In the Midst (Daughters Series 1)

Prologue

Ariel Benecio

"Grabe, dad! Ang galing ni Tito Albert mag-motor! Did you see the stunt he did?? It was so cool!" I enthusiastically told my dad.

"Mukhang hangang-hanga ka sa tito mo ah? Sus, kung hindi ako tumigil sa motorbike racing, mas magaling pa ako doon," may pagkamayabang na sabi ni Daddy Bob.

I knew why my dad stopped joining the motorbike racing. Mom said that he got into an accident years and years ago. He almost died because he had hemophilia. Mom was so scared so since then, she did not allow my dad to ride a bike again.

But because dad loved motorbiking so much, he pleaded mom if he could just watch motorbike tournaments. Mom allowed him but he should promise not to ride a motorbike, and he did promise her.

Growing up, dad would bring us with him to watch the race. Sometimes, when my mom is busy, he would only bring me and Archie. But between Archie and I, ako ang mas nahilig manuod ng race. Like today, ako lang ang sumama kay dad because Archie had eventually got bored of watching this sport.

Dad opened the car's door for me. "Thanks, dad," I said and hopped in the car.

"You're welcome, Princess Ariel."

I laughed when he called me that. I was already 16, but he would still call me 'princess' most of the time.

While dad was driving, we listened to a country music. We both loved country songs. I knew Daddy Bob was not my biological father, but we both had many similarities especially in things we liked.

I smiled when I remembered to ask him something. I faced him and spoke, "Dad, sa tingin niyo po ba ay papayag si mommy kapag hihingi ako ng motorbike?"

Napakapit ako sa upuan ko nung biglang pumreno si daddy. Lumakas tuloy ang tibok ng puso ko sa kaba.

"Daddy, slow down," saway ko sa kanya.

Bigla siyang humarap sa akin at sinabing, "Paano ako magslo-slowdown kung yun ba naman ang tanong mo sa akin??"

"What's wrong with my question?" I innocently asked.

"Alam mo na ayaw na ayaw ng mommy mo na nagmo-motor ako, ikaw pa kaya??" Dad laughed a bit like he was amazed by what I told him.

"Iba ka naman, dad. Iba din ako. You have hemophilia, I do not."

"But you are a kid and you are our princess. Your mom would absolutely disagree with that. Besides, you are only 16. You are not allowed to drive yet."

Napaisip ako sa sinabi ni daddy. He was right. I was too young to drive.

"How about when I turn 18?" I seriously asked.

Natawa si daddy ng malakas na kinataka ko. Anong nakakatawa sa sinabi ko? I was asking him seriously.

After a few seconds, he stopped laughing and faced me. He held both of my shoulders as he looked at me in my eyes. He looked very serious.

"Listen carefully, Ariel. Ngayon palang sinasabi ko na sayo, hindi papayag ang mommy sa gusto mo. Kahit ako ay ayaw ko. Oo mahilig ako sa motorbike, but I don't want anything bad to happen to you. Kaya iba nalang ang hilingin mo, wag lang yan."