Del Rico #1: Say Amen

Kabanata 15

I doth entreat thee

What lies behind a beauty that never seems to fade away? The dark side of life. The unkindness, the harshness, the unfair judgments, and the negative emotions like hatred, insecurities, and jealousy. That's what I've been told. That's what she told me.

"What's hidden behind the walls, Mother?" I asked innocently.

Sa likod ng tahanang malaki na siyang kinalakhan ko ay paraiso ko nang maituturing. Subalit ang harapan ng aming tahanan ay nagtataasang pader at gate na hindi masisilipan ninoman. Nagmimistulang proteksyon kung may isang higanteng magbabalak lumusob.

"Why are you so exceedingly curious, Rouge? Didn't I tell you? What lies beyond those walls are no longer your concern," Mother seethed.

I understand. Yet, being aware of what's hidden there worries me. I simply wish to understand why she and father are frequently outside? And why am I not allowed to venture beyond? I'm already twelve, and still, I haven't caught even a glimpse of what's behind those walls.

"Magulo ang mundo, Rouge. Sa lahat ng nababasa mong libro, hindi katotohanan ang naroon. Naglalaro lamang sa salita. Hindi maliwanag ang mundo sa likod ng mataas na bakod na iyan," she said with anger etched on her face. She even pointed at the walls and gate.

I sighed at that. Mother went to me and cupped my cheek with her hand.

"Huwag mo nang naisin pang makita iyon. The world might be beautiful and so what?" she smiled cunningly at me. "Didn't I told you? All beauty bears a curse."

Mother pointed at the gate again, this time, she's aiming to let me stare at it.

"Once you step your feet outside that gate, you'll be welcomed by bad things, mean people, and lots of pain," she said with so much emotion laced in her voice. "Tell me, honey. Do you want that? When all along your father and I shield you from all of that? He doesn't want you to experience those, Rouge. Listen to me, hmm?"

Isang malungkot na tango ng batang ako ang naging tugon doon. Everyday, I would watch my parents and some of our house helpers as they went back and forth of the gate. As they explore what's beneath those walls while I can't.

Every single day, I would keenly observe my parents and a few of our house helpers as they briskly moved back and forth through the gate. While they explored the mysteries that lay beyond those walls, I remained confined, unable to join them on their adventures.

To avoid allowing envy, which is a grave sin, to take root in my heart, I resorted to painting the world in shades of red within the canvas of my imagination. I convinced my eyes that whatever lay outside wouldn't offer me true contentment or joy. But now, I find myself starting to regret that decision. After all, you can never truly depict things you've never laid eyes upon. You can never share facts about things you know nothing about.

"Don't fret. Throughout our entire lives, we'll make it a point to visit every place you've ever dreamed of," Cirolius reassured me.

Nang ibaling ko sa kaniya ang tingin ay may ngiti ito sa labi. Pinantayan ko iyon. He chuckled.

"I wanted to kiss you whenever you do that," aniya sa natutuwang boses.

Nagtataka ko siyang tinignan. Ang alin? Ano ang bagay na ginagawa kong nakapagbibigay tuwa sa kaniya sa puntong nais niya akong paluguran ng halik?

"Pwede mo naman akong halikan kahit kailan mo gusto," mahinhing sambit ko.

Tumango siya sa akin, may ngiti pa rin sa labi.

"I know, baby. And you can do the same to me." He wiggled his eyebrows in a playful manner which earned a giggle from me.

We're now on our way to Aunt Loela's house. Our stay in that resort is really worth it. We've been there for a week, and during our time, we had the chance to visit some other resorts nearby that one.