Chapter 3

Alessia's POV

"HEAD builder, nandito at nakalista lahat ang mga kailangan baguhin. Kakausapin ko din ang arkitekto na gumawa ng disenyo dahil may ipapabago din ako. Kakausapin nila kayo oras na handa na ang bagong disenyo." Saad ko sa head builder at iniabot sa kanya ang papel kung saan nakalista ang mga kailangan baguhin. May kopya din ako dahil i-rerevise ko ang floor plan.

Agad na tinanggap iyon ng head builder at tiningnan. Namangha naman siya sa mga nabasa. Hindi nito akalain na sa maiksing panahon ay makikita ko ang mga dapat baguhin.

"Lahat ay may punto. Hindi ako makapaniwala na ganito karami ang kailangan baguhin at hindi man lang ito napansin ng orihinal na gumawa ng floor plan." Saad niya sa akin at mukhang masaya naman ito. Siguro ay natutuwa ito dahil mareresolba na ang pagkakamali. "Nakakatuwa dahil hindi madali na tuwing bibisita dito ang mangagamot ay lagi itong nagrereklamo ngunit di naman sinasabi kung ano ang dapat baguhin."

Ngumiti naman ako. "Siguro ay hindi niya rin alam kung ano ang dapat baguhin. Ang alam lang niya ay may mali sa disenyo pero di niya matukoy kung ano. Ngunit sigurado ako na magiging maganda ang bagong disenyo. Magpadala kayo ng mensahe sa opisina kung may ipapabago pa siya." Saad ko naman sa kanya. Dapit hapon na at kailangan ko na rin umuwi dahil hindi maganda na gabi akong uuwi lalo na ang daan patungo sa amin ay liblib at nagfofog iyon. Kahit sabihin na natin na may tiwala ako sa lugar, may mga naliligaw pa rin na mga demons doon na kailangan iwasan.

"Sige, ipapaalam namin sa iyo ang resulta." Tuwang saad naman ng head builder. Hawak hawak nito ang papel na ibinigay ko na tila napaka-importante nun.

Nagpaalam na ako sa kanya dahil wala na akong gagawin doon. Hindi ako pwedeng magtagal doon ng walang ginagawa at kailangan ko na rin simulan ang pagrerebiso kaya kailangan ko ng makauwi. Sumakay ulit ako sa karwahe ngunit hihinto lang ako nito sa labasan ng bayan. Alam nila na sa labas ng bayan ako nakatira ngunit hindi nila alam kung saan ang bahay namin.

Ilang beses na silang nangulit na ihatid ako pauwi ngunit tinatanggihan ko naman. Si Ales pa lang ang nakapunta sa bahay ngunit isang beses lang iyon dahil nagalit si Lolo nang nakita niya si Ales.

Kaya naman ay hindi na rin nagtangka si Ales na bumalik sa bahay namin. Ang rason ni Lolo kung bakit nagalit siya ay dahil kung maraming makakaalam sa lokasyon ng bahay namin, mawawala ang bisa ng ilusyon. We will be bare to the monsters and the King.

But to me, it doesn't matter since the King already gave up and he's already married. My feelings is no longer the same too. There are a lot of things who's gone through change.

Kaya makalipas ang mahigit tatlumpong minuto ay nasa labasan na ako ng bayan at huminto na rin ang karwahe. Bumaba kaagad ako at hinarap si Topazio.

"Maraming salamat Topazio." Nakangiting pasalamat ko sa kanya. Dahil kung hindi niya ako inihatid ay gagabihin ako lalo na at malayo yung site mula sa labasan.

"Walang ano man, Binibini. Mag-ingat ka sa pag-uwi mo." Nakangiting saad naman niya sa akin at pinatakbo na nito ang karwahe pabalik sa loob ng bayan.

Tumalikod na din ako at nagsimula nang maglakad. Papasok pa ako sa kasukalan at medyo matarik ang daan doon dahil sa may burol ang bahay namin. Ngunit hindi naman ako nakakaramdam ng pagod habang naglalakad dahil na rin sa ganda ng paligid. Nakakawala ng pagod.

Sa mga oras na ito ay nasa bahay na sina Aiden at Marga. Wala akong dalang pasalubong. Hindi naman mahilig sa pasalubong si Aiden. Mas natutuwa siya kung uuwi ako ng maaga dahil mas mahaba ang oras na magkakasama kami.

Habang naglalakad ay itinali ko na rin ang mahaba at alon alon kong buhok. It was in messy bun style. because I didn't have a comb with me. Ngunit maayos na rin iyon dahil wala naman nakakakita na ibang nilalang.

I hummed while walking. I got this habit of humming while walking when I am alone. Naririnig ko rin ang mga huni ng ibon. The best sound a human can hear is the nature itself. Who hates the sound of waves, wind and chirping sound of the birds? Maybe there are people who hates them but it's rare.

Ngunit sa aking paglalakad ay biglang nanindig ang aking balahibo dahil sa mabilis na malamig na hangin na gumapang sa aking likod kaya mabilis akong humarap sa aking likuran. My back is bare due to the dress' design. But that's not the problem since everyone here in Caracass has similar style.

Bumakas sa aking mukha ang pagkaalarma nang wala akong nakita. Ngunit kinakabahan ako dahil minsan, ganito ang nararamdaman ko kung may demon. Pinakiramdaman ko ang paligid at pakiramdam ko ay nandoon pa rin ang lamig sa aking likod kahit wala na iyon.

Naghintay ako ng ilang segundo hanggang sa umabot ng minuto. Walang demon na lumabas ngunit hindi ako mapakali. Hindi imposible na makatagpo ako ng demon. After all, Eleftheria is just right next to this forest hill. Hindi maiiwasan na may maligaw.

In case something happens, Sushi will notice it right away. Even he's miles away, he will appear instantly when I am in danger. Dahil sa wala akong nakita, maingat akong tumalikod ulit at naglakad ng mas mabilis. Tahimik na akong naglakad at pinakiramdaman ko na ang paligid.

Ngunit napahinto na lamang ako nang biglang nagsitayuan ang aking mga balahibo. Nanginig ang buo kong katawan. Fear is enveloping my core like something is about to kill me. This awfully familiar feeling is something I will never forget

Demon!

Sigaw ng isipan ko dahil siguradong sigurado na ako sa pakiramdam na ito. Ngunit bago pa man ito lumitaw na paningin ko ay biglang may mabilis na gumalaw na isang itim na bagay mula sa kung saan. Kumalansing ang tunog ng espada at narinig ko ang kahindik-hindik na ungol at nawala din iyon kaagad.

I trembled in fear. Demons are capable on inflicting fear to another. Kahit isipin ko na hindi sila nakakatakot, kusang makakaramdam ng takot ang katawan ko. It's something you cannot escape. That's why it is important to bear in mind that no matter how scared your are, you must fight.

Napalunok ako. Nakita ko ngayon ang isang nakaitim na hood na tila isang death reaper na nakatayo at nakatalikod sa akin. The demon fell on it's feet and now was burnt to ashes. The figure is tall with broad shoulders.

I eyed the figure suspiciously. Ngunit bago pa ako makaimik ay biglang nawala ito sa aking paningin na hindi ko alam kung saan nagpunta. I wasn't able to say something. I wasn't able to say thanks. Parang hindi din ako napansin ng nilalang na iyon.

Maybe, that figure is one of the demon hunters. I never seen a hunter before, but I guess, I just saw one right now. Kaya kahit natatakot at nagtataka ay mabilis na akong naglakad pauwi. Ayokong hintayin ang pagkakataon na may maligaw na naman na demon dito. I walked my way to the hill. The misty air gave me chills.

I took the steps on the stair that's made of stone. It's a narrow path and just on the top of the hill is our home. The stair is fenced with bonsai plants. Everywhere is filled with mist. There are yellow light bulbs from everywhere. I designed this landscape to my satisfaction.

Kaya nang makarating ako sa bahay ay mas maliwanag na doon. I entered the house quietly and immediately a familiar argument entered my hearning.

"What you exert is called kinetic energy, Marga." Aiden said in a flat tone. He's sitting on the sofa, while his little legs are swaying.

Marga was holding some toys. It seems like they are playing...more like Marga is trying to make Aiden play.

"Young master, hindi ko alam kung ano yan Kinetic Energy. Bakit pinapangalanan mo ang pagkadulas ko?" Dinig ko naman na sagot ni Marga.

Napapailing na lamang ako. It is indeed a kinetic energy, but Marga doesn't know about it since it is not taught in school here in Wysteria.

"Because falling is an example of kinetic energy. It involves force, motion and mass to a moving object. When you throw a ball, that's kinetic energy. When you walk or run, it's still kinetic energy." Pangangaral ni Aiden kay Marga. "You should be thankful that I am teaching you these things. It means, you will be smarter than those stupid people in town."

"Aiden..." Puna ko naman dahil hindi ko mapigilan na hindi sumabat. I don't want him to insult people just because they lack knowledge. It's not their fault that they don't know these things. "Never look down on people because they don't know things that you do. They only lack education, but they are not stupid." I uttered while I entered the living room.

Nagulat naman si Aiden at napalingon ito sa akin. "M-mom..." usal niya. I was not smiling, because I am not happy with what he said. Biglang tumakbo naman si Aiden at agad itong yumakap sa binti ko. "I'm sorry mommy... I'm sorry." His small voice cracked. He choked his cry.

Mabilis ko naman na kinarga si Aiden at niyakap ito. "I love you, Aiden. But I am not happy when you are insulting another person. If you cannot say something nice to the person, it's better not to say anything at all." Saad ko sa kanya. Dahil sa tingin ko, mas makabubuti kung hindi pupunain ni Aiden ang mga ganoon, lalo na at masyado itong pranka. He will surely offend people.

"I'll keep it to myself then, mommy." Mahinang imik niya sa akin at niyakap naman ako nito. "Welcome home, mom." Bati niya.

I kissed his cheek and stared at his extremely beautiful face. Years from now, this boy will break a lot of hearts. But I hope no one will break him, since I am no longer by his side to comfort this little man.

"Yes, I am home. Do you have homework?" Tanong ko naman kay Aiden at tsaka naglakad ako habang karga siya patungo sa kwarto ko. Kahit alam ko na ang magiging sagot niya ay nakasanayan ko na rin na itanong iyon kay Aiden.

Tahimik naman na nagpaalam si Marga para linisin ang mga laruan na nagkalat sa living room.

"I had, mom. But I answered it as soon as the teacher assigned one and I passed it immediately." Sagot naman niya sa akin.

He's always like this. He doesn't want to bring his homework. He will immediately answer his homework while at school and submit to his teacher. The teacher cannot even complain about it since they know, Aiden is special.

"Alright, if you don't have...I have some. I'll be making some floor plan revision and you can read the books. Will that be okay?" Tanong ko naman sa kanya.

Tumango naman si Aiden. "I like how your formula and computation, mom." Saad niya sa akin na may naalala.

There was one time that I was making computation when I was working with the canals, dam and bridge. It needs computation since it involved water. It's just hydraulics one of the major subject of civil engineering way back in college.

"That was Hydraulics. But I will not be doing that right now since it is just a floor plan revision." Tugon ko naman kay Aiden.

"Hydraulics." He uttered without a hint of stuttering. "I saw one in your books, mom. I have not read it yet. I will read it today." He said with interest sparkling in his eyes.

I am not sure if he will be able to learn it. It's a very advance science formulation. Way more difficult than physics. But I will not stop him. He wants to learn about it.

Napabuntong hininga naman ako. Minsan, nakakalimutan ko na tatlong taon gulang lang si Aiden dahil sa masyadong matured ito magsalita.  It always feels like I am talking to a person who's age is not far from mine.

"Okay, if you will be able to learn from it, then I'll give you some problems to solve it after you finish reading the book." Nakangiting saad ko sa kanya.

Agad na bumadha ang tuwa sa mga mata ni Aiden at namula ang pisnge nito.

"I'll do my best, mom." Tugon niya sa akin at nahimigan ko ang pagkasabik doon. He's a genius.

If the world will know that a three year old kid, can solve one of the difficult calculus problem which is Euler Equation (fluid dynamics). The world will be awed. He was able to answer it, even the equation was too long.

Nagbihis na ako ng pambahay at magkasabay na kami ni Aiden na pumunta sa study room kung saan ay nandoon din ang mga bookshelves. Kinuha ko naman ang Hydraulics book ko at ibinigay iyon kay Aiden. Naupo naman ito sa sofa at ako naman ay sa tapat ng drafting table ko. Nagsimula na akong gumawa ng revision at si Aiden naman ay nagbabasa.

The room fell silent and only the scribbles and turning of pages made the noises. Aiden did not ask me questions, which is normal. I continued my draft until it was already time for dinner.

We temporarily stopped our works to eat. I will pull an all nighter again tonight. While Aiden, he will sleep early since kids needs sleep to grow fast.

"Can I bring the book tomorrow, mom?" Tanong naman ni Aiden sa akin habang nasa hapag kami at kumakain.

Umiling naman ako. "You know why you should not, Aiden."

"I understand." He answered but I know he was disappointed a little. But I don't want anyone else to see my books. This will only raise unnecessary attention from people.

We ate our dinner and Aiden slept early. While I stayed all night to finish the draft so the revision can start as soon as tomorrow.

©️charmaineglorymae