Childhood (Part 1)

TW// Drowning, verbal abuse.

Travis' P.O.V. (Part 1)

“Mom, can you tell me a story to sleep?” I opened my arms to hug her, but as expected, she never hugged me or let me hug her.

She looked at me with a dismayed face, the smile on my face started to fade. What did I do wrong, this time?

“If you want to sleep, go to your bed and close your eyes. As simple as that.” She said before leaving. I tried not to cry this time, I don’t want to be left alone crying again.

The tears receded, even more, when I heard footsteps.

“Nanny…” I said as my lips automatically formed a smile.

“What about Nanny telling you a story before you sleep, what do you think?” My heart hammered loudly because of the happiness I felt. I nodded excitedly, I’ve never been this happy since Nanny came into my life.

“Let’s go? It’s almost two in the morning, that’s not good for a 4-year-old kid.” I nodded again as she caressed and tapped my head with a smile on her face.

As promised, she told me a story. I never had a chance to finish listening to the story because I already fell asleep.

***

“Happy Birthday to you! Happy Birthday to you!” Nanny sang while holding a cake with a candle of my age.

“Thank you!” I hugged her by the waist, but she bent her knees so I could really hug her. She placed the cake on the table and hugged me.

“Happy Birthday, my baby boy. Are you happy?” I nodded even though something inside me felt heavy.

Mom and Dad didn’t remember my birthday, but Nanny did. It was supposed to be her rest day to go home to her family because it's Valentine's Day today. But she chose to spend her rest day with me.

She took the cake and placed it in front of me. “Make a wish or wishes…” I closed my eyes and started to think.

All I want is Mom to tell me stories at night, and Dad buys me toys and plays with me. That’s all I wanted. I opened my eyes and I saw Nanny almost tearing up.

I closed my eyes again to make a wish. I hope Nanny stays with me until I grow up… until I can make her happy too… until it’s my turn to take care of her. I wish her to live a long, and happy life.

I opened my eyes again and started to blow the candle.

“Thank you, Nanny… you’re the only one who remembered my birthday.”

“Honestly, it’s not only me…” She opened the door and it revealed Grandpa!

“Abuelo!” I welcomed him with my hug.

“How are you, my favorite grandchild?” He laughed wholeheartedly as he hugs and caressed my back.

I received many hugs today!

“I have something for you!” He handed me a big gift. I thanked him more than three times as I excitedly open it. My eyes widened when I saw the toy I’ve been wanting for months.

“Abuelo, how did you know that I like this toy?” I asked him and hugged him again, I can’t hide the excitement in my voice.

“Abuelo knows you well…” He said in a monotone.

“Where’s Mom and Dad? They don’t know it’s my birthday… they didn’t even say a happy birthday to me…” I complained.

Abuelo looked at Nanny before sighing. He tried to smile, “They’re probably on a date… but let’s pack clothes, we’re going to La Union!” He tried to sound excited.

I smiled and tried to ignore the sadness because of the thought that Mom and Dad don’t remember my Birthday. Maybe they’ll make it up to La Union.

***

“Dad, teach me how to swim!” I told him as he fixes his surfboard, while Mom’s putting her a sunblock on his back. He ignored me and continued to the sea, he probably did not hear me.

“Mom…” I uttered silently while she was busy taking selfies.

“What?” She raised an eyebrow.

“I want to swim…” I pouted my lips.

“Then ask your Abuelo.” She said with finality.

“But I want you, Mom.”

“You should’ve probably stayed at home,” There’s a hint of annoyance in her voice. “You’re a burden to us, remember that.” That made me close my mouth. I almost teared up, but I chose to ignore that to remind her of something.

“Yesterday’s my birthday…” I murmured.

“I don’t care, why did your Abuelo bring you here? To piss me off?” And then she left, leaving me alone.

“Hey, kid!” Someone from behind called me.

“Me?” I asked for confirmation. She nodded and smiled widely.

“Wanna swim?” She asked in a small voice. Will she be my playmate? I never had a playmate, I’m always stuck in our house. I don’t even play in our house, they don’t buy me toys. It’s either I’m sleeping, eating, or learning.

I nodded excitedly, she took my hand and dragged me until we got here in the sea. She offered me an inflatable duck lifebuoy.

“Don’t get too far, you might drown…” She said while smiling at me. She rides with an inflatable duck lifebuoy. She followed the flow of the wave, she screamed in a small voice, showing that she’s enjoying it.

When the wave got stronger the man grabbed its duck lifebuoy, maybe it’s her Dad. When she saw her Dad holding her duck lifebuoy, she opened her arms to her Dad, her Dad smiled as he carried her in the water. They stopped getting far when the water was already at her father’s chest. She was holding to her Dad as she could fall. They really looked happy.

I tried to ride on the inflatable duck lifebuoy, but I wasn’t even riding comfortably, I got swayed by the waves. I almost coughed as the force of the wave hit my face.

I’m getting too far…

I might drown…

I was panicking when the waves started to sway me again, this time, I’m so far with people… They won’t probably hear me when I shout. I started crying because I’ve never been nervous in my whole life.

“Help!” I tried to shout, one person saw me and I could clearly see her panic in her eyes. She tried to point at me and told people about what she’s seeing. I can’t stay here forever, every second passing, I’m getting further and further away.

The kid who gave me this duck lifebuoy started to shout at her parents, making them look my way. I can see panic and fear on her face.

I tried to think of something I can do, I can’t be helpless. I can hear people panicking, shouting, and asking for a lifeguard.

I don’t know how to swim, but I need to. I sighed heavily and started moving to get away in this duck lifebuoy. I was shaking as I moved, I could also feel my lips trembling.

“Oh, God! Don’t move, kid!” Someone shouted.

I positioned myself, I counted 1 to 3 before jumping. I felt my body ache as I fell into the water. I tried to swim even though I don’t know what's the proper way to do it. I swam as fast as I could. Until I almost can’t breathe. I started to get slower when I almost ran out of oxygen.

Few more seconds, I can do this.

But little did I know, I can’t…

I can’t take this anymore—

I was catching my breath when someone came up to me, it’s the kid who gave me lifebuoy.

The lifeguard came to us, the girl was looking at me with her angry eyes.

“Didn’t I tell you not to get too far?”

“Hey… you might drown…” I told her because I still can't feel the sand.

“I do swim lessons, that’s why I know how to swim, and I even saved you, kid.”

“U-Uh… Thank you…” The lifeguard took me and asked me some questions. He even checked my breathing when we got to the seashore.

Those people who panicked sighed in relief when they saw me.

I don’t have the chance to thank that kid because the lifeguard sent me to my parents.

I thought I could see them worried… but they aren’t. They looked at me with a blank expression. How could they look at me like this after they knew what happened?

“I’m sorry, Mom… Dad…” Mom rolled her eyes. Dad’s frowning.

“I’m sorry for worrying you—”

“You should’ve just died.” She said in almost a whisper. My mouth dropped as my tears rolled down my cheeks.

End of Part 1.