Cosmix Academy: Beyond the Cosmos

2 - Her Friends

Aurelia

It was early in the morning when I got out of bed, or rather when I got out of the floor. Ang sakit ng katawan ko dahil sa paghiga ko sa sahig, lalo na nang leeg ko. Isa lang ang unan ko at nasa kama iyon gamit gamit ng babae na nakita ko sa gubat kagabi.

Kumilos na ako at lumabas para pumunta sa mga alaga kong manok para makakuha ng ilang eggs for breakfast. I thanked my chickens for the eggs and gave them food too. After going around feeding the animals and watering the crops I finally went inside to cook breakfast.

Yes I know, parang farm lang but it's how I live and how I continue to live. Mahirap kumita ng pera dito kaya mas okay na ikaw na mismo ang gumawa ng paraan para makakain.

I was cooking some scrambled eggs when the girl from last night went out my room.

"Where am I?" she glanced around my house, "And who are you?"

I took a glance at her as I arrange the food on the table. "Let's eat?" umupo na ako at niyaya siyang kumain. Nag-aalangan siya ngunit umupo na rin siya.

"I'm sorry kung yan lang nahanda ko, food isn't alot here." I offered her some eggs. "Thank you."

Tahimik kaming kumain but I know she have alot of questions. She keeps looking at me, opening her mouth about to ask but she ends up closing it, nahihiya ata. Nakailang ulit din ito nang ako na mismo ang nagsalita.

"I found you in the forest unconscious in the middle of the night, and I brought you here." She nodded her head. "May I ask what place is this?"

"This is Grimlack, I supposed you know that?" she nodded, "You aren't from around here are you," I stated rather than asking.

She keeps looking around as if she is analyzing her surroundings, as if she couldn't believe that this place existed. And we get that alot for people who are new in our place.

"So are you gonna kill me? Sell me or something?" she asked without a hint of fear as if she is mocking me and I almost roll my eyes and ask her to leave. I offered her some place to stay and some food to eat and she thinks of me badly.

Oh wait

That's what they all think about Grimlack people, about us.

"I'm sorry, but I think you've been informed wrongly that all people here are terrible," I put my utensils down as I look at her, "So I will inform you myself that not ALL people here are as terrible and awful as you think."

"Now if you are all done eating and all set to go you can now leave," tumayo na ako para ilagay sa lababo ang plato ko. "Before I, as you said, kill or sell you."

Ikaw na tumulong, ikaw pa masama.

Napahinto naman ako nang may kumatok sa pinto.

"Lia?" nagpunas ako ng kamay at pumunta sa pinto upang pagbuksan si Lola Ester. Siya lang naman ang tumatawag sa akin ng Lia at maayos na kumakatok. "Pasok po kayo la," nginitian ko naman si lola at pinapasok at pinaupo siya.

"Oh may bisita ka pala, buti naman at may nakita kanang kamag anak mo dito," pilit akong ngumiti at umiling, "Nako la, hindi ko po siya kamag-anak. Nakita ko lamang po siya jan sa tabi tabi at pinatuloy muna dito. Alam niyo naman po ang lugar natin."

"Ay naku iha, wag ka nang gumala gala sa gabi lalo na sa bandang centro. Buti na lamang at dito ka sa norte napadpad, dahil di hamak na mas marami ang gang sa ibang lugar kesa dito." ngumiti na lamang siya ng bahagya.

"Bakit nga po pala kayo pumunta dito? Kailangan niyo po ba ng pagkain?" tanong ko habang nililigpit ang mga pinggan.

"Meron ka pa bang mga halamang gamot jan? Napadami nanaman ang nasaktan at may napaaway nanaman." para namang nakunsumisyon nanaman si lola Ester kaya napatawa na lamang ako.