When Love Grows (COMPLETED)

Chapter 14

When Love Grows (14)

A day like this felt so normal. Kapag kasama ko si Maya at Kuya Miguel I felt like I'm part of their little adorable world. I really enjoy being with them and it's not like it's improper that I'd want my days to be spent like this. Nakakakulitan ko si Maya tapos nakikita ko si Kuya Miguel.

Tumigil kami ni Maya maglakad kaya medyo nagtaka ako sa kilos niya. She tried to pull the end of Kuya Miguel's shirt. "Nawiwiwi na ako, Kuya."

We were in the middle of the forest. Medyo malapit na kami sa stream. Ayaw sana ni Kuya Miguel na sumama kami sa kanya para kumuha ng kahoy pero mapilit kasi si Maya.

"Ito ang ayaw ko kapag sumasama ka, Maya. Patigil tigil tayo. Natatagalan." He said in controlled voice. Naglakad na kami ulit at nagsimula nang kumuha si Kuya Miguel ng kahoy.

"Ate Prechut, nakuha ko ito sa birthday ni Pocholo." She showed me her wrist encircled by beads of bracelet.

"Favorite mo color blue?"

"Hindi. Nakuha kasi ni Ryka 'yung barbie kaya ito nalang napunta sa'kin." She sound disappointed that she wasn't able to get the barbie.

"Hayaan mo na. Pretty naman rin iyang bracelet mo, o." I was trying to lift her mood up.

"Iniiyakan niya yan kagabi. Ang hirap patahanin." Kuya Miguel said.

Kids does that when they couldn't get what they want. Naalala ko nga na hinagis ko 'yung bag ni Trishka dahil sinabi niya na hindi ako anak ni Papa. I felt scared when she cried. Hindi naman ako lumaking palaaway pero grabe talaga ako manakit kapag I feel so aggravated there's the urge to defend and fight for myself. Bata pa naman ako noon.

"Mapangit ka Kuya! Sabi ko sayo agawin mo Ryka." She said angrily like an old woman.

"Anong sabi ni Kuya sa'yo?"

"Ayaw ko ng sinabi mo." She said showing disapproval at hindi pinapansin si Kuya Miguel.

"Lagot ka. Sabi ko sayo ayaw ni Tinkerbell ng salbahe bakit ginagawa mo?" Nananakot na sabi ni Kuya Miguel.

She looked up at him biting her lower lip madly. "Ayaw ko sainyo ni tinkerbell... Pangit naman kayo." Hindi talaga patalo ang isang 'to.

"Ikaw nga kulang ngipin diyan tapos ako ang pangit." He said teasing her more.

"Ehhh...Kahit na. Mawawala rin lang iyang ipin mo kapag matanda ka na!" She stuck her tongue out.

I was shaking my head listening to their fascinating exchange of teases.

"Ako matanda na nun. Ikaw bata ka pa pero wala ka ng ngipin." The side of his lips curled up.

Pinagtipon niya ang mga kahoy tapos isinampa sa balikat.

"Isusumbong kita kay Ate Kristina!"

He didn't say anything to tease her more. Tahimik nalang kaming naglakad pabalik sa bahay. It's actually unusual that she's not here today. Hindi ko rin naman alam kung bakit siya wala. Mabuti na rin naman kung ganun.

- - -

"Anong pinapakain mo sa kanya?"

I only get to see the bird she caught in our very first encounter. It was inside a wooden cage. Ilang beses na akong pumupunta dito pero ngayon ko lang ito napansin.

"Kanin tapos saging po..." Ipinasok niya 'yung kamay niya sa loob ng cage para hawakan ang ibon. "Birdie...Huwag kang ta-tae sa kamay ko." She continued to gently rubbed its back habang kinukuha niya ng dahan-dahan