medal is placed around his neck by Ben and Meric, and a certificate is handed to him.
The crowd claps. Meric feels tears forming. Ben proudly stands for a moment just to take a better picture. Even Ben's father wipes his eyes. Just at the back of the gymnasium is Rico.
"That's my grandson," he proudly says.
Meric smiles. Although she cannot see her mother anywhere inside the gymnasium, she knows. She simply knows, that Mercy is there. She is watching, and smiling proud the same way she watched Mark take his first steps, the same way she watched him enter school, and the same way she watched him grow. Meric can almost imagine Mercy sitting somewhere among the audience, wearing her favorite red blouse, and clapping proudly as her beloved grandson receives his medal.
The memory shifts and another memory follows and it's a painful one.
Two years earlier, shortly after Mercy passes away, Mark changes. The cheerful boy becomes quieter. The loss affects him deeply.
One afternoon, while walking home, he trips and falls hard onto the pavement. The impact leaves a scar on his face. The wound heals, yet the scar remains. But it isn't only the scar on his face. Something inside him changes too. His academic performance declines. His awards become fewer. His recognition changes from Honor Roll distinctions to Diligence in Studies.
All of them inside the house worries but nobody pressures him. Nobody scolds him. They simply stay beside him. Waiting for it to heal, still supporting and loving.
And eventually, Mark begins finding his footing again. Grade Five arrives, then Grade Six. Little by little, he regains his confidence. His grades improve and his determination returns. Soon enough, he is back in the Honor Roll, stronger than before.
Perhaps not because he forgets the pain. But because he learns how to carry it.
Another memory follows.
Not long after Mark's graduation, Adrion also graduates. This time from Divine Word College of Hermosa. It's another celebration, achievement, and milestone. The family gathers again but at Elric's house at Pantay Este. Photographs are taken, food is shared, and laughter fills the day.
Life continues moving forward, even after loss and sorrow. Life never truly stops.
Meric returns to the present. Something soft brushes against her arm. She looks down and there's a furry face staring at her. A tail wags enthusiastically and it's Raffy, the Shih Tzu immediately climbs onto the mattress and begins licking her hand.
"Good morning to you too," Meric laughs.
Raffy wiggles excitedly as if he has been waiting all morning for her to wake up. The commotion wakes Ben. He groans and stretches. Eventually, he then notices Raffy.
"Anya met (Oh what the heck)," Ben says dramatically.
"Not even a single lick for me."
Raffy glances at him. Then immediately returns his attention to Meric. Ben places a hand on his chest.
"I have been replaced."
Meric laughs.
"Anya ka? Aso? (What are you? A dog?)."
"Exactly."
The day begins. Ben opens the store. The familiar sounds of commerce return. Bottles clink and freezers hum. Customers begin arriving.
Meanwhile, Meric heads toward the kitchen inside the remaining southern section of the old house. Breakfast must be prepared. Soon, the aroma of garlic rice and fried eggs fills the air.
Not long after, Mark wakes up and Rico follows. The two emerge looking unusually energetic especially Rico, because today is cycling day.
Both immediately begin putting on their cycling gear such as helmets, gloves, and sports shirts. Mark adjusts his helmet. Rico checks his bicycle.
At the dirty kitchen behind the main kitchen, Rico retrieves his old BMX bike. Though old, it remains sturdy, and reliable. Mark receives the Trinx bicycle. The grandfather and grandson grin at one another, which means they are ready.
"Be safe there, Balong" Meric says.
"We will," Rico replies.
"Don't race."
"We won't."
Mark and Rico immediately look at one another. Then both grin. Meric narrows her eyes.
"That smile means you're going to race."
"No we're not."
"Absolutely not."
Five minutes later they are already racing up Quirino Boulevard. After their ride, they return home. Sweaty, hungry, yet happy. And just in time. Construction workers begin arriving. The future house is finally taking shape, well only for the first floor. Workers unload cement, steel bars, wood, and tools. The sound of hammers soon fills the area. Dust rises, and measurements are taken.
The dream that began as drawings on paper is finally becoming reality Ben watches proudly. Meric watches quietly. This house represents more than concrete and steel. It represents years of sacrifice, years of hard work, and years of love.
Weeks later, the household gains another member. Another puppy and it's a Shih Tzu, though not entirely purebred. It's part Shih Tzu, and part Japanese Spitz. The puppy is energetic, playful, and absolutely fearless. Her name is Reina.
Within days she becomes Raffy's favorite companion. The two dogs chase one another around the yard. Around construction materials, around workers, and around absolutely everything.
One construction worker jokes, "These dogs supervise more than the foreman."
The others laugh. Reina barks proudly. As if accepting the compliment.
Weeks pass and May turns into June. The next challenge arrives, Mark's transition to highschool.
One afternoon, while discussing options, Elric's wife makes a suggestion.
"Mer, what about Divine Word College of Hermosa?"
Meric hesitates. The tuition fee is significant, the school is known for its standards, and the expectations are higher. But there are advantages too. Many teachers know Meric. The school has a strong reputation, and perhaps most importantly, it is the alma mater of Mercy and Rico. The thought alone touches Meric's heart. She knows her mother would be happy.
After much discussion, she agrees. Mark will enroll there. Then another suggestion arrives.
"Why not let him try the Special Science Class examination?"
Meric looks surprised.
"The SSC?"
"Yes. Mark's grades qualify."
Mark immediately looks nervous.
"That sounds difficult."
"It is," Elric's wife admits.
"But you can do it."
Mark swallows, still uncertain yet hopeful.
The examination day arrives. Mark enters the classroom, his stomach feels like a hundred butterflies are flying inside it. There's Science, Math, Logic, and Analysis. Questions seem endless. By the time he finishes, he feels exhausted.
"Mommy, kasanon nu hannak makapasa? (Mommy, what if I will not pass?)," he immediately tells Meric afterward.
"You don't know that."
"I definitely failed."
"You always say that."
"I do?"
"Every exam. Ngem, agtiwala ka kenni Apo. (But, believe in the Lord)"
Days later, Meric receives a notification on her phone. She opens it and her eyes widen. Then she smiles, laughs, and nearly cries. Mark has passed, he passed the SSC examination. One of the most competitive sections. Mark stares at the notification, speechless.
"You passed."
"No way"
Meric points at the screen, and Mark reads it again. Slowly, a smile appears.
"I passed."
"You passed."
"I passed!"
He jumps from his seat. Raffy and Reina start barking. Neither dog understands what happened. But both join the celebration anyway.
That evening. Mark sits quietly. The excitement has faded and the reality has arrived. The challenge feels bigger now.
"I'm scared," he finally admits.
Ben places a hand on his shoulder.
"That's normal, Balong"
"What if I can't keep up?"
"You will."
"What if I'm not smart enough?"
Meric immediately shakes her head.
"Haan mo ibaga ti kasta (Don't say that)."
Mark lowers his gaze. The fear is genuine. The future feels uncertain. Meric kneels beside him.
"If you struggle with grammar, I'll help."
Ben smiles.
"And if you struggle with math, I'll help."
Mark looks at both of them. His parents, support system, and foundation. The fear remains. But it feels lighter now, much lighter like a piece of paper.
Night settles over Caluipat, and the store closes. The construction workers have gone home. The neighborhood becomes quiet.
A small candle burns on the altar inside the store. Its flame dances softly, back and forth, and going up and down. It dances strangely, almost playfully. No wind enters and no fan blows nearby. Yet the flame continues swaying. As though someone is gently teasing it. Watching, playing, proud, invisible, unseen yet present.
And somewhere beside the altar stands Mercy. She is smiling, watching her beloved grandson take another step forward, watching her children continue building their future, and watching her family move forward.
One achievement, one dream, one generation at a time.
And for the first time in a long while, the future shines brightly before them. Just like the little candle flame that continues dancing into the night.