We spent a good amount of time hiding behind a tree before the Elders left. Gus checked the premises if it was really safe for us to go out.
“They’re gone,” he said. But he was still keeping his voice low.
I raced towards the river but before I could dip my feet to the shallow waters, Gus stopped me.
“Pay respects first before going in,” he said.
I finally understood what he meant when I saw Paco bowing before touching the water. I imitated him before dipping my feet to cool it off.
“Your Elders must be pretty smart, huh?”
“Yes, they are. Old people really know a lot of stuff,” he answered.
“How could they know about the calendar and time?”
Paco splashes some water on me and said, “Well they’re Elders. Maybe the Beast Spirits taught them or something.”
I tapped his shoulders as if consoling him. “Wow, your answer is… I can&rs
It was the same morning we usually have in Kahuyan Village. Yet it felt emptier and cold these past few days. Lin was not here now, neither was Gramps. Perhaps, she was now happily going to this so-called school she kept on bragging about.That night, when Lin pleaded to meet with Gramps, they immediately left earlier the very next morning. I was sad yet relieved at the same time because on that very same day, the Elders came knocking on our door. The moment I saw their faces, I already knew what they came for.They searched for Lin’s track. But her existence was like a dust completely blown off by the wind. Two people were not here anymore, yet villagers who never felt their presence carried on with their lives.They were never part here.Some days, I go to Gramps’ hut with Paco using the path we used when Lin was still here. I imagined how she was still behind us, barely keeping up. Gramps would then be on the grassy field outside his house
We lived in a mountain where it’s not totally inaccessible, but also not that convenient to live in. From an average family, average looks, average IQ… Anyways, I’m just an average girl, okay? Though, I enjoy reading more than an average 10-year old girl.“MA! My socks please…” I said to my mom, Ellen, who was cooking in the kitchen. My ‘ma’ was a high school teacher while my ‘pa’ was an electrician. I have two older brothers, Jiro and Rigo(identical twins), who were 2 years older than me.I heard my mom’s footsteps through the door. “Lin, isn’t it time for you to look for your things using your eyes and not your mouth?” She said while entering the room looking for the other pair of my socks.I’d say I’m pretty reliable and independent. HOWEVER, that is only true when my mom’s not around. But when she’s with me, I turn into a malfunc
*ding… ding… ding…* My favorite sound was the bell, it meant that I can give my full attention to reading. Today’s lunchtime was quite a delight for me, there were no distractions in my surrounding. My classmates usually flocked in my seat and have their chitchat. But since they were busy cramming their essay, they’re all facing their paper with pen in their hands.We had to write down the things we’ve understood and lessons we’ve learned from the reading assignment. It was easy since I love reading, anyways.Right now, I’m reading ‘The Emperor’s Desire’(My Ma owns this book). She kept her books in their closet, but I discovered her secret stash about three months ago.People assumed that I’m a genius. A usual perception for people who loves reading. Well, I’d like to think so too, but my grades would beg to disagree. All
“You’re gonna be busy soon, huh?” said Cali when we started packing our stuff.“Why is that?”“Well, it’s almost Valentine’s day and I bet people will gather around you to listen to your advice.”The idea of Valentine’s day drawing near made my already tired brain collapsed. The most important event among students will be next week.“You should really collect some fee from them, y’know?” interrupted Rigo. My brothers entered the classroom and sat on one of the vacant chairs.“Hurry packing up, Lin Lin. I need to catch a new show today,” said Jiro. He shoved down my pencil case to my bag and helped me put on my backpack.We always went home together, unless the twins made a mistake that day and needed to stay late for their punishment.My brothers walked down the corridors sneakily, always looking over their shoulders, and got startled easil
It was the last day of class before our summer vacation starts. The cicadas echoing, breeze feeling hotter, and the sun burning everyone that meets it.We passed by the Balete tree. It protected everything beneath, a haven from the scorching sun. Now that I think of it, this side of the mountain is windy, plus the ancient Balete as a shelter, it would be a great place to relax during summertime.But my daydreaming was cut off when a kid threw a trash behind the tree.Well, except for a fact that it’s a dumping place.We’re taking our final exam today and after that, we’re free!Since I learned how to read, I’ve always anticipated summer vacations and holidays. It allowed me to spend ungodly amount hours reading.“Lin! Your brothers are here again,” said Annalyn during our break. The twins entered the classroom weakly.Girls in my class looked forward for lunchtime and break time since my twin
It was a busy day in our village. People bustling all over the place preparing for the exciting celebration that will happen later this day.“Aah! Lucio! We need to gather more woods,” I heard someone yelling from a distance. Adults were preoccupied with gathering materials and fighting with each other on how they need more stuff, and kids (like me) were busy playing.As for me, I didn’t have many friends. I wouldn’t even call it few, just one.“Guuuuuuus!!!” I heard someone call my name, though I don’t need to see who it was. “There you are. Where you headed to?” Paco asked.He’s a short kid with a muscular body, a high nose bridge, and thin lips. His hair was tied into a half-knot. Most of the people here have long hairs but I took the time every now and then to cut mine.“I’m going to see gramps,” I answered.“Again? But we should be enjoying this da
After that festive night, most of the villagers woke up late, well not me. I needed to go somewhere and with half of the village still asleep, I can avoid half of the prying eyes.The air was still cold and the sun hasn’t fully risen yet, I grabbed my poncho to keep me warm. Toptoeing as I exited the room. I don’t want to wake anyone in this household.“Come, boy,” I said quietly. Monmon, our black puppy stood up and licked my face all over.“Shhhh… Let’s go.”Just as I thought that I would be safe outside our house, Aunt Luna— our neighbor was outside, tending her garden.“Good hunting day!” said our neighbor. She looked quite intimidating. People might confuse her for a guy if not for the huge lump of fat in her chest.“Y-yeah… Good hunting day, too.”“Where you headed so early in the morning?” she combed her finger through her hair and
“How’s that possible?” Gramps asked when I told him where I found the girl. I also said to him about my hunch that she might have fallen from the cliff.“Well, the soft thing protected her,” answered Paco.“Oh, the mattress? Oy child, when you fall from that height no mattress could save ya.” Then he fell silent— scratching his chin, disturbing his now growing beard. “Did anyone knew about tis?”“I don’t know. But I’m the only—”“We’re,” Paco corrected, he predicted what I’m about to say.“We’re the only one who dares to go back to the cursed site. No one could have seen her before us.” I held the girl’s wrist to check her pulse. I’ve been holding her since we got here. I was so afraid that someone would die in front of me.“Well, let’s clean her up and tend her wounds first