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05. Going Home to Nothing
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2020-09-08 15:26:48THE SUN IS about to set.
Probably it’s already past four in the afternoon. I poke the sleeping body beside me and she opens her eyes. She suddenly looks distracted and for a moment there, she looks like she just woke up in a completely strange world.
“Oh! I think I over-slept,” she says as she gets up and stretches her skinny body, “why didn’t you wake me up!”
It isn’t a question. And she’s even kicking me now! I struggle to get up, groaning.
“We’re supposed to explore the cave, remember?” she says, pouting.
“Next time,” I reply, chuckling.
I follow her as she stomps down the meadow.
“Well, the sun is setting anyway. Momma is waiting.”
We silently walk down the path leading to the clearing, me, following her every step. I watch her back as she swats tall grasses along our paths using her thin arms. Then she stops on her tracks, pondering, “I want to pick some flowers for momma, would you mind coming along?”
“I don’t mind,” I reply.
One of the things that we like about the meadows are the wild flowers that abundantly grow around it. We do not exactly know their names but they all look beautiful.
We laugh and tease each other as we walk the path leading to her house. By this time, the sun has finally receded on the horizon and the sea breeze has become colder, signaling the coming of the night.
But as we come nearer, we notice the unusual number of people gathered around Sophia’s home.
“What’s happening?” she asks in a shaky voice.
“Maybe your father’s back.”
“Oh, I hope not!” she replies.
We run as fast as our feet could take us and as we finally reach the porch, Aleng Silda, one of our neighbors, rushes to Sophia.
“Sophia, your momma. Oh, sweet child. Poor child,” exclaims the lady. I also notice the unusual look on everybody’s eyes as we approach the door.
“Don’t!”
But it is too late. Sophia has finally opened the door, and when she does, we see her mother, lying cold on the floor. Cold blood oozing in both of her wrists.
Lucele is dead.
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Unresolved 07. Birthday
THE WHOLE PLACE is full of energy and vibrance. It’s my 8th birthday and Gran and Papa have organized this party for all of us. Everyone is invited. Including Sophia, of course. Her father, Mr. Cruz, is also here. He greets me a grumpy “Happy Birthday, Kid” and casually goes to the table where papa and the rest of our male neighbors eat and drink. I don’t like this whole idea of inviting Mr. Cruz. But of course, he is still Sophia’s father. And besides, it is customary to invite everyone in the island.
Unresolved 06. The Cave
I PUT A FLOWER on Sophia’s right ear. It’s been three summers since her mother died and so many things had happened. Gran wanted so much to adopt Sophia but Sophia’s father got mad when he heard of the plan. He went to our house and snatched Sophia away. I didn’t see Sophia for a week after that incident. He just locked her up in the ho
Unresolved 05. Going Home to Nothing
THE SUN IS about to set.Probably it’s already past four in the afternoon. I poke the sleeping body beside me and she opens her eyes. She suddenly looks distracted and for a moment there, she looks like she just woke up in a completely strange world. “Oh! I think I over-slept,” she says as she gets up and stretches her skinny body, “why didn’t you wake me up!”
Unresolved 04. The Meadow
WE LIVE IN an island called the Free Isles.This island is owned by the richest man in town, Don Felipe Quizon. Our parents are mostly fisherfolks but fortunately, the island is also surrounded with meadows. Coconut trees grow in this part. These meadows are being graced with cows and horses as well. The meadows are our most favorite place. Even if we do not own it, Sophia and I imagine that someday, this place will be ours.
Unresolved 03. Sophia's Braids
I WATCH AS Lucele’s fingers intricately weaves Sophia’s braids.“You are prettier when you wear your braids, my dear one,” Lucele whispers. Sophia sits there, blushing. And I smile to myself. I totally agree with her mother. Sophia is indeed pretty, especially with those braids. Her skin is tanned because of our constant adventures under the sun, but they are smooth. As sm
Unresolved 02. Sophia's Scary House
“GO AWAY!”I sit on the porch as I listen to Sophia’s tantrums. Her house is just several blocks away from my house so I got here for like ten minutes only. And when I knock, she has started shooing me away.“I have food!” I yell back.
