2 A New Life

-Marko Ace Belleza-

I no longer remember my parents faces, I lost them when i was very young. The only thing that i remember are flashes of lights and hearing my mother song.

"Atin ku pung singsing

Metung yang timpukan

Amana ke iti

King indung ibatan."

It was a song in my mothers dialect. I'm not exactly sure what it meant, but it has something to do with a lost ring or something.

I grew up with my God Parent, Ninong* Jerry. His age is around 35 now? I don't really remember since he doesn't celebrate birthday. My Ninong works as Entomologist, studying insects and among other stuff that i don't understand. From time to time, we have to relocate to a different town due to his work. Also the reason why i don't have close friends. Every year, we move at-least twice. Different neighbors, different school, different people. He's been taking care of me since I was young. I'm turning 13 this next month, my uncle promised me that once I'm 13 he will buy me a cellphone, finally. Thats something to look forward this year.

"Mar are you done unpacking? I need a hand on setting up our security cameras on our front gate." My Ninong calls me mar, short for Marko. He is a little paranoid when it comes to our house security. Usually he will install a double lock on our door and cameras around. I tried asking once, but he just told me that some people are trying to steal his research and its better to be careful than never. I never really mind, tho its hard to sneak out. One time i had a friend Deo, he invited me to catch spiders late at night. We didn't even made it to the gate, my uncle caught us right away. I was grounded for a week that time.

"I didn't know the famous blood sky had a son", I overheard a unfamiliar voice talking to my Ninong at our front gate. As a approach them, the tall man stared at me with so much interest, I started to feel shiver in my spine.

"stop it", my uncle bellow.

"whats going on?" As I approached them i had this uneasy feeling, both men stared at each other so weirdly.

"Hi, I'm one of your neighbor." he speaks so slow in a high pitched voice. "you can call me Kulas. Welcome to Buliran." He looked at my ninong with a grin.

Kulas has this very small thin face and long closed beard. He is also very tall, my Ninong has to look up just to talk to him. His hair is also long in pony tail. He was about to approach me but my Ninong blocked him with his arm.

"Kulas here is about to leave. Nice meeting you again Kulas". My uncle pat his arm lightly.

Kulas moved back but didnt leave his eyes off me. "Mar, I live near the bridge, its not hard to miss. I'll introduce you to my son some other time". My uncle closed the gate and he's gone.

"Do you know him Ninong?" i really don't want to pry, but that encounter is just so weird.

"I know him way back." My Ninong paused for a moment. "Just ignore him Mar, he's just weird that way"