The Governor's Daughter

One

Veronica

I immediately went to our dirty kitchen to look for yaya Meling. Kadarating ko lang kasi from our out-reach program sa isang barangay. It was one of my dad's project as a Governor of Sta. Isabel.

It was so tiring yet fulfilling, It's always a joy to extend some help with the people of our community.

And right now, I'm looking for yaya because I'm starving. I need to regain my energy. Marami pa kong gagawin na paperworks.

"Yaya? Can you please prepare me something to eat? I'm so hungry." I leaned on the door and crossed my arms.

Naka talikod siya kasama ang isa pa naming helper at sobrang engrossed sa pinapa- nood sa tv kaya hindi siguro ako narinig.

"Ay sayang naman. Kay gwapo pa naman ng batang ito. Ano na naman kaya ang ginawa niya?" She said while shaking her head, looking so disappointed to what she's watching.

I softly giggled. They're really so into showbiz personalities. Libangan na nila yan kapag tapos na ang trabaho nila.

I got curious tuloy kung sino yung pinanonood nila. It's a showbiz news I think?

"Samantala ay no comment naman ang aktor sa balitang may relasyon sila ni Gina Mendoza, na kung matatandaan ay napa balitang mag kasama sa isang private restaurant kamakailan lang. Patungkol naman sa away na kina sangkutan ng aktor kagabi ay nag labas ng statement ang kanya manager na si Mark Santos. Narito at panoorin nating lahat~~~

Then ipinakita nga sa screen ang manager of the said actor.

"It was a self defense according to Justin. Napilitan lang siyang lumaban because the guy provoked him."

And then images and clips of the actor are now showing in the screen.

Napataas ang kilay ko when I saw him. In fairness, he looks so good. But he also looks like badboy.

A very notorious one.

After nung news about the guy ay saka ko lang tinawag ulit si manang.

"Ya? Can you please prepare some food for me?" I asked. At dun lang nila ako napansin kaya mabilis siyang tumayo.

"Ay mam, naka balik na pala kayo. Sandali ho at iinitin ko yung tanghalian kanina." She said habang sabay kaming nag lalakad papunta main kitchen.

"Sige po. Paki tawag nalang ako sa taas kapag okay na. I'll just change my clothes." Gusto ko na sanang tumuloy na sa pag shower but then, I want to eat first before doing that.

I got really tired from our reach out program. Even though I've been doing this since the day that my dad becomes a Governor. But like I said, It was tiring but fulfilling at the same time.

Ang hindi ko lang siguro makaka sanayan ay ang pagiging center of attention ng mga tao dito sa tuwing makikita nila ako. I've been hearing different things from them. Good things to be exact. But then, ayoko parin. Hindi naman kasi ako importanteng tao like my mom and dad so I didn't know why they need to give me some unnecessary attention.

I'm in a deep slumber when I heard a soft knock on the door. It was yaya. Saying that the food is ready kaya mabilis akong tumayo at bumaba na. I feel like my large intestine are now eating my small intestine.

"Mam, baka ho may gusto kayong ipa-bili sa palengke? Isasabay ko na." Yaya Meling asked while serving the food.

Mabilis naman akong nag angat ng tingin sakanya. Parang naalala ko na may gusto nga akong bilhin sa palengke. Yung mga ipit na pang bata? I heard marami daw nun doon.

I promised Kea. One of the kids from the out-reach program kanina. She asked me if I can buy her that, Of course I said yes. I promised her na ibibigay ko sakanya at sa iba pang mga kalaro niya doon ang mga pang ipit sa buhok bukas na bukas din.

"Can I come with you instead? I need to buy some stuff for the kids in barangay povlacion." Napa tigil naman siya sa pag lagay ng juice sa glass ko.

"Sigurado po kayo? Ang ibig kong sabihin--- baka hindi pumayag si Gov?" Nag aalalangan na sabi niya.

I chuckled.

"Relax yaya Meling. Ako na ang bahala kay Daddy. Besides, sandali lang naman tayo doon diba? And it's safe in there." Sabi ko habang nagpapa-tuloy sa pagkain.

"Sige ho, kayo ang bahala. Pagkatapos niyo pong kumain aalis na tayo. Sasabihan ko lang ang driver." I just nodded and continued to munch my super late lunch.

4pm na ng maka alis kami. It's a 20-minute drive from our house. Hindi naman kalayuan kaya sumama na ko.

Also, I personally wanted to choose those hair ties and clips for them. I will make sure na matutuwa sila sa ibibigay ko.

Pag dating namin sa tapat ng malaking public market ay agad akong bumaba. This is my first time here by the way, kaya medyo mangha pa ko sa mga nakikita ko.

There's a lot of people. Different types of people actually. They're all busy buying stuffs. I got excited tuloy na pumasok sa pinaka loob.

"Ay mam sandali ho. Hintayin naten si Nanding na makapag park. Sasamahan niya tayo sa pamimili." Pag pigil niya ng akmang mag lalakad na ko papasok. Hawak niya ang kaliwang braso ko kaya hindi na ko naka palag.

"Mauna na tayo, I'm sure makikita niya naman tayo sa loob." Sabi ko. I just really wanted to see what's inside.

"Magagalit ho si Gov kapag nalaman niyang hindi naka buntot satin si Nanding. Lalo pa't maraming tao dito. Ayan nga oh, naka tingin na sila sainyo." Bigla akong na hiya sa sinabi niya. Pa- simple akong tumingin sa paligid.

And it's true! Halos lahat sila ay naka tingin sakin. Some of them are waving at me. And some are shouting my name to greet me. And all I can do is to give them an awkward smile.

Hindi talaga ako masasanay sa ganito. Being the center of attraction. It makes me sick.