Under the Shades of Sky

Chapter 6

 I was left dumbfounded under the beautiful blue shade of sky.

After that, tita Alvina called me and said that we will go to my grandparents' rest house which is just right across the street. It's a quick ride but I look like an idiot smiling while I'm in the car. Ng makarating kami sa rest house, hindi na ako nagulat nang isang malaking bahay ang madatnan namin doon. Hispanic ang style ng bahay, kwento sa amin ni Tita Alvina na mula pa ang bahay na ito sa ninuno namin at pinarenovate lang ni Daddylo bago siya mamatay.

Sa loob ng bahay, bumungad sa amin malinis na sala. Sina Alexa at Aria ay magkasama papuntang kusina. Nang makaupo ako sa sofa at napako ang tingin ko sa mga lumang family pictures nina Daddy. They were complete there, they looked so happy and content...but now they are different. Tita Alvina and Tita Avianna kept in touch but they rarely talked to Daddy. Kung kakausapin man, madalas ay business matter lang.

Sa isang pictures ay bata pa sina daddy, nasa isang farm sila. Si Mommyla ay nakaupo sa isang upuan habang hawak ang baby girl na sa tingin ko ay si Tita Avianna, si Daddylo naman ay nakatayo habang nakangiting nakaupo sa balikat niya ang batang babae na si Tita Alvina, si Daddy ay nakaupo sa tabi ni Mommyla habang masayang nakatingin sa baby na hawak nito.

Sa pangalawang picture ay tanging ang magkakapatid lang ang nandoon, they were all smiling. Si Daddy ay may ngiting nakakaloko habang nakaupo sa isang upuan samantalang sina Tita Alvina at Tita Avianna ay nakatayo at nakacross arms habang masama at tingin kay Daddy.

Gusto ko ulit silang makita na ganito.

Sa isang picture naman ay ang 8 year old na si Daddy kasama ang isang 6-8 years old na magandang batang babae at naglalaro sila sa isang garden na kung iisipin ay dito din sa rest house. I examined the little girl who made my Dad smile genuinely. The little girl looked like me when I was the same age as her. I got the frame and looked at the little girl, but someone spoke at my back.

"That was Claire," sabi ni Tita Alvina.

Halos mapatalon ako dahil sa gulat. But I got curious kasi Claire ang name ni girl parang name ni Mama Clara, her real name is Claire too. So astig... "Claire po, Tita?"

"Yes, Maddie. Claire is Aidan's best friend. The only girl she always bring here." sabi nya na parang nag aalinlangan kung itutuloy pa. Kahit si Mommy hindi dinala dito ni Dad?

"But, why haven't I met her?"

"Maybe because you lived abroad when you were young." she smiled at me but I know behind those, there is something I can't tell. Tita Alvina just just sighed deeply. "Anak, it's not my story to tell, maybe you should ask your Dad about it. For now, live the moment. Enjoy, hmm." she said with a very soft voice and I just nodded.

Umalis agad si Tita kasi nagluluto pala sya sa kusina. I'm still curious. Why am I seeing Mama Ninang in the little girl? I take a picture of it on my phone before putting it back on the table. The little girl in the picture really looked like Mama. Their smiling eyes, nose and shape of face... It's all the same. I stared at the picture one more time and I was really curious. Bakit kamukha ko yung bata sa picture? I don't understand. Mommy Celestia is my mother and I am not adopted.

Nagulat ako ng may magchat.

From : ÉtrangerFou
Wrong send, idiot?

Napakunot ang noo ko sa chat ni Nate.

To : ÉtrangerFou
What?

Nang magbackread ako ay nasend ko pala sa kanya ang picture! Agad kong dinelete iyon. Binalot ng kahihiyan ang katawan ko.