CHAPTER 2.2

CHAPTER 2.2

"And about the fresh air, you said, this is the reason." Aling Milan showed me a fan and then she starts fanning me so that I could feel that the wind that came from there earlier.

"How about---the salty liquid?" I asked the ones again.

"That was---water that I added some salt in it and I put some droplets to your lips using the cotton,"

"Why?" raising my right eyebrow.

"Because that's what the person said, who brought you here last night. He told us what I will do to you to make you feel better. But he didn't say why. After he uttered those words, he left with his motorcycle. Wait a minute, who is that hija? "Aling Milan asked.

"We had a group report last night Manang, then I got tired so that I fell asleep. But I'm okay there, so don't worry. Nothing bad happened to me, and the people were kind to also. So please don't tell mommy and daddy about this Manang huh? They will surely scold me for what I’ve done." I lied.

"Ha? I don't understand you hija, because last night, both your mommy and daddy talking to that man, as far as I know, he was one of the guards of your fishery." Manang explained.

Is he a fisherman? And I don’t know either about having a fishery. I mean mommy and daddy, didn't even mention me about the fishpond. It would be better for me to ask Aling Milan where the fishery, she is referring to.

"Manang?" I innocently looked at the old woman in front of me.

I did not even realize also that she already stood up to turn off the television.

"Oh hija, why?" she replied even though I don’t have her full attention.

"Ah, because. I'm just curious about what you said these fisheries, mommy, and daddy still have that kind of business?" I immediately asked the old lady.

"Ah, is that it? It's not really theirs." Slightly turned his head side by side.

"Huh? I don’t understand manang, what do you mean about by that? Weren’t the owner? I’m confused,"

"Yes, but that fishpond really belongs to your grandfather Federico. That was just inherited by your parents," explained Aling Milan.

"Ah, that’s it… but why did I not seem to notice that there is a sea around here? Where is that fishpond located?" the confusion is now evident on my face. There’s some urgency to know more about the fishery.

"Oh hija, that's not what I'm referring to," smiling while shaking her head.          

I was confused by what Manang was trying to say.

"Ha? Is there another fishery that is not done at sea? Is it in the river? A creek? Or maybe a lake? Maybe a waterfall?" minute by minute my curiosity was building more.

Aling Milan chuckled off what I’ve said.

"You are funny hija."

"Eh where is it?" I purse my lips.

"In that fishpond hija, it is a freshwater pond with fishes like milkfishes, shrimp, and crabs. That's what the workers taking care of." Aling Milan explained again.

"But, is there such a thing?" putting my finger below the chin.

"Yes hija, there was such a thing." Manang went back to her way and then put away the things she had brought her to my room.

Fans, that glass of salty and boiling water that was previously smeared on my lips.

I licked the lip again, the salty taste was still there.

"Hija, take a bath first. Just follow me outside after. You have to take your breakfast." she instructed.

I just nodded too. And then I realized that Manang was no longer in my room.

Now what I did is arrange my bed. The pillow was adjusted, also the bedsheet by rubbing using my heavy hand, as well as my blanket.

If I were to describe my bedroom, it would be so simple. You can only see white and gray colors all around. As well as furniture, such as closets, cabinets, drawers, beds, lampshades, mirrors, as well as bathrooms.

Almost everything in my room was gray and whites. As for my belongings throughout the room, there are no other colors, like laptops, cellphones, combs, clothes, and shoes almost all. I do not know why I love such things as uniforms.

White and gray are not really my favorite colors. But there is a part of me that I like, things that are the same.

I cleaned myself up after I took a bath. And since I'm a big lady, I prefer to wear loose t-shirts and shorts, sometimes I wear pajamas. I just combed, also putting a bit of red lip tint and powder.

That's all. I do not know much about shaving my eyebrows just like others did. And I’m sure, that would not be suited for me.

While looking at the mirror.

"Why are you so cute Triah Benizh Mondejaro?" I said to myself as I pointed to my own reflection in the mirror.

There was a knock that made me turned around. So I hurriedly attending the door, I am sure it was just one of the housemaids. To inform me about going out and eat my break-

"M-Mom?" I stuttered I did not expect to see mom when I opened this door.

I was about to go out and talk to her when she suddenly pushed me back inside my room. It was as if she was forcing me to go in, and she still looking around and was afraid to see the two of us talking outside.

"M-Mom, w-why?" even though mommy's pushing me was rude I didn't protest.

“Sshh." she closed the door weakly and then suddenly faced me so I jumped a little.

"M-mom? W-" I even not completed my words.

"Shut up. Listen. Don't try to get out of that door.” pointing the door in my room.

“If you don’t like me to feel bad at you, understood?" there is an emphasis on every word and will she uttered.

And since I have a side of being a rebellious daughter, and I seem to have lost my former love for her, I feel like I don't want to obey her. But this time, she’s acting weird.

"But Mom, how about my breakfast?"

Mom slightly tweaks her hair when she heard my query. "Aren’t you tired thinking about foods? Don’t worry, I will tell Aling Milan to bring you here your food. But don’t you dare to go outside that door. Or else." Mommy threatened me.

And because Mom seemed serious about her threat to me I just did what she wanted for me.

Mommy slammed the door shut so I barely jumped. For a few minutes, I was stunned right behind this door.

"My parents look like a stranger to me now, how about Trisha? Did mom let her get inside too just like me? But why? Mommy and daddy weren't like this before." I talked to myself.