Shooting Star (Completed) [R-18]

3 : R

Martee

MAAGA kaming naghanda dahil maaga ang simula ng okasyon sa plaza ngunit parang wala sa sarili si papa kagabi pa. Kagabi lang din nakauwi si mama mula sa kaniyang bakasyon. They fought last night. Dinig ko hanggang sa kuwarto ko ang pag-aaway nila.

But they need to set aside it for now. Hindi puwede ang kahit anong problema sa mga araw ng kampaniya. It will taint my father's image.

" Martee, sumabay ka na kay Fernando papunta ng plaza. Do not wait for Santi anymore" He muttered. Kahit naguguluhan ako ay sinang-ayunan ko parin ang sinabi ni papa.

I went with manong Ferdi and texted Kuya Santi along the way not to fetch me anymore dahil nakisabay na ako kay manong Ferdi.

I feel uncomfortable with what is happening.

Nang makarating kami sa plaza ay marami na agad ang mga taong nakaabang sa gaganaping opisyal na pagbubukas ng kampaniya.

Nandun na din iyung mga assistants ni Governor Ricardo Villamor. Masmaaga pa sila kaysa sa amin.

Nagtulungan ng magset up ang mga kasamahan namin para simulan na ang okasyon.

Maaga ring dumating ang gobernador kasama ang kaniya ang kaniyang asawa, si tita Kristina. They looked happy as they welcomed the people. Samantalang, ilang minuto lamang ang nakalipas ay dumating na rin sila papa. Naka pulang dress si mama. My mother is a goddess, I cannot deny that. Kung tutuusin, parang walang asawa't anak pa si mama kung titinan mo. She also looks younger than her age.

Alam kong pilit ang ngiting pinapakita ng aking ama habang nakikipagkamayan sa mga kasama niya sa pulitika.

Ilang sandali lamang ay magnagsalita na sa stage. A woman greeted us all as she started announcing the activities for today.

I was so busy listening when I scented that familiar smell coming from the person beside me. Si Kuya Santi pala. He seemed quiet as he stood beside me.

" Nareceive mo ba iyung text message ko? Sorry, biglaan kase. Kailangang maaga kaming makarating dito" Pagdadahilan ko. Tama naman diba. We really needed to be early.

" I also plan on fetching you early. Sinabihan mo sana ako na masmaaga pa pala roon ang gusto mo. Puwede naman kitang sunduin ng maaga" He countered. Huminga ako ng malalim.

" My father is not in good mood this morning. Nag-away sila ni mama kagabi. Sinabihan niya ako kaninang umaga na makisabay na kay Manong Ferdi. I cannot disobey him and tell him that you will fetch me instead. Hayaan mo na iyun. Ang importante maayos na nakarating tayo dito." I looked at him and he just placed both his hands in his pocket.

" Your father has an uncontrollably bad temper sometimes." He stated calmly.

" Nevertheless, he's still my father." Sagot ko naman pabalik.

Nauna ng nagsalita ang mga konsehal. Isa isa silang nagbigay pasasalamat.

An hour later, my father stepped forward for his turn. Magaganda ang mga salitang binigkas ng aking ama. He even mentioned some of the great things he plans for our province which was given positive regard by the public. He encouraged the youths to participate in environmental preservation and other activities involving the youths.

Nang si Governor na ang nagsalita ay maslalong umingay ang buong plaza. He talked about better agricultural farming and fisheries. He focused mainly on livelihood dahil iyun naman ang trabaho ng karamihan sa amin.

Everything was fine. The governor was still speaking when we all heard a loud gun shot sound which echoed in the place. Agad akong tinakpan at pinadapa ni Kuya Santi. While being covered, I saw how the governor fell down on the ground, bleeding and gasping for his life.

Nagkagulo ang lahat. The people ran for their lives, away from the place. Nakita ko si papa na nakatunganga lang dun. My mother started crying loudly. Daig pa niya ang namatayan ng asawa at anak. Tita Kristina sat down on the ground shocked. Pinalibutan siya ng mga police. The medic came to rescue him. I looked at Kuya Santi and saw him looking at his father while still protecting me with his body.

Mabilis niya akong inalalayang tumayo. He guided me towards his car parked near the road.

" Kuya Santi kailang-" I wasn't able to finish my sentence when he had spoken right away.

" Huwag ka ng bumalik don. Maiwan ka rito at hintayin mo ako. It's risky" He stated calmly kahit alam kong ibang iba ang emosyon sa kaniyang mga mata.

Hanggang dito ay dinig na dinig ko parin ang boses ng aking mama. I saw how my father pulled my mother to leave with him. I closed my eyes as I realized that something is wrong. Everything is wrong. And I forbid myself to accept the fact that I know what is wrong.

——