Chapter 30 - Liboo

Ever since July of last year, my son Tayaw has changed a lot. The change was a welcomed one, but very puzzling as well. Before going to college, he took it upon himself to wash and clean my van spotless that some of my regular passengers even appreciated it. I would not also admit it to my wife, but the lunch he packs for me tasted better than the lunch my wife packs for me. When did he learn to cook? Since when was he a clean freak? Since when did he become attentive on social cues? He no longer talks ridiculous idealistic stuff like a kid, and has become very pragmatic. One night over the dining table, when Payew said he will have a big farm someday, Tayaw genuinely asked how Payew is planning to do it.

Tayaw once dreamed of becoming a famous singer so I bought him his first guitar. Now, however, he expresses a LOT of cynicism at the celebrities he sees on TV. For example, one night last year, when we were watching TV, there was a celebrity being interviewed about her current life and fame. When the interview got to the point where the celebrity started crying while telling a story about how she starved herself for her award winning role, my wife and I started feeling bad for her. Our sympathy for the actress however was cut short when we heard Tayaw's comment. "You call that a struggle? What do you call the situation of an unemployed fresh graduate living in a bas.e.m.e.nt apartment who eats instant noodles and crackers for lunch and dinner?" What he said wasn't exactly funny, but the way he said it like he experienced it had me crying in tears. It also made my wife lost it when she heard what he said next. "Mom, Dad, you feel bad for this lady? I'm going to college soon and you'll spend a lot on my tuition on top of the mortgage payments, you should feel bad for yourselves." Tayaw said while shrugging his shoulders.

He also laughs a lot at stuff only a.d.u.l.ts find funny. This is why I felt closer to him than ever. Despite this, I can no longer tell if he's lying and talking to him feels like I'm talking to a fellow a.d.u.l.t. I mean, registering for his own social security number? Registering for a tax ID? Setting up his own bank account? Getting hired for a job that has great pay for his age? How he does these very seamlessly aside from previous experience is beyond me. I admit that I'm not around my kids that much except in the evenings, but it surprised me that even my wife was shocked at Tayaw's English fluency.

With all of these changes, I became more and more assured that Tayaw can take care of himself and will get far in life in the future. However, one day in November, I didn't expect him to get far in life that quickly. He came home with his own brand new, fully paid pick-up truck. He also brought along gifts for the family. A part of Tayaw's mystery was also solved when he explained that he's the author who wrote a recently popular book and made money from it. However, I lived my life believing that nothing this good will last forever so I wanted Tayaw to save his money and avoid spending big. My wife and I knew how hard it is to live hand-to-mouth every day and we did not want Tayaw to experience it as well. We were even more adamant that he save his money when he told us he wanted to shoulder his brothers' future college expenses. Tayaw however knew how to argue and said "No, dad. I think it's just right for me to do so. Just like you, there's nothing too much for me when it concerns my brothers' futures. Even though making a college fund for us three will wipe my current savings, it's worth it." Tayaw said in conviction. I don't know why, but even if I refused, I feel that Tayaw will do it anyway. Tayaw wants to spend on something that will benefit his brothers for their entire lives, so me and my wife finally relented.

During Tayaw's final year in high school, I noticed that he has not touched the guitar as often as he had middle school, so I thought he gave up on his dream becoming a rock star. I was surprised however when he played us his original song. The way he plucks his guitar, the way he sings, the way he expresses his emotions, it felt like I was watching a real professional musician. I also played the guitar as a kid but I was stuck just playing chords, which is also the level of skill I saw Tayaw's guitar playing I last saw him have. Tayaw's current skill in the guitar however, is beyond my understanding. I can also pluck the guitar but I cannot imagine making it sound as beautiful and as smoothly as how Tayaw can. How does he know where to press on the higher frets? What were those chords he played that I have never seen before? It was mindblowing.

What's more impressive to me, is his song. It's like I'm listening to a country star in my living room. The song he played can be played at any radio and no one would think it was made by an amateur. It will never be as popular as those annoying pop songs on the radio, but his original song is the most genuine song I have ever heard.

Two days after Christmas, Tayaw said he was to pay taxes in Ouigab and wants to bring his brothers to play as well. Kilat and I decided to let him because we also want Payew and Agew to see the city. Both of them never spent more than a day in any city so we decided this is a good opportunity for them to see the difference of the lives of people from the city and the relaxing life in our town.

The next night, when they finally got back, I saw something strange. Before Tayaw left for Ouigab for college, he was able to gain the respect of his brothers. The night they got back from Ouigab, however, Payew and Agew had a strange look in their eyes when they are looking at Tayaw. It was bizarre to look at. I know that look in their eyes. I saw it many times in people who see their favorite sports stars. I asked them what happened in Ouigab but the three would not tell me. I guessed that it could not be that bad so I dropped the matter.

Today, I'm having a picnic with my family beside Lake Tabila. We just had our lunch and I have to say, Tayaw's barbecue must be the most perfect barbecue I've ever had. The meat is thoroughly cooked through and through without getting burnt. His potato salad was also great although I had a hard time when Tayaw just had to ask "Dad, who makes the better potato salad? Me, or mom?" I know he was messing with me but my wife is actually waiting for an answer. Anyone with taste buds can tell that Tayaw makes the better potato salad, but I just could not admit that in front of my wife. If I answered honestly, she will bring it up for months every chance she gets. I can't have that because she cooks my meals. "Your mom, of course. You still have a long way before you can make a potato salad as good as the one she makes." I replied hoping that my wife will buy it.

We continued talking. My wife and I also answered his questions about mortgages and banks. It even got strange when he asked us what we would rather do if we didn't have burdens. I'm thinking he must be at that age when he explores his purpose. I did that as well when I was his age. I too had dreams of opening my own Auto Repair shop; I also know that my wife had dreams of becoming a school principal like her grandmother back in Alib. Reality however is harsh on everyone.

"…You should be concerned of your dreams, not ours. Why are you asking these questions?" I asked Tayaw to change the subject. I'm already too old to think of my own dreams.

"Don't worry; I am concerned about my dreams. Mom, Dad, guess what happened to me this morning?" Tayaw asked, smiling. "No idea. You were with us the whole time. What could have possibly happened?" Kilat answered. That was true. I saw him already preparing stuff when we woke up and he was also with us the entire time and we didn't see anything special happen. I on the other hand am hoping he finally gets a girlfriend. "What? Your crush finally texted you back?" I said.

"Oh. Nothing like that. Your son just became a millionaire." He said. "What?!" My wife exclaimed. True. I know I didn't hear him wrong despite the wind coming from the lake. "Did you say you just became a millionaire? Are you joking?" I asked to clarify. My son, who was just a regular teenager not even a year ago, is already a millionaire? "Yep. If you convert it to American Dollars, I'm still a millionaire." Tayaw replied. I'm not a Christian but, Jesus Christ. "I thought your books were already selling well? How did you get so much more money?" My wife asked more questions. "My books were actually released internationally in the middle of December." Tayaw explained. While my wife is asking him more questions, Tayaw's earlier questions started connecting in my mind, and basing on his stubbornness to start a college fund for his brothers', I realized what he's getting at and I looked at Tayaw with wide eyes. Tayaw also nodded.

"Yes. Dad. That's why I've been asking the questions earlier." Tayaw confirmed. "So you want to pay for the mortgage? How can we let you do that?" Kilat asked with instinctive refusal. "Mom. As long as we owe that house to the bank, it will never truly be ours. That's my home as well. Please let me do this." Tayaw pleaded. "It's so much money, son. You know this is difficult to accept." I also told him. That's still almost 200,000 BGC. "I know dad. But if we pay the mortgage now instead of paying monthly like we have been doing, we can save a lot of money by avoiding the interest." Tayaw said, raising a good point. "That's true, honey." Kilat also agreed after a moment of consideration. I, on the other hand is still hesitant. I don't know why. "But we can't just let him pay with his own money." I said. "Dad. Yes it's my money, but what about family? I can't help my family?" Tayaw raised another good point I cannot refute. Why am I hesitating? Why am I refusing? If I were in Tayaw's shoes, wouldn't I do the same as he's doing now?

I have always been a practical man, the world as I understand it is very practical. A pie just doesn't fall out of the sky; one should work hard to achieve what they want. Even billionaires work hard every day; even lottery winners who don't work hard to keep their money eventually return to poverty. What Tayaw brought upon our family broke my understanding, but also reinforced it. The world is built by people who work hard, but there are also people who built it who outsmart the hard workers. I finally understand that my son is one of those smart people who outsmart hardworking people like me.

"Alright. I don't know what we did to have you in our life, but I could only Thank you, son." I finally relented.