When The Sun Sets (Central Trilogy #1)

Kabanata 1

I'll be updating tomorrow, luluwas kami sa laguna, happy reading!

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KABANATA 1

Set

“Finally! Some fresh air!” I heard my sister shouting outside our hacienda.

After many years of living in Manila. My father finally decided to move to Nueva Ecija. Our hometown province.

“Masaya ka ba, ‘Nak, sa bago n’yong titirhan ni Cassy?” Manang Cecil asked me genuinely.

“No.” It was an honest answer. “Mhm? Bakit naman ay?” She asked me.

"I prefer seeing city lights over the beautiful scenery of the countryside, Manang.” I said.

“Ikaw talaga, Masasanay ka rin!” She told me softly.  “Ang kapatid mo mag eexam sa sa Science High School,  ikaw ba?” She asked.

“Veterinary po sa CLSU.” I answered. “Ay aba! Kaya pala malapit ka sa aso simula nung bata ha!” She said.

“Manang, it's not about that.” I said. “I want to study more about how to take care of animals, because I know that we should treat animals how we treat ourselves.” Dagdag ko.

“Ang galing talaga!” She clapped. “Alam mo Cali, bagay ka talaga sa pogi at matalino rin tapos matangkad, hay!” She said happily.

“Manang!”

“Ay teka lang! Nandyan na ata ang delivery ng gasul.” She said when someone rang the doorbell at our gate.

“Teka lang!” She shouted.

Pumasok ako sa kusina dahil iinom ako ng tubig ng bigla akong may nakitang lalaki na may bitbit na gasul. Shux.

He's tall, about six feet. He has a classic layered haircut and wearing a white t-shirt and black pants with a towel in his left shoulder.

“Miss…” He said sotly.

Pogi. Matangkad.

Oh my god, Calista Jade! Forget about what Manang Cecil has told you!

“Yes?” I said meanly.

“Ay nako! Deil! Naku ikaw pala ‘yan ha!” Manang said. “You know…him, Manang?” I asked.

“Ah, Cali si Deil–” I raised my eyebrows when Manang speak.

“Ah Deil pala, scholar ni Sir Chris.” Inabot nya ang isang kamay sa’kin para makipag handshake sa’kin.

“Scholar?” I laughed. “Ah Nanay, eto na pala ‘yung gasul. H’wag mo nang bayaran.” He smiled.

“Nanay?” I asked with curiosity.

“Cali…si Deil, anak ko…” She said. “Yung nakwe-kwento ko sa iyo nung bata ka pa,” she said.

“Oh the boy who got lost in Rizal Park?” I said.

I saw Deil’s smile fade away. Opzz.

“I didn't know! May scholar pala ang tatay ko rito sa Nueva Ecija, nice meeting you. I am Calista Jade Gerero his first daughter.” I said.

I walked out.

I don't know what is happening to me. May nararamdaman akong kakaiba na hindi ko pa man nararamdaman kahit kailan.

Inis ba ito dahil may scholar si Papa?! No! Hindi dapat ako magalit, I should be happy ‘cause my father is helping someone.

Just so I can forget what happened earlier, Nilibot ko ang mansion.

The Spanish-style mansion hacienda features stucco walls and a terracotta roof. In front of the gate, there's a charming fountain with water that gives a welcoming touch. I remeber when I threw a coin their and wishes something when I was still a child.

While in the kitchen, there's a large sliding door that leads to the veranda. The living room has framed pictures of our family. In the right side of the sala there's a stair leading to the rooms.

My room is in the first floor. Katabi nito ang kwarto ni Cassy.

“Nak, mamaya nga pala pinapapunta ni Sir Chris dito, ipapakilala niya ikaw sa mga anak niya,” Manang said. “Kilala ka na man na ni Cali e, kaya siguro kay Cassy nalang.” I saw manag smiling in the kitchen.

He's lucky…because he has a mother like Manang Cecil.

“Manang, naipakabit na po ba ang wifi?” I asked. “Anak, hindi pa!” Sagot niya

I pouted.

“Una na ako, Nanay ha. Ingat po.” Sabi ni Deil ng umupo ako sa couch ng Sala.

Our eyes met together. Inilayo ko ang tingin ko sakanya at bumaling sa ibang bagay.

“Una na po ako, Ma’am Cali.” He said.

I didn't respond.

“Ate, pa-connect!” I heard Cassy shouting. “I dont have an internet, Cassy.” I responded.

Narinig ko ang gate na naisara at tumayo na para puntahan si Manang Cecil na nag luluto ng meryenda.

Manag Cecil is around in her 50’s. When I mwas still a child he said that Deil is only his son. After his husband died when Deil is still a baby she decided to find work in Manila.

And that's when she started to be our maid.

“Manang, ilan tao ka nung nag trabaho ka po sa amin?” I asked.

“Thirty-seven anak, ang Daddy mo noon ay thirty-years old na at ang Mama mo’y twenty-seven.” She said. “Two years old lang si Deil noon nung nag trabaho ako sainyo.” She said.

“Ang dapat na trabaho ko  talaga sainyo ay care taker ng Lola mo kaso nung dumating ako…ayun..kinuha na ng panginoong d’yos.” She said.

“Oh..so he’s twenty?” I asked. “Si Deil?”

“Oo anak.” Ngiti niya sa akin.

“Oh sige na, mag pa hinga ka muna sa taas, nawalisan ko na ‘yon.” Sabi nya at ngunit naman ako.

I slept when I lay down on my bed. Nagising nalang ako nang dapit hapon na.

And the sun is already setting. I have a pinky large room. Ako lang ang may naiibang kulay sa lahat ng kwarto. Binuksan ko ang bintana kong nasa tabi ng kama ko at nakita ko si Deil na nag wawalis sa baba.

Hindi ko hinayaan na ma-distract niya ako kaya kinuha ko ang airpods ko at i-ci-nonnect sa cellphone ko para mag patugtog.

While watching the sun sets, I reminisce my memories with my mother when I was still a child.

I am still hoping that my mother will comeback, and believing on what Manang Cecil said— “Habang lumulubog ang araw, pinapaalala nito sa atin na pansamantala lamang ang pighati.”