Ocean of Feathers

8 - Lusitania 1906

The short story is dedicated to Crishia Mae Urrutia. Thank you for helping me during the muting days!

8 Luisiana 1906

The damn rain is pouring so heavy. Unluckily, I forgot my umbrella and here I am stuck in front of our building thinking about running or waiting for the damn rain to stop.

I looked up, hell, there's no way that this rain will stop at any moment. Why did I even forgot about that umbrella? The last time I remembered my aunt reminded me about the umbrella before I left.

Akala ko ay nasa bag ko.

"Damn," I uttered for the nth time.

"Do you want to join? Malaki ang payong ko." Lumingon ako sa babaeng tumabi sa akin.

If I am not mistaken, she's one of my neighbors. Magka-block kami sa subdivision. I noticed that she's not alone, she's with someone familiar. Parang nakita ko na ang lalaking kasama niya noon, not to mention here at school but I think somewhere else?

"Come on Xyle, ayaw niya yata."

"No, sumabay ka na sa amin Crishia. We're neighbors, friends ang mga mommy natin."

Yeah, my mother was too friendly na halos buong subdivision ay kilala siya. We're completely opposite.

Tatanggihan ko na sana sila nang biglang kumulog at kidlat. This isn't good.

"Alright,"

Ngumiti sa akin si Xyle at tumango lamang ang kanyang kasama. Probably, boyfriend.

Isinabay nila ako sa kanilang dalang kotse, gusto kong tumanggi pero wala na akong magawa.

I don't have my car now.

"Maybe you're thinking about this guy, he's also our neighbor. The nerd, 'yong suplado. Nag-change look. Ang gwapo diba? Don't worry he's kind. Right Christian?" I heard the guy sigh.

"Xyle,"

"What?"

Hindi ako sumabat sa kanilang pag-aasaran sa halip ay napako ang aking mga mata sa payong na may kakaibang disenyo. Ito ang ginamit ni Xyle, kanina lamang.

"You have a weird taste of design, I find your umbrella creepy." Marahan kong niyakap ang sarili ko dahil sa pagtindig ng balahibo ko.

It has a brown leaf with unknown letters and few symbols, weird.

"Oh, yeah. A kid with sunflower and straw hat gave me that, she's creepier."

"And please, avoid one." Paalala ng lalaki sa akin.

"Oh okay,"

Nauna na akong bumaba sa kanila.

"Thanks,"

"No problem," si Xyle na ang sumagot sa akin.

Pumasok na ako ng bahay habang pinupunasan ko ang braso ko na bahagyang nabasa sa pagtakbo ko mula sa kotse.

"Mom?"

"Oh great! Nandito na si Crishia, we have our visitors." Halos hilahin ako ni Mommy sa kusina.

Sumalubong sa akin ang mga bisita namin, another mother and a strange looking kid. Can't she remove that hat? Nasa loob na siya ng bahay?

What? Wait?

"They are our new neighbors,"

"Oh, magbibihis lang ako Mommy."

"Okay, be fast."