Hearts Between Colors (Isla Contejo #3)

Prologue

TININGALA ko ang mga nagliliparang ibon sa langit. Malayang-malaya nilang nilalakbay ang mundo na tila walang kahit anong pinoproblema. I smiled genuinely -- feeling so fascinated once again. Seeing a group of them flew at the same direction looked and felt so satisfying. Their chirpings sounded like a sweet melody to my ears.

I always think that birds are one of the luckiest creatures on earth. They are free to go wherever they want to. They are free to do whatever they want. They can always be themselves without feeling scared and they can definitely accept things that the world gives.

Sana'y lahat ng tao, katulad nila. Sana noon pa lang, ganoon na rin ako.

"Seah!" pagtawag sa akin ni Mama.

Bumuntonghininga ako at muling pumasok sa loob ng bahay. Naabutan ko si Mama na tsine-check ang mga gamit ko. Kunot noo siyang nag-angat ng tingin sa akin nang maramdaman niya ang paglapit ko.

"Ayos na ba ang lahat ng gamit mo? Ano bang itinutunga-tunganga mo pa sa labas?"

I scratched my head and controlled myself not to roll eyes. I watched her as she examined every bag that I would bring. My mom had always been looked so strict and too uptight. She also had this "you-cant-sit-with-me" vibes. Ang parati na lang tuloy tingin ng mga tao sa kaniya ay mapagmataas siya at akala mo'y kung sino. Madalas na nakakunot ang noo at malamig kung makipag-usap sa tao.

Mabuti't hindi ko namana iyon sa kaniya. Mas approachable akong tingnan kumpara sa kaniya. Minsan ay nakakapagsungit ako pero hindi katulad niya na kulang na lang ay husgahan ang buong pagkatao ng isang tao.

Ang tanging namana ko lang yata sa kaniya ay ang itsura. Pareho kaming maputi at mahahaba ang biyas. Maliit ang mukha at medyo wavy ang itim na itim na buhok. Sa kilay, medyo hindi kami magkapareho. Mas manipis ang sa kaniya habang ang sa akin ay may kakapalan ngunit maganda ang hubog. Sa mata, halos wala rin kaming pinagkaiba. Both of our eyes were upturned and a bit intense. Though I got my eye color from my dad which was hazel brown. Mama had a set of pitch black eyes. Mahaba at makakapal din ang pilikmata ko katulad ng kay Mama. Ang ilong ko ay kombinasyon ng sa kanila ni Papa -- it was small and the tip of it was upturned. My lips were a little pouty and full.

Sometimes, people mistaken us as sisters. Paano, ang bata pa ring tingnan ni Mama kahit fifty na siya. She liked taking care of her looks and that was one of the things I acquired from her.

"Mom, all of my things are already there," sabi ko nang hindi pa rin siya tumigil ng kasusuri sa mga gamit ko.

"Tinitingnan ko lang! Ang ticket mo, narito na ba?"

Lihim akong napairap. "Opo."

Imbes na makipagtalo pa sa kaniya ay pinili ko na lamang lapitan ang stroller kung saan naroon si Fio. A sweet smile immediately plastered on my lips as I saw my son reaching and playing with his little feet.

"What are you doing, baby Fio?" I asked in a tiny voice as I pinched his red, chubby cheeks.

He made a sound when he saw me. His hands rose up to my direction as if he wanted me to carry him.

"Hmm? What is it?" I teased and lightly tickle his stomach.

He laughed as he made a high pitch sound. His hands extended more to reach me. I chuckled and gently lift him up off the stroller. His head immediately fell on my clavicle as his little hand started to crumple the upper part of my blouse.

Ilang sandali'y kinuha ko ang kamay niyang nakakuyom sa blouse ko at nilaro-laro ito. Umangat ang ulo niya mula sa pagkakahimlay sa leeg ko at inosente akong tiningnan. I smiled and kissed his closed tiny hand.