Running Away From Home

This is my unforgettable experience why I defied my parents and ran away from home. And later I realized how I caused them worry and trouble. But they kept on finding me, that's why I was remorseful and blamed myself why I did that. Did I deserve to be reprimanded and punished?

"He's already asleep. Don't disturb him!"

My father Hilarion and Me

This is what I overheard from my mother before, telling my father not to bother me anymore.

This was the moment wherein nanay was so considerate about me after I attempted to run away from home when I was about 11 years then.

I remember late that night, my father scolded me for no apparent reason. I couldn't remember what misdeed I had. Without my parent's knowledge I went downstairs passing the kitchen's door and rested in one of the posts beneath our mixed nipa-wood house, eavesdropping what my parents were talking about me.

In a moment, my mother noticed that I wasn't in our bedroom sleeping.

"Hilarion, Gilbor isn't in our room. He's gone!"

I alerted myself for they're preparing to go downstairs to look for me. When they're opening our main door, I right away proceeded to the street for our house was along the street. I turned my back and noticed my father was carrying a flashlight and a long bamboo stick.

I hastened and headed straight to the plaza. While I approached the Independent Catholic Church (Aglipayan), I crossed the street and took shelter at the gas filling station, just across the said Church. As I saw my parents approaching the Church, I hid in one of the machines in the station. They didn't notice me. While they kept on walking, I overheard my mother blaming my father for scolding me without telling my fault. As I craned my neck, I saw them heading to Ampong place, where ambulant vendors stayed late in the evening for their business.

While they past me unnoticed, I tiptoed and hurriedly went back home. I went upstairs passing the back door in the kitchen, and directly went inside the bedroom, grabbed the pillow and the blanket, then covered myself, pretending to tightly fall asleep.

By and by, my parents got back. Still I overheard my mother, nagging my father by blaming him. Once they're inside the house, my mother right away peeped in our bedroom and found me there. Then she cautioned my father saying, "Gilbor is already inside. He's asleep. Don't bother him anymore."

Modern Independent Catholic Church

Came early in the morning. I noticed that the breakfast was already ready prepared by my mother. And my father was outside the balcony, sitting a chair, watching passersby.

I was reluctant to get up for I was afraid that they would chide me for being defiance. But I was wrong. Nobody uttered a word of blaming me as if nothing bad had happened.

Still feeling nervous, I never dared to greet them. I just proceeded to the breakfast table and partook the food.

I now realize how they really loved me as their youngest son of 6 and I am the one staying with them. I realize how parents like them treat me fairly on how affected I am for the fault that I never did nor never have a knowledge about it.

Tatay Hilarion and nanay Loreng, please forgive me of my indifference, of my ungratefulness. I know I should haven't done it. I should haven't encumbered you. I should be meek and teachable for I'm under your care.

Is it my fault why I did that? Do they blame me for that? Do I deserve to be punished? Or Whatever befits?