INCENSE

Chapter 13

I ran towards the cart pero nawala siya sa paningin ko. Wala na siya sa tapat ng food cart. Asan na yun? Bigla na lamang Nawala? Ang dami kasing mga taong naglalakad back and forth. Saan na kaya yun? O guni-guni ko lang? I search everywhere then lastly, I found him not too far from where I am standing. He’s leaving. Tumakbo ako papunta sa kanya. Hindi ko na pinansin ang mga nakabangga ko sa daan as long as maabutan ko siya. Nang makalapit ay agad kong hinablot ang braso nito at hinila paharap sa akin. Tinanggal nito ang sombrero ng kapote niya. Nagulat akong hindi pala siya. It was another man.

“Miss, may problema ba?” he asked.

“Ah, wala po. Sorry. Nagkamali ako, akala ko kasi ikaw yung hinahanap ko. Pareho po kayo kasi ng buhok.” Sabi ko.

Napailing na lamang ito at umalis. Hey, calm down. Just what are you doing Adel? You just acted dumb again. Hindi mo man lang naisip na baka ibang tao yun. I shooked my head with shame and disappointment. Kung ano-anong naiisip ko. Tumingala ako sa kalangitan. Asan ka kaya ngayon? Hope we meet again. Without further due, bumalik na ako sa food cart at bumili ng fishball.

…

An hour has past at mag-gagabi na ng makauwi ako. I bought two pairs of hairpins and fishballs for the both of them. Sana matuwa sila sa ibibigay ko. I was about to rise after I entered the hole when I saw a shoe in front of me. It was father’s shoes-. Pagtingala ko ay nakita ko si ama na nakatalukip ang mga braso nito. Sa likod naman niya ay ang head butler, si Jain at si Emi na siya namang yumuko at umiwas ng tingin. Akala ko ba kayo ang bahala paghinanap ako? Naku, patay ako neto.

“Good evening, Father.” Umahon na ako mula sa butas at pinagpag ang kumapit na mga dahon sa damit ko.

Bago pa man siya makapagsalita ay inunahan ko na siya.

“Father, please don’t spare them. It was my fault.”

“I will not fire them as long as you tell me honestly where did you go.” my father said to me in a calm tone but looking at his expression, he’s about to burst his anger. Huhu. What should I say?

“Father, about that… I was gone to the capital para mamasyal.” I shrugged at umiwas ng tingin. He’s going to scold me.

“At hindi ka nagsabi.” He said.

“That is… alam ko namang hindi mo ko papayagan.”

“Kaya nga, you are going over board, Adelaide.”

“I’m sorry, Father. Hindi ko na po uulitin.”
“Hindi na talaga mauulit dahil sisiguraduhin ko na may magbabantay sayo at hindi kana makakalabas ng butas na yan.”

“But Father-“
“Enough of your wimps, you’re a lady, paano kung may nangyari sayo sa labas?”

“I know-“

“No buts and ifs, that’s an order. You are grounded for a week for defying my orders. This is for your own good.” After that, umalis na siya. Wala namang sinabi ang head butler at sumunod din ito sa hari. Well, it’s my fault after all, wala din naman akong magagawa dahil a rule, is a rule.

“Sorry your highness, hindi na ako nakapagdahilan dahil ang hari mismo ang naghanap sayo.” Sabi ni Emi at hinawakan ang kamay ko.

“Ako din po, I’m sorry kung hindi kita naipagtanggol kanina.” Maiyak-iyak na sabi ni Jain.

“It’s okay, ladies. Don’t worry. Hindi niyo kasalanan. It was my fault. Here, I bought a hairpin and a fish ball for the both of you for being trustworthy and not just a maid and an assistant but as a sister to me. Thank you for your hard work and for being my side.” I said.
Walang ano-ano’y bigla nila akong niyakap ng mahigpit. I’m really happy for having both of them.

“No, princess. Kami dapat ang magpasalamat sa kabutihan mo sa amin.” Sabi ni Jain.

“Yes, your highness, it is my honor to serve you with the bottom of my heart and thank you for trusting and choosing us up until now.” Sabi ni Emi.

I gave Jain a purple left-wing butterfly hairpin and Emi got the pink right-wing butterfly hairpin. I got it match kasi they really work well with each other; my wings.

“Oh siya. Ano pang hinihintay natin, lumalamig na pumasok na tayo sa loob.” Sabi ko.