A Rastro Story

2. The Arrival

" Hello Philippines!" takbong bungad ni Batchi palabas ng airport. Samantalang tahimik naman at nagmamasid si Glaiza sa kapaligiran. " This is it" isip nya.

Maya maya pa ay may sasakyan na huminto sa harap nila at bumungad si Mrs. Clara Howell na agad sinalubong ni Mike at Batchi ng halik at yakap. Sa wakas after how many years nakabalik din sila sa lupang sinilangan.

"Welcome back kiddos! Oh my goodness ang lalaki n'yo na. It's  been about what 10? 15 years? I'm sure your Tito Ninong will be glad to see you guys. Ang gaganda at pogi n'yo" - ecstatic na saad ng ginang.

" Uhmm Tita Ninang do you still remember us even if you didn't see us for so long. As far as I remember po kasi I was just 12, Mike is 11 and G is 10 since we last saw each other" ask Batchi.

" Of course hija. You're Batchi the eldest daughter of Felix and that handsome guy is Mike na paboritong kalaro ni Sheena and the bunso Glaiza na laging bukambibig ni Rhian. You know Felix always send us your pictures that's why". Ngiting sagot ng ginang.

" Tumpak ganern Tita"- sabat ni Mike na pumalakpak pa.

" Umayos ka nga Mike, para kang bakla" sita ni Glaiza.

Inirapan lang ni Mike ang kapatid at hindi na kumibo dahil nag-iisang linya na ang labi at kunot na ang noo nito. Napatawa na lang ang ginang at pinagmasdan ang magkakapatid habang iniimagine ang muling pagkikita ng mga ito at ng kanyang mga prinsesa. Sa haba ng byahe nila 'di na namalayan ng tatlo na nakatulog sila dala na din ng pagod and finally nakarating na din sila sa Howell Mansion.

" Guys we're here, wake up sleepy heads."- gising ng ginang. " Kami na ang bahala sa mga bagahe n'yo. Go straight to the library your Tito Ninong is waiting for you. Yaya pakisamahan sila sa library."

'Di naman maiwasang mamangha ng tatlo habang papasok ng mansion dahil sa pinaghalong modern at spanish design. Mas lalong lumaki at lumuwag since the last time they saw it.

" Sir andito na po mga bisita n'yo."

Gareth Howell lift up his head and a smile formed in his lips and walk towards the Galura siblings and gave them a warm big hug.

" Welcome back kiddos. It's been ages. I hope you aren't mad to your father for dragging you here. I'm the one who is responsible for spoiling your planned vacation. I plead to Felix if he can give me trusted securities but to my surprise he recommended the 3 of you. Please just this once, I can't risk my daughters life. I badly needed your help. I trust no one only you Galuras." the old man beamed with pleading eyes.

Glaiza gritted her teeth, clenched her jaw and curse their father silently. " Damn that old man!. Kung makasalita akala mo napilitan lang 'yun pala siya pa nagrekomenda sa amin!. Humanda ka sakin matanda ka!. - gigil na isip ni Glaiza.

" But Tito kindly explain to us what's happening? Are you gonna die or something? Why is it so sudden?, because we just finish our last mission last week and we are expecting to have a long and extravagant vacation."- Batchi asked.

" Well, you know that I'm a renowned business tycoon here and abroad. I've received death threats for a couple of days now at walang kaalam alam ang mga anak ko, ayaw ko silang mag-alala. And as you know, I have a business trip for 3 months together with your Tita and that is leaving behind my daughters here alone. So, I want you to be their personal bodyguard. You will stay here at the mansion. You're the only one I can entrust my life and my daughters welfare at gusto kong bantayan n'yo sila 24/7 lalo na 'yung mga nakakahalubilo nila everyday. And about that vacation that you've planning for, I can give it to you, but kasama n'yo ang mga anak ko during you're vacation grande. Are you okay with it?."

" As long as we can have relaxation, why not Tito. But tell your daughters about it first baka mamaya ayaw pala nila kaming kasama." - Mike

"Nah, I doubt it" - pilyong ngumiti ito.

" Can I ask you something Tito just to prove that my father trust you and vice versa?"- Glaiza butt in.

Glaiza know that their father seldom trust people unless that person is worthy enough to gain his trust including their secret, their so called " Special Case".

" Anything Hija, ask me anything
You know your father and I are best of friends and we hide nothing to each other."

" Do you know our secret?"

The old man laugh.

" You are  smart Glaiza, that's why I like you being here. My, Felix never fail to amaze me how well he raise you up alone. Of course I know your secret. Do you want me to say it or just show it?  Your "GZ" and "B2"."- Sabay turo sa gitnang bahagi ng dalawa at awtomatikong tinakpan nila ng kanilang kamay ang kanilang harapan.

" I wonder what's the meaning of your GZ and B2, care to tell me what?

Agad namang pinamulahan ng mukha ang dalawa at sabay na umiling.

" No!!" sabay nilang sagot.

" We mean uhm it's  our secret thing Tito and I don't think you will like it where it came from."  -explained Batchi.

Hindi nila masabi na ang mga anak mismo nito ang nagbigay ng pangalan sa kanilang pinakatatago.
(Malalaman n'yo kung paano sa mga susunod na kabanata).

" So pwede po ba kami magdala ng tsiks dito?- Batchi

Binatukan naman siya ng mga kapatid.

" Aray! Ano ba para nagtatanong lang eh."

" Uhuh. You ask my daughters permission if they approve why not? But never do it in my house, they can pay a visit, but 'di sila pwedeng lumagpas ng hagdanan paakyat ng rooms n'yo."

Batchi and Glaiza jump with happiness, tapped each others shoulder, a mischievous smile formed in their lips and lift their eyebrows up and down.

" Take a rest for now.I'll just call you when dinner's ready. I want you to meet my daughters again. I'm sure matutuwa silang makita  kayo uli after a long time."

" Bro, naalala mo pa ba itsura ng mga kalaro natin?- batchi

" Naalala ko lang yung itsura nila 15 years ago bro. I will never forget. I hope hindi sila galit sa atin after nating umalis ng walang paalam, no communication at all." - glaiza. "Kumusta ka na yoyon ko?"- bulong ng isip niya.

" Si B kaya? Sana long legged siya, ganun kasi mga tipo ko eh bakit ba!" -batchi

" Gago! kamanyakan mo talaga eh noh!. Kelangan nating bumawi sa kanila, but how? I'm sure madami na din nagbago hindi na natin sila makukuha sa simpleng pacute lang."- Glaiza

" Well malalaman natin 'yan soon. Tingnan natin kung uubra pa ang charm nating mga Galura sa mga brat na Howell. Balita ko kasi party goer sila kababaeng mga tao ang hilig sa night life. Let's just hope for the best and hopefully we can persuade them to just stay at home at makasundo natin sila just like the old times." - Mike.

" Goodluck to us!". They cheered in unison.

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