Captured Gazes ( Thirteenth Crow Series #1)

Prologue

"Mama, aalis na po ako—I will take the jeep, h'wag niyo na akong ihatid ni papa. Besides may pasok din kayo," I yelled from the dining table while putting my notebook, pad paper and pencil case inside my bag.

I woke up earlier today since this is my first year as a fourth year high school student—a graduating student at that.

I just reviewed a few related topics that may or may not be in my curriculum, in which I wrote during my idle time.

Besides, ito ang unang beses na papasok ako sa tunay na eskuwelahan, I need to make a good first impression.

As much as how funny it sounds, I am a home schooled student since kindergarten. Mama never wanted me out of her sight, she said the world is too bad for me. I never complained because I like her way of teaching, and she is a good listener too.

She knows me the best.

Yes, my mom is a teacher. Not just a teacher at home, but a real one. At dun mismo ako papasok sa school na tinuturuan niya.

"Here, take this with you. I bought it kanina nung nag morning jog ako," she put down a brown paper bag in front of me.

Kumunot naman ang noo ko.

Kinuha ko ang paper bag at tinignan ang loob nito. It is full of bakery goods, mostly my favorite ones. Pianono, chocolate chip cookies, muffins, ensaymada and banana bread.

"What's this for ma?" I asked nonchalantly.

"I already ate breakfast but thank you for this," dagdag ko pa. "Give it to Cai na lang, I'm sure magugustuhan niya 'yan. At saka busog na ako." I pouted at her.

A smile crept into her beautiful face. "Silly, baon mo 'yan. It's your first day as a student, and I wouldn't miss the chance of preparing you a baon."

Before pa dumating a week na ito ay lagi niyang sinasabi saakin na excited na daw siyang maranasan ang kadalasang gawain ng magulang tuwing unang araw ng pasukan ng mga anak.

"Si mama talaga, sabi ko naman ayos na po yung pera na lang. I'm a fourth year high school student, not a kindergarten ma."

She scoffed. "Ganun pa rin yun noh! Student ka pa rin, walang pinagbago yun kahit na high school ka na."

"At saka pati ba naman 'to ipagkakait mo pa saakin?" kunwaring malungkot na saad ni mama.

Ayaw talaga patalo. Hays. Umiiling iling na naisip ko. Pagbigyan ko na nga lang.

"Kukunin ko na po," I said in defeat at kinuha nga ang paper bag na may lamang mga tinapay at ipinasok ito sa loob ng aking powder blue Herschel back pack.

Hindi nakatakas sa paningin ko ang pagsilay ng ngiti sa mga labi niya.

"Cai! Aalis na ate Cali mo, mag paalam ka na," sigaw ni mama sa nakababata kong kapatid na si Cairan.

"Ma, ang aga aga sumisigaw ka," naiiritang ani ni Cai.

He walked lazily as if pagod na pagod siya sa pag tayo. Marahang binatukan ni mama si Cai ng makalagpas ito sa kaniya. Inis naman 'tong kinamot ang ulo at nagtuloy sa paglapit saakin kaya naman hindi ko napigilang hindi matawa.

"Nanonood ka lang naman dun, bakit parang tamad na tamad kang magpaalam sa ate mo?!"

"Eh kasi naman ma, ang ganda ganda nung pinapanood ko, tinawag mo 'ko para lang magpaalam sa panget na 'to." Duro niya saakin.

Pinanlakihan ko siya ng mga mata.

"Hoy! sinong panget?" nilagay ko ang dalawang braso sa magkabilang bewang.