Since Childhood

2: First Encounter

[Daniela's Point of View]

It is first week of summer break. Nothing special is happening. We stayed in our house, do our own businesses. Kuya Davien is allowed to leave the house while I am not. Mom wanted me to stay inside the house, ang sabi nya hindi daw dapat nagpapa-araw sa labas ang mga batang babae. I think that is unfair.

The sun is up high, direct sunlight in such a sunny day. I am playing at the playroom with my dolls and their big houses. Sitting on the carpet with a cross legs, I heard a roaring sound of engine. I tilted my head and look at the veranda. The sound continues for a minute, then it stops.

I dropped my barbie dolls and then got up. I push the glass door in the veranda open and then I lean on the railing. From my spot, I saw a pickup truck from across the street. Nagbukas ang parehong front doors ng car ng magkasabay. A man climbed off the car from the driver's seat, and a young boy on the other side. The boy which I think older than me but younger than kuya Davien looks bored and lost. He is wearing a black pants, gray jacket with a hood, a rubber shoes for his feet. He is tall, tan skin, and overall, he looks cool kid.

Another pickup truck pulled into the garage just in front of ours. Big guys ascended from the second pickup wearing black polo shirts. They started unloading the boxes and packages off the trucks. I heard yaya Belinda yesterday about the new owner of the house next to ours. Maybe these people are already moving into that house.

Pinanuod ko sila sa paghahakot ng mga gamit papasok sa loob ng bahay. The boy remained standing from where his father left him. He started wandering his eyes around. He look at the street, at the trees in our village, until he look up to me. I suddenly froze.

The boy took his hands out of the pocket of his jacket. And then he started waving at me.

I was surprised by his action. My first impression about him is that he is cold, arrogant, not a friendly boy but I doubt that now.

Not wanting to have an interaction with a stranger, I run back to the playroom then I shut the door of veranda.

On the following week, kuya Davien said he went skate boarding every morning with the boy next door. Kuya said the boy's name was Timothy. Two years younger than him, and two years older than me.

Today, second week of April, mom went to her work as usual. Naiwan kami ni kuya kay Yaya Belinda. Kaming tatlo lang ang tao sa bahay, just like always. Mom forbids kuya in leaving the house but he still left and said he'll just hang out with his friends.

Around five in the afternoon, I was up in my room, watching barbie while yaya Belinda is in the kitchen, nagluluto ng merienda. I heard noises from kuya's room but I didn't bother checking because I thought it was yaya. In the middle of the movie, my stomach rumbled, and my urge to use bathroom to poop took over. I paused the TV, and then I left my room. I went to the bathroom.

Rushing in, I stopped at my tracks when I saw a boy. His back facing me and he seem to be peeing in the bowl.

Terrified, I scream. I scream on the top of my lungs and my urge to poop vanished.

"Yaya Linda!! Yaya!!" I screamed as my level of panic increased.

The boy, who I recognized as Timothy, the newly moved boy next door, kept his back on me as he zipped up his pants. Kahit sya ay halatang nagulat dahil sa lakas ng sigaw ko.

"Niela! Why? Why are you screaming yaya's name?" kuya Davien rushed to me. "Tim, what did you do to my sister?" kuya's voice become harsh.

"Wala! I did nothing wrong. I just finished peeing when I heard her scream." The boy explained.

Kuya Davien look at me annoyed.

"Was that true?"

My answer wasn't a word but a mere nod.

"You are being over dramatic, Niela." It is clear that what I did irritates him.

"Because I was shock! That is not being over dramatic, kuya." I tried to defend myself.

Kuya Davien look at Timothy with an apologetic eye. Then he said, "I'm so sorry for my sister's immaturity."

"Kuya!"

Timothy smiled. A genuine one.

"It was actually my fault. I didn't locked the door. I'm so sorry, Rhein, if I surprised you. It won't happen again."

"Tumigil na nga kayo sa pag-ako ng kasalanan! Can we just go back to the video game, please? It's getting boring here." Kuya Hirro said with his eyes rolling. His family and mine have been a good friends for long.

"Stop being so impatient, Hirro. You've never changed." Kuya Gael butted in. I didn't knew all of them was here ngayon lang na narinig ko silang magsalita isa-isa.

"Let's go back, Tim." Kuya Davien uttered. "Don't do something stupid again, Niela." He warned me before going back to his room together with kuya Gael and Hirro.

Si Timothy lang ang naiwan 'dun. Silence occupied the area. Feeling embarrassed, I turn my heel to leave. Pero napatigil ako ng tawagin nya ako.

"Rhein." He called my second name. With my forehead wrinkling, I look at him. "I'm really sorry about what happened."

I scanned him from head to toe. "Forget it. And don't call me Rhein. It's for family and friends, you aren't either of them." I snapped at him and then continued to move far away from him.

I go back to my room. Shut the door behind me hard making such a loud disturbing sound. I played the movie that I'm watching pero hindi na ako makapagfocus. I hear kuya and his friend's laughter. They are having too much fun. I wish I have many friends just like kuya Davien. It would be so much better even just one true friend.

Later that night, all of kuya's guests left before mom came home. Kuya Hirro and Gael live on the neighboring village. Going back home is not a problem since they can just walk into it. Right after we ate dinner, mom headed straight to her room to rest. She look so tired. Kuya Davien stayed in the living room, watching a movie that is nothing but zombies, blood, killings and violence. He is such a freak.

Since I don't like what kuya Davien was watching, I went upstairs. To the computer room. I turn the computer on to play some good video games. I played for a very long time until yaya Belinda came in looking for me.

"Bakit po, yaya?"

"Yung batang lalaki jan sa tapat, nasa labas sya, hinahanap ka."

"Okay, thank you yaya Linda." I received a sweet smile from her before she leave. After she closed the door, I run to the veranda. I hide from the huge vase and check if he's really there.

I saw Timothy, waiting patiently at the gate. The streetlight is providing brightness kaya I can see how he look at this very moment. While staring, I concluded that I'm emotionally abnormal. I am not normal! I mean, is it normal for a ten years old girl to have crush on someone? For a ten years old? That's wicked!

I let ten more minutes passed so he will wait longer. Kahit na natagalan ako, naghintay parin sya sa labas.

With soundless steps, I open the gate and met him with a poker face.

Suddenly, he stretch his hand with bunch of white tulips. How come I didn't noticed the flowers?

"I look up through the internet. It is said that white Tulips are happy flowers that can help you say sorry and make up for the mistake. I'm so sorry."

His effort and sincerity made me wanted to just say yes like accepting a wedding proposal. Parang tanga!

"O-okay..." My voice stumbled as I get the flowers.

"Friends?" He straighten out his hand.

I nodded. "A-alright, sure." Then I shake hands with him.