"VEE! Bumaba ka riyan at baka ikaw ay mahulog." Ate Soledad my personal yaya said while nervously walking towards me.
I was 9 years old back then when Ate Matilda started being taught horseback riding. Sobrang namangha ako and wanted to do what she was doing. Naglakad ako noon mag isa papuntang rancho para hanapin ang ginagamit na kabayo ni Ate at sinubukan sumakay.
"Ate, its okay. I can do this."
Kita ko ang kaba sa mga mata niya nung nakasakay ako. I am holding its riding crop and I randomly wiped its back at bigla itong nagwala. Mabilis akong humawak sa buhok nito but that didnt make me safe because I ended up being at the hospital.
I was a spoiled brat but they say my physical features tells the other way around. When I reached grade 6 ay napagkamalan na akong highschool student. Sobrang bilis daw kasi nag mature ng mukha ko though hindi naman ako masyadong mataas.
Everyone says that I am a carbon copy of my mother and si Ate naman kay dad. We were raised and well provided with everything that we wanted. The Balcaser estates has been well known in Casa Verde for its large hacienda. That's why maraming may takot na kalabanin ang pamilya namin.
"Maria Veronica! You are not riding that horse again and you are not going to the rancho alone!" my dad's voice thundered when I got home after ako dinala sa hospital. Nakayuko lang si Ate Soledad habang inaalalayan ako papasok ng bahay. I kinda felt guilt about Ate Soledad being scolded by my dad for not looking after me. The good thing is hindi sya pinaalis sa kanyang trabaho.
MY 13TH BIRTHDAY was one of the grandest though I've always hated spotlight. As one of the daughters of Valdefonso Balcaser I was kinda well known in Casa Verde especially dad helped so many families by letting them work in our hacienda.
"Vee, you look so beautiful." mom said habang busy akong inaayosan ng make up artist. Hindi ko napansin pero may isinuot syang necklace sa akin. The heart shaped pendant shined when it was reflected by the light. It was alluring because it doesn't stand out that much of its small size. Mom have always knew me, she has a soft and demure personality na para syang babasagin na bagay. She never shouted at me just like how our dad disciplined us, at kung pinapagalitan man ay para lamang niya kaming pinaparangalan.
"Vee, I am inviting my friends, is it okay?" Ate asked. Ate is very sociable even though she has the same characteristics as our mom. Madami syang kaibigan which I envy her the most, but the doesnt make me hold grudge to her. Infact, nagkakasundo kami sa maraming bagay.
"Oo, naman ate. Can you drop names to those who are coming?"
" The usual, Vee. Tiff, Lexie, Archie, and Merin. I dont know about the others kasi hindi naman pinapayagan ang iba."
GRADE 8 ako nung gumraduate si Ate Matilda ng Senior high. She spend the rest of the graduation day with her friends kasi nag-away sila ni daddy tungkol sa kukuning course niya sa college. Dad wanted her to take business ad but ate wanted to study arts and design. Dad never agreed to that idea kaya palagi silang nag-aaway nung summer.
"Dad, I told you! Ayoko nga, why can't you let Vee handle the hacienda? Alam naman nating mas compatible sya para rito compared to me." Si ate sa kalagitnaan ng pagtatalo nila. Daddy just looked at me bago muling nagsalita.
"Matilda, I am old enough at hindi ko na kayang hintayin pa si Veronica. I know you can do this, hija."
"All my life dad, sinunod kita. Pwede bang ngayon ay yung gusto ko na naman?"
I knew ate very well at hindi sya sumasagot pabalik kay Dad. But now, I can see how she wanted this and how passionate she is. I also agree with ate's decision, even though I am too young to think about our business, but, I think I can manage it in the future.
