Aldeheid

Chapter 19

Attacked
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The Gleens and Aldeheid awoke early that morning to drive south. Their mother's house had already been sold, so they had to pack some of the remaining items as well as file the paperwork. They knew they wouldn't be done for long, so they decided to take a trip to Cragmerre first.

Ilang buwan na ang nagdaan nang lumipat si Aldeheid ng tahanan. Cragmerre hasn't changed that much, bukod sa bagong banderita na nakasabit sa bawat poste ay ang makukulay na mga parol na nakaakibat rito. It was the middle of October, people in Cragmerre must be excited for Christmas.

Dumaan muna sila sa resto kung saan paboritong kinakainan niya kasama ang namayapang ina noong buhay pa ito. As usual, with Dorothy, Aldeheid couldn't eat what she likes if it's not for her allergies but since she's doing better than past, ang sa unang hindi niya makain ay nagawa niya nang tikman ngayon.

Nilasap niya ang bawat pagkain at tumikim na rin ng beer na order ng kaniyang kapatid. But, of course, she could only take a sip since she was scared of what would happen to her, especially after her doctor had warned her of this.

Matapos nilang kumain ay bumili na rin naman sila ng ilang kagamitan bago nagtuloy-tuloy na sa biyahe. Their vehicle was a Ford Ranger truck, so they had no trouble transporting the items.

It was yet three o'clock in the afternoon, and if it's not winter, it takes three hours to get back to Malcolm. Napatunghay lang si Aldeheid sa upuan habang masayang pinapanood ang senaryo sa labas. Autumn never let her down. They'd walk among orange trees, stumbling over soaked leaves on the road, and even breathe in the crisp fall air. This was her only escape in the past, but now that she's with Malcolm, everything feels different—a euphoric change.

Huminto muna sa isang tavern ang sasakyan dahil sa papaputok sa sinapupunan ng pinakabata niyang pamangkin. Aldeheid giggled when she saw how Rexter couldn't take it any longer. Halos hindi na nga ito makalakad ng maayos pagkababa nito sa sasakyan.

She was left alone with Rosalia who's strangely quiet at the moment. Gustuhin niya mang makiramdam sa paligid ngunit ayaw niya namang kimkimin nito ang kung ano man ang gumugulo sa isipan ng dalaga.

She gently pinched Rosalia's palm and smiled when Rosalia turned to her. Mabilis nitong tinanggal ang nakasabit sa tenga at pilit siyang nginitian. "Yes, Auntie?"

"Is there something troubling you?" Rosalia denied, but Aldeheid sensed hesitation inside the adolescent. "If you're frightened of telling your mother, you may tell me."

Aldeheid wouldn't force Rosalia to reveal if she didn't want to, but Rosalia sighed profoundly, which threw her off surprise.

"I think I found my mate, Auntie." Rosalia pouted na para bang ayaw niya sa ideyang iyon.

Napakurap si Aldeheid at hindi makapaniwala sa narinig.She only recently learned about them, which explains why she finds it strange to hear things that aren't ordinary to her.

Napangiti nalang siya sa pamangkin, "Really? That's great!" komento niya upang pagaanin ang loob nito.

Nunit mas lalo lamang itong napamusot, "It is...but I don't like him. I-I..." Rosalia sighed and went on, "...I have a boyfriend. I love my boyfriend. That old man can't be my mate! That's absurd!" may magkahalong asar at pandidiri sa ekspresyon nito.

"Does your mom knows about you having a boyfriend in your age?" umiling ito na ikinatawa niya.

Ika nga nila na kung ano ang puno ay siya ring bunga—mag-ina nga sila ni Dorothy! Parehong rebelde!