Taken by the Wind

"Mom, kinse anyos na po ako! ‘Wag mo naman na ako tratuhing bata," a petite girl stomped while walking out of the garden. "Stop right there, Amy!" her mother said. “Ihahanda ko lang yung baon mo para sa break time niyo, please wait for a minute." Amy halted and sat on a medium sized stone beside the fence. She didn't like the fact that she's an only child. She wanted to have an older sister who could entertain, support and assist her. But due to Morgana, her mother's secondary infertility, she's unable to give birth to another child. Lumabas muli ng bahay si Morgana habang bitbit bitbit na ang bag ng kanyang anak. "Take care sweetie, enjoy your class.” Niyakap niya nang panandalian si Amy. Amy was about to walk on barefoot going to her school but she was called. "Amy! Hatid na kita sa school mo," sambit ng isang lalaki na nakasuot ng shirt with sleeves, long pants and sturdy work boots. Ngumiti si Amy kasabay ng pasasalamat niya sa kanyang ama, kahit pa sa isipan niya lamang ito ginawa. She is not the type of person to be appreciative in terms of words— she believes that her action speaks louder than what she says. Nakarating naman agad sila sa kanilang paroroonan. Mahigpit na nagbabantay ang mga security guards sa loob at labas ng paaralan upang masigurong walang mangyayaring masama. "We will wait for you at home after we work, ‘wag kang pasaway sa klase, got it?" Kairo, his father asked. Amy just smiled. She went upstairs and searched for her designated class, then obediently participated during lecture hours until it ended. "Class dismissed." Ang mga mag-aaral sa Youth Academy's Year 2, Class A, ay mga nagsisipag madaliang mag-asikaso ng kanilang mga gamit para maunang makauwi. Ito ay dahil sa maaga silang dinismiss ng kanilang guro ng mahigit isang oras.  Nilapitan ni Amy ang kanyang kaklase. "Ghurl, Francine! Lakwatsa tayo sa Iris Mall, I need to choose a present for my mother. 32nd birthday kasi niya ngayon and I want to at least surprise her," ani Amy sa babae habang nagmamakaawa ang kanyang mga mata.  Ang mas matangkad sa kanya na si Francine ay tumango bilang pagpayag. "Sure, I wanted to do some shopping anyway." Mahigit kalahating oras ang lumipas bago nakarating ang dalawa sa Iris Mall. Halos mapuno ang buong mall sa dami ng taong naroon; bata man o matanda, maski ang mga sanggol ay naririto nagpapalipas ng kanilang oras. Pinipilahan ng sandamakmak na tao ang iba’t ibang boutiques for men and women, arcade para sa mga bata, gym para sa mga gustong mag work out, at tsaka mga mamahaling restaurant. "Where should we go? Parang holiday naman ngayon, andaming tao," Francine questioned Amy while looking at everyone that was passing by. Amy, the girl with short hair that's colored as black, pointed at the nearest flower shop. "I think she'll prefer flowers than a dress," she ran ahead of her friend. She is Youth Academy's leading student in terms of being educated, plus, she is such a beauty inside and out. Francine, a student that does not get much attention because of her mediocre style in fashion, followed Amy inside the shop. Hindi man niya sabihin, alam niya sa sarili niyang ayaw niya sa buong pagkatao ni Amy dahil sa labis na pagka-insecure niya. Dahil nga roon ay ninais niyang bigyan ng dusa ang buhay ni Amy. Kahit pa para sa mata ng ibang tao ay halos hindi na sila maghiwalay sa sobrang close ng isa’t isa. But in reality that only Francine knows, they are close to being strangers who do not know anything about one another's personal life.   Several flowers are organized on a vase, shelf and on the walls— Spray Roses, Carnations, Japanese Anemones, Dahlias and many more! The pastel color of the lilac rose caught Amy's interest. "I would like to buy one of these, arrange it into a bouquet please. Thank you," magalang na sabi niya habang tinuturo ang gusto niyang bilhin. Francine was sending Amy a minimal death glare, nagpaplano na siya para sa masamang bagay na gagawin niya. The more that she sees her; the greater that she gets jealous. Habang hindi pa nabibili ni Amy ang bulaklak ay tumakbo na si Francine papalayo hanggang sa makalabas na siya ng mall. In just a few minutes of running, Francine reached a cottage with a garden on the entrance. The pathways are made of stones, or what is called a stone path. Beside each track are different sizes of bushes or shrubs; with flowers attached on it. "Kaya pala mas ginusto niyang mamili sa tindahan ng bulaklak kaysa sa mga damit," Francine mumbled to herself. Dahil papalapit na ang hapon, oras na rin para umuwi ang magulang ni Amy. Kinuha ni Francine ang lighter sa kanyang bag at sinimulang pindutin ito tsaka niya tinitigan ang kulay asul na apoy. A blue flame tends to be hotter than the orange one, based on its temperature that exceeds 2,000°C. "It is such a shame that I know where you live, Amy. Sana hindi na dumating ang araw na magkita tayo muli," Francine crazily chuckled. She's out of her mind, her consciousness escapes her body. She lit up the garden using her lighter. Maya maya pa ay nasusunog na ang ilan sa mga halaman doon. All of the explicit flowers that were blooming earlier, are now diminished into tiny, ash particles. The fire spread all throughout the cottage, not leaving anything behind. The materials that were used to build up the house are breaking, falling apart. The excessive fire created a fog and a dark smoke, transforming the air into something unbearable by a person's lungs. "Holy..." a woman in her 30's exclaimed as she held her mouth, "bakit… nasusunog ang bahay natin!?" Tumingin siya sa kanyang asawa at kumapit sa braso nito, Even the brave, construction worker was shocked. Amy, who knows nothing of the situation is currently on her way home. The couple who were both startled sat on the road, crying and screaming for help. Walang nakahandang tumulong sa kanila, ang mga kapitbahay nila ay wala rin magawa kundi umalis at lumayo roon. While Francine, the person who initiated the incident; also known as the suspect, went home quietly. Hindi na siya nag-abala pang magpanggap na mabait na tutulong sa magulang ni Amy.