Señorita and the Katipunero (Book 3)

6. Hermana Alex

Alexa was skipping ahead of them. Leo was becoming fond of her. “Is she this carefree always?” Leo asked Trish who seemed to be deep in thoughts.

“Nah, she is quite excited about you actually. This is her first time to go out to the school.” Trish replied. She was still suspicious of him but there was this pull that she could not shale off. The sweet smell of orchids kept lingering in the air.

“Why are you so slow tia and Mama?” Alexa looked back. She was a few feet away from them. She was so adorable that they could not tell her to slow down. She was very enthusiastic.

“How come Alexa calls you Mama and she was also said earlier Mama? Who was she referring to?” Leo asked again to no one in particular. “Not bad Leo. Keep going at it and at this rate we will be killed before we reach the “hacienda” as you said before.” Sambag was like an annoying fly, he kept flying around Leo whenever he wanted. Leo was tired of his one-shot sentences. “Stop pestering me. I know what I am doing.” an irritated Leo told him.

“Just wait till you have arrived. It is quite hard to explain for now.” Claudia responded with a furrow on her forehead. She was tired of explaining these things to outsiders.

The walk became quiet and Leo hummed a song while they walked. His memories kept coming back but he suppressed the headache. He got the hang of it, the flashing images and sudden throb of his blood vessels. Whenever this happened, he would pull up his hair. Even Sambag was complaining about the headache. He doesn’t seem to have any control over his own body anymore. Leo on the other hand had fully immersed into Sambag’s body. The hooves became a favorite body part of Leo.

He was imagining the possibilities their body could do to cut the time for harvesting crops. “No, Tayho’s are noble creatures. We do not do farming of crops. Mother nature provides for us while we in return protect it. We are the soldiers of mother nature!” Sambag explained to Leo. Leo was disappointed at what he said. It was a good thing he was taller than Trish and Claudia or they might have seen his sulky face.

“We are here!” Alexa excitedly declared. She then skipped up the stairs towards the Sala. “Pardon my Alexa she still needed to learn how to treat guests. Come on in.” Claudia ushered him to get inside the house.

Leo was stunned at the structure. The house was a lot bigger than the Bahay Kubo he and his Tia Imelda had. It could actually fit a hundred Bahay Kubos, to be honest. “Woah!” was all Leo could say.

“Come on now Leo, do not worry. We will not harm you.” This time it was Trish who invited him inside. All his hesitation went out of the roof as he saw the smile Trish gave him. He tried to smile back but it was horrendous that even Alexa might become scared.

“Let’s not smile please. The children might be frightened.” Trish said to him again. He looked offended but who was he to complain. “You should practice smiling Sambag. We look terrifying.” Leo scolded him. Sambag just ignored his comments and went back to his sleep again.

Leo nodded and started to step into the house. He made sure that the hooves won’t make any dent in the wooden door. The floor was too slippery that he had a hard time going up the stairs. “Hmmm, I think I will just wait here downstairs. I am not used to walking in these yet.” Leo pointed his hooves to Trish. Claudia and Trish both chuckled at his remarks.

“Let me take control. I know how to navigate these steps.” Sambag interrupted him. Leo was stunned at the sudden enthusiasm of Sambag. He was also wary at the same time. Sambag might not give him back control. “Hey! I know what you are thinking. And no, I won’t take advantage of you.” Sambag exclaimed at him.

“Alright, Chico. Take the lead.” Just like that Leo gave up the control. Within a minute, Sambag was able to climb up without difficulty. Leo was amazed at his speed and grace. “Now, you may take back the control,” Sambag said to Leo.

Trish was surprised to see Leo already in the sala looking around. She thought he could not make it to the top. “What happened? Did I miss anything?” Trish asked Leo yet, a blank face was all she saw.

“Sambag and I are becoming a team.” Leo tried to gain back his composure.

Trish nodded and a woman walked into the sala wearing a baro’t saya. It was typical clothing of women that day. The top was made of pineapple fiber and the skirt was a handwoven cloth with a checkered pattern. The woman was oozing with power and authority that Leo was nervous.

“Hermana Alex this is Leo. The one I told you earlier.” Trish addressed the woman as her older sister. “Muchas gracias Señora Alexa (Thank you so much, Lady Alexa) for allowing me into your house. My name is Leo.” He spoke full of respect. Trish was shocked at his behavior.