As Thunderbolt Strikes the Forest (Solis Occasum Series 2)

Kabanata 19

Kabanata 19

Trapped

"Where are we going, Papa?"

Inangat ko ang ulo kay Papa na nakangiti sa 'kin. Ngumiti din ako.

"Do you want to eat?" He asked.

"I want to." I said before putting my palm on my tummy.

"What food?" Papa let me sit on his lap. "You want some street foods?"

"Nah," my mouth twisted. "That's disgusting."

"That's not!" He defended. "Some street foods are good."

"But that's eww. I don't even eat dirty ice cream because, that's not clean."

Bumili sina Ate at Kuya noon, 'yung mga pinsan ko, ng ice cream. Dalawa binigay nila sa 'kin. When I asked them what brand of ice cream is that, they said that it was a dirty ice cream. I threw both of those in a trash bin, so they get mad at me.

Why? I'm just protecting them. Kapag nikain nila ang maduming ice cream, magkasakit sila.

Tatawa-tawang humarap ulit si Papa. Sa huli, ako din niyaya niya palabas para kumain. I don't have any choice when I'm hungry.

We bought some foods from a large food court here. They're cooking our meal in the nicest and coolest way. Well, that was gorgeous like me.

"Can we also buy that for Mama?" I pointed my finger on the menu. "She loves rice cake from Korean restos."

Papa pursed his lips a bit before shaking his head. He said no, "Your Mama is busy, hija. Bibili tayo kapag kasama natin siya para makapili nang maayos, ha?"

"Ah-uh." Saglit akong tumitig nang malingat siya.

I just asked, hindi naman ako naglekramo. Umirap ako.

Umuwi kami after we bought our meal. Mama is not yet here, my Father said that she's still working for us. For her to buy me new dresses and mini makeup kit.

Hindi ako maarte sa lahat ng bagay na narito sa 'kin. Kung anong me'ron, ayos na. Kung walang ibang pagpipilian, pupuwede na rin. Pero hangga't kayang ipilit na palitan ang hindi ko gusto, ipipilit ko. Hindi naman maganda na bibili sila ng gamit na alam nilang hindi ko naman gagamitin kahit na anong mangyari. They're just wasting their own money for nothing.

When I was two years old, umaalis na si Mama para mag-travel sa ibang bansa. She's jumping from one place to another. Papa also said that she can do it all in a day.

Now that I am four, I only had a simple dream. When I grow up, I want to travel abroad too. Not because it is my job, but as a pastime activity. Mayaman naman ako, I have several bank accounts and credit cards. Of course, nakapangalan sa parents ko ang cards, but ako ang gumagamit n'un for them. And they'll pay it for me.

Sayang lang because I can use it at Sari-sari stores whenever I want to eat snack for early meryenda.

I will travel abroad with my Papa and Mama. Isasama ko din 'yung mga pinsan kong madungis kahit hindi ko sila kilala.

"Sana makapunta ako sa Beijing," I whispered to myself. "That will the best spot."

"You wanna go to Beijing, huh?" Si Papa sa tabi ko. "Kailan?"

"I don't know po. Soon, I guess?" I chuckled slightly.

"How about tomorrow?"

"Can we?!" My eyes widen in disbelief.

Papa hold my hand tightly. Nipakalong niya ulit ako sa kanya habang nagb-browse sa sariling laptop.

"Let's book a ticket, hmm?" Napalunok ako.