Chasing Sidero (Salarteixo Girls Series #1)

Prologue

"Alianna saan ka pupunta?" Tanong ni Mommy.

Napatigil ako sa paglalakad. Kinamot ko ang ulo ko dahil nahuli na naman ako na papalabas. Bibili lang naman ako ng candy.

"Maglalaro lang po ako sa playground Mommy,"

"Okay magingat ka. Bumalik ka agad," Ngiti ni Mommy at binalik ang tingin sa newspaper. Ngumiti ako dahil tagumpay ang aking misyon oplan candy.

Sumakay na sa bike ko para dumiretso sa tindahan.

Mayroon pang training wheels ang bike ko because I can't ride a two-wheeled bike, I'm still seven years old, alright?

Malapit lang ang tindahan sa amin kaya saglit lang ako bago nakarating.

"Ate Jen pabili po!"

"Alianna ikaw pala, limang candy ba ulit?" Napangiti ako. Suki kasi talaga ako ng candy ni Ate Jen, bumibili ako ng lima every other day at tinatago sa loob ng damit ko every time papasok ako sa bahay. Bawal raw kasi ako kumain ng candy sabi ni Mommy dahil masisira ang ngipin.

"Ate Jen dalawa lang po muna," May piggy bank ako sa kwarto ko at doon nagiipon para sa mga candy ko pero ngayon naisipan ko na bawasan ko muna ang pagcacandy dahil baka nahahalata nila Mommy. I want to be a candy expert when I grow up.

"Bago 'yan ah," Inabot ko ang sampung piso na dala ko at inilapag 'yon sa counter. Nakakairita pa yung pigtails na nagjijiggle sa mukha ko.

Noong ibinigay na ni Ate Jen ang candy ay nagpasalamat muna ako bago sumakay sa aking pink and purple na bike. Pupunta ako sa playground first para doon ako kakain ng candy.

Nag-libot ako sa clubhouse and I saw people are taking a walk with their dog. I waved at them and the dog, I really want to own a dog but Mommy is allergic to fur. Maybe I will get one when I become a candy expert.

Nakarating na ako sa court and I saw a boy at my usual spot sa swing. I didn't mind kasi it's okay lang naman and hindi naman naka-lagay na sa 'kin ang swing.

I parked my bike sa clubhouse and I ran towards the swing beside him. While I was unwrapping my lollipop I heard the boy sobbing. Nilingon ko siya and I saw him crying hard, ibinalik ko ang tingin ko sa lollipop and I gave one to him silently.

"Huwag ka na umiyak. I don't know you and you don't know me. So, let me tell you straight that you look ugly while crying," I spoke.

He glared at me. Binigyan ko na nga siya ng favorite ko na candy siya pa ang magagalit. Totoo naman ang sinabi ko ah?

"You should say thank you kaya, I gave you candy. You're mean," I pouted. Mommy said that you should always say thank you when receiving gifts.

"I didn't say that you should give me this," Siya pa ang galit huh? I was just sharing blessings! I thought it will comfort him.

I was about to cry. Ugh I hate that I am iyakin, that's why Chantriana bully me always. She's always so nakakairita even if I'm much older than her.

"Why are you crying? I didn't do anything," Yeah right. You're mean!

"Don't mind me stranger, just eat the candy bago pa ikaw ang kainin ko. I am a zombie," I scared him and wiped my cheeks.

His sobs earlier was replaced with laughter.

"No you're not. I know that zombies aren't real," He said while swinging back and forth.

"My name is Alianna. Remember my name because I'll haunt you down when I grow up, you coconut boy!" I yelled making him crease his forehead.

"Okay whatever. But why coconut? LOL you're funny, pigtail girl" Tinakpan ko ang buhok ko na may pigtails.

"Because your hair looks like a coconut," I replied. His laugh filled the entire playground, so annoying!

"WHATEVER, BYE!" I ran towards my bike and left.