Misleading of the Variance (Secondary Series #3)

02

“W-who is s-she, mommy?”

James said in stammer. He doesn’t look so shy but rather looks curious about who I am. He keeps his sparkling eyes on me with a small toy car on hand. The other hand is holding ma’am Helen’s shirt hem, tugging it a little.

“This is Alina, James. She is kuya Elias daughter.” Ma’am Helen introduces.

“Hi, I’m James!” He says in a little cheerful voice.

“Hi…” I greeted back in a small voice.

It was weird standing in front of them. I cannot help but be amazed by what surrounds me right now. Excluding their big house, I’m amazed how they have what sir David calls ‘maid’ preparing the things they need. It’s like they are being served by many people like those queens, kings, princesses and princes in those disney movies.

“Have you had breakfast already? Do you want to join us?” Ma’am Helen offered as papa immediately shook his head in response.

“No need ma’am, we already took one in our home. Thank you.” He answered politely.

“Well then, we will have our breakfast first then we can go to the hospital already right after.” Sir David says as papa nodded.

I watched them go to their big dining table. There are only five people but their table can fit up to 10 people. It’s fascinating because in our house, we are six people but our table can only fit our number, nothing extra.

Papa and I went outside, walking out of the main door again. He brought me to the other side of the house which fascinated me.

“They have their own pool?” I say.

“Yes anak, they have,” I can hear papa’s chuckle as he watches me look around more. They have a pool, a living area like located just when you walk out from the inside and a garden.

“Papa what is that? Why are there sticks in there?”

I pointed to the sticks placed on the neatly cut bermuda grass. There is even a white rope like on the side creating a dynamic shape on the grass. There are also small holes in there.

“That’s a mini golf course, anak. That’s where sir Benjamin and ma’am Abi mostly practice doing golf.” Papa explained.

“What is golf papa?”

“It’s a sport, Ali. You need to hit the small ball placed on the ground with a bigger stick called a golf club and the ball needs to be put there on the hole so you can get a point.” He explained again.

“Sports like basketball?” I asked.

“Yes but the difference is, in golf, you cannot touch the ball with your hand to put it on the hole, you will need a golf club to put it there.” I nodded in agreement and somehow it was a little complicated for me to understand.

We walked around more, reaching the other side again where cars greeted us. There are different cars in there, a total of 4 cars. Each car also has different designs. Two of those are too tall and the other are just smaller than the first two. Why do they have so many cars when they can just use one?

“Why do they have so many cars papa?” I asked again.

I feel like the more I walk in this house, the more I will have so many questions. Being here is just like almost being in a whole new world. The size of their house, their way of living, what they have, it’s just something I only see on the television. Those are just the things that I always tell mama that I will want to have in the future.

“It’s because when they have their own plans, they use separate cars to go to their location. Those two cars,” pointing to the smaller car ones. “They are used by ma’am Helen and Sir David whenever they have their own separate work to attend while the other two are reserved for sir Benjamin, ma’am Abi and sir James.”

“But the cars we used are theirs as well right? Can’t they just use it instead of having so many cars?” I asked.

“They use that car whenever they have a family outing, anak. The van is for the whole family while these cars are for personal use.” He explained.

I still don’t get why they have so many cars when they don’t really need to. They can fit into one car because we are bigger than them but we fit in the car papa brought yesterday to pick us up. I remember mama also told me before that cars are too pricey that it costs lots of zeros in money and I will need to work so hard in the future if I want to have one for myself. But in here, they just have so many.

“Ali, I will need to drive sir David and ma’am Helen to their work after they eat. Meanwhile, I will leave you here for a while then when I return, I will bring you back home since I have to stay here until night.” Papa says as I nodded.

I just sat on a chair there while papa turned on the car they will use. This house is just really so fascinating. Papa let me in the car when he took it out in the place where they put all their cars and drove it in front of the main door.

“Manang Flor, can you look after Alina for a moment while I drive ma’am and sir in the hospital? I will drive back here immediately to bring her back home as well.” Papa says to the old woman.

“Don’t worry Elias. I will take care of your daughter. I have been wanting to meet her since the moment you told us about your kids.” She says before giving me a small smile. She looks kind.

“Anak,’ Papa called, kneeling on one knee with both hands on each side of my arms. “I will leave you to Manang Flor. She is kind so you don’t need to be scared of her. I will be right back immediately okay?”

I nodded in agreement before papa gave me my small bag where the bottle of water mama prepared for me and my small towel is in. I stood next to Manang Flor as she held me gently on my wrist. Just at the right timing, ma’am Helen and sir David walked out of the main door all prepared and bags on their hand. They look so clean and really professional with their outfit.

“Elias, please bring Benjamin to his tutor after you drop us in the hospital. He has a schedule with her until afternoon.” Sir David told Papa as he nodded in response.

Papa just gave me a small peck before hopping in the car, driving away. I was left in silence because I don’t know what to say to Manang Flor. She is not scary but I don’t know what to say.

“Let’s go inside Alina?” Manang Flor said as I nodded.

We went inside as he brought me to the kitchen where she did her work. I just watched her there as she placed a plate of snacks in front of me to eat. It’s a biscuit but looks a little unfamiliar with me. It’s so quiet around the big house which feels like it’s so lonely to stay here. I don’t even know where the kids I met earlier since they are not outside the house nor in the living area.

“Manang Flor, where are they?” I asked.

“Who’s they, Alina?”

“The kids that I met earlier,” I answered.

“Ah! Sir Benjamin is preparing to go out while ma’am Abi and sir James are in their own rooms.” She responded.

“Are they always separated? Is Abi and James always just in their room?” I asked again.

She puts on a smile with my question as she puts down the plate she is wiping with a dry towel. I watched her approach me and sat next to the tall chair next to me.

“Most of the time, yes. Since it’s summer, they don’t have any classes except for sir Benjamin who are attending his tutors. Though ma’am Abi attend piano lessons but it’s mostly just held here since they have one here. Sir James also attends swimming class with his friends here in the village sometimes but most of the time he just goes and rides his bike in the park here inside the village during afternoon.” She explained.

So in short, they really spend their time separately?

“They don’t play with one another? My siblings and I play with one another everyday since we don’t have classes but they don’t do it. Why?” I asked again.

“Let’s say it’s because sir David wants them to focus on some things which is to learn more than to play. If they want to play, they just mostly stay in their rooms and do so in there since they have their own toys as well anyway.” she explained again.

But we are kids. Mama says that we should play as long as we want. That is why mama always let us go outside the house, just in front of our house, to play with our neighbors kids. She says that we will only be kids for once so she wants us to enjoy it by being with the other kids at our age because it will be more fun.

“Do you have any more questions, Alina?” Manang Flor asked as I nodded.

“I heard sir David say that to drop them in the hospital, why do they go to the hospital? Are they sick?”

Instead of answering, Manang Flor chuckled with my question. Did I say something wrong?

“You are curious with a lot of things, I see,” She says. “Sir David and ma’am Helen are doctors. You know what a doctor is, right?”

“Yes, my teacher says they are the one who treats the people who are sick.” I answered.

“That’s right and that is their job. They treat the people who need to be treated.” She explains as I nodded again.

I pouted, processing all the things I just learned. Mama says that most doctors are really rich. That is probably why they have all of these things.

“Your papa was right when he says you really are adorable.” She told me, patting the top of my head gently.

I was about to answer her when someone called her name. Abi appeared in the kitchen with a bear on hand. She is hugging it and I just look at it because it’s so beautiful.

“Is there anything you want, miss Abi?” Manang Flor asked.

“Can I have a donut, manang? I want to eat a donut.” She says.

“It’s still early to eat a donut, miss Abi. How about I prepare you some crackers instead?”

“Okay…” she says in a small voice.

I just sat there as her eyes went to me. She immediately ran towards me, struggling to sit on the tall chair just like I am. She sat there comfortably with manang Flor’s help.

“I thought you already left. You suddenly disappeared.” She told me as I just blinked my eyes in response.

Abi is beautiful. Her voice is small and soft. Her skin is fair and unlike her brothers who have round-like eyes, she has sparkling almond-shaped eyes. She has a straight pointed nose and a peaked cupid bow like lips. She is a little smaller than me but she stands so well and can catch everyone’s attention. She looks smart too just like her parents.

“Manang, can we play in my room? Please…” She pleaded to manang Flor.

“Do you want to play in her room, Alina?” Manang Flor asked.

I wanted to say no because I’m feeling shy but Abi is just next to me. She looks at me with pleading eyes, hands clasped together.

“C-can I do that?” I asked in a small voice.

Before I can even hear a response from Manang Flor, Abi already squealed. She pulled me with her upstairs as I caught up. My eyes keep wandering around as we reach the second floor of their house. There is another living area in the middle of the room and three doors, one on the left side and two on the right side. She pulled me in one of the doors on the right side and opened it revealing a big room that left me in awe.

The walls are painted in light pink and a big carpet is placed on the floor. There is a big bed that can fit up to 3 persons in the middle of the room with bears placed on it and beside is a small table where a picture frame of her is located with a lamp. Her walls have big photo frames of her face and some paintings. There is also a couch inside with a study table and lots of books in a cabinet located on the upper wall of her study table. Her dolls are neatly placed on one side with her other toys. There are another two doors inside which I don’t know what is in there.

“Do you sleep here alone?” I asked, carefully sitting on the couch as she brings out her Barbie dolls that I want to have.

“Yes. This is my room. Why?” She asked back.

“How about your brothers? Do they sleep in one room?” I asked again.

She places the dolls on the floor, sitting there in an indian sit. She signaled me to do the same so I followed her. As much as I am fascinated with her room, her dolls distract me. She has so many while I only have two in which Peyton and I even shared at.

“Kuya Benj has his own room and the same with James. Why?” She asked, handing me a doll. “You can play with her.”

“Your room is too big. If it’s only you who sleeps here, then why do you need a big room like this?” I asked her as she made some thinking before she shrugged.

“I don’t know. This is where I always sleep ever since.”

We played there with her dolls and with her toys as well. We don’t even know who long we have been playing because of how busy we are with all the toys she has. It’s a room full of fun.

A knock on the door interrupted us when one of their maids entered with a tray on hand. She placed the tray on the study table as we stood up to go and check it out. There is a donut and a glass of juice there for each of us. She can have donuts whenever she wants while I have to wait until mama goes to the market to buy me one when she can.

“Ate Hailey, can we have more donuts please?” Abi pleaded.

“I’m sorry miss Abi but manang Flor says this is all you can eat for now. You can have more this afternoon.” Their maid said making Abi pout before she turned to me. “By the way, Alina, you papa is already downstairs waiting for you. He said you should finish your food already so you can go home.”

We did eat the food ate Hailey brought for us before we went downstairs. Papa is in the kitchen talking to manang Flor as I run to him. He welcomed me with open arms with a warm smile on his lips. He didn’t forget to greet Abi after letting me go.

“Can’t she go home later kuya Elias? I want to play more with her.” Abi says.

“I’m sorry miss Abi but her mother is already looking for her. Maybe next time?” Papa answered as Abi nodded in response.

“Can you bring her with you again tomorrow? Please?” Abi pleaded as papa looks uneasy, glancing to manang Flor.

“I will see if I can miss Abi because she might go somewhere with her mama.” Papa responded before he took my bag from me.

I faced Abi and gave her a smile. “Thank you for letting me play with you.”

“Let’s play again when you come here. I really like playing with you since my brothers are boys and they don’t play dolls. Kuya Benjamin is busy attending to his tutors while James plays with his toy cars.” She says as I nodded.

“I had fun playing with you Abi. Next time again, okay?”

Papa took me with him after Abi and I hugged. She even watched the car we were in drive away as I waved my hands to her.

“You two looks close now, anak.” Papa says as I nodded.

“She is really friendly papa. Do you know? She has a lot of toys! She has so many dolls and her room is so big that it’s as big as our house in Cebu. She also has her own bathroom, a television and a room full of clothes! But she stays in her room alone,” I felt sad when I said my last sentence.

I really had a lot of fun playing with Abi. The last time I had this fun was with Kaylee. Just like Abi, she was also the one who approached me first which I’m really glad with. While I stay in the same room as Peyton and have less toys that we both even shared, Abi stays alone but she looks lonely in her room alone despite having so many toys with her.

“Do you like her?” Papa asked as I nodded with a big smile.

“So much! She lets me play with her toy papa.” I exclaimed as she chuckles.

“I’m glad you have already made a friend, Ali.”

We arrived shortly after in the house, only to be greeted by my crying sister. She immediately went to papa, crying in his arms as papa lifted her up. I went to kuya Adam, looking all confused as he just gave me a small smile.

“Why are you crying Peyton?” Papa asked.

“Y-you brought a-ate with you b-but you d-didn’t b-bring me as w-well,” Peyton says, stuttering.

I suddenly feel bad. I always hated it whenever Peyton cried when it’s about me. That is why even though I know I didn’t do anything wrong, I always say sorry to her instead so she won’t cry anymore.

“It’s because you were still sleeping and ate is the only one awake yet.” Papa explained, calming her down.

“Kuya, is it my fault that Peyton is crying?” I whispered to kuya Adam.

“It’s not, okay? She just feels sad because she wasn’t able to come with you and papa. Don’t worry, okay?” Kuya says as I nodded. He pats the top of my head gently as we both watch Peyton and papa again.

“B-but you c-could wake me u-up!” Peyton insisted as Papa said sorry at the end.

“I won’t do it again next time okay?” Papa says before turning to mama. “Sir David wants us to go to their house this weekend since they want to meet all of you.”

“Is there anything we should bring? At least a simple gift in return for everything they helped us with.” Mama says.

“He said that to just go there empty handed. It will be just a simple dinner.”

For the next few days, I didn’t go with papa again. Instead, we just went to the nearest mall to check the place out since we just arrived here in the city. If we aren’t in the mall then we are just in the house, watching and playing there. Papa comes home at night after his work as well while we just wait for him.

“Their house is so big,” kuya Evan exclaimed the moment he went down of the car.

“That is because they are rich, Evan. Be shocked if they are rich but they have a small house.” kuya Adam responded as kuya Evan glared at him.

“Don’t fight now, okay? We are not in the house, please.”

My brothers said sorry to mama as manang Flor went out to get us. She gave me a small hug as I returned the same before she took us to their backyard where their golf course is located. There is a big table located in there with plates already prepared. The views in their house are so beautiful at night with the lights on around their golf course.

“Alina!” I heard Abi’s voice as I went to run towards her as well. We brought each other a hug as we laughed.

“You two surely get closer now, Abi and Alina.” ma’am Helen says as I greet her.

Abi is dressed in a dress and a headband with sandals while ma’am Helen is also dressed in a dress with heels and hair bunned. Sir David and Abi’s brothers came after them as we greeted each as well. They look so classy in their outfits.

“Glad to finally meet Elias’ family! I am Doctor David Sanchez, it’s nice to meet you Lydia, right?” Sir David says as mama nodded.

“It’s nice to meet you doc.” Mama responded.

“This is my wife, Doctor Helen Sanchez.” He introduces.

“It’s nice to finally meet you Lydia. These are our children, Benjamin, Abi and James.” Ma’am Helen introduces as the three greeted mama.

“These are my and Elias’ children sir, ma’am. This is Adam, Evan, Peyton and of course, Alina.” Mama says.

“Yes, Alina dear. We have met already when Elias brought her here. She really goes along well with my daughter here. I’m really glad that Abi found a new friend.” Ma’am Helen says as mama gave them a small smile.

We proceeded to the table for dinner. The other side is where their family is while the other side is ours. There are so many delicious foods served on the table. Kuya Adam helped me with my food before taking his.

“Have you already enrolled your kids Elias?” Sir David asked.

“My wife will be enrolling them this week sir.” Papa answered.

“May I ask, what level are they in already?” Ma’am Helen asked before putting pasta on James plate.

“Adam will be 1st year high school, Evan will be grade 4, Alina will be grade 2 and Peyton will be just starting her schooling ma’am.” mama responded as ma’am Helen nodded.

“Have you chosen a school for them already?” She asked again as mama and papa both nodded.

“Yes ma’am. We will be enrolling them in a public school near our place so it won’t be too hard for them to go to school already.” Papa answered.

Abi and I looked at each other and silently chuckled for no reason. I felt a stare on me as I looked at James' side to see him looking at me. He looks away when he notices me staring back, making me confused.

“Well, I actually talked about this to David. Elias, you know Zoey, right? My sister?” Ma’am Helen says as Papa nodded. “Well, she owned SPU, a renowned private school here. It’s where Benjamin, Abi and James have been studying as well. Since Elias has been working for us for so long, we would like to extend our thankfulness for his loyalty by enrolling your kids there.”

Kuya Adam suddenly stopped scoping the pasta I asked him while kuya Evan’s eyes widened and looked at ma’am Helen in shock. It’s nothing different with Benjamin’s as well as she looks at her mother in shock. Meanwhile, Abi, James, Peyton and I are just left in confusion.

“B-but it’s an expensive school, ma’am. We can’t afford the tuition there, especially that there are four of them.” Papa responded.

“You don’t need to worry about the tuition fee Elias, we will cover it all. Just take this as our way of gratitude for staying with us for years while your family is so far away.” Ma’am Helen says as I glances to mama who is on the verge of tearing up.

“Thank you so much, ma’am and sir! We will always remember your kindness towards us.” Mama exclaimed as she went to hug Peyton shortly.

Our dinner didn’t last long. The elders just had a few more discussions in the living area. When we arrived home, they were still talking about the school. Mama and Papa look so happy and kuya Evan looks so excited. Meanwhile it’s different with kuya Adam.

“You will be attending a private school now. I’m so happy for my kids.” Mama says in so much excitement.

“So you really accepted the offer?” Kuya Adam says making everyone in the room silent. “Don’t you think this is too much?”

“What’s your problem kuya? They are already helping us by enrolling us to a better school but you are acting like that?” Kuya Evan argued, raising his voice a little.

“Evan, your tone.” Papa threatened.

“Helping us? Don’t you think they are just belittling us? Just because they have so much money or they are papa’s boss, we would take everything they offer to us already. Is this a charity chase or what?” Kuya Adam argued back to kuya Evan, raising his voice as well.

“Will you two stop and look at your sisters?” Papa told them as they looked at me and Peyton who were already scared, clinging to mama.

Kuya Adam sighs when he makes eye contact with me. “Fine! Do whatever you want. It’s not we can say no anyway.”

The next day, I went with papa to the Sanchez house again because Abi wants to play with me. As I was about to go to Abi’s room, I heard some argument from upstairs. I went there and peaked only to see Benjamin looking pissed while James is about to cry.

“I told you! I don’t have time to play James so just go away, will you? Play with the maids or whatever!” Benjamin shouted at James.

I gasped when he pushed James when he was insisting to go inside his room. All of his toys are scattered on the floor while Benjamin looks shocked with his action. James cried but instead of helping his brother, Benjamin just closed his door, leaving his crying brother.

I walked towards James and picked up his toys as he looked at me with tearing eyes. His cheeks are wet and he continues sobbing with his shoulder going up and down.

“Are you okay?” I asked in a small voice.

“Kuya Benj doesn’t want to play with me,” He says in between cries as he wipes his eyes.

I feel so bad for him. He is the youngest among them and he is just a year older than Peyton but his brother doesn’t even want to play with him.

I kneeled in front of him as he looked at me. I wiped his tears from his cheeks and gave him a smile. “Do you want to play with me instead?”