Candid Shots

One summer morning in May when the usual 10AM sun rays lit the room and the sound of the busy streets echoed back and forth, Elaine slowly opened her eyes and the first sight she saw was her ceiling filled with balloons and curled crepe papers hanging. 'Huh?' was the first word that Elaine could speak while still trying to stay awake. But before she could process her thoughts, her older sister Amy, who had a party pipe in her mouth rushed to their door and yelled. 'Ma! Pa! She's awake! Come on up!' Mrs. Rodrigo was the first to reach their bedroom and in her right hand she held her phone in a landscape position directly beaming at her. 'Elaine dear, sit up. And please, do fix your hair. My goodness! Just for once try to be a graceful lady, yo--' Mrs. Rodrigo was cut-off when Mr. Rodrigo came in with a two-towered baby pink, round cake in his hand. They then began to sing her a happy birthday while slowly nearing her. Mrs. Rodrigo still gesturing to atleast finger-comb her hair. 'Make a wish before you blow the candle!' reminded her sister. The smiling Elaine closed her eyes and made a silent wish. After she blew the candles her parents gave her a soft forehead kisses whilst her ever-loving sister gave her a flick on the forehead and a big hug. 'Alright. Come down to the kitchen in 20mins. We're to have our brunch together and Eli, please, fix your hair. Amy help her out.' said her mom before leaving their room. 'Ahh! Gosh, I totally forgot that today was my birthday. I'm so happy! But mama seems to be in a hurry though. What's up?' Elaine let out a small laugh. 'Ma said they have something important to say.' 'About what? Is it something serious?--' Elaine gasped. '-Oh the gods! Mama's pregnant? Oh, I do hope it's a boy!' said Elaine with a clasped hands. Amy smacked the back of Elaine's head and handed her a gift bag. 'Here. I bought this for you.' 'Aww! Thanks sissy!' You know, this is always my favorite part.. opening gifts. I wish everyday's my birthday but reality says no tho and if that ever happens, I'd be too old. Soooo-- Oh my gosh! Ahh! This dress is like a dream! I like it!' Screamed Elaine and instantly sprung up to her sister with her puppy eyes, 'Thank you so much. I love you. Ugh! Now, a part of me wishes that mama's not pregnant just so I could be the only one your gonna spoil' she said and scrunched her nose at her. They went down to the dining table, Elaine wearing the dress that her sister bought her and as they were about to sit, she noticed a big present on the counter. 'Woah! Is that for me?' she pointed excitedly. His father nodded at her and thus the excited Elaine went straight to the counter and took the big box. 'Can I open it now? Please, please, please?' Mr. Rodrigo chuckled and agreed while her mother slightly sighed. Elaine hastily scratched off the carefully wrapped boxed, not minding the beauty of unboxing a present. And finally, when the box was laid bare before her, she began to wail like a child. 'Oh, there goes our baby. Do you like it?' chuckled Mr. Rodrigo 'Like it? Are you kidding? Pa, I LOVE IT! I was saving up to buy my own DSLR camera and now I got it as a gift! Thank you ma, pa! You guys are amazing! I love you both so much!' Elaine said as she continued to wail. 'I wanted to take a photo with you guys, but my face's messed up. So, let's just do it later.' sniffed the adorable 17 year old lady in pink puff-sleeve dress. 'A single photo can wait. But the meal that is set before us can't. Now, take your seat girls. Your father and I have something to tell you.' concluded their Mother. After the prayer was said, each took turns in scooping the rice. The air was dead silent and the only thing you can hear are the utensils moving. Mrs. Rodrigo nudged the arm of her husband. Finally, Mr. Rodrigo broke the silence by clearing his throat, signalling that an announcement will be made any minute now. 'Okay. So the thing that your mother and I wanted you two to know about is...' he took a glass of water while glancing at the two curious girls. At this moment, just by the look on the siblings' faces, it's quite visible that they're having mixed emotions; Mr. Rodrigo, somehow is enjoying this, given the fact that he's a great prankster during his teenage years. 'Pa, come on! Please! I'm dying to know what this is all about!' pleaded Amy. 'My hands are already sweating.' chuckled Elaine. Elaine isn't actually great in handling stuff like this; she's an anxious person who easily panicks over certain situations. But ironically, she's an outgoing and friendly lass. Her mother, being a bit impatient cut the thrill: 'Your Father and I bought a house and lot somewhere in Dumaguete. Actually, we bought this a week ago with the help of your aunt Josie. I told your father that we should move within this week but he suggested that we also ask for your opinion. So, what do you girls think?' The two girls looked at each other in amusement. Elaine screamed gaily, rushed towards her parents and hugged them. 'Well, I still am on a job-hunt. So, I'm fine if we're to move this week.' said the cheerful Amy. 'For me, I'm good to go anytime. I've got no friends here anyway. Got no attachment or whatsoever. But I'm gonna miss this place and I'm gonna be far from Cathy's grave though. I'll just have to make sure she still gets her favorite flowers somehow. But anyway, a new school year in a new environment is a great starter-pack for a fresh start.' smiled Elaine. The four junior years of Elaine was a bit miserable for her age at that time. She had just one friend from 7th grade up til' 9th grade, her name was Cathy; she died due to cancer. Since then, Elaine just goes from one group of people to the other. 'Well then, I guess that settles it. Girls, why don't you start packing already? We're leaving this friday. I suggest that you sell some of your clothes and other things, for extra allowance. Oh, by the way girls, that new place has 3 bedrooms, which means each of you has your own room. Unless you both still wanna share a room. Hon, by the way, our neighbor next door have always wanted our sofa set and cupboard. Should I sell it to them? What do you think?' inquired the busy queen of the household. 'I still want to share a room with you, sis. But I know you're gonna need some privacy especially if you have a job, right?' smiled Elaine. Amy smiled back and pinched her little sister's cheek, 'Thanks, Eli.' 'I'm gonna need a spare key of your room tho.' 'Huh? Why? What for?' 'I still am gonna borrow some of your clothes.' pouted Elaine. 'No. Why don't you come and thrift with me. I promise you it's gonna be fun.' Finally Friday came in like a snap. Early in the morning at 3:45AM when the moon stooped down from its highest peak, the stars that seemed to be so close to the earth shined even brighter against the blue-black sky-- the Rodrigo's loaded their car with packed bags and some light furnitures. As Mr. and Mrs. Rodrigo were still arranging some of the things in the car, Elaine locked the gate of their house and slid the key in her pocket. Amy came in behind her while she stood still and clutched her chest. 'I feel a bit sad leaving this place. The memories might have not been that good but still...' Amy tilted her sister's head towards her shoulder and gave her a slight pat on the her head, 'It's normal to feel that way. You just have to keep those pretty memories somewhere inside you and make room for what's coming.' Elaine just nodded but Amy saw the tears that dripped down sideways on Elaine's face. 'Girls, we're good to go. Come on.' shouted Mr. Rodrigo. Amy took her little sister's cold hand, 'Is your camera fully-charged? I'm sure you're going to have fun taking a lot of sunrise photos.' Elaine wiped her face and sniffed, 'You bet!' They reached the Port at exactly 4:30 in the morning, an hour early for their trip. Mr. Rodrigo decided to take a sea trip even though he easily gets seasick because he wants to bring his beloved car that was bought to him by his father. When they were settled, Elaine heard the birds chirped as if it was a morning hymn out of the tree-filled area of the port, some of them flew in groups and went round and round, the sun on the east slowly rose above the pale and misty gray clouds and the cool breeze softly caressed their faces. 'This is it! This is the moment where magic could happen!' thought Elaine. She quickly grabbed the camera bag and slowly pulled the DSLR out and headed towards the ship's balcony. She gazed at the sunrise for a little while then drew the viewfinder towards her right eye, adjusted the focus and took tons of photos. She wandered around looking for some other angle and after walking for a few minutes, a thick black smoke went out of the huge vent of the ship, there were random yells from the back part saying the anchor was lifted, and a loud announcement came out of the speakers telling the passengers that the ship will now sail. Elaine traced her way back to their assigned bed, but before she reached their bed, a gentle wind passed by her and sticked a yellow and green ombre leaf in between her fingers as if a parting gift from the land she will miss.