I heard a knock on the door. “Yes
daddy.” “Can I come in”, asked dad.
“Sure dad,” I answered. “Wow, my baby is
a grown-up girl now. Very pretty and attractive. Your physical appearance is
exactly like your mom in so many ways. If I can only hold time in a bottle, I would
still like to cuddle you like a baby. Yet no one can hold on the time. Not even
in the palm of my hands. We can only reminisce what had passed. Some of the
memories might have been buried already in oblivion. The only difference when I
gaze at you, the memories of your mom lives on.” I saw the sadness in his
angelic face. In the depths of my being,
I commiserated with him. Dad kissed me in my forehead. He smelled musk perfume.
I could not trace tons of fine lines on his forehead nor silver hairs on his
head at his 50’s. He was physically youthful with still strong muscular
muscles. His eyes were radiantly green and nocturnal. I always love the color of his green
eyes. Some people were afraid to look straight into his eyes. Those eyes
represent power. His resemblance was a striking similarity of grandfather. They
were mistaken as twins sometimes though. I put a big smile on my face of
his comments. I drew near him, gave him a peck of kiss and spoke softly, “I
love you daddy.”
“Do I have a training again?” I blurted. “Dad,
grandfather trained me for almost 6 years of my life. I don’t have a life of my
own since I was small. I need to live a normal life like any other kids. Have fun,
go to school, have friends, maybe boyfriend. My entire life has been surrounded
with angels. I never had a chance to mingle with humans. I feel like bird imprisoned inside the cage
with no freedom to choose what I ought to be. I am envious of those young
pretty teens in the neighborhood. They enjoy life. At night I can hear them titillated discussing
about fashion trends, hairstyles, make-up, and of course dating. When they talked about
crushes, they all giggled and pinched each other. I guess it is normal for
teenagers to have crushes.” I snapped.,
“Ops that was a touché Abby. You are
squawking too much. We have already set rules for you until you are at the
right age. Dating is anathema to the rules imposed. Dad could not hide his irritation.
When I saw that on his face I cringed. “Your
grandfather went back to Shangri-la with Joey and Richard this morning. They have important
agenda to put into consideration. It was very urgent! Today is your last day of
training with your grandfather,” dad underscored. I jumped jubilantly and
shouted. “ Ye-hey!" Dad interrupted me. “Hush
Abby. We are not done yet.” My shoulder sagged when I heard this. “Common Abby,
follow me.” I was hesitant to follow
him. My inside was boiling, fists closed. My reaction started the stuffs in my
room to jerk in slow movements. “There you go again Abby. Stop it!” Dad warned
me. I inhaled deeply and said, “Back off.” The objects stopped moving. “Good
girl! Just follow me downstairs,” dad ordered.
I obediently followed him downstairs. When we went outside,
I saw my whimsical cat, Mojo. His tongue was wagging and saliva dripping. He
was exhausted running after those butterflies scattered and flying everywhere.
Their kaleidoscopic sets of colors were immensely an attraction to the
surrounding. “Mojo, you cannot catch them
unless you fly or use a net or unless you want to be in your original form. I reminded him. He grinned at me and wiggled
his tail. He immediately transformed
back to an angel. Haniel, the giant
figure was now in front of me. I hugged him. I always do hug in appreciation for
his untiring love for me. The
butterflies flocked all over him. I laughed at him. “Gee, they thought you are
a sweet flower. They are hungry and looking for nectars to suck Haniel.” “Oh me?
Oh no. I am not a flower. I am your soldier." He acted like a little kid
and mimicked a small fragile voice. Seeing him acting this way, I giggled.
Haniel giggled too and laughed loud. Dad was amused with us that he laughed too. “Shoo, flock
to the trees.” I commanded the butterflies. They all flew back to the cherry
trees. Their wings sparked brilliantly against the rays of the sun. I turned
the butterflies back to light pink, light green and white cherry petals. Cherry
blossoms still look awesome in summer. The beauty of nature is beyond description. The surfaces were still covered and scented with red roses. I collected about 50 red roses, threw them up in the air and
turned them into white doves. The white doves flew in a V formation.
I saw Khail, my surrogate father and my siblings, Mikhail,
Darwin and Stephen coming towards us. Khail’s sons were the only siblings I
have. I considered them my siblings and my other true bloods since part and
parcel of my life was growing up with them. They, as I would describe in a
simple term were just right with me unequivocally protecting and loving me as
their own. They were part of my system. I had a great fun with them under their
father’s custody. I absolutely appreciate all the wonderful things they have done to me. My
siblings waved their hands at me and I waved back. Mikhail was exactly my dad’s
age. I was much closer to him. When he was near me, he embraced me and said, “Hmm
my sissy. You are a big girl now. Time fly so fast. Look at you, you are sexy
and beautiful.” I blushed. Mikhail always knew how to flatter me. Khail softly
touched my shoulder. I turned around and hug him. I love this guy so much. He
had sacrificed so many things for me as the sole legacy. There was a spontaneous flow of emotions among us and a moment of silence. I
could sense that I would be leaving Japan soon. The hairs in my skin rose. Japan had always been my home sweet home.
Dad began to speak. “Abby, we plan a game, sort of a cunning
device to test your ability skill. If you pass this test, we all move to Paris where
my headquarters is located. We will leave Japan. I will expose you to new world
and the secrets of the incredible treasures. The richest of the world! The
power and the glory! You will bequeath these as agreed upon by the legions at
the age of 18. I promise that you will taste a little bit of normal life
like going to school, have friends or whatever you desire to do as long as it
is with the limitations of the rules. If you fail this test, I send you
to Shangri-La for another re-training.” “Dad, by saying “we” you mean
including Khail and his sons? Including Haniel? Just a point of clarification,” I said. “Yes we all
leave to Paris only if you pass this test,” dad emphasized. I was satisfied of the answer. I don't want to go to Paris without the precious people who had been sacrificing their lives and time with me. "Satisfied?" asked dad. I nodded my head and smiled. "Oh daddy, I am very pleased. Thank you so much." "As long as it makes you happy Abby, I am happy too."
Whether I pass the test or not is big question
mark for me. I knew it would be a deceptive test. My heart started to leap and bounce.
I love games according to my desire. I love to manipulate scenarios according
to my will. I don’t want to go back re-retraining
with grandfather. Not that I hate training but it is my burning desire to
experience how it is to have a normal life even for a fleeting time. I was challenged to past this test and I must. Dad
noticed that I was tensed. “Relax Abby! I assure you can pass this test. Just
use your good judgment not more playing on your heartstrings. You are the main character in the story. You are the superhero. You'll go on a mission. You'll be only given one day to accomplish the mission. Your siblings would be the support characters. They are going with you. Haniel won't go with you in this mission or Khail or me. Let's discuss the details. Abby."
Walang komento:
Mag-post ng isang Komento