Querencia (Takeo Brothers Series #1)

10

Chapter 10: Wisteria Tree

When we arrived at our destination, I was greeted by the breathtaking purple flowers of Wisteria trees. My heart fluttered catching a glimpse of cheeping sparrows invading the garden looking for juicy grubs and shiny seeds. My jaw dropped in amusement.

My heart fluttered walking under one of the crescive purple tree. I sat on the bermuda grass and pulled my cellphone out of my pocket.

Kinuhanan ko ng litrato ang bulaklak na nakalambitin sa puno ng Wisteria. I took a picture of myself too and pointed the back camera at the people strolling around. I pressed the camera's white circle button as I heard the shutter sound, a signal that the photo had been taken.

Binaba ko ang aking kamay at tiningnan ang pictures na nakuha ko. Ngayong nakaupo ako sa ilalim ng punong sumisimbolo ng mahabang buhay at imortalidad, tila nais kong mag-iikot sa tuwa.

If I was just with my ten year old self, she would think we were here in a fairtytale storyline and we had just entered from the Magical Secret Door.

Bigla ko tuloy namiss si Avrielle, ang palagi kong partner pagdating sa panunuod ng Barbie movies at pag-iimagine ng fake scenarios. Kung hindi lang sana siya busy, inimbita ko na siya rito. I sincerely miss our bonding together.

Bumuga ako ng hangin. As I inhaled and exhaled, I noticed there is a baked-apple smell in the air. Possibly, the smell of plants growing around the flower park. Ganito pala ang maamoy mo tuwing pinapalibutan ka ng mga halaman?

"Here's your ice cream, madame,"

Tumingala ako sa mukha ni Koby at tinanggap ang preserved soft ice cream na pinabili ko sa kanya sa malapit na Convenience Store.

Nabasa ko kasi na masarap ang ice cream dito sa Japan. I want to try it kaya si Koby ang inutusan ko. Hindi naman siya tumanggi at malugod siyang umalis para bilhan ako.

"Thanks," wika ko.

Binuksan ko ang plastic na takip sa ice cream at tinikman ito.

"It tastes... the same?" I commented, savoring the taste of soft white ice cream.

Umupo si Koby sa aking tabi habang inuubos ang kanyang Mochi ice cream.

"Why do people say that ice cream tastes different in every country?"

Tumingin ako kay Koby na nakatuon ang mata sa ibang direksyon, ngunit nang mapansin niyang nakatingin ako sa kanya, agad niya akong pinagtaasan ng dalawang kilay.

"Ako po ba ang tinatanong niyo?"

Umiling ako bilang sagot at nilipat na lamang ang aking atensyon sa malawak na lupain ng iba't ibang klaseng bulaklak sa kaliwang bahagi ng Parke.

"Obviously, ice cream tastes the same in every country because they also have the same ingredients." I answered my own question. "Is it really natural for people to exaggerate things they shouldn't?"

"Perhaps, hindi masarap na ice cream ang nagustuhan ng mga tao rito sa Japan. You exactly misinterpreted them."

Nilingon ko siya nang marinig ang kanyang sinabi. He finished the mochi he was eating, cleared his throat and continue to vocal his thoughts.