Last Escape For Aia ( Under Revision)

I didn't tell my mom about the incident. My guilt is still bothering me and nag-aalala din ako kay Haris.

Kahit nung pumunta na kami sa firm namin, tahimik lang ako kaya hindi din mapakali si dad kasi hindi "daw" sanay na tahimik ako.

"What's the matter princess? Is there any problem at school?" He asked sweetly habang hinahaplos ang nakalugay kong buhok. Sinuklay na kasi ni mommy, dahil muka daw akong witch kanina at ang gulo-gulo ng etsura ko. Nagtaka tuloy sila tungkol sa nangyari.

"Wala naman po, dad," I answered and smiled genuinely at him. "Btw, mom and dad. I have good news!" Excited na sambit ko sabay tayo at hila kay daddy palapit sa table ni mommy.

They look at me with their two pairs of confused eyes. But, mom smiled when I hold both of their hands.

"Okay, spill it anak," mom said without looking away from me.

"May contest po ako next week! Sabi po ng adviser ko, I have the highest scores sa exams and ako yung magrerepresent ng section namin!" Natutuwa kong sumbong sa kanila. They look so proud and happy. My words can't explain how lucky I am to have them as my parents.

"Wow! My princess, we are so proud of you! Even more than that," dad murmured sabay hug saakin ng mahigpit.

"I know na you're good at everything. Especially, at school anak. I never doubt your capabilities bulong ni mommy saakin sabay haplos ng aking buhok. Napapikit ako sa sobrang gaan sa pakiramdam. Having these wonderful parents makes my fairytale more meaningful. I know magics and fairytales never happen in real life. But, at least I have my own king and queen. And I am the Princess!

Nag-dinner kami sa isang sikat na hotel sa city that night. Gusto kasi ni mom and dad na ipagdiriwang ang achievements ko. We chose our favorite hotel, located in Santa Rita, Iloilo City. It was 30 minutes drive away from our house in La Paz.

Pagka dating namin sa hotel ay binati agad kami ng mga staffs. They are all on smiles as they greet and approach us.

Maganda ang interior ng hotels. With its expensive looking chandeliers, kahit sa reception area pa lang. Malawak ang space at marami ang kayang i-accommodate. Sabi ni dad, business partner niya din yung owner ng hotel na ito. Hotel Del Rio. Pumasok na kami sa hallway after sabihin ng receptionist sa amin ang reservation area namin. At tulad kanina mangha pa din ako sa etsura ng room. There are statues in the corner of the room. Yung isa is a statue of a mother and child statue. It portrays the importance of mother and son's bond. Ang alam ko ay si Elizabeth Catlett ang gumawa ng statueng ito noong 1956. There is also a small version of Pieta statue on the other side. Namangha ako sa nag imitate ng art na ito. The details are complete, clean and unique. Very talented.

The room is spacious. Sabi nila good for 5-8 persons lang ang room na ito. But for Godsake! Kasya ang 30 na tao dito! Mas malaki pa nga ito sa classroom namin at thirty three kami sa room.

Pero mas hindi ko inaasahan na titigil ang tingin ko sa isang pamilyar na etsura sa harap ko. Nakaupo siya sa tabi ng kabisera. Haris. I never expected him to be here. Hindi naman kasi sinabi ni mom at dad.

"Hi, Haris. Ampogi naman ng batang ito" puri ni mommy sa kaniya. Lumapit si Haris at nangamusta kay daady at humalik naman sa pisngi ni mommy.

He looks so lavish and mature in his three-piece black suit. I mean, I know he is 4 years older than me. He is 16, and I'm only 12. Grade 10 na kasi siya at senior high na next year. Integrated kasi yung school namin kaya merong elementary at high school. Pero next year lilipat na siya and that makes me very sad.

Tumigil siya sa harap ko at ikinagulat ko ang pagyakap niya bigla saakin. He murmured something I didn't understand. Parang para sa sarili niya lang yung sinabi niya

"You look stunning, Aia" he uttered while looking straight at me with full adoration. He is not smiling. But I caught him smirk! "congrats." He added.

I was still in awe kaya hindi ako makasagot at maka salita. Kaya tumango nalang ako sa kaniya nilang pasasalamat.

I sense something.

The energy my parents make me overthink. Ano ba yun?

Nakaupo na kami ni Haris ngayon. Magkatabi. He is not with his dad kasi may important meeting. Kaya siya nalang yung sumama.

They look at me and Haris from time to time while eating. Especially, every time Haris would peel shrimps and slice the stake in my plate. He always treat me like this when we are together. He would cut mangoes into small pieces before giving it to me. He removes beans from the lumpia shanghai every time bumibili kami sa street stalls, kasi hindi ko gusto kumain nun. He also blow my banana que and remove its pointed stick, kapag alam niyang mainit at delikado kapag ako ang kakain bago ibigay saakin. He know how clumsy I am. He always check if I wore my black school shoes every morning we go to school, kasi minsan naka tennis ako. Naaapakan ko kasi minsan yung shoelaces ko at nadadapa ako.

He hates it kapag nasusugatan ako at sumasama yung pakiramdam ko. Nagpapaalam siya sa parents ko na sasamahan niya ako sa room ko, at mismong siya rin yung nagsasuggest na pabantayan kami sa handmaiden ko na si ate Minda. But my parents trust him very well. He treats me like his princess and he is my prince charming. My night in shining armour.

"Eat it. Stop looking at me," he blurted out. Parang galit, at napaka seryoso. I can see his adams apple moving. Napalunok na rin ako. Kasi napanood ko na yung series sa kdrama at tila ganito yung scenes nila. Ang kaibahan ngalang ay actual itong nagaganap saakin. Walang director, walang script, at walang filter. Walang take 2.

I continued eating without looking at him. Nag focus ako sa pagkain sa mga binalatan niyang shrimps at pinag slice na steak. Dad, talk with Haris about his plans about on managing their companies. Ven at the age of 12, ay na train na siya ni tito Franco kung paano mag patakbo ng kompaniya.

Meron kasi silang Hotel sa America, Manila, Italy, New Zealand at meron pang apat na countries, pero hindi ko na maalala.

"Eh pano yan Haris? diba Aeronautics yung course na itetake mo sa college?" my mom ask him. Confused.

"Yes po, tita." He answered after he drank water. Kahit sa pag inum ng tubig ay ang gwapo niya. Napaka manly. His voice is a music to my ears. I would love to listen to him every morning calling for my name.

Oh My God, Brielle. Stop what you're thinking. You're only 12!

Naputol yung pag iimagine ko ng tinapik ako ni Haris. Shit. I was daydreaming again.

"Are you okay, anak? Do you wanna go home na ba?" pa conyong tanong ni mommy. Napakamot ako bigla sa ulo ko dahil sa hiya. Nakailang beses na ako ngayong araw. Ang malas naman.

Ilang minuto pa ang lumipas ay umuwi na rin kami. Hindi sumabay si Haris sa amin kasi andiyan din naman yung sundo niya. Hindi umupo si mommy sa passenger seat at sa akin siya tumabi.

I know my mom. Nagdududa siya.

"What happened to Haris, anak?" she mumbled. I look at her and smile slightly.

"Mom, sorry po. It is honestly my fault. he Just protected me."

"Is it Carlene, again?" she whispered na parang ayaw niyang marinig ni daddy. Kasi pag nalaman ni dad, magagalit na naman siya at baka ma kick out sa school si Carlene. Lalo na at hindi ito yung first time na inaway niya ako.

I nodded my head as a sign of agreement on what she ask. She's not making sumbong to my dad about my school issues especially, Carlene's treatment to me.

"Okay na din naman po, na settle na din sa school. Yun ngalang nasugatan po si Haris dahil sa ginawa niya." I said while looking at my mom. I can sense guilt from her eyes. I know what she's thinking.

"Naawa ako kay Haris. Napaka caring niya sayo, anak. And someday gusto ko, kapag nakahanap ka na ng lalaking papakasalan mo, choose someone who can catch a bullet for you. If hindi man bala, ede arnis stick," she said with an amused smile on her lips.

"Mom, I'm just 12 para sa marriage," I answered because I felt shy at her remark, as if she's referring to Haris.

Parang may hindi isila sinasabi sa akin, but I can read between the lines. I am innocent but not too naive at all.

After my conversation with mom, we talked about other topics and then she hummed me to sleep.

Tomorrow was a new day.