High Ranks (Completed)

Chapter XII

"Come here, Reneé. I'll braid your hair," tawag ko sa batang naglalaro kasama ni Lois.

Binitawan niya ang kanyang laruang manika at tahimik na umupo sa aking harapan. I combed her hair, just like how my mother combed mine back then. I let my fingers glide into her smooth brown locks.

Both Rayne and Bill had errands to do kung kaya't naiwan sa akin ang dalawang bata. I didn't know I was good at handling kids. My cousins have their own children but they live in the Capital and I don't always see my nephews and nieces. Maybe if they'd come to see me back then, my loneliness would ease.

I had so many 'first-times' eversince I came to this village. It's the first time I learned to cook, to clean, to baby sit and the first time I experience to belong in a circle of friends.

"Alright, it's done," ani ko nang matapos kong itirintas ang buhok ni Reneé. I added a little coffee-colored ribbon that matches perfectly. She showed it to Lois who was playing wooden toy blocks. Lois raised his hand and made an okay sign. Reneé rolled her eyes but she still joined Lois and they busied themselves with the blocks. They're both arguing whether to make a fortress or a doll house.

Nakangiting napailing na lamang ako at pumunta sa kusina. We're currently on Bill's house, and I'm striding confidently as if I own this estate. Well, my mother taught me to always be proud of who I am wherever I go. So I proudly made my way to his kitchen and prepared lunch for the children.

Ang tanging naroon ay mga gulay, I remembered some of the recipes Rayne taught me. Sa tingin ko ay kaya ko namang gawin ‘to. I chopped some of the vegetables and prepared the pot. I ignited the fire and concentrated on my work.

“You’re such a wimp!”
“And you're a loser!”
“Maybe you're the loser, you can't even build a single doll house!”
“You're still a wimp! And I'm not making a stupid house for your doll!”

Dali-dali akong lumabas sa kusina nang marinig kong nag-aaway silang dalawa. Lois went outside while Reneé looked shaken. Nakatayo lamang siya roon at mahigpit ang hawak sa kanyang manika.

"Reneé, what happened?" nag-aalala kong tanong.

"Lois is stupid. I hate him!" sigaw niya at tumakbo rin palabas ng bahay.

I worriedly went after them. Hindi sila palaging nag-aaway ngunit hindi talaga maiiwasan ang hindi pagkakaintindihan lalo na at mga bata pa sila at wala silang pagkakapareho.

Lois was red like a cherry tomato when I found him just behind the house. "Lois, what happened?"

"Reneé destroyed the castle I wanted to build because she said that she only wanted a doll house."

"It's just a little misunderstanding, come on, kausapin natin si Reneé para magka-ayos na kayo," I told him worriedly. I was afraid that his anger might trigger his heart condition again but thankfully, nothing happened. Nahanap namin si Reneé at humingi naman ito ng patawad. They both reconciled at nangakong paghahatian na lang ang mga blocks.

"I'm sorry, Lois. Can do you a house for my doll, please?"

Lois smiled and took Reneé's hand. "Of course. Let's go back to—"

Biglang natigilan si Lois kung kaya't tinanong ko siya kung ano ang nangyari. He pointed their house and I was utterly shock when I saw that smoke is coming from the kitchen! Oh no! No, this can't be happening.

"Stay here," I told them both.

Pumunta ako sa likuran ng bahay kung nasaan ang balon at kumuha ng tubig doon. I tried splashing the part of the house where fire was eating but nothing is happening. Naiiyak na ako dahil sa maliliit na paso sa aking mga braso ngunit mas lalo pa ring lumalaki ang apoy.