EXTRAORDINAIRE

God has given us different gifts and talents that we can use to deal with life challenges. Some are good in arts, science, math, music, literature and even solving complex problems. They are widely recognized in a society for their remarkable abilities. But how about those who are good and knowledgeable at handling emotions? Do they get recognitions? Or they are being overshadowed by others? I blink twice as soon as I heard my Mama mentioned that we are going on a park today. I am very much excited to see some kids there playing and having fun. I love observing people, however I hate crowded places. How ironic right? It is very much draining for me when I am in crowded places. "My baby is turning 8 today what do you want me to buy for you?" Excited na sabi ni Mama na may kasamang pagkurot sa pisngi ko. "Ma mashaket". I said while pouting my lips. "Oh sorry, you're adorable". Nakangiting sabi niya. "I just want to play lang po and see some interesting people there". I said. "Oh that again? Sige if that's what make you happy, then I'll go for it. But always remember what I told you that-" "Don't talk to strangers and do not let your guard down po". Pagtatapos ko sa sasabihin niya sana. Napatango nalang siya matapos marinig ang sinabi ko. She kept on reminding me this one ever since, and I am aware that I can easily sense emotions from others so there's no need to talk to them to find out their intentions. I know whom to avoid and who's gonna talk to. My mother is aware too but she still kept on reminding me. It's Saturday, at ang nakaugalian namin ay maninda sa park ng mga laruan since fiesta is approaching. My Mama let me stroll around as long as it's near from her. As soon as we arrived at the park, I immediately ran towards the bleachers out of excitement. "Oh dahan lang baka madapa ka". Concern na sabi ni Mama. I sat on one of the bleachers, and I noticed that there's a kid on the other bleacher sitting too while staring at the tree. She seems to be curious because I noticed that her brows got furrowed. I can feel from afar that her presence is calming. I started to walk at her direction. "Hi I'm Ix". I greeted her but she didn't even bother to look at me. She kept on staring on the branches of the tree and it's trunks while murmuring something. So I observed her and it seems like she's upset with something. "Why are you upset?" I asked her. She look at me with a wide eyes. "Woah how did you know I was upset?" She asked. "I just know it based on your actions". I half lied but the truth is I can sense her mood and it's affecting me like we're one person. "Yeah you're right, yung lola ko kasi nag promise na ibibili niya raw ako ng laruan pag uwi niya pero hindi naman pala". Sabi niya sa malungkot na tono at parang naiiyak pa. "What's your name?" I asked her. "Helene". Tipid niyang sagot. "Well, Helene for the second time pala I'm Ix, ganito kasi yan, meron kasing mga bagay na nakakalimutan. I think mas inuna talaga nang lola mo yung mas importante, plus the fact that she aged, so it's acceptable". I said in a calming way. "Forget about that, Im fine now, I don't know how you did it but you made me calm". Nakangiti niyang sabi, bigla naman akong nakaramdam ng tuwa sa kanyang tinuran. "Let's play hehe" pang- aaya niya so I nod immediately. "Ang ganda ng paligid no?" Tanong niya. I scan the surroundings and it is indeed beautiful. I was about to look away when i felt tense all of the sudden. I immediately look at the direction of my mother and I saw a guy wearing a shirt and jeans with a black cap. Just by looking at him I felt suspicious. Tiningnan ko si Helene and she seems so fine, so she didn't felt it? I hurriedly walk towards my Mama's direction when I noticed Helene following me. So i turned around to face her, she seems so tense too. "Did you see that pattern?" She asked. Tiningnan ko ang tinuro niya and I didn't saw one. "Look closely at that tree over there, I saw an X sign forming on it's branches" she said and then I look at it closely and she's right. "Do you know what X means? It means a lot like it represents the unknown, a chromosome, an error or death" mahabang sabi niya. Then realization hit me when I figured out the last thing she said but It was over I suddenly felt a pang on my chest as I was looking at my Mother who had been stabbed multiple times in front of me. I couldn't move after witnessing how brutal it is. The guy immediately ran and smirked was evident on his lips. I ran towards my Mom's direction and cried a lot. "MAAAAA" I screamed while Helene was stood behind my back and was shocked by the sudden crime. "You told me earlier what I want right? I don't want this Ma, I told you I want to play please wake up". I uttered while tears are falling from my eyes. "Yyyyou can't just leave me like this" "p please". I begged All I want to do was to play all day long but it seems like destiny played it's part. And that is to tear me apart. It is quite indeed a beautiful gift for my birthday. "HAPPY BIRTHDAY IX!". nangingining na basa ni Helene while looking at the leaves, that forms the words. I don't know how did she figured it out quickly, I've been thinking about the person who did this, I felt hopeless right now it seems like I absorbed different kinds of emotions all at once. I saw Helene calling for help before my visions turned into black. Whoever it is I will make him feel what I felt right now.