The Lost Princess of Biringan City

Chapter 7: New Friend

After what happened, my life becomes different. My classmates may still don’t mind me, but at least they never bully me again. I never saw Sofie and her friends since then. I learned from Paulo that the admins of our school expelled them because of what happened. Speaking of Paulo, he never left my side since then. He even announces that no one should harm me again. I guess that is one of a reason my classmates didn’t bother me again. 

I have just become more confused and curious about my true self since then. I tried looking at my reflection, and it is true. The reflections in my eyes are upside down. I don’t know why? I can see. 

“Cassie! Your birthday is coming!” Kikay said excitedly. After what happened, we become close again. I never shouted at her, even though sometimes it hard to bear her gruff voice. 

“Balut!” I shouted. It’s Sunday in the afternoon, and I am helping my Tiya Jesse to market balut. I am holding around a basket made of rattan. It is full of eggs, and my right shoulders already feel numb because of the weight. I am used to this, but it’s hard for me. On my left arms, I hold a vinegar full of garlic, onion, and chili in a one-liter plastic bottle. Tiya Jesse put a string on the neck of the bottle so I can hold it. 

South City is big, and everything is here. From the Malls, marketplace, and schools. Since I was young, I have never left the City. We are at the end of the City, and we have a lot of customers here. Because this part is where the marketplace is located, and we are going there. On my right side, there is a road, and on my left side, there are a lot of street vendors who sell different goods. Most of them sell ready-to-eat foods. We call it street foods. You can buy most of the essentials in the marketplace. At the end of the street, there is a big old acacia tree. I think the officials wanted to remove the tree because for redevelopment. For me, it is okay because the tree is so beautiful. But it scares most people because they all believe that it has an elemental being living there. Silly right? Their old beliefs. 

And they also think that it is a portal to another world. Funny because it is at the entrance of the marketplace. So, if you have to enter the marketplace, you will need to pass at the tree. And I don’t think that it will bring you to another world. 

Kikay has been bothering me about my birthday. She said that she must have a party to celebrate my eighteenth birthday. But honestly, I don’t think we will have a party like others usually do. Just being with Tiya Jesse and Kikay, I’ll be happy. 

Kikay flies in front of me. I almost stumble because she just shows up, and I am busy shouting. “Cassie, we need to prepare for your birthday!”

I stopped walking and sighed. I looked around, and when I saw no one looking at me, I looked at Kikay’s eyes. 

“Kikay, I am working,” I said in a low voice. I showed her the vinegar I am holding. “Plus, we will not have a party. You know it.” Then I walked again. 

Kikay pouted and sat down at my shoulder sadly. “But it is your eighteenth birthday, Cassie. We should celebrate it.” I could hear her disappointment from her voice. “If we are in Biringan, everyone won’t miss your birthday! It will have at least three day's celebration.” 

I smirked. “Three days? That’s tiring - Balut!”

“No! It will delight everyone! And it is a tradition that we shouldn’t miss.” 

“What is so important to my birthday?” I asked, confused. 

“It’s the right time for you to be -”

“Cassie!” 

I stop walking when I heard Paulo’s voice, and I can recognize his voice now because we are together almost every day. I looked at my side and saw a black Ducati car.  Paulo is in the backseat, his window is down, and he is smiling at me. 

“Paulo!” I stop walking and look at him. Paulo’s car stops too, and then he stepped out. He walks towards me, and I smiled immediately. “What are you doing here?” I asked. 

Paulo shrugs. “I came to your house, but you are not there. Tiya Jesse told me you are selling eggs. That is why I look for you around,” he explained while his hands are on his pockets and looking shyly at me. He seems so simple in his faded pants and white t-shirts with his varsity jacket above, also his branded black rubber shoes. But I can still see the elegance in his clothes. Well, rich people. 

I frowned at him. “Why?” 

“Ahm… I think if I treat you dinner right now?” Paulo asked. 

I sighed. This is my problem with Paulo. Yes, we have become close since then, but he is always like this. I told him I don’t enjoy going out. I may sell on the streets, but I do this because I wanted to help my Tiya. If only I can choose, then I will just stay in my room. That is also the reason I only do this every weekend. The eggs are not selling well when I sell them because they think I am bad luck. People are harsh. 

“I can’t. I am still selling,” I declined. 

“He is handsome, Cassie,” Kikay said, her eyes widened while looking at Paulo’s face. She flew near him. I saw Paulo cringed a bit but smiled again. Did he saw her? “But there is something about him.” 

My eyebrows rose when Kikay said those, but I tried not to answer her. 

“Then, I will buy it all.” Paulo smiles excitedly. 

“I -”

Psst!

I stop talking when I heard someone make a sound. I tried to look around and see nothing. 

“Cassie,” Kikay calls me. I looked at her confusedly. When I saw her, Kikay becomes alert.

“We should go, Cassie,” Paulo said. He also looks alert and looking around. 

Psst!

“Are you hearing this?” I asked them. 

“Cassie, let’s go!” Kikay said worriedly. 

I didn’t say a word when Paulo grabs my basket and my hands. We were about to walk, but I froze when my eyes fall to the acacia tree. 

“W-What is that thing?!” I exclaimed. There is a big and hairy man standing under the acacia tree. He is holding a cigarette. His big red eyes are looking directly at us. 

“Let’s go, Cassie!” Paulo said. 

Pssst! 

© 06 - 05