Under the Shades of Sky

Chapter 13

She smiled at me before looking up to the sky again. "In the first week, I got awkward but I got used to it. I looked at the brighter side. I realized that it's fun having two older sisters. Especially having a bond with both of you at the same time. Remember when we play tag? I will remember that moment. Kahit ja ako lagi yung taya ayos kang kasi kita ko na masaya naman kayo."

"Why?" tanong ko sa kanya.

"The five of us was complete. Kahit hindi alam ni ate Ysabelle na kapatid ko sya, I'm happy we have fun..." masaya nyang saad pero biglang natahimik bigla. "Ate Celestine, d-do think Ate Ysabelle will treat us the same if she knew that our mother... I mean my mother was her father's mistress and... I am the fruit of their sin."

I looked at my sister and I saw pain and shame visible in her eyes. I hugged her, "For me, Daddy and the whole clan of Romero, you are not a fruit of their sin. You are just an innocent child of theirs. Wala kang kasalanan sa ginawa nila. Mom and Dad chose to have us with different persons they 'loved' before each other. Diba, I told you before that you are a Romero and... "

"I will always be a Romero my whole life." she said and smiled weakly at me.

I pat her back gently before cutting our hug. "That's my Aria." bulong ko sa kanya.

"Thank you, Ate Celestine." bigla nyang sabi.

"You're welcome."

She chuckled before leaning her head on my shoulders. "The stars are beautiful, aren't they?" she said as she pointed her finger in the sky.

"They are."

"Do you know the story of Tala?" tanong niya sa akin.

"The goddess of the stars in Philippine mythology?" hindi siguradong sagot ko.

"Yeah. Have you read her story?" tanong niya ulit sa akin.

"Nope." sagot ko naman.

"Tala is daughter of Bathala and a mortal woman. She has two sisters, Mayari, goddess of the moon and Hanan, goddess of the morning. Folks says that Tala is the one who guides people to safety using the constellations." pagkukwento nya sa akin.

"I didn't hear nor read that story... but it's amazing. I think I should read some Philippine myths when we go back to the Philippines." I said then smiled.

"I want to help Tala to guide others to safety too." biglang sabi niya.

"Of course you can, Aria. What job do you want ba?" tanong ko sa kanya.

Inalis niya ang pagkakasandal ng ulo niya sa balikat ko dahilan para mapatingin ako sa kanya. She looked at me, "You don't understand, Ate."

Umayos ako ng upo bago hinarap siya. "What do you mean I don't understand?"

She held my hand. "Some pre-colonial tribes believe that when someone dies, he/she will become anito. But in my case, I want to help Tala too by guiding you."

I looked at her with a confused face. "Me? Why me? Plus... you will not die, Aria. You and I will grow up together."

She handed me a sliding knot bracelet with a star bead attached in the middle.

"I made that for you, Ate. Ikaw ang pinili ko kasi lagi kang nasa tabi ko. Kahit umiiwas ako, lagi kang gumagawa ng paraan para lumapit sakin..." she smiled to me again. "Plus, hindi tayo ang may hawak ng buhay natin. Some people live shortly but some live longer. Tsaka kapag nangyari ang araw na umalis ako sa tabi ninyo... wag kayong iiyak ha. Always remember that people in our lives come and leave. Some of them leave us with pain but also gives us a lesson." sabi niya at inilagay ang bracelet sa akin.