Cherry Aurora Light

I combed my wavy blonde hair while looking at ate Eleanor. Kararating lang nito galing Denmark matapos ang tatlong taong pamamalagi doon.

"You're going back to the organization?"

Tanong ko kay ate na nagpangiti sakaniya at tumayo.

"Yes, kailangan eh."

Sambit niyang nagpangiwi saakin.

"Kaya mo na bang makita uli si kuya Hawk?"

I asked, natigilan siya doon at natawa.

"Ofcourse! It's been three years, matagal na akong nakamove on."

Ngiti niyang ikinairap ko lamang. They broke up three years ago, pagkatapos non ay nagpunta si Ate Eleanor sa Denmark para magtayo doon ng kaniyang sariling restaurant. 

She's just 23 that time when she went to Denmark, sa maikling panahon ay mas naging successful pa siya, kaya kahit papaano ay napanatag kami.

Ate Eleanor and Kuya Crest, her twin is 26 now, Kuya Race is 24 while I am the youngest, 19. Ate Eleanor is a famous chef with her own restaurant she always dreams of. Kuya Crest will inherit the Light Hospital, Kuya Race has his own clinic in Isla Tesoro while I am still in college, major in fine arts.

Since I love photography, I dream of having my own studio. Mom and dad is also supportive of me. 

Mom and dad is still doctors in Light hospital, madalas ay busy silang lahat dahil bukod saamin ni Ate Eleanor ay doktor ang mga ito.

"Anyways I'm so proud of you ate! your restaurant is a huge success! nakita kita tv last month! you're with the other famous chefs around the world!"

I giggled making her smile.

"Of course ako pa! I poured all my heart in that restaurant since---"

"The break up?"

Taas kilay kong tanong na ikinairap niya.

"Since I wanted it to be a huge success, which it is now."

She hissed making me smile.

"And that's why we are all proud of you. Naiiyak pa si mama noong napanood ka sa tv noong nakaraan."

Ngiti ko.

"Naikwento mo nga saakin."

Natatawang sabi niya.

"Where are they?"

She asked.

"Ohh, si Papa at Mama busy sa hospital, si Kuya Race nasa Isla Tesoro since nandoon ang clinic niya while Kuya Crest needs time to be alone right now. Bakit naman kasi hindi ka nagsabing uuwi ka ate."

Sabi ko habang kinakain ang mga dala niyang chocolates.

"Because I want to surprise you duhh."

She rolled her eyes on me.

"Well flash news, we are family of doctors, duhh."

Sarkastiko kong sabing nagpanguso sakaniya. 

"Itext ko na ba sila? specially Kuya Crest, baka magdecide ng umuwi kapag nalamang nakauwi ka na."

Napabuntong hiningang sabi ko na nagpakunot ng noo niya.

"Why? what happened? hindi rin niya sinasagot ang mga tawag ko."

She asked.

"Apparently, his girlfriend betrayed and left him."

I said.

Nanlaki ang mata ni ate doon.

"He has a girlfriend?!"

Gulat na sambit niyang nagpatango tango saakin.

"Yes, nagulat din ako, pati si kuya Race. Tapos kay mama at papa, naipakilala na niya ata. Eh kaso nga bago maipakilala saatin ay naghiwalay sila kailan lang. Ngayon ko lang nakitang ganto si Kuya Crest, nag aalala na nga ako ehh.."

Litanya ko, sumeryoso ang muka doon ni Ate.

"I'll try to talk to him. Ano ba iyan, hindi man lang nagkukwento!"

Reklamo niyang nagpanguso saakin at napatango nalamang.

Kuya Crest loves that woman so much. They are dating for two years already, hindi man lang namin nakilala.

I hate seeing him miserable, far from the brother I know.

How could that woman betray and use him? when my brother loves her so much?!

Nagkwentuhan pa kami ni ate dahil namiss ko talaga siya. Ang dami niyang naikwento tungkol sa mga nangyari sa Denmark.

Maya maya ay nagdesisyon syang hanapin si Kuya Crest. Bago niya bisitahin sila ate Leila at Meivys.

Saka na ako pumasok nang magtanghali. Buti nalang at wala akong morning subjects ngayong araw kaya nakita kong dumating si ate.

I drove my car to the Villamor University. Lunch break pa naman kaya nakipagkita muna ako sa mga kaibigan ko. I smiled when I saw my cousin on my mom side, Caroline Felicity Kings in the parking lot.

Tito Ezekiel and Tita Adelaide's daughter.

She's with her cousin Denice Alomar and the daughter of Ninang Jonarlene and Ninong Nickos, the former Duke and Duchess of italy, Shaye Frescobaldi.

Shaye is in fine arts too, she's a freshman while I am in second year. She models for me a lot though.

While Caroline and Denice are now graduating in Business major. Graduate na kasi ang iba pa naming mga kaibigan kaya kami nalang ang natirang laging magkakasama.

"Ara!"

Ngiting pagtawag saakin ni Shaye habang masiglang kumakaway. Hindi ko alam kung bakit parang ang saya saya niya nitong nakaraan pa.

Well atleast she's happy.

It's probably because of her crush.

Kuya Emori Luan.

Hindi ko alam kung bakit crush na crush niya iyon. Kuya Emori is ten years older than her. Just like Kuya Hawk to ate Eleanor, I think that's one of the reason their relationship didn't work out.

Well I am not sure.

"Hello!"

Ngiti ko saka ipinark na ang sasakyan at bumaba na.

"Lunch muna tayo?"

Tanong ni Denice na ikinatango nila.

"I already had a lunch, ipinagluto ako ni ate Eleanor."

I smiled.

Nanlaki ang mata ni Shaye at Denice doon. Caroline on the other hand is as usual, do not know how to be surprised.

"Nakauwi na si ate?"

Naeexcite na sabi ni Shaye na nagpatango saakin.

"Is it for good?"

Caroline asked, napakibit balikat ako doon.

"Probably? not? nasa Denmark ang main restaurant niya eh.."

I smiled.

"We should visit later, namiss ko na ang luto niya---"

Natigilan si Denice nang may mapulot na isang libo. Typical lucky Denice, natawa nalang kami doon.

"Yes we should definitely visit! gusto kong makalibre sa isang five star food."

Shaye giggled nailing nalang kami ni Caroline.

"Balita ko ay aalis naman daw si Ate Zaeia, diba ka batch siya ng ate mo?"

Tanong ni Shaye, tumango ako doon.

"Bakit daw? I thought she'll be staying for good since three years din siyang hindi umalis after college."

I asked.

"Biglaan nga ehh, sa france na ata siya magtatrabaho."

Sabi pa niyang nagpakunot ng noo ko. Ate Zaiea is an architect just like Ninang Celestine.

"Ang ganda ng career niya dito, do you think it's because of her boyfriend?"

Denice asked.

"Probably?"

I said.

"Do you think she's okay?"

Caroline asked softly, napanguso kami doon.

"I hope so, I'll try to get in touch with her."

I smiled.

Natigilan nalang kami sa paglalakad sa mahabang parking lot nang may tumigil na motor sa harap namin.

"Chismis nanaman, kapapasok lang."

Tawa nito pagkaalis ng helmet. It's Angela Venice, Tita Ruby's youngest daughter.

Kabatch ni Shaye, She took and Engineer course. She's really good at making stuffs like tita Ruby since she grew up with them and is always with her.

"Ikaw late ka nanaman, tara lunch muna tayo!"

Pag aaya ni Shaye na nagpangisi lang kay Angela saka ipinarada ang kaniyang motor.

She has hazel eyes and black hair with boyish cut and some highlights. Bagay na bagay sakaniya iyon.

"Libre mo?"

Ngisi niya, sinimangutan siya ni Shaye.

"Libre sapak."

Shaye frowned making her laugh. Kumapit ito sa braso ko at sumabay saaming maglakad.

"Hey, I heard you joined the organization?"

Bulong kong ikinangisi niya ng malapad.

"Are you sure about this? isn't that dangerous?"

Kunot noong tanong ko, hindi ko alam kung bakit noon pa man ay gustong gusto niyang sumali sa organization.

"Sure enough to destroy some people."

She grinned, nailing nalang ako.

Even Ate Eleanor and Kuya Crest are agents.  Kami lang ni kuya Race ang hindi interesadong sumali at hindi naman kami pinipilit nila mommy at daddy.

But Kuya Race and I also trains with them even if we won't join. Mom and dad told us we should train to defend ourselves atleast just incase something happens.

Specially that they are always busy in the hospital.

"So what's your plan after graduation?"

I asked Caroline and Denice when we sat on the table after they bought their lunch.

They are two years older than me.

"Were planning to take over our mom's businesses."

They shrugged, my mouth formed an 'o'

"maiiwan na kaming tatlo dito niyan."

Nguso ni Shaye.

"Anong gusto mo di sila grumaduate?"

Irap ni Venice, sinimangutan siya ni Shaye.

"Anyways Venice, do you know why Ate Zaeia will suddenly leave?"

Kunot noong tanong ko, since Venice is pretty close with ate Zaeia.

"Ah yon?"

Sumambakol ang muka niya.

"Mayroon kasing tanga tanga, hari siya ng katangahan at kagaguhan. Idiot, moron, gandang pagbabarilin."

Iritang sabi niya na nagpangiwi saamin.

"O-oh...so how is kuya Shield? hindi na namin kayo nakikitang magkakasama ehh."

Pag iiba ng usapan ni Shaye.

"Chismosa ka talaga noh? dami niyong chika."

Irap niyang ikinatawa namin habang kumakain.

"Well we need tea in every meals."

Denice chuckled.

"So ano nga? dati ay hindi kayo mapag hiwalay, tapos ngayon halos hindi ko na kayo nakikita."

Tanong ko.

"Nag away kayo?"

Tanong pa ni Denice, nnapasimangot siya doon.

"Ewan ko doon! isa pa siya! Okay pa naman kami nung debut ko, tapos ngayon iwas ng iwas, isa pa siyang parang tanga. Tapos parang ewan na overprotective, daig pa si daddy."

She frowned, nangunot ang noo namin doon, napatingin ako kay Caroline na tahimik lang na napangiti.

Eto talagang babaeng ito, parang laging may alam na hindi namin alam eh.

Thinking about it, my mom told that dad is the same towards her years ago. They are not blood related, but they grew up as siblings.

And now here are they, married, with four children.

Naniningkit ang mata kong napatingin sa gawi ni Venice, na tinaasan lamang ako ng isang kilay. 

"My dad is like that to my mom before, now they are married."

I shrugged, napangiwi doon si Venice.

"Uhh no, don't give me weird Ideas Ara. He's only my brother, I think he's just overprotective because I am his only little sister and he's the one who found me before right?"

She frowned, napatango nalang ako doon.

"Sabagay."

I shrugged.

"But isn't kuya Shield really handsome?"

Denice giggled, nangiwi doon si Venice.

"Lahat naman ay gwapo sa paningin mo, ilan ba ang crush mo?"

She frowned.

"Hmm..I dunno, basta pogi okay ako."

She giggled, napairap kami doon, at nailing nalamang ang pinsan niyang si Caroline.

We all went class after that. 

Hindi naman madami ang subjects ngayong hapon dahil wala ang ibang teachers dahil sa biglaang meeting.

"Good afternoon sir."

We greeted sir Luke Villamor, the school director, tumango ito saamin, kilig na kilig naman ang mga kaklase ko. He's the son of the owner of the university, Grey Villamor.

Matapos iyon ay dumating naman ang asawa niyang ikinangiti ko. They are friends with Kuya Race, so I personally know them. His wife is a model, I also asked her to model for me a few times.

"Ara!"

Pagtawag saakin ng pamilyar na boses.

It's Benjamin Craig Villamor, fourth year, Education student. Boyfriend siya ng classmate ko. He's the youngest son of the owner of the University. 

Kasama niya sina Skyler Martin, also fourth year, IT student. Nicky Rowan Frescobaldi, fourth year Agriculture student, Shaye's older brother. And Desmond Andrada, also a fourth year IT student.

Desmond is also an agent in the organization, nakikita ko siya doon kapag bumibisita ako.

Kumaway ako sakanila, they waved back at me.

"Si Rima?"

Tanong ni Benj, mukang nag away ang dalawa dahil wala din sa mood si Rima kanina.

"Nasa business department ata, pumunta siya doon pagkatapos ng klase. Baka pinuntahan si Caroline para ibalik yung calculator na hiniram niya kanina."

Kibit balikat na sabi kong nagpatango sakaniya sabay takbo, nailing nalamang akong tinext ang mga kaibigan para makipagkita sakanila.

I went to the parking lot after that, maaga pa naman. Medyo natagalan sa paglalakad dahil sa laki ng university.

Nakita ko na doon ang tatlo kasama si Rima at Benj na mukang nagtatalo.

"Hey."

I smiled.

"Maaga pa, gala tayo?"

Aya ni Denice.

"Kayo bahala."

Ngiti ko habang inaayos ang camera.

"May part time ako, sama kayo?"

Ngisi ni Caroline, napairap ako doon. 

Her and her hobbies.

"Saan nanaman yan? Naalala mo last week? ginawa mo kaming tanod! how did you even manage to get that job?"

Shaye frowned making me laugh.

"It's fine with me, wala naman akong gagawin."

Venice shrugged while sitting on her motorbike and playing with a knife, hindi ko alam kung paano niya naipupuslit iyon sa school. I even saw her carrying a gun one time, it is so hidden that the detector failed to detect it.

"Yep, me too."

I smiled as I take random pictures. Wala namang kaso saaking sumama sa mga part time ni Caroline. I just like to have fun while taking pictures at new places and new moments.

It's the memory that I can look back into and share whenever I want to.

Sa huli ay wala ding nagawa sina Denice at kundi sumama dahil sasama kami ni Venice at ayaw naman nilang maging kill joy. 

So we drove our cars to the place. Natawa nalang kami kay Venice na nakikipagkarera kung kani kanino sa daan, na akala mo kung sinong siga.

May kalayuan ang lugar na inabot ng isang oras bago namin marating na nagpangiti saakin saka kumuha ng mga litrato ng karagatan.

"What?! mangingisda tayo?!"

Shaye said shocked natawa kami sa reaksiyon nila ni Venice.

"No, were just gonna deliver the fishes."

Caroline giggled as she went to the people carrying the containers full of fishes. 

"Hindi ko din alam kung anong trip ng babaeng to eh."

Natatawang sabi ni Venice saka tumulong na din, sila Denice at Shaye naman ay wala ding nagawa. Ako naman ay tawang tawang kinukunan sila ng litrato.

May barko kung saan naroroon ang mga isda, galing pa daw ang barko sa isang isla malayo dito.

I started taking pictures from the ship, natigilan ako nang magfocus ang camera sa isang lalaki sa barko kung saan kinukuha ang mga nahuling isda.

He has tanned skin and bright smile. His hair is black, has pointy nose and his coffee colored eyes were beautifully reflected by the sun.

He's tall and muscular, he looks dazzling and actually looks like a model.

He's smiling as he carry the container of the fishes to pass it onto the other fisherman. I took a photo of him and smiled as I look at it. Muli akong tumingin sa gawi niya at natigilan nang makitang nakatingin siya saakin.

My heart jumped for a moment, nanlaki ang mata kong agad na nag iwas ng tingin habang nag iinit ang pisngi.