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"Can I go alone in that trip?"

It was a day after my graduation. I asked my parents if I can go alone on that after graduation trip alone. That was their gift to me – a weeklong trip to Paris. Matagal ko na kasing inuungot iyon kay Papa at ngayon na graduate na ako ng K-12, ibinigay ni Papa iyon sa akin kasabay na rin sa aking debut ang regalo na iyon.

Papa put down his utensils. Kumakain kasi kami noon ng dinner. Ako lang at si Mama pati si Percy ang nasa bahay. Si Kuya Achill ay nasa hotel tapos si Kuya Apollo ay bumalik na sa ilalim ng lupa – where he really belongs.

"Why, Eleithiya?" Bahagya akong nagulat nang si Mama ang magsalita. She was seated beside my father. Even my father looked at her with a surprised looked. Si Percy naman ay napapito. May kakaiba na kasi sa tono ni Mama.

"I just want to experience travelling alone, I guess." Nagkibit-balikat ako.

"You wanna be independent?" Si Percy naman ang humirit sa akin. "So, hindi ka na rin hihingi ng pera kay Pa at Ma?"

"Percy! H