Chasing Astrid

Chapter Eighteen

          The next day I went to the kitchen to come see them busy preparing for something. And they look as if they're going somewhere.

           "I think we have everything we need." he announced to her while covering the chocolate cake unto some tupperware and placing them inside a rectangular basket.

          "Mama's gonna like these food for sure." sabi nito bago napansin ang presensya ko. "Mamaaa!"

          I kissed her forehead. "Oh, ba't bihis na bihis ka ata ngayon?"

          "Papa chef bought this for me!" pagmamalaki nito sa damit na suot. "And papa bought something for you too. Sandali lang po mama, ha. Kukunin ko lang sa kwarto ni papa para makapagbihis ka narin."

          She didn't wait for me and run towards his room.

          "She asked for a family picnic, and I didn't have the heart to say no."

          "Here? Outside the house?" I asked. "Why do we really have to change clothes?"

         "There's a park here just a few minutes drive away."

          The line of my hair over my eyes turn up. "What? We both know how dangerous it is Kaegan."

          "I promise both of your safety. Besides the sun will goes below the horizon after a couple of hours. So 'di naman tayo magtatagal 'dun." he argued.

          "Why do we have to go somewhere? Pwede namang dito nalang tayo magpicnic sa backyard. It's more safer here. We don't know how Barron play his game. Pa'no pagmasundan tayo? We should not risk Betchay's safety here."

          "It's perfect for outdoor play and she can interact with kids." sagot nito. "Consider this, she stops going to school, playing outdoor, and reflect on her sorroundings as she stay inside the house most of the time. She stops being a normal kid since all of this happen. She deserves this, Astrid. We all deserves this. Trust me, we'll be safe."

          Natahimik ako sa sinabi niya. He got a point. But I only want's our safety to be sure. Masama ba 'yun? Natatakot na akong maulit ang nangyari.

          "Here mama!" Betchay interrupted. "Dali na mama, bihis kana po."

          "Change now. We don't know how long the sun will rise, so we need to make the most of it while it lasts."

          Napabuntong hininga ako bago napagdesisyunang magbihis. It's gonna be alright. I reminded myself.

          Finally, we settled ourselves and things we needed for the picnic. We left home and as we're on our way, Bechay won't stop talking how excited she was. The moment we reached our destination she started jumping out of excitement and getting impatient while we we're still unloading our things out of the car.

          The beauty of the place welcomed us as we entered. It treats our eyes with a beautiful view of sunrise, greenery grass, trees, playground, ponds and gardens making it also a great place for kids to ponder the beauty of nature. Good thing too, it has areas for the picnickers to settle down.

          We'd found our perfect spot then. He placed the table cloth on the ground providing a comfortable place to sit and lay upon, and placing the basket on the side. I helped him get the food out of the basket and some disposable serving ware.

          "Halika rito anak." tawag ko sa kanya. She was awakened from deep silence as she was only admiring the kids playing.

          "Can I play with them?" tanong nito nang maupo sa lap ko.