Misleading of the Variance (Secondary Series #3)

01

“Did you pack all of your things already?”

Mama suddenly said, entering mine and Peyton’s room. I close the zipper of my bag where I put some of things to bring with me.

“Yes, mama. Peyton already put all of her stuff toys in the box.” I answered, glancing at my sleeping sister.

“Do you still need mama’s help?” She asked, looking around the room.

Our rooms are close to bare already. All of our things are already packed, ready for our move tomorrow. The furniture are the only ones left here.

“No mama, everything is already good.” I told her with a small smile.

Mama went to our bed, tucking the hair strands that covered my sister's sleeping face. She looks at her with admiration before putting on a sweet smile. I watched as she gave her a peck on her forehead before approaching me.

We sat on the floor as I felt her hand on the top of my head, caressing it gently. I gave her a small smile as she returned one as well.

“You haven’t said anything about us moving to Manila, anak.” She spoke up as I immediately avoided her eyes.

Tomorrow will be the day we will be leaving Cebu, our hometown. This is the place where I was born and made some friends. This is where I grew up.

“Why are we suddenly moving, mama?” I asked.

“Don’t you want to move to the main city?” She worriedly asked.

It’s not that I don’t want to move to Manila because it has always been my dream to see the city. I’m just a little sad because I had to leave my friends behind.

“It’s not like that mama. I’m just curious why papa suddenly wants us to move there. Is it hard for him to take a leave in his work already?”

Papa has been staying in Manila for the past 8 years now. He only comes home at least thrice every 6 months to be with us and stays here for a week before he comes back to the city. Though there is a longing to spend time with him, he is there to work so we can have a better life. From what I heard, he is working as a personal driver to a family there. 

“There’s no problem in papa’s work. He just wants us to be there. Being in the main city gives so many opportunities, you know?” She explained.

“What kind of opportunities mama?”

“You will know once you are older. For now, your kuya’s are the one who will be in advantage for it.”

I just nodded and maybe, when I’m older, I will understand what she meant. It’s not the first time I heard the elders talked about being in Manila is some sort of land of opportunities. They said that it’s a big city that most people often want to have a job in. Many of our neighbors even moved there as well because of job opportunities.

“Adam, poydi ba nimo tabangan imong oyuan pagkarga sa mga kahon sa sakyanan?” (“Adam, can you help your tito load the boxes in the car?”)

Everyone, except me and Peyton, are moving everywhere. One by one, they lift the boxes and luggage to the car we will use on our way to the airport. Each is just so busy to help us. Even all our male relatives are here to help.

“Evan, tan awa dw otro kung tanang gamit naa na tanan. Dili nato poy biyaan tanan.” (“Evan, double check if all luggages is already there. We can’t afford to leave anything.”)

Kuya Evan obeyed mama and went out of the house. Peyton and I are just sitting on the couch that we used to sit on everytime we watch television. My eyes keep watching all of them run errands.

“Ma ayo lang ka apo?“ Lola took a seat in between me and my sister. (“Are you okay, apo?”)

I gave her a small smile, nodding. I’m both nervous and sad about moving. When I first heard about it, I was excited because finally we will be with papa everyday instead of just every other time. But as our moving day closes by, the sadness grows.

“Lola poy ba nimo bisitahon sa Manila?” Peyton said, with a little stammer. (“Lola, will you visit us in Manila?”)

“Og kaya apo oo. pero osa karon pag abot nimo didto. taga i sa og panahon imong amahan. dili ba ka ganahan kauban cya?” (“If I can apo, I will. But for now, when you arrive there, spend some time with your papa. Didn’t you want to be with him?”)

I catched a glimpse of Peyton’s trembling mouth and verging tears coming out. The other day, she cried while lola was helping us pack our clothes.

“P-poydi ba ka mo onan namo lola?” (“C-can you come with us lola?”)

Peyton asked with tears already falling out from her eyes.

“Apo nag istoryahanay na ta tongond ani,” (“Apo, we already talked about this.”)

All four of us are close to lola. But Peyton being the youngest, she is attached to her just like how much lola adores her.

All of our things are already in the car. We didn’t really bring so many things with us because mama said when it’s school vacation, we will come here again. We only brought our clothes, personal belongings and things that we can bring in Manila.

“Bro ayaw mi ug kalimti ha?” One of our cousins, kuya Cooper, told kuya Adam. (“Bro, don’t forget us okay?”)

“Imong re aksyon morag mo adto ko laing nasod. Didto ra gani sa laing syodad!” Kuya responded, smacking head before giving him a pat on his shoulder. (“You are acting like I will go out of the country. It will be just in another city, dumbass!”)

Kuya Cooper is just three years older than kuya Adam. They are close but I can say he is closer to our other cousin, kuya Diego. They are at the same age and have the same interest in many things that is why they get along well.

“Pangitag uyab sa syodad onya dal a siya dinhi?” Kuya Max, who is just two years older to kuya, butted in. (“Find yourself a city girlfriend and bring her here, okay?”)

“Kung maka kita man galing ko didto, nganong kinahanglan man nako ipa ila ninyong tanan?” (“If I ever find one there, why would I even introduce her to all of you?”)

I was just left standing next to lola, confused with what they are talking about. It’s not my issue to butt in because they are talking about what kuya always says ‘grow up’ things. This is not the first time anyway.

“Dali! Ayaw pagmakasarili. Og ipaila man niya ang iyang uyab nga taga syodad poydi pod ta maka kita ug taga syodad nga uyab,” (“Come on! Don’t be selfish. It’s so she can introduce us to her city girl friends so we can also have a city girl as a girlfriend,”)

“Hey! What girlfriend are you talking about? He’s going there to study, stop being such a bad influence to your cousin!”  (“Hoy! Onsay uyab ang imong gi ingon dinha? Mo adto siya didto aron mo iskwela, hononga ang imong daotan nga todlo sa imong ig agaw!”)

Kuya Max immediately stepped back after tita Mila, papa’s sister, called him out. Among all of papa’s siblings, it was tita Mila who was the strictest but she is also kind though.

“Tiya, nag bino ang. Ra man mi, hinuon mag ka uyab ra gihapon siya kadugayan didto.” Kuya Max reasoned out. (“Tita, we are just joking. Besides, he will really have a girlfriend there soon anyway.”)

“Harold, you!” Ate Avery, kuya Max’s sister, butted in. “Tongon kay imong uyab gi bulagan ka,mao ganahan ka sa mga taga syodad!” (“Just because your girlfriend breaks up with you, you suddenly want a city girl as a girlfriend!”)

“Gamay nga pag asa ra ate” (“It’s just for a little change, ate,”)

“Kung ganahan ka sa taga syodad nga ma uyab, sige adto sa manila kuyog nila. Abi nimo ang relasyon nga layo mag dogay?” Ate Avery says. (“If you want a city girl as a girlfriend then go and come with them in Manila as well. You think long distance will work?”)

“Onya mama, poydi ko mo koyog nila?” (“Well then, mama, can I come with them?”)

I look at tita Rose when kuya Max changes his attention to his mother. She raises a brow, with no even intention to scold her son.

“Sige, ganahan ba ka?” Tita asked him back, leaving him mouth open with his mother’s response. (“Sure, do you want to?”) 

“Mama dali ra kaayo ko nimo togtan!” I chuckled as kuya Max acted hurt. (“Mama, you’re too quick to let me go!”)

“Anak, gamay ra kaayo sakit akong na antos onya onsay imong pa aboton?” (“Anak, you are a little pain in the ass so what do you expect?”)

“Karon , nasakitan ko,” Kuya Max whined, making all of them shook their heads in response. (“Now, I’m hurt,”)

“Okay! That’s enough!” Mama announced as they all remained shut already. “Ma olahi na ta sa atong flight kong padayonon pa nato ni. Mga bata, pananghid na mo sa inyong mga igagaw, lola og tiya.” (“We will be late in our flight if we keep this on. Kids, say goodbye to your cousins, lola and tita’s.”)

I went to lola to give her a one last hug, tightly because it will be months before I can see her again. Then I went to give one of my cousins one as well with them even joking around with me. I will miss being with them actually. They took care of me so well whenever our parents were out and they really played with me a lot so well whenever I’m not allowed to go out and play with the other kids.

“Maytag mo dako ta nga kosgan mang inusa ra sa kaogaligon nako sa syodad, Ali. Daghang ma bag o sa mga botang botang bosa hinumdomi, kanunay siya na a nimo.” Tita Rose told me when I went to give her a hug. (“I hope you will grow up as a strong and independent girl in that city, Ali. There will be a lot of things that will change but always remember, you can always be you.”)

Among all of papa’s siblings, tita Mila, tita Rose and tito Abel, it was tita Rose that I am closest to the most. Maybe it’s because even before mama and papa got married, her and mama were each other’s best friend. Added to that, she is my godmother. She would take care of me like I am her own, that is why I got really close to her.

“Mingawon ko nimi tiya,” (“I will miss you tita,”) 

“Mingawon sad ko nimo, Ali. Malipayon lang og hinomdomi makontento lang ka kung onsay naa kay mo abot ang adlaw, makuha ra nimi ang imong gosto kong mag tinarong ka sa iming pag iskwela. Kong kinahanglan tabang, poyde ka mangotana sa imo igsoon kay imong mama nag bantay ko sa imo igsoon na babae.” She reminded me as I nodded. (“I will miss you too, Ali. Have fun and remember to always be content with what you have because one day, you will have more than what you want if you study hard there. If you need help, you can ask your brothers for one because your mama will be busy taking care of your sister.”)

“Salamat tiya,” (“Thank you tita,”)

“Rach!” I heard someone called from the side.

“Kaylee!”

She ran towards me, pulling me for a tight hug immediately. Among all of my playmates here, she is the one I consider as my best playmate or you can say my childhood best friend. We are also classmates that is why we are pretty inseparable.

“Abi nako ni anhi ka haron ma nanghid nako.” I told her, on the verge of tears. (“I thought you wouldn’t come to say goodbye to me.”)

“Hapit na jud kay dili ko ganahan mo hilak.” She said in stammer. (“I almost didn’t because I don’t want to cry.”)

I watched her take out something from her pocket. She raises it up to show me a braided bracelet before bringing her another wrist up to show a similar one.

“Mao ni atong  pagka amiga nga bracelet. Maytag dili ko nimo ilisan sa bisan kinsa didto.” She said in a sad tone. (“This will be our friendship bracelet. I hope you won’t replace me with anyone in there.”)

“Walay bisan kinsan maka poli nimo Kay.” I told her in a soft voice. (“No one can replace you Kay.”)

She puts on the bracelet in my wrist as I touch and stare at it for a moment. A smile creeps out my lips, feeling emotional and touched by her farewell gift. I’m not really good at communicating with people, I’m always shy actually. The reason why Kay is really a special person for me because she was the one who asked me to come out of our house to play with her during the time I was just staying inside and watching the kids play outside. I manage to have friends because she became one.

“Kong matigulang na ta, ma adto sad ta sa manila ug bohaton nato ang gosto nato bohaton.” She says as I nodded. (“When we get older, I will go to Manila too and we will do whatever we want there.”)

“Hulaton teka didto ha?” (“I will wait for you there, okay?”)

“Alina, anak? Let’s go,” I heard mama called as I nodded.

I gave Kay one last smile before pulling her to a hug again. I turned my back on her and waved my hand to bid my goodbye to our relatives. Kuya Evan was the one who helped me get inside the car as I sat in between kuya Adam and Peyton.

They were waving their hands on us outside the car as I watched them while the car drove away. There was a sudden feeling of nervousness inside me when they were already out of sight. I’m scared.

“Ok ra ba ka Ali?” Kuya Adam worriedly asked. (“Are you okay Ali?”)

“Na hadlok ko kuya.” I whispered. (“I’m scared kuya.”)

“Sa asa?” (“Of what?”)

“Pananglitan wala kong makita nga amiga didto?” I whispered again. (“What if I won't be able to have any friends in there?”)

He sighs in response, putting on a small smile. “You will have friends there as long as they want you as their friend.” (“Makita ka ug mga amiga didto basta ganahan sad sila nga mahimo ka nila amiga.”)

“Ma ulaw man pod ko ma una og tagad nila. Unsa un nila na mahimo sad ko nilang amiga?” I worriedly asked him. (“But I’m too shy to approach anyone. So how will they want me to be their friend?”)

“Ang tinuod nga amiga ganahan mo amiga bisan onsang klase paka nga tawo. Lisod pa sa pimero pero kong sa sunod na kabalo, naka maka kita ka ug amiga. Dili nimo kinahanglan ug daghan Ali. Basta kong kinsa ang ganahan naa permi sa imo kilid sakto na.” He explained as I nodded. (“A true friend will want you to be their friend no matter what kind of person you are. It will be hard at first but the next thing you know, you already have friends. You don’t need to have a lot Ali. Just the ones who are willing to be there for you is enough.”)

“Ayaw ko biya e ng inusa ra kuya.” (“Don’t leave me there alone kuya.”)

“Dili… jud.” (“I won’t… never.”)

We reached the airport as I just followed them while holding Peyton’s hand. Kuya Evan is holding Peyton’s other hand while mama and kuya Adam are in front of us. There are so many people around here, foreigners and locals are everywhere. We just waited for our flight to be called before we went inside the plane and went to the place where our new life will begin. A new chapter of our life.

“Papa!”

Peyton and I run towards the middle aged man wearing a simple shirt and jeans standing at the waiting area outside the airport. He welcomed us, kneeling in one knee with open arms and a wide smile. I looked at Papa’s eyes and saw the forming tears in his eyes.

“I missed you my girls,”

“Pa,” Kuya Adam called as Papa let us go and gave my brothers a small pat on the back.

“Did you just get a haircut?” He asked kuya Evan, touching his hair.

“Cool, isn’t it?” Kuya boastedly said as papa laughed, nodding.

Mama went to me and Peyton as she watched my brothers and Papa talking with each other. We haven’t seen him for 3 months now because he can’t take a leave from his work yet. He said that the family he is working in are so busy and needed his assistance as the family driver right now.

“Honey,”

I watched as my parents lovingly hugged each other in front of us. It was too sweet as they whispered things to each other. I always admire how they are always so sweet with each other.

“How was your flight?” Papa asked mama.

“It’s just an hour and a half flight so it’s not really tiring.”

We made our way to the car Papa brought with him. Peyton is in his hand while the other is holding mama’s hand. I am next to kuya Adam who is pushing one of the luggage cart while kuya Evan is behind pushing the other luggage cart. I wanted to talk with Papa but I have to make way for Peyton. She is the youngest so she wanted to be with Papa more than I do.

“I didn’t see the clouds up there papa,” Peyton says, a little stammering while pointing to the sky.

“That’s because you fell asleep throughout the whole flight Pey.” kuya Evan says in between chuckles.

“But I want to see the clouds.” Peyton whined, verging on tears.

“You will have another chance to see it anak. Don’t worry, okay?” Papa calmed her down as she nodded.

“Who’s car is this?” Mama asked.

There is a white big car in front of us now. It looks expensive and really good.

“My boss told me to use it to pick you all up. I told him I can just take the taxi but he insisted on just using this since they are still at work anyway.” Papa explains.

My brothers and papa put ours things at the back while mama helped us get in the car. The inside was so big that I think we can still play inside. There are soft pillows on the car seats and some things that are probably owned by papa’s boss.

Papa drove us somewhere with kuya Adam on the seat next to papa. Mama and Peyton are seated behind them while kuya Evan and I are seated at the back.

“Wow, they are so tall.” I exclaimed.

“They are buildings for a reason Ali. Of course, they will be tall.” kuya Evan frankly said as I put my focus on the tall buildings.

There are so many cars around us and the buildings keep making me awe in amazement. It’s not like there are no tall buildings in Cebu but it’s fascinating to see the ones in here. It just feels so different to look at here.

It took us a while before we arrived at a place where houses are almost similar to one another. I watched as my same age played outside freely with each other. They are running, laughing, riding bikes and many more. It looks so fun that I want to join them but it’s not easy to do it.

“Welcome to our house!” Papa exclaimed as we went down to the car.

My mouth formed an ‘o’ upon looking at our new home. It’s a little bigger than the ones we have in Cebu since our house there is just part of the divided land that lola and lolo owned which means we only have one gate. For this one, there is a small balcony and a gate ready. There are also plants on each side of the gate. It’s just simple but feels comfortable.

Kuya Evan is quick to be friends with our neighbor’s son. He managed to have a friend right after we arrived in our new neighborhood. Meanwhile, I’m just stuck staring at the other kids outside while they play as we fix our things.

We didn’t do anything much for the rest of the day actually. It was mostly just mama, papa and our brothers who did all the work while Peyton and I just helped in some few things. Papa showed us our new room in which kuya Adam has his own and the same goes with kuya Evan meanwhile Peyton and I are in the same room again just like in Cebu. It’s not a problem though because I really prefer to be in the same room as her rather than being alone.

“Papa, are you going to work already?” I asked when I walked down the stairs while he was preparing.

“Yes, Ali. Papa will be back this evening. Is there anything you want to buy?” Papa asked as I shook my head in response.

I watch him put on a white buttoned down short sleeve polo and slacks with a pair of leather shoes. I think it’s his usual uniform because most of the photos he showed us, he is usually clothed in that.

“Why did you wake up so early Ali? Is your sister still asleep?” Mama suddenly asked with a plate of eggs on hand.

“Yes mama,” I looked back at papa and hesitated. I want to tell him something but I just can’t bring myself to.

“You said you don’t want me to buy you anything but you keep staring at me.” Papa suddenly said, making me look away.

I kept my head down until I felt fingers on my chin, raising it up. Papa kneeled on one knee in front of me, making me look at his eye. He showed me a smile before nodding slowly as if he was telling me to talk.

“C-can I... come with you?” His lips parted with my sudden question.

“Papa is going to work Ali. He is not going somewhere where you can play around.” Mama butted in making me look down. I shouldn’t have asked that.

“It’s okay, honey,” Papa turned to me as he made me face him again. “Why do you want to come with papa, Ali?”

“I just want to see how you work, papa.” I said, almost whispering.

I thought papa would say that I can’t but it was the opposite. “My boss said he wanted to meet my children as well anyway. I’ll bring Ali for today, then just introduce all of you when they have free time.”

Mama just let me come with papa. It was just me who was really awake so my siblings didn’t know I went out with papa. I feel so excited to go outside but at the same time, nervous because they are new people. I don’t know how to act or what to say and above all, they are papa’s boss.

“Wow…” I exclaimed as we passed by the big houses when we entered a private village as what papa says.

Each house is like a combination of 5 to 6 houses in our neighborhood. The land where our house in Cebu is placed is not even as big as the houses here. It’s all tall and some houses are even covered in glasses that made the insides visible.

“This is your boss’ house, papa?” I asked him as the car entered another big house.

He parked in front of a big door as we hop off the car. I was left in awe as I roamed my eyes around. There are big vases, paintings, so many couches and tables. There is even a piano on the side. They even have a big light with so many crystals that hangs on the ceiling.

“Elias! You already arrived. How was your family? Are they comfortable?” A beautiful woman said coming from the stairs with a lovely smile. I was left staring at her because of how beautiful she is. Her navy colored dress makes her fair skin tone shine brightly.

“Yes, ma’am Helen. Thank you for helping me give them a comfortable home to live in for my family,” Papa answered as the woman smiled.

I hid behind papa when her attention went to me. She is not scary at all, she looks rather kind. But I feel shy and literally small because she is even wearing a heel.

“I assume this is your daughter?” She asked.

“This is Alina, ma’am my third child and the oldest among my two daughter.” Papa introduces.

I keep hiding behind papa in which she chuckles softly. She stuck out her hand with a sweet smile.

“Hi, Alina. I’m Helen. How are you?” She says in a sweet tone.

“H-hi ma’am, I’m okay.” I shyly said as she smiled again.

“Do I look scary?” I immediately shook my head in response. “Well then, you must be a shy girl.”

She didn’t ask me anything again when another man approached us. Papa said he is his other boss which is the husband of ma’am Helen.

“The kids are at the right timing.” Ma’am Helen says when one girl and one boy walked down the stairs. “Alina, I would like my children. This is Benjamin and Abigail.”

Both of them are fair-skinned just like their parents. Benj is tall and is just staring at me meanwhile Abigail approaches me, clinging her arm to mine.

“You are kuya Elias daughter? How old are you?” She asked.

“7,” I answered, whispering.

“I’m 6, but turning 7! Do you want to be friends with me?” She asked, making me just look at her. She wants me to be her friend?

“Mommy…”

A small voice called for ma’am Helen as we all turned to a boy approaching us. He is smaller than Abigail and almost looks like Benj. He stares at me before looking at his mother in confusion.

“Alina, this is my youngest son... James,”