Piper

Piper's Soliloquy

" This is our daughter, her name is Aly. I hope you girls can be best of friends. "

It was the first time I saw someone who radiate light from their being.

That is not physically possible for humans but that's what I saw on that day.

Maybe Timothy was right. I might have few loose screws in my head.

Hindi ko kayo binibiro pero nung una ko siyang nakita para bang may blinding light na pumapalibot sakanya.

It was weird.

Ever since Aly moved in to our neighbourhood, I can't but to help to notice that she's a creature of habit. She does everything on her schedule. Para siyang may alarm clock sa katawan niya and everytime na tutunog yun ay kailangan niyang gumalaw according to what she had planned.

I always wait outside our house tuwing hinihintay ko si Timothy. Naghihintay na ako sakanya sa labas somewhere around 7:15 habang nakaupo sa bike.

Aly would leave their house exactly at 7:30.

I could vouch for that kasi lagi ko siyang nakikita. Pero bago siya umalis, she would just stand there sa may doorstep nila for minutes at titingin siya sa direksyon ko. I can't decided whether to greet her or stare back at her kaya naman hindi ko na lang siya pinapansin at maglalaro na lang ako ng games sa phone ko.

I'm not used to attention, you see. It makes me feel uncomfortable.

There comes a certain day na umangkas siya sa bike namin ni Timothy dahil malalate daw ito. Nagulat ako dahil sabi ni Tita ay nag overslept siya kaya kailangan niyang sumabay sakin. It was unusual for Aly to be behind her schedule.

Ano kaya nangyari? Gusto ko siyang tanungin pero lagi naman nawawala sa isip ko.

I don't really understand Aly, to be honest.

" Piper, what are you doing there? Ang tagal mong nakatayo jan? "

I snapped out of my thoughts ng makita ko si Tita sa harapan ko. I just realized na nasa labas ako ng bahay nila.

" I-i'm sorry. " i tried to composed myself. I always get tense whenever I'm facing Aly's parents.

I mean, they are nice people and my Mom and Dad loves them pero minsan natatakot ako kung ano ba tingin nila sakin. Especially when I'm hanging out with their daughter.

" Nandiyan po ba si Aly? "

" Yes, she's at the garden, puntahan mo na lang siya dun. "

Nakahinga ako ng maluwag at dumiretso sa garden nila. I instantly recognized her with her sun hat. She was watering her Mom's plant while humming a tune.

" Aly. " I called her. Mabilis naman siya nag respond at parang nagulat pa siya nung nakita niya ako. She immediately put down the watering can and wiped her hands dun sa green niyang gardening apron na may hand stitched na leaf.

" P-piper! Good morning! "

Why is she acting flustered? Naiinitin na ba siya?

" What brings you here? " tanong niya sakin.

That was a good question. Ano nga ba ang pinunta ko dito in the first place? Basta ang alam ko lang after ko mag breakfast I had this urge to see Aly kaya napadpad ako sa harap ng bahay nila.

I rubbed the back of my head and sighed " I honestly don't know but can I stay here for awhile ? "

" Oh, sure. You're always welcome here, Piper. "