Sa tuwing nakakabasag si Harika ng mga mamahaling bagay noon sa kanilang mansyon, ang kanyang Nana Alice ang nagiging takbuhan niya. Hindi siya nito pinagtatakpan o kung ano, mas nakokontrol lang nito ang sitwasyon upang maintindihan niyang hindi niya kailangang itago ang pagkakamali niya. There's nothing to be afraid of in admitting her mistakes, iyon nga ang katangiang gusto ng congressman na matutunan niya habang lumalaki... ang aminin ang kasalanang madali naman nitong napapatawad.

Ilang gabi nang kulang-kulang ang tulog niya kaiisip sa nangyari at magpahanggang-ngayon ay binabagabag pa rin siya nito. Venus was correct; what she had done was extremely disrespectful to her Lolo Dad.

They discussed about it when Lymareva has the opportunity to speak with her.

"I was busy. Ngayon lang ang oras na mapag-uusapan natin ang tungkol sa nabasag mong banga..."

Nakikinig lang si Harika. Her head was in half-bowed and keeping her quietness the time they had to talk about it. They were at the living room both sitting in a long couch. Hindi galit ang tono ng boses ng kanyang tiyahin, ngunit naroroon pa rin ang kaba sa pakiramdam niya habang kausap ito.

"Hindi ko sinasadya ang nangyari, auntie. Next time, I should be more cautious. Kung gaano man kamahal ang urn na 'yon, papalitan ko, babayaran ko kahit magkano pa." Humigpit ang hawak niya sa kanyang blindstick.

"You have no idea how much it costs, Harika. Ang halaga ng bangang 'yon ay kasing-halaga ng tatlong limited edition na kotse. At saan ka naman kukuha ng pera kung nagkataon?" Pinagmamasdan lang siya nito. Sinusubok siya.

The lump that quickly developed in her throat was swallowed. "I—I can replace it by selling my jewels and unused bags. Mayroon din akong malaking halaga ng savings sa bangko na naipon ko through my endorsements. Siguro naman sapat na 'yon para mapalitan ang bangang nabasag ko." Pinipigilan niya ang kanyang mga kamay sa panginginig.

Lymareva laughed inaudibly, but loud enough for Harika to hear. "Parehas na parehas talaga kayo ng ugali ni Dad," she said under her breath. "But I'm not going to let you do that. I'm just trying to see if you can think about replacing it. Wala kang babayaran. Wala kang dapat palitan. Just let me handle it, and don't stress yourself thinking about it. Kausap ko ang mga maid nitong nakalipas na araw noong gabing nabasag mo ang banga, they informed me that you were not leaving your room and were not eating properly. Don't be sorry for it. It happens..." kalmanteng saad nito sa kanya.

Biglang naalala ni Harika ang bangang nabasag niya. Wala iyong laman. Walang nakapa ang mga daliri niyang kahit na anong abo kasama ng mga piraso niyon. Itatanong na niya sana sa kanyang tiyahin ang tungkol sa bagay na iyon upang maliwanagan siya, ngunit naihanda na nito ang sagot sa tanong na hindi na kailangan pang lumabas sa kanyang bibig.

"Manang, pakibibit nga rito ang banga kung saan kasalukuyang nakalagak ang abo ng yumaong congressman," utos nito sa tagapagsilbing naghihintay lang sa gilid nito. Lymareva averted her gaze back to Harika. "In case you're curious... hindi pa naisasalin ang abo ng congressman sa bangang nabasag mo sa altar. I intend to transfer it on his hundredth death day and organize a small celebration in his honor."

Nawala agad ang bagabag sa dibdib ni Harika nang sandaling marinig niya ang plano na iyon ng kanyang tiyahin. Wala ang abo ng kanyang Lolo Dad sa bangang nabasag niya dahil nakalagak pa ito sa ibang banga.

Nang makabalik ang tagapagsilbing naatasang kumuha sa banga ng congressman ay ipinakalong agad ni Lymareva ito sa kanya. "You can embrace that urn as much as you want; it's lighter and less expensive. And I'm going to give you the opportunity to open it up and discover for yourself that the congressman's ash was inside. Para makasiguro ka at hindi mo ako palaging pinag-iisipan ng kung anu-ano."

Habang kalong-kalong iyon ni Harika ay hindi na siya nag-aksaya ng oras na kapa-kapain niya ang hugis niyon, ang dulas ng babasaging bangang iyon. She heard it clink as soon as she lifted its cap. Hindi na niya sinubukang damhin ang abo nito sa loob niyon dahil doon pa lang ay pinaniniwalaan na niya ang kanyang tiyahin. Bakit palagi na lang kapag nakatutuklas siya ng bagay na dahilan upang pag-isipan niya nang masama ang kanyang tiyahin, palagi naman itong nakakalusot sa sitwasyong akala niya ay tama na ang hinala niya?

Ngayon, kung ano man itong mga nangyari... the longer she lived with them, the more she believed in them. That was exactly how Lymareva quickly allayed her doubts. Hindi man sila madalas magkasundo, nahihirapan man siyang paniwalaan ito, subalit paano nga kung inaalala nga lang talaga nito ang kapakanan niya?

✦❘༻༺❘✦

Harika went to the congressman's study after dinner, where the old man used to read books and take his calls. She entered the space and immediately felt at home; which was the atmosphere she could recall in her mind; the aroma of books, the mahogany woods, and the memories that still cling to that spot. Ang sabi ng tagapagsilbing umalalay sa kanya patungo roon, simula nang mawala ang congressman ay hindi pa muling nagagalaw ang study nito. Several maids attempted to dust or clean things, but Lymareva warned them not to touch anything until she said to. Hindi na kailangang magpaalam ni Harika rito since may karapatan naman siyang maglabas-masok sa kahit saang parte ng mansyon.

Her hands landed first on his desk. Nakapa niya ang ilang gamit doon, mga naiwang libro, lalagyan ng mga lapis at ballpen, desk plant at maliit na picture frame. Dahan-dahan siyang naupo sa swivel chair nito habang napapangiti at inaalala ang mga sandaling magkasama pa sila nito noon. This time, Harika was a bit more careful when handling objects out of fear that she might break them again.

She briefly reflected on the past before getting up, and the maid waiting by the side gave her a clear reminder of the pricey vases she was going to. Kaya naman ay nag-iba siya ng direksyon at nagtungo na lamang sa massage chair kung saan madalas umidlip ang congressman upang ipahinga ang mga mata sa mahabang oras na pagbabasa at mag-relax. Naaalala pa niya noon na nakapatong ang paborito nitong itim na hat sa mukha pantakip sa liwanag ng aranya sa mataas na kisame ng study habang nagsisiesta.

On the massage chair, she sat down. The maid gave her support. They activated it. Napapikit si Harika, dinama ang paggalaw ng mga bilog na bagay sa kanyang likuran dahilan upang maginhawaan siya. It was relaxing and calming. Hindi na niya matandaan kung kailan siya huling nagpamasahe at napakasarap pala talaga sa pakiramdam niyon lalo pa't kailangang-kailangan ito ng katawan niya sa mga oras na 'yon.

Within the first few minutes, she noticed that her mind was starting to relax and all the unwanted thoughts were eventually leaving her head. Ganoon na lang kabilis iyong naglalaho, kaya naman ay ipinahinga na lang niya ang sarili mula roon.

Until she dozed off.

"Harika, don't go too far; we're having a dinner in an hour," Constancio stated. He smiled at her adorable granddaughter who looked like a princess in a clean ponytailed hair wearing an off-white dress.

"Yes, Lolo Dad, babalik din agad kami," tugon niya at mahigpit na yumakap sa baywang nito. "Kasama namin si Kuya Jed."

A nearby park was where Harika, Venus, Waki, and Jed were going. They were in the private village where Constancio's close friend, Mr. Medrano, resides. Maghapon silang naglalaro sa clubhouse at niyaya lang sila ng iba pang mga bata na magpunta sa parke upang maglaro.

Venus and Harika walk to the swing while holding hands. Waki was going after them, and Jed hasn't taken his eyes off of them. Maraming bata noong hapong nagpunta sila. Mas naging masaya sila habang pinagmamasdan ang mga itong naglalaro kabilang nila. Mula sa gilid ng parke ay mayroon ding nagtitinda ng ice cream, cotton candy at mga lobo.

"Harika, Venus... is there anything you'd like?" Jed inquired, pointing the stalls on the other side of the park.

"I want a blue cotton candy," Venus replied, smiling.

Harika held up her hand and exclaimed animatedly, "Mine pink!"

Tumango si Jed sa mga ito. And Waki expressed to his brother his want for an ice cream. And before leaving, he told them to stay put and that he would be right back. They just nodded at him as he strode off in the direction of the vendor selling cotton candy.

Matapos manawa ni Harika sa swing, pinalitan siya ni Venus. Marami ring mga bata ang gustong makalaro sila at magtakbuhan sa lugar kung saan sila binilinan ni Jed na huwag lisanin hanggang sa ito'y makabalik. However, Harika takes a walk and wanders around the park out of curiosity. Bukod sa mga batang naghahabulan na nakakasalubong niya, mas pinukaw ang kanyang pansin ng lalaking nakatayo mula sa malayo. He's locked his gaze on her. He's dressed like a businessman when she compares him to the people she's seen at his Lolo Dad's company. She was left with an odd sense. She bit her nails not looking away from him.

Mas lalo siya napaisip at bahagyang natakot dahil nakasuot ito ng maskara. Like a wolf-shaped mask that she recognizes from a fairy tale she's seen. Binalot siya ng pangamba, na pawang siya lang ang nakakakita rito... ngunit ang mga paa niya'y walang tigil sa paglalakad papalapit dito.

As she turned back to face the swing, she noticed Venus still seated there with her raised feet, having so much fun... and Waki was behind, pushing her cautiously. Nang ibalik niya ang kanyang mga mata sa lalaking nakasuot ng maskara na lobo, wala na ito sa lugar kung saan niya ito huling nakita. Agad na kumunot ang noo niya at hindi iyon naging dahilan upang tumigil siya sa paglalakad at puntahan pa rin ito. Hanggang sa muli itong nagpakita mula sa kabilang bahagi ng parke at hindi na niya namalayan na lumalayo na siya mula kina Waki at Venus. She plans to get more curious—and perhaps even a little afraid—about why he keeps popping up everywhere and seems to just be important to her.

Pinagmamasdan niya itong naglalakad palayo sa kanya. Binuntutan niya ito. Her breathing blows as she walks fast. Pumasok ang lalaking ito mula sa isang bakanteng bahay sa kahabaan ng village na iyon. Walang gaanong tao sa paligid. Wala ring sasakyan ang dumaraan sa kalsada. It looked as though the two of them were alone in an area where nobody wanted to be in it.

"Harika, what did I just tell you? Don't you ever talk to strangers... unless you're in my watch."

Sumagi sa sulok ng kanyang isipan ang mga salitang binigkas at paalala ng kanyang Lolo Dad noon. Yet why didn't that stop her from chasing the man who might put her in danger?

She mindlessly entered the backyard in a house where he walked in—which was covered in wildflowers and had overgrown vines on the wall. She ambled along her way in. Ayaw na niyang tumuloy at sundan pa ito nang mapansin niya ang loob ng bahay na madilim. She doesn't want her intrigue to endanger her. Aalis na lang siguro siya. Babalik na lang sa parke. Ngunit mas natakot siya sa asong nakawala na paikot-ikot mula sa labas. Dogs terrify her, especially ones that are larger than her seven and a half year old self. 'Tapos ay itim na itim pa ang makakapal na balahibo nito upang mas madagdagan pa ang takot na nararamdaman niya.

Wala na siyang ibang alam na pupuntahan. Lumingon siyang muli sa loob ng bahay. She feels like the interior was so haunted. There was nothing inside; it was only black and spooky, which makes her heart rush with panic. Where's the masked man? Was he real? Does he exist? Guni-guni lang ba niya ang taong ito upang iligaw siya? Hindi niya maintindihan.

Outside, the dog was starting to growl and it developed into a quite loud, frightful bark. Fear gripped Harika. Her hands clung as firmly as they could to her dress. She was unable to move a single inch. Her feet seemed to be completely stuck in the mud. The back gate was open. While eyeing her, the dog took a cautious step toward where she was standing. Nagpigil siya nang paghinga. Sadly, nothing comes out of her mouth when she tries to cry or scream Jed's name to save her. Napipi siya. Natulala sa malaking aso na palapit nang palapit sa kanya. Mas lalong nanlambot ang mga hita niya kasabay nang pagdilim ng kalangitan. Sumasapit na ang gabi. Matagal na ba siyang naroroon? Kung oo, tiyak nag-aalala na ang lahat at hinahanap na siya.

"Don't be afraid..." the voice made her tremble all over. Sa isang kisapmata, katabi na niya ang lalaking nakasuot ng business suit at nakatakip ang mukha ng maskara na lobo. She was only able to imagine him through her peripheral vision because of his towering height. "Hawakan mo ang kamay ko. Maglalakad ka kasama ako. Ihahatid na kita pauwi..." mayroong kung ano sa pagbigkas nito kung bakit ganoon na lang niya kabilis itong pinagkatiwalaan.

Napakaganda ng boses nito. Malagong. Walang dahilan si Harika upang matakot dito. She gave him a head nod. Her hand was completely enveloped by his gentle hold. She's safe with him and she's sure of it.

Dinaanan lang nila ang asong iyon. Naglakad sila nang sabay. Magaan ang pakiramdam niya habang kasama ito. Mura pa ang isip niya, pero alam niya ang nararamdaman niya. As they moved through the neighborhood, Harika was tightly closing her eyes. She felt so light compared to a moment ago.

Pagmulat ng mga mata niya, nasa tapat na siya ng matayog na pamamahay ni Mr. Medrano at wala na ang kapit ng lalaking naghatid sa kanya. Her heart felt safeguarded every time he was around, just like her Lolo Dad kept her safe all the time.

The man disappeared. She looked around, but he's nowhere near. So weird.

Binuksan niya ang nakakuyom niyang kamay nang may maramdaman siyang tila maliit na bagay sa loob nito. Her eyes gleamed with excitement.

Isang papel na ibon.