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"What do you want to do when you grow up, child?"
A breathy voice, somewhat brittle but low, broke the silence inside the room. In the corner of the room, where the stubborn sunlight outside continued to peek from the curtains, sat a child, aged 8. Abala ito sa pagkukulay ng drawing book na nakalatag sa mga hita nito pero nang narinig nito ang boses ay awtomatikong natuon sa may pintuan ang atensiyon nito.
Her eyes were glazed, seemingly innocent with the beauty of distance, but contrary to that, her facial expression revealed a strong threshold.
"I don't know."
"Do you think you're too young to be thinking about it, or you just don't have any idea what you want?" the man asked once again as he walked towards where she was seated with silent footsteps.
Ibinaba ng batang babae ang hawak na krayola. "I don't think I'm too young."
"Then is it the latter?" he urged her.
The little girl seemed to be in deep thought for the next few seconds. Her lashes were drooping, the color of her eyes was a lush gray like ashes born from constant fire and her small body did not give justice to the elegant demeanor that followed even the faintest action she make.
"I want to be like Cross," mayamaya ay nasabi nito.
"But you won't be able to color those books again if you become like me," punto ng lalaking nagngangalang Cross.
His eyes revealed a faint glow of concern as he occupied the space left on the sofa. The moment he looked back at the child, he realized her eyes were not leaving him.
"Were you not able to color such books back then?" inosente nitong tanong.
Bahagya siyang natigilan. Hindi niya alam kung paano sasagutin ang bata pero hindi naman niya pwedeng hayaan lamang itong mag-isip ng posibleng kasagutan do'n. He may be new to parenting, but he's determined to provide clear answers, ensuring she navigates through life's complexities without confusion.
He believes that it's better to be confused knowing many things than be confused because one does not have any idea what is going on.
"I did not like those books."
"I don't like them either," the child replied.
"Then why are you spending your time coloring them?" he asked her, glancing at the coloring book, whose pages were filled with slightly messy colors all put together.
"Uhm... I don't know either," she said, her thin and pinkish lips slightly protruding.
"Young'un must know that one must be sure of the things they want to do before they begin," aniyang may pagpapaalala sa tono.
"But didn't Cross say we have free will? That we can do whatever we want to do and be responsible for it? And even if we couldn't be responsible, it's not wrong to give up?" sunod-sunod nitong tanong, bahagya pang nabubulol.
The corners of his lips rose, and a glimmer of amusement danced within his orbs, impossible to conceal.
"One's time is not immortal. And many times, giving up is not a choice either." He reached for her head, gently patting it with a doting smile.
"Dulce must know that human responsibility, above all, is more important than acknowledging human rights. If you want to be like me, you must be sure that you can indeed follow the same path I took until the end. Stopping midway has never been possible," marahan ang tonong pahayag niya at tumayo na.
Isinilid niya ang isang kamay sa bulsa ng kan'yang slacks at sinulyapan ang batang si Dulce na mukhang pinag-iisipan din ang sinabi niya. Her face grew solemn, and confused, and after the long seconds, she finally showed a look of realization.
When she looked up to him again, there was unwavering resolve in the child's eyes.
"I want to be like Cross," determinado nitong saad.
Bahagyang natawa si Cross sa sinabi nito.
"Don't be like me. Be better than me. Dulce."
BINABASA MO ANG
Underground Society 1: Behind The Mask ✔
Tiểu Thuyết Chung"There is truth behind the mask. His mask." Dulce Saleen entered Underground Society at her father's will. She was trained to carry a gun and throw kicks and punches for years and is expected to do the same under the mythical organization that aims...
