Sinclaire Academy: Untold Stories

The New Kid

The New Kid

Tinanggal ni Rome ang earphones niya nang tumigil ang sasakyan sa bahay ng mga La Costa sa Hangrove.

His breath hitched as he gazed at the house. Parang sinampal siya ng mga alaala nang makita niya ito.

It's been years since he's visited Hangrove.

Nang mamatay kasi ang Mom niya, sumama na siya sa Dad niya at dinala naman siya nito sa mga magulang nito kung saan siya tumutuloy tuwing on going ang school year while he spends his summer and holiday breaks traveling with his Dad.

Rome's Grandparents on both sides debated on who gets him after his Mom died dahil tingin ng mga ito hindi makabubuti sa kanya ang pag travel with his Dad. Iyon din naman ang gusto mangyari ng Dad niya. So he chose to stay with his Grandparents in Perses instead of here in Hangrove.

Kung tutuosin mas okay sana na dito siya dahil dito na siya lumaki at may business din ang pamilya ng Mom niya dito but when she died, staying here felt wrong for Rome.

Hiwalay na ang magulang niya noon pa. Instead of staying to still be close to his Mom, Rome chose the opposite.

Ayos naman ang buhay niya sa Perses. Naka kuha pa nga siya ng scholarship for swimming sa isang private human school. Ang studies lang niya ang pinagtuonan niya ng pansin dahil iyon lang naman ang magagawa niya.

Rome helped his Dad to get their luggage out of the car. Bago sila pumuntang Hangrove tinapos muna nila ang mga natitirang itinerary ng Dad niya for his job.

He expected they'd spend the holiday back in Perses. Ang akala talaga niya hindi siya makakabalik sa Hangrove for quite some time pero heto siya ngayon.

Hindi naman pangit ang naging childhood niya dito so there's really nothing to hate. They live in the wealthy part of town for humans.

Ang magulang ng Mom niya ay ang may-ari ng isang sikat na candy shop sa town square at it's been there before Rome was even born.

That's how his parents met - through candy.

His Mom had a flare for making colorful treats while his Dad is the complete opposite. Siguro iyon rin ang dahilan kung bakit nag hiwalay ang dalawa. Opposites attract but it doesn't stay attracted forever.

When his parents were still together, bumili ng lupa ang Dad niya dito at pinatayuan ng bahay and it's where Rome's life started. His Grandparents' home is at a different block at bibisita siya doon mamaya.

Mga gamit na tinakpan ng puting tela ang nadatnan nila sa loob. Siguro pag ginalaw niya ang mga ito hika ang aabutin niya sa kapal ng alikabok.

Mukha namang hindi bothered sa dumi ang Dad niya.

Bakas ang isang maliit na ngiti sa labi nito. It was as if he's relieved they're back here.

Rome doesn't know what to feel to be honest.

"We could hire someone to clean this," Rome said as he passed his finger through the dusty cloth covered couch.

"Tayo nalang ang mag linis"

"Ano?" Tama ba ang narinig niya? Sa laki ng bahay nila, lilinisin nila 'to ng silang dalawa lang?

"You heard me, bud. Tayo ang mag lilinis. Kalahating araw lang tapos na 'to"

Rome wasn't having it. They came from half way around the world and it was a long damn flight, mas gugustuhin pa niyang matulog.

Inayos muna nila ang gamit nila. Nilagay ni Rome ang kanya sa guest room because he's not ready too see his old room yet.