Simula

Meeting the Prince of Mischief

At a young age, I'm always thankful for my parents who are always there to give me love and care. They're the one who taught me first how to love. And as their daughter, I will give them the love and happiness they deserve.

They told me that I'm their happiness and that as long as I am happy it will make them happy too. And so, I will do my best to be the best daughter they can have. I will obey and respect them no matter what.

"Hera." Mom's soothing voice called me.

"Mom." I smiled as she walked towards my direction. I am sitting on a school bench waiting for her to pick me up. I'm in my fourth grade in this exclusive school.

"Did you wait long?" she asked as she gave me a warm embrace and a kiss in both of my cheeks.

"No, momma." I replied enthusiastically. I love my mom so much. She's so pretty with her long curly hair, almond eyes, long eyelashes and porcelain skin. And most of all, she's the kindest and the best mother in the world.

"Alright, let's go? Your dad is preparing something for you." She informed me as she gave me a wink.

I yelled in excitement.

As we drove home, I saw some kids who were on the streets. And it makes me wonder why there are children in the streets begging for food and money. Don't they have a family to be with? Why are they begging to all the strangers who will pass at them, aren't they scared? I wonder where their parents are, who in the first place will protect them from the scorching sun and the cold rain.

As we reach home, dad prepares a sumptuous dinner for the three of us. As far as I remember it's always been like this. The three of us will celebrate my birthday intimately then the day after, my parents will hold a birthday party in which some of our closest relatives are present.

“Happy birthday, baby!” Dad greeted me with her warm smile. Nasa porch siya ng aming bahay habang hawak-hawak ang malaking teddy bear na kulay rosas. I ran into him and hugged him. Niyakap niya ako pabalik ng mahigpit bago hinalikan sa akong noo. “I love you so much, our little one.” Dad whispered.

“I love you too daddy! Both you and mom. And thank you for this!” maligayang sabi ko sabay yakap sa malaking teddy bear na ibinigay niya. Lumapit si momma sa amin at iginiya na kami papasok ng bahay. I immediately went to the kitchen to wash my hands before eating. Then, pumunta na ako agad sa dining kung saan nakalagay ang iba’t ibang pagkain.

Dad prepares my favorite foods. Mayroong fried chicken, carbonara, chocolate cake, buttered shrimp and he even ordered a pizza from my favorite pizza parlor. Nagniningning ang aking mata sa nakita.

“Alright. Let's pray.” Nakangiting sabi ni momma. We all bow down our heads after the sign of the cross and listen to mom's prayer. Then, they both sing the ‘happy birthday song’. I was smiling even until the song ended.

"Make a wish, Hera." nakangiting sabi ni mommy.

I close my eyes and make a silent wish. I really love my parents. I thank papa God for giving me wonderful and loving parents in my life.

“Let's eat!” Magiliw na sabi ni papa.

“Yey!” Masayang tili ko.

But then, I didn't know that would be the last birthday I am celebrating with both of them. And that, I will realize why there are children on the streets. It's been a week since my birthday and I am waiting for my mom to pick me up here in my school. I wonder why she's not here yet. Half an hour has already passed since my class ended.

"Hera.."

Someone calls me in a shaky voice. I looked at her curiously and realized she's my grandmother. I wonder why she's the one who fetches me. I thought she's in the province?

"Lola." I went to her and gave her a hug. But then, she started crying. "Are you alright?"

"I'm fine, apo. I'm sorry, I just missed you."

"I miss you too, Lola."

Right after that, we hailed a cab. I wonder why we hailed a cab where in fact we have our own. Kuya Nestor, our family driver, can drive if mom's busy.

Grandma can't stop herself from hugging me. I love hugs since they give me warmth and comfort so I let her.

When we reach home, I wonder why it's so quiet.

"Grandma, where are mom and dad? Are they in the office?" I asked her. Dad's office is just right beside our two storey house.

"Hera, apo, hindi ko alam kung paano ko sasabihin sayo to.." she said and began crying again that she sat on the floor while holding my hands. I don't know what to do in a situation like this.

"Grandma..." Tanging nasabi ko.

Before she started to speak, Kuya Nestor, our family driver, and Leah, our house help, came.

"Ma'am, wala na po sila sir at ma'am. Fatal accident daw po ang nangyari. Lasing daw at nakatulog ang nagmamaneho ng truck kaya bumangga sa kanila." Kuya Nestor informed my grandma. Both him and ate Leah looked like they were crying heavily.

"Diyos ko.." the only words my grandma uttered after hearing that.

And as for me. I couldn't cry in shock.

Grandma, in her weaken state hug me tightly na para bang makakakuha siya ng lakas mula sa akin. Tulala lang ako buong gabi na para bang hindi ko ma-proseso ang nangyayari. I even saw my parents right in the morning, in a white coffin and all I did was sit on a chair, staring blankly.

Relatives and their closest friends came. And everytime they saw me, they would give me a tight embrace and pity was written on all their faces. Dalawang araw lang ang wake ng aking parents and my grandma decided na ilibing na sila.

I thought I couldn't cry because of shock pero ng makita ko ang paghulog sa kanilang kabaong ng dahan-dahan, I burst in tears and run to them. A relative was fast enough to hold my arm before I fell down.

“Hera, apo..” mahinang tawag ni Lola. She held my hand softly and let me cry. She told the person in charge to stop the dropping of the coffins and let me take my time.

“Mommy, daddy..!” Tawag ko sa kanilang dalawa habang malakas na umiiyak. I don't care about the people that surround me right now. I don't care if my white dress will be dirty because I sit on muddy grass.

All I think right now is my parents who will not be by my side. Hindi ko na sila makikita at mayayakap araw-araw. Hindi ko na maipapakita kung gaano ko sila ka mahal. No one's gonna love me just like how they give their unconditional love to me. Paano na ako ngayon, mommy, daddy? After realizing it, I cried even harder.

“Hera..” Lola called me and give me a comforting embrace. “Don't worry too much, apo. I am still here. Hindi kita pababayaan at mamahalin kita tulad ng pagmamahal nina Athena at Marco..”

“Lola..” banggit ko sa kanyang pangalan sabay hikbi. I hugged her as tight as I could until I closed my eyes to uttered a prayer for my parents.

A week after my parents' funeral, grandma decided to bring me with her. No one can take care of me aside from her. After she settled the things she needed to do, we went to the province in which she lives.

She told me that she works as a nanny in a wealthy family. And that, the couple she works for have four children and almost the same age as mine.

It's a long trip. But surprisingly, I enjoyed the trip because of the scenery we passed by. It's all green. From the hills and the mountains and all the trees. I even saw a tree which looked like a cherry blossom. Grandma said it's a Philippine Sakura.

After hours of riding the bus, we came down to the terminal. Grandma saw a pickup truck and decided to talk to the driver and suddenly we are now riding with it.

They were talking during the ride. I guess they knew each other.

We passed by a pineapple plantation, then a vegetable plantation and lined up trees with a golden yellow flower. Wow! It's so beautiful! And then, a huge ranch mansion appeared in front of me. It looks like some prince lives here.

"Hera, apo." Grandma calls me. She's already standing with a beautiful lady by her side without me realizing it. My mind keeps on wandering these past few days. I got off the pick up and went to them.

"Hello po, good afternoon." I greeted the lady.

"Hello, young lady. I'm Alexandria." She said as she extended her right hand.

"I'm Helena Kiera, po. You can call me Hera if you want." Nakangiti kong pakilala sa kanya.

Before I give my hand to her for a handshake, a boy suddenly appears in front of me. My eyes widened.

"I'm Alexander! Nice to meet you!" he said as he held my hand.

I was astonished by his sudden appearance that my heart beats faster than its normal beats.

He has fair skin and his hair is in a medium length that suits perfectly for his face.

"Nana! You're finally here!" He said happily and turned towards my grandma without letting go of my hand.

"Yes, Zander. I hope you behave properly while I'm away."

The beautiful lady chuckled when the boy didn't reply.

"Well, I got perfect scores on my exam." He said instead and dragged me inside the huge mansion.