"Ara.. Wake up, baby.."
Ara was awake but too lazy to open her eyes.
"Five minutes please.." Ara whined.
"Ara, ilang beses mo nang sinasabi yan..."
Ara continued to whine with closed eyes
"Fine! Di mo makikita yung prince charming mo today."
Ara immediately stood up and ran down the stairs.
As soon as she got down, she immediately hugged her mother.
"Good morning!!" Ara said with a wide smile.
Her mother shook her head with a 'tsk' coming from her mouth.
"Basta talaga pag si prince charming eh noh?" Ara's mom said, pinching her cheeks.
The six year old giggled and scrunched her nose.
"Tara mommy!! Let's go see my prince charming naaaa" Ara said, tugging her mom's arm.
"Later baby, after mo kumain ng breakfast." Ara nodded.
She then ran to the dining area and ate as fast as she can.
——
After eating her breakfast, Ara ran to her neighbor's house.
Ara was then greeted by a lady.
"Good morning Ara!" The lady said with a smile.
"Good morning Tita Jane!" Ara said then hugged the lady.
While the two were conversing, a young boy walked to door.
"Mom? What's she doing here?" The boy said with a frown.
"Hi Thomas!!!" Ara said cheerfully, waving her hand to the boy.
The boy just rolled his eyes on Ara.
"Thomas! Don't be rude. Andito si Ara para makipaglaro sayo."
"I don't want to play with her, mom. She's too boring." Thomas said, glaring at Ara.
Ara, being as optimistic as ever, still continued to smile.
"Oh don't worry, Thomas! This time we'll play the games that you want. Deal?"
"No." Thomas said then left.
"I'm sorry, Ara. Mukhang bad mood nanaman si Thomas eh. Come back nalang some other time?"
"It's okay, Tita Jane! Maybe I'll come back tomorrow and I'll also bring some cookies so that Thomas won't be mean to me." Ara said, smiling widely.
Thomas's mom hugged Ara then left.
——
Ara was true to her words. She came back the next day with a box of cookies she baked with her mother.
However, she was again greeted by a grumpy Thomas who just rejected her cookies.
"I'm so sorry, Ara.." Thomas's mom said.
"It's okay, Tita," Ara then gave the box to his mother, "just take this nalang po just in case Thomas wants some." Ara said then left without any other word.
As soon as Ara arrived in her room, her tears fell from her eyes. She felt so hurt for being rejected and unappreciated.
After hours of crying, Ara swore to herself she will never bother Thomas ever again.
——
10 years later...
"Ara, wake up! Malelate ka na."
