Del Fierro Series 1: The Hidden Heiress

Chapter 1

"You're turning 16 this summer; what gift do you want?" Tanong ni Mommy sa screen ng laptop.

Bumuntong-hininga ako habang nakapangalumbaba sa harap niya. They're now in Manila.

"I want to go to school, Mom. I'm already 16 years old and still homeschooled. Please, Mom, convince Dad to give me back my normal life. I'm isolated here." Maktkol ko sa harap niya.

"Elli, you know why we're doing this. It's for your safety!" Halata na ang pagtaas ng boses ni Mommy sa kabilang linya.

"I know, Mom! But I'm fine. I've already mastered taekwondo, Muay Thai, and shooting. I can protect myself, Mom. Please just let me live the usual life of a teenager." Hinaing ko. I've been fighting for this since I was thirteen, and until now, they still won't give me a chance! I have worked hard on my studies, and my grades are high because of my perseverance, yet they didn't even glance at my hardship.

"Your dad will never allow this!"

"That is why I am always begging you, Mom, to convince Dad! At isa pa, I have Yuna, Liana, and Riley. They can always guard me anywhere. I just want to go to school like a normal person. I'm fed up with this place. I need a new environment! I'm sick of this life, Mom!" Sigaw ko kay Mommy sa kabilang linya.

Hindi ko na inalintana ang magiging reaksyon niya sa pagsigaw ko. I just want to prove a point here; they never listen to me. Lahat ng hinaing ko parang hangin lang sa kanila.

"Ellison Blake!" Malakas na tawag ni Mommy sa pangalan ko. Sa sobrang galit ko dahil hindi naman nila ako pinapakinggan, nilayasan ko si Mom at padabog na sinarado ang pintuan ng kwarto.

Nagkulong ako at tahimik na iniyak lahat ng frustration. It has been 7 years, and these 4 walls have been my only cage during these years. I feel like a criminal held as a prisoner here.

I understand that they have been protecting me from all the people who want to kill us, but it's been years! For goodness' sake! Ni hindi nga namin alam kung buhay pa ba ang mga taong gustong pabagsakin ang pamilya namin. Ni hindi ko nga maramdaman kung totoo bang may nagtatangka sa amin. Kaya hinding-hindi ko maiintindihan kung bakit nila ako inalalayo sa totoong mundo.

The world is so huge... the world will still go on even if you are hunted. So bakit kailangang pagtaguan, kung kayang-kaya namang harapin! I refused to acknowledge my family's solution in dealing with this kind of problem. Kaya kahit naiintindihan ko ang sinasabi nila kung bakit nila nagawa ito, hindi talaga ako totally convinced!

Night came... I heard a continuous knock on my door, but I didn't open it even an inch! I wanted Dad and Mom to worry. I wanted them to see that I can endure everything just to catch a glimpse of the peace I long for.

7 years is enough.

Nakatulugan ko ang gutom, nagtalukbong lang ako ng kumot at nagising nang marinig ang alarm clock. Tulala lang ako sa kawalan habang unti-unting niyakap ang sarili. It's another day... but I don't feel alive. Halos pare-pareho ang takbo ng araw ko, sawang-sawa na ako!

"Elli..." it's Liana's voice.

"Your parents are worried. Kagabi mo pa sila hindi kinakausap." Si Riley naman ngayon. Suminghap ako at hinayaan silang magsalita.

"Hindi ka pa kumakain, hindi ka ba nagugutom?" Si Yuna naman. Mas lalo ko lang niyakap ang sarili ko.

"Ano? Bumukas na ba ang pintuan?" Si Manang Ester naman.

"Naku, halos hindi niya ginalaw ang mga pagkain dito sa labas. Hindi ba lumabas magdamag para kahit sa tubig man lang?" Tanong ni Manang Ester sa kanila.