Send Me In Orbit

Bunso

After losing Mekeni, Leah was averse to the idea of adopting a new pet. Clark suggested a dog or a cat but with a toddler and two infants, Leah didn't want the extra responsibility. CJ, also, didn't seem to want a new pet and for two years after Mekeni's passing, his drawings often featured a white dove. Leah worried but Clark assured her that CJ's attachment was normal. After all, he had only taken care of Mekeni (then Pampu) for two weeks and he carried his fondness of doves and pigeons into adulthood. Leah couldn't have predicted that it would be Ceres who would eventually bring in a new member of the Medina family.

At five years old, Ceres was the quietest and calmest of the Medina siblings. She did well in school though she wasn't as academically competitive as her Kuya CJ. And unlike her Ate Claire, she didn't like playing sports or being outside, preferring to read books or play games on the iPad. She liked spending time with Leah in the kitchen, talking and helping her cook. Leah wasn't surprised when Nanang and Ceres developed a special bond, as they both had the same quiet and even temperament. Ceres was never one to take the spotlight, willingly stepping back to give it to her outgoing Ate Claire. With the girls being so close in age, Leah worried about a competition forming between them. But her worries were for nothing as her two girls' opposite personalities helped them become closer. Claire appreciated that Ceres never tried to take attention from her and was almost overwhelmingly protective of her little sister, often defending her from CJ's mischievous friend, Henry. Ceres was never bothered by the fact that almost all of her clothes and things were inherited from Claire, as she absolutely adored her Ate. Their dynamic reminded Leah of herself and Manang Tiffany when they were young.

Leah prided herself on knowing each of her children inside and out. So when Ceres started spending more time outside instead of in the living room with her books and TV or with Leah in her office or in the kitchen, Leah knew something was up.

"Ceres..." Leah walked onto the back porch, looking around for her wayward daughter. The baby in her stomach gave a kick and she rubbed her stomach. "Teka lang, Baby. Hinahanap ko Ate mo. Ceres!"

She suddenly popped out from behind the playhouse and came running. "Yes, Mommy?"

"Ano ginagawa mo diyan, anak?"

"Naglalaro po."

"Pero oras ngayon ng favorite TV show mo, ayaw mo pa bang pumasok?"

"Okay lang po. Dito na lang ako sa labas."

Leah studied her daughter carefully. "Ano 'yan sa pisngi mo, anak? Bakit may guhit diyan." She lifted up her chin but Ceres moved away. "Kalmot ba 'yan?"

"Ah opo. Nakamot ko po kasi."

Leah tried to lean down to get a better look but her belly was in the way and Ceres deftly moved away.

"Okay lang po, Mommy. Di masakit."

"Malapit na umuwi si Ate at Kuya, gawa na tayo ng merienda ninyo."

"Sunod po ako, Mommy. Tapusin ko lang yung piniplay ko."

Before Leah could answer, Ceres ran back to the playhouse, once again ducking behind it. She went back into the house but kept watch from the window while she prepared sandwiches. Other than gathering up some sticks, she couldn't spot Ceres doing anything odd.

That night after dinner, while Clark was in charge of bathtime, Leah went out to inspect the playhouse. Inside there were blankets spread out all over the floor, some toys but nothing out of the ordinary. Behind it was Ceres' collection of sticks, forming a little box-like nest. Leah looked around at the yard. Maybe Ceres really was just playing some invented game by herself. Their (former) bunso did have an active imagination.