Enchanted

Challenge # 06

Aurora's

"Where are you going?"

Napahinti ako sa paglakad nang marinig ko si Daddy. Hindi naman ako kinabahan or anything, lalabas lang naman ako – para magpunta kina Red. Hindi kasi ako mapakali na may sugat siya sa gilid ng mata at saka sa may tainga.

"Kina Mama Leira po." I told him. Daddy nodded. Lumapit siya sa akin tapos ay pinisil ang balikat ko.

"I'm very sorry for what happened earlier, Aurora. Nadala lang ako ng galit." He told me.

"Galit saan, Dad?" I asked. "Eli is a good person. Don't judge him by what Japet did. Magkamukha silang dalawa pero hindi naman iisa ang ugali nila. Even R-red is a good m-man..." Halos malunok ko ang dila ko. Pinagalitan ko ang sarili ko kasi man ang sabi ko when it comes to Red at hindi person. I should have known better. I bit my lower lip.

"Red is a good man. I know that. But, Aurora, I know that you like Eli."

My eyes widened.

"Hindi naman ako manhid, anak. I can see it at iyon ang kinatatakot ko. At your age, mapusok ka pa. Mas may edad si Eli sa'yo. What if he takes advantage of that? I am only worried for you. I know you have dreams. You want to be a doctor, I want you to fulfill all your dreams, anak. You and your sisters are my most treasured possession." He cupped my face. "I lived a fearless life before, Orang, and that all changed when I saw all four of you growing up. I want to hide you all from the world and its bad elements, but I can't do that."

"So, you're trying your best to delay all of those things from happening instead?"

"Parang ganoon." Sabi ni Dad. I smiled.

"I love you, Dad. I really do. And I will try my best to not disappoint you. Now, can I go to Mama Leira's?"

"Alright. Be safe." He patted my head.

"Tatawid lang po ako sa kabilang street." Sabi ko pa. Daddy nodded. Tumalikod na ako para lumabas ng bahay nang bigla akong may maalala. Bumalik ako sa bahay at dumiretso sa kusina. Mom and Dad were talking with the maids. Maybe telling them to buy some supplies or whatever. Binuksan ko ang food container cabinet ni Mommy. Kumuha ako ng lima at saka mabilis na tumakbo. Nakita ko si Cindy na nakatingin sa akin. I smiled at her and left.

Hindi naman kalayuan iyong bahay nila Mama Leira. Tatawid lang ako tapos mga anim na bahay from us, bahay na nila. Sakto pagdating ko roon ay ang paglabas ni Kuya Narcing. May dala rin siyang food container.

"Hihingi ka rin ng ulam?" Tanong niya. I didn't know what he was talking about but I realized that he was pertaining to my food container.

"You can say that." I said.

"Yeah, nagluto ng kare-kare si Mamay. Paborito ni Mati iyon. Sige. See you, Orang."

"Whatever." I waved at him. Sumakay na siya sa kotse niya. Ako naman ay pumasok na sa bahay. I found Mama Leira and Uncle Simoun in the kitchen. Tahimik lang ako at hindi nagsasalita. Mama Leira was standing beside Uncle Simoun, si Uncle naman ay nakayakap sa baywang ni Mama Leira habang nag-aayos ito ng pagkain. They were even laughing.

"Uhm, Hi..." Sabi ko. Napatingin sila sa akin.

"O, nandito ka pala. Aurora." Si Mama Leira ang nagsalita.

"Yes po. Kalalabas lang po ni Kuya Narcing kaya nakapasok po ako. Uhm, Ma, si K-kuya Red po." Oh god. It feels so wrong calling him that.

"Wala. Umalis." Sabi ni Uncle Simoun.