Surcease The Strings (El Salvador Series: One)

Prologue

Prologue

The sun's way very up high, making the surroundings flame by its heat. I wiped a sweat on my forehead and stretched up, my back's starting to ache. I've been stooping for minutes, picking the corns that were piled on the ground then put it in the sack.

Napatingin ako kay Kuya Mani na nakangiti habang papalapit sa'kin, he have same age with my father and a friend of him. "Naku! Hija, heto ang tubig." He twisted the cap of the bottled water then offered it to me. Hindi ko iyon tinanggihan dahil sa nauuhaw na rin ako.

I genuinely smiled and rubbed my dirty palms on my towel, "Salamat po."

Nakangiti lang siya habang tinitingnan ako na umiinom kaya iniwas ko ang gawi ko at inilipat iyon sa mga mais, marami pa pala ang 'di ko natatapos. "Mukhang napapagod ka na, hija. Tama na muna 'yan," pigil niya sa'kin.

Tumingala ako sa kanya at umiling. "It's okay po. Susulitin ko na po kasi, baka sa mga susunod na araw ay darating na ang Papa,"mahina kong sabi. Napabuntong hininga na lamang siya dahil walang magawa o baka naaawa. He knows my situation.

I'm having my freedom everytime Papa isn't at home. Nakakalabas ako at nakakapunta dito sa taniman namin, with Mama's permission. Tulad ngayon na tumulak papuntang Cagayan si Papa para sa isang meeting with his big sponsor in his upcoming run.

I have a pile lists of rules that I should follow, I'm carrying a big name, his name. I have to be careful at my every move kasi maraming mga mata ang naka-sunod sa'kin. I'm afraid that if I might make a mistake, everything my papa built slowly will be wrecked in snap because of me. I witnessed Papa's struggles before his little by little success. He's getting nearer to his great success.

I'll do everything I can to help him attain his success. Alam kong hindi kalakihan ang maitutulong ko sa kanya kaya hindi ako magdadalawang isip na ibigay iyon sa kaniya. They said, be greedy to everyone, just don't be to your parents.

"Ma'am! Ma'am Claudia! Ma'am!" from a far, I could hear Ninita's continuously yelling, bakas sa kanyang boses ang matinding kaba, kaya agad kong binitawan ang mga mais at dali-daling tinapon sa pahingaan ang suot kong sombrero at ang towel na nakatakip sa ulo ko. I ran toward her as fast as I can.

I know something bad happened, or will happen.

"Ma'am si Sir Mikael, biglang bumalik!" naiiyak niyang salubong sa'kin. I could feel my face alterenately crimsoned and paled. My heart throbbed because of nervous, anxiety and frightened.

My adrenaline running high, so I didn't hesitate to run as fast as I could through our house. Now I really regret not bringing my bike, medyo pa namang may kalayuan ang bahay dito. I feel like I'm Forrest Grump running faster to Jenny's house, na ang mga nakakasalamuha ko ay napapatingin sa'kin.

"Yow! Ulap, sinong ka-racing mo?" Zul exclaimed loudly from the other side of the road, holding a cellophane, notably amused. I didn't gave him an answer, I don't have time to get pissed right now. What important is makarating na'ko sa bahay.

I could hear my fast exhales and deep inhales. I can't feel a little bit tiredness, because fear is dominating me.

My phone rang that made me slow. I'm very frustrated to pick it up but it's my Mama's ringtone, my fingers here trembling as I answer Mama's call.

"Claui! Come home immediately, biglang dumating ang papa mo at baka hanapin ka! I'm really sorry anak." Bakas sa boses niya ang paghihinayang at totoong pagsisisi.

"I know Ma. And don't be sorry, it's not your fault," I softly replied. Hindi niya kasalanan na biglang nagbago ang isip ni Papa at ginustong umuwi na lang. No one's at fault. Fate it is.