The Travelers' Phenomena

EPILOGUE

"Teacher Hidalgo! Teacher Hidalgo!" a child approached me while running.

"Oops. Aisle, stop running. You might slip." I reminded him.

"Teacher Hidalgo, Laly will kill me if she catches me! I'll hide behind you, teacher."

"Please? Teacher?"

I burst out laughing with this kid. Too energetic, just like his parents.

His voice is soft with a pleasing tone. But I take a breath and hold his shoulders.

Instead of granting his request, I kneel down to him.

"Do you think, Laly will kill you?"

It took a second before I heard his answer.

"Y-yes teacher."

"Why?" I asked.

"B-because..." obviously, Aisle is frightened and really wants to hide behind me.

"Why, Aisle?" I repeated.

"T-teacher, it's because... it's... m-my fault." He admitted finally.

"What did you do that makes Laly upset?" I messed up his hair.

"Hmmm... I ate her...favorite cupcake without her knowing. That's the only one she has but I took it from her."

"And now, she has no idea that it's you who ate her cupcake?"

"Yes, t-teacher."

I took a deep breath for a second time. I held his cheek and I notice how his face smeared with icing.

"Okay, I understand." Pinunasan ko ng wipes ang mukha niya.

"Can I hide now behind you, teacher?" napailing na lang ako.

"Hmm, okay but, while... hiding, we'll wait for Laly here."

After what I've suggest, he remain silent.

Afterwards, he nudged me. I know for sure that he heard a child crying.

"Teacher, Laly's friend is here. She's crying."

"Oh..."

The child runs too towards us and then hugged me suddenly.

"T-teacher, I didn't eat Laly's cupcake. She 's mad at me now!"

Ramdam ko ang lalong pagtatago ni Aisle sa likod ko.

Hindi pa natatapos ang sinasabi ng bata ay sumunod agad na tumakbo palapit sa amin ang batang si Laly.

"Teacher, she ate my cupcake! She deserves to be punished! I hate you, Ziah! I hate you so much!"

Mga bata talaga. I then focused my attention on Laly.

"Calm down, Laly. You don't need to raise your voice. You really want to punish her?" I asked her calmly.

"Yes, teacher! She deserves it!"