Searing Burst of Rage (Fireheart 2)

Chapter 40

It's gonna be a new life for us. I can't help myself but be excited about what's going to happen. Living together with Alfe. We've lived together in the mansion but this, it's gonna be only us. No servants, no Signora, no Papa, and other people who come and go out of the mansion.

I should practice being good at doing household chores. I'm not good at cooking and cleaning but I can wash the dishes and throw dirty clothes in the laundry. I'm a mess, it's gonna be a turn-off for Alfe. It's not gonna be like in the mansion or at home where the servants follow and pick up all my stuff around.

I don't have clothes to pack. Alfe didn't pack mine from the mansion because he thought that I brought all mine when I left. It's alright, I don't need a lot though. I feel so excited and worried at the same time.

"Are ready?" Alfe asked.

I am already an hour ago. I'm ready to leave. Alfe got space for us in Manila just 30 minutes drive away from Mama's place. The place is cool, the interior was bright white, and the space is enough for the two of us. There's one bathroom, a living room, a kitchen, and two bedrooms but Alfe planned to renovate the other one into a library where we could work and study.

Nang makarating kami ng Maynila ay doon na muna kami dumeretso sa bahay nina Mama. It was evening already when we arrived. Tito Nicholas picked us up at the airport. The road was traffic unlike Soralia, so I was surprised. Is it always going to be like this? First-time ko dito.

"The city is so huge," I told Alfe as I looked around.

"Yea."

"It's more crowded than Australia."

"I think so too," he agreed.

"Ilang beses ka ng nakapunta dito?"

"I couldn't count. The last time was last year," he answered.

"You will show me around," I said.

He hugged my shoulder. "Definitely."

Malaki ang bahay nina Mama. Kakapasok lang ng sasakyan ay narinig ko na ang sigawan ng mga bata sa loob ng bahay. I'm not sure if the kids are friendly to me. I forgot about when was the last time I have met them.

Sinalubong nila si Mama nang makababa ito ng sasakyan. Their eyes were immediately shifted to me and Alfe when we went out of the car. I even forgot how old they are. Nicholas Jr. maybe 9? And the younger one which is Felix may be 6 years old.

"Go on and greet you sister," utos ni Tito sa mga mata.

They only smiled awkwardly as they waved their hands at me and Alfe. Ngayon lang nila ulit ako nameet kaya reasonable na nahihiya pa sila sa akin o kay Alfe.

Pagkapasok namin ng bahay ay ready na ang dinner namin. Malawak ang loob  at mataas ang dingding. Malinis din at maliwanag dahil sa laki ng chandelier. Sumunod kami sa kanila hanggang sa dining.

"You should stay here for tonight, Trea," sabi ni Mama habang hinihintay namin na matapos mahanda ang mga pagkain. Hindi ko alam kung ilang beses na kaming pinilit ni Mama na magpalipas ng gabi dito.

Tahimik lang si Alfe sa tabi ko at ako lang yung palaging tumatanggi. Hindi naman sa ayaw kung manatili dito, excited lang talaga akong umuwi sa magiging tahanan namin ni Alfe. 

"Mama, we'll definitely stay overnight soon. For now, I want to stay at our new home. Baka hindi magandang hindi namin tutuluyan ngayong gabi," sabi ko.

"There's no such belief, Trea," Mama persisted.

"We will set a date, Mama," Alfe answered for me.

I'm still not used to Alfe calling my mother Mama. Sa pakiramdam ko ay parte na talaga sya ng pamilya at sa tingin ko din ay mas napapalapit sya sa akin, lalo na sa side ng family ko. I never get to call Signora Mama, it's because I always feel like there is a boundary. In contrast, I don't want to make Alfe feel the feeling I endure in the mansion, I want him to grasp that he's part of my family.