Time's Gift

Morning sunlight spilled across the dining table, catching on the glass pitcher of orange juice and making it glow like amber.

Eleanor sat at her usual spot, tracing circles into the wooden table with her fingertip.

Papa Gabe was across from her, slurping coffee from a chipped mug, flipping the newspaper pages with stained fingers.

Alex and Bella were arguing over who got the bigger slice of hotdog.

Mama Yana, wearing her apron and hair tied back, fluttered around the table, spooning rice onto everyone's plates.

It was the same scene Eleanor had watched countless times. Yet now, every second felt precious and fragile.

"Anak, kumain ka na," Yana scolded, nudging Eleanor's plate closer. "Parang kang multo diyan."

Eleanor blinked and picked up her spoon.

"Sorry, Ma."

Papa Gabe glanced at her over the rim of his mug.

"Bakit parang ang lalim ng iniisip mo, anak?" he asked, brow furrowed.

Eleanor hesitated, her mind reeling with a dozen secrets she couldn't share.

Because you're going to leave us. Because Ma is going to die. Because I can't let that happen again.

But she forced a tiny smile.

"Wala, Pa. Just… school stuff."

Papa Gabe gave a soft grunt, like he didn't quite believe her, but let it drop.

After Breakfast

After the dishes were cleared, Eleanor slipped into her room and shut the door.

She grabbed a blank notebook from her schoolbag and flipped it open.

On the first page, she wrote in neat block letters:

| THINGS I NEED TO CHANGE |

Her pen hovered over the paper as her mind raced.

• Make sure Ma goes to the doctor earlier.

• Be kinder to Bella and Alex.

• Don't let Papa get mixed up with those people.

• Tell Ma how much I love her every day.

• Don't fight with Ma on my birthday.

• Be brave with Elias.

Eleanor stared at the list, her breath trembling.

Could she really do all this?

Mama Yana's voice floated from outside her door.

"Eleanor? Anak, hatid kita sa school?"

Eleanor quickly shut the notebook and stuffed it under her pillow.

"Okay lang po, Ma!"

"Sure ka?" Yana called. "Ayaw mo ng skinship sa jeep?"

Eleanor laughed despite her tears.

"Ma, nakakahiya ka."

Walking to School

She walked to school with Bella, who prattled on about her classmates and how unfair it was that she couldn't have a phone yet.

Alex tagged along, swinging his bag like a weapon, nearly whacking Bella in the leg.

"Lex!" Bella screeched. "Sira ulo ka ba?!"

"Hindi!" Alex shouted. "You're the sira ulo!"

Eleanor burst into laughter.

I missed this. I missed all of this so much.

At a corner, a woman selling kwek-kwek waved to them.

"O, mga anak, gusto niyo?"

Bella and Alex immediately clamored for change.

Eleanor bought three sticks and passed them around, watching her siblings devour the orange-coated eggs like they were gold.

"Ikaw iha, gusto mo rin ba?" the vendor asked.

Eleanor blinked at the bright orange spheres, the vinegar dipping sauce steaming in the chilly morning air.

She thought of how she hadn't tasted kwek-kwek in years.

"Sige po. Isa."

She took a bite and felt tears prick her eyes at how perfect it tasted.

In School

Eleanor's classmates greeted her with waves and inside jokes she only half remembered.

Everything felt like a memory she was moving through for a second time.

In English class, she sat near the window, distracted as usual.

Halfway through the lesson, the door creaked open.

Elias stepped in, apologizing to the teacher for being late.

Eleanor felt her heart slam into her ribs.

He slid into the chair beside her, offering a shy grin.

"Hi, Ellie."

"Hi," she whispered.

Say something normal. Don't act like a time-traveling lunatic.

"Uh… sorry, I wasn't at practice last week," Elias said, scratching his head. "Nagkasakit kasi ako."

"Oh… okay."

Eleanor cursed herself. That's all you can say?

The teacher barked at them to be quiet.

But Eleanor's mind was whirling.

She remembered how in the original timeline, she'd never been brave enough to admit her feelings.

That was one regret she refused to carry again.

I'll tell him. Maybe not today. But someday.

Lunch Break

At lunch, Eleanor sat on a bench in the school courtyard, nibbling her baon.

Her friends were gossiping about the upcoming intramurals.

"Uy Ellie," Joan nudged her. "Elias might join the singing contest. You should watch."

Eleanor's chest did a funny leap.

"Really? He sings?"

Joan nodded. "Ang galing daw. May secret guitar skills din."

Eleanor felt a flutter in her stomach.

Another thing I never knew.

Afternoon

When classes ended, Eleanor lingered outside the classroom, watching Elias laugh with his friends.

He glanced her way, catching her stare, and smiled.

She dropped her gaze, heart racing.

On the walk home, Eleanor felt the weight of her secret pressing down on her shoulders.

How do I change all this? How do I stop Papa from leaving? How do I save Ma?

She knew she couldn't do it alone.

Evening at Home

That night, the family gathered around the small dining table again.

Papa Gabe was telling a joke that made Alex snort milk out of his nose.

Mama Yana swatted Gabe's arm.

"Ewan ko sa'yo. Mas bata pa ugali mo kay Alex."

Papa Gabe grinned and wrapped an arm around Yana's shoulders.

"Eh kasi, gusto ko palagi kang tumatawa."

Eleanor swallowed hard, watching them.

Please, Lord… let this last.

After dinner, Mama Yana settled beside Eleanor on the sofa.

"Anak, may gusto ka bang ipagdasal?" Yana asked quietly.

Eleanor blinked at her. "Bakit po?"

"Ewan ko. Mukha kang may mabigat sa dibdib mo lately."

Eleanor stared at her mother's kind eyes, fighting the urge to confess everything.

Instead, she whispered:

"Ma… do you think God gives people second chances?"

Yana tilted her head, thoughtful.

"Siguro. Kasi kahit ilang beses kang magkamali, mahal ka pa rin niya."

She smiled, brushing Eleanor's hair from her face.

"Basta, kung anuman 'yang iniisip mo, I'm sure kakayanin mo."

Later that night, Eleanor lay in bed, staring at the glow-in-the-dark stars stuck to her ceiling.

She pressed her hand over her heart and whispered into the quiet:

"Lord… please help me do better this time. I don't want to lose them again."

As sleep slowly claimed her, Eleanor felt hope rise in her chest, fragile but bright as morning light.