Caged [RWS #1]

EPILOGUE

Vianca's POV

8 MONTHS LATER...

"Mommy, I'm home!" I blinked my eyes and drifted it away from the laptop when I heard Hyacinth's voice. Tumayo ako mula sa swivel chair ko at lumabas ng study room.

I saw Hyacinth in the living room, wearing her PE uniform. She looked up and found me staring at her. She smiled sweetly. Her bright smile radiated and I could feel the worries fades away.

It's my first time not fetching her from school, si kuya Otap lang ang sumundo sa kanya-driver namin. She talked to me not to do that from now on because she wanted to be independent, and wanted me to have a longer hour of rest. It touched my heart in a sad and joyful way. My daughter is growing up and I can't do anything about that except to support her and guide her.

"I told you, mommy, I'll be fine!" She exclaimed proudly.

Nagsalubong kami sa dulo ng hagdan. Yumuko ako para yakapin siya.

"I know you'll be fine. Mom was just worried." I said while seeking comfort through her small body.

I miss Clio. She's in Siargao right now and there's no specific date kung kailan siya makakauwi. She's there to check the rest house na pinagawa namin.

"No need to worry about me, mommy. I'm turning seven this year. I'm a big girl now." She said those words like it would comfort me. Honestly, that's one of my fears. Time flies. I still remember how her first cry sounds like. Now she's telling me these words to soothe me.

As much as I want her to stay like this, I know she can't. Eventually, she'll have her own perspective about life, she'll have new people in her circle, and new things to explore. Change is inevitable but I hope she remain as loving as she is. Because that is what she is.

"Let's go to your room then, big girl, hmm? We need to change your clothes." I said as we broke the hug.

"I can change by myself now, mommy. I'll handle it!" She said and kissed me on the cheeks before running upstairs.

Pinanood ko siyang umakyat ng hagdan. I left out a long sigh. My train of thoughts was interrupted when I heard Hyacinth's voice.

"Mommy! I need help!"

My face brighten. Mabilis akong naglakad paakyat ng hagdan. I walked towards the hallway and stopped infront of Hyacinth's room. I held the doorknob but I stop from opening it when I heard murmurs from the room.

Dinikit ko ang tenga ko sa pinto pero masyadong mahina ang mga boses. But I can still identify Hyacinth's voice. I don't know whose voice is she talking to.

Oh no. Did someone break into our house? A robber? A kidnapper? But the subdivision had bunch of bodyguards. How?

I know it's impossible but I went to my room first to get something I can use against whoever inside. I got this hat rack stand. This is long and hard. Might be useful.

I prepared myself. I was in an offensive stance when I opened the door. Napahinto ako nang makita kung sino ang kasama ni Hyacinth. It's not a robber or a kidnapper, but it was someone I didn't expect it would.

"Clio?" I'm sure I looked confuse.. and awful with this hat rack stand as my weapon.

They looked surprise too. Balloons are everywhere. There's a bubble machine that's continuously blowing bubbles around the place. Shiny plastic strips are hanging from the ceiling. It looks like someone is hosting a party here, in Hyacinth's room.

Is this supposed to be a surprise?

"Surprise!" Clio popped the party poppers. The confettis dances as it slowly fall.