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CHAPTER 8

"Stay here in the car Makaria. I'll have to go inside the store for a minute, okay?" I cross my arms and pout my lips. I wanted to go with mommy inside and look for something I can buy. Maybe I can buy new stuff and a pair of shoes since there's a latest new item my favorite brand had released.

" But mom! I wanna go with you! I wanna buy new shoes!" I whine. I've been begging to let me go with her in every stops we had. What's the use of tagging me along if I can't even go with her inside the stores?

"Makaria,we are shopping for something else. It's daddy's birthday so I have to prepare things for the party."My mom said patiently.

" But you had your talk with the coordinator right? Everything's perfect! Why can't I go inside the store with you? "

" Makaria please? Listen to me. Stay here inside the car and don't go out. Wait for me here. I'll buy the gifts myself." I stomp my feet in the floor and punch the car window as soon as mommy close the car door. I look outside to see mommy talking in the phone, her back facing me. My anger subsided a bit as an idea pop in my head. Mommy is still busy talking in the phone when I decided to make a run for it. I open the door which startled the driver.

"Miss? Your mother had strictly prohibited you to stay here inside" He said as he look at me through the rear view mirror. I raise my brow and glared at him. The hell I care. I wanted to go out and shop myself.

Hastily, I run to God knows where the moment my foot landed on the cemented ground, full of bustling crowd in their own worlds. Not only a second after I made my escape, I was busted.

"Makaria! Get back here! Guards, follow after her!" I can hear my mother ordering around in the crowd. Never looking back, I run as fast as I can. I almost toppled over amidst the busy crowd as I run over the opposite flow of where the people come from.

"Be careful where you run girl!"

I heard someone called but I didn't care. After some turns and run along the streets, I decided to stop. I clutch my chest and take a deep breaths. I felt a beads of sweet run in my forehead. The sun is has now set leaving some streaks of orange hue all over the place.

Where am I? I must have gone far from our car as the streets have become narrower and the huge placards and signs of malls and buildings were gone. Instead of tall and cemented buildings, the view was replaced by old buildings, shabby houses. I look around, there people sitting and talking from afar; kids in rugged clothes playing some where pushing a cart with bottles inside. A meters from where I stood, I saw a boy who is busy on something. His back facing me so I really can't see his face.

"Excuse me? Where is this place?" I ask the boy in rugged clothes that rummage over the garbage. I covered my mouth and nose as I approached. This part of the city is smelly and... dirty. I must have gone too far from the heart of the city. The boy stop from what he was doing. He eyed me first and look sideways.

"Did you hear me? I was asking you where this place is." I ask again. I crossed my arms while waiting for his answer.

"This is the Banadero street."He mumbled.

" Is this still part of the city? "

" Of course. This area is part of the squatters area though. "

My eyes widen with what he said. Squatters area? Is he for real? Oh my gosh. Mommy must have searching for me! I had never been in this area of the city but I heard some things of this" squatters area". I look around and that maybe... explains the foul smell and the surroundings.

"Are you lost? I can lead you to the main street of the city."

"Will..you help me?" I said. It may not be bad to be help out by him. By looking at him, he pretty knows the way out. The boy nodded and wipe off his dirty hands in his worn out shirt.

"Where do you want to go then?"

"My mommy's probably waiting in the M jewelry store. Do you know where that is?"

"I don't know exactly where but maybe its in the Sta. Maria Street." He then walked straight ahead, and me tailing behind. I eyed him, head to toe. He must be a resident here. There's no denying it. His rugged, dirty clothes, worn out slippers and him rummaging in the trash bin shows that he is a residence here. How could someone live here anyway? Do they have a house? A decent meal? Well, I guess not. They do not even have the proper clothing.

"What were you doing in the garbage?" I ask, quite curious with him. He stop on his tracks and tilt his head a bit, looking at me through his peripheral vision.

. For a boy that grow up in this kind of place, he's tall and quite attractive I must say. He got this thick eyebrows, long eyelashes which is quite evident in his side profile and that striking pointed nose.

The boy arc his eyebrow a bit, to my shock, and walk on ahead. It irratated me. Who is he to turn his back on me without even answering? Before I could lash out, he answered my question with a tone quite different a while ago.

"Isn't it obvious? I was looking for some leftovers in the garbage."

"Really? That's so eww? Like it's in the garbage so that means it's no longer fit for consumption!" I exclaimed. I really had an inkling on what he was doing but I never thought he would admit it. And just thinking about eating a food that came from the garbage is making me sick.

" Well, it's not that I have a choice. I'm not previledge in life miss, not like you. In our world, ifyou don't work your ass off, you will die. So better eat something eww and dirty than dying from hunger."

He said with an icy tone. He even clenched his fists. I slow down and put a distance between us. Is he mad at me?

" Are you really mad? Like it's the truth anyway! People throw away things or food in the garbage to dispose it, not to eat it! It's not healthy and definitely not recommended to do! What if you'll get diseases or infections from that?!" I said, my voice echoing in the streets. It's dark now. The lights from the streets and buildings help us tread the path. I was never out in the streets this kind of time and most absolutely in this kind of place. If I didn't go out the car, we must be having our dinner now. Walking around some unknown street with stranger is fearsome but at the same time, quite liberating for my part.

"Tss." HA. He really had the audacity to be mad where in fact I was just stating the truth! I rolled my eyes in annoyance. The hell with him. I walked faster and passed him by.

"Where do you think you're going? This is the way miss." I stop on my tracks and look behind. He turned into a sidewalk.

"Why didn't you tell me so?!" I stated while I keep up with his long strides.

"It was you who assumed. You even walked passed me like you know this place." He said with a smug.

"Oh shoot." Eyes wide open, my mouth went agape as the scene unfolded right in front of me. Caesar, one of mommy's bodyguards, is looking so sharp as ever, commanding everyone and even talking to a police. Did they really go overboard into finding me? Mommy's must be worried sick. I chewed my lower lip as my heart went wild thinking I'll surely got an earful nag from everybody, specially from mommy. As the boy advanced forward, I reached my hand and hold a bit of t-shirt causing him to stop. He face me with eyebrows meet and questioning look.

"I think... You should go home." Was the words I left until Caesar and the others noticed me and drag me inside the car. I even saw how the other guards pushed the boy away.

"Hey! You didn't have to do that! He helped me okay?!" I shouted but Caesar didn't paid attention to me at all.

"Miss you need to behave and go home now."

"Of course I do! But wait, where's mommy? Did she go to the precinct herself?" I ask as mommy is nowhere to be found in the car. I look at the guards waiting for an answer but they exchanged looks.

"what? Answer me! Where's mommy?!"

"I think you need to go home first miss. Your father's waiting."

"Why don't you answer me first? Ain't I'm going home with mommy? I know I must have worried her. I want to see her now to apologize."

The looks in the guards as they look at each other is giving me anxiety.

"Your mother... Mrs. Sandoval is currently in the hospital miss Makaria."

"RISE AND SHINE MAKARIA!!!" I stretch out my limbs as consciousness sink in. I heard the rattling of the windows and the flapping of the curtains. The steps Cecilia is making made me imagine that she is opening the windows of my room, arranging things and whatnot.

" You got a loud voice in the morning Cecilia." I mumble and yawn. I sleep so soundly last night that I didn't notice it's already morning.

"Got a good sleep? You sleep like a log last night. You didn't notice that I sneak in here."

"Hmm. Yeah. I don't know why but I sleep straight last night."

"That's good to hear. Gosh I'm so excited today Makaria!" Happiness radiates off her voice which is very contagious. I smiled at her way.

"Yes I am too. I hope there's nothing wrong with my eyes Cecilia. Can't wait to see you!" I felt her hand clasp mine and I returned her gesture.

"Kyah! You gotta see my beautiful face later! That's why you should eat your breakfast now!"

"Okay. Uh, have you noticed a guy guarding outside?"

"Ah yes. He's guarding all night! He almost didn't let me in last night. Geez."

"Really? Did he already have his breakfast?"

"Uh, I don't know..."

Geez. Seriously? Ben had guarded me all night? Well it was his job but I kinda felt sad for him though. I called out his name and immediately, the door open and he ask for me.

"You can now have your breakfast and take some break. I heard you were guarding all night."

"Thanks for that ma'am. I got Julius to switch for my place last night. As for my breakfast, I'll have to wait for Julius until he's done."He politely answered.

" I'm with Cecilia, Ben and I'm about to have my breakfast so I won't be alone. Go have your breakfast. " I insisted and wave my hand to shoo him away. He totally needs to rest. With my experiences, I had now an inkling of what those people working their asses off feels like. I now emphatize with them in my situation.

" But ma'am it's strictly - "

" Come on mister, your ma'am won't be harm. She's not alone here, she's with me. For the months that she's here confined and totally vulnerable, nothing had happened with her so she'll be fine.". Came Cecilia's comeback to help me push the man away.

" If you really insist ma'am. Thank you "

The door closed and Cecilia giggled. I laugh at her giggle even though I don't know why she was giggling.

" What's funny Cecilia? "

" Oh. It's your bodyguard who's funny. He got this really tired eye yet very determined. I can even see the twinkle in his eyes as you mention" break" and "breakfast". Man, he must be so tired but remain dignified and tough. "

" Oh? Too bad I can't see that myself. " I mumble.

" Hey don't worry! Dr Sanchez will remove the bandages today! " Cecilia smack me in the arm which in all honesty, hurts. I caress my arm and smiled.

" Yeah. I can't wait. "

" Gosh. Come on! You should eat your breakfast now. Doc Sanchez must be coming here any minute. Say ahh"

~~~~~~~

"Slowly open your eyes."

I take a deep breath and as what the doctor had said, I slowly open my eyelids. Now that the bandages are out, I felt free like a prisoner who got out of the dark, cold jail. Ever so slowly, the brightness filled my eyesight and everything is translucent; silhouette and figures of two people were standing in front of me. I blink a few times and the view got clearer and clearer. I eyed the woman in a nurse's outfit, she had that petite figure, kinda round face and a brunette hair that falls just right in her shoulders. She's smiling widely at me and waving her hands frantically.

"Oh my God! Can you see me? Can you see me Makaria?" Her loud and cheerful voice didn't make me doubt that she isn't Cecilia.

"Cecilia?" I called which made Cecilia run to me and trapped me in a bone crashing hug.

The man in a doctor's robe laugh and shook his head.

"Now now, you don't want to injure our patient one more time Cecilia? Let miss Makaria go now."

"Oops. Sorry, my bad. I was just overly excited with you finally able to see again!" I laugh. I roam my eyes around to see the white walls, ceiling, windows, curtains and even the tiled floor is white. Beyond the windows, I can see the vast green trees that stretches from the gates until the farthest green I can see. My eyes turn to slits as I look up above and the sun shine so brightly. The clouds so white and blue at the same time.

My heart swelled in gratitude. It was like forever when I was trapped in the darkness of being visually impaired but here I am. A lone tear escape my eye. I turn to the doctor and he offered me warmest smile I had seen today.

"It feels surreal. Thank you Doc." I mumble.

"Don't thank me hija. I'm just doing my job. Your thanks should be addressed to the donor instead, if it weren't for him, you wouldn't still be able to see again. Now let me just run some check up and you're good to go."

After a minute, Doc Sanchez told that everything is fine with my eyes and I was cleared. He also told me the important things I need to do.

" Thank you so much Doc. "

" No worries miss. Just follow the precautionsI had instructed, if something happens, consult me. Anyway, you can now actually discharge. Your injuries is okay so you're good to go. I need to go."

I nodded and accompanied the doctor until the door.

" So, what are you gonna do now? " Cecilia look at me with her hands in hips. I smiled at her knowingly and wink.

" I wanna go to the rooftop! " I shouted which I guess startled Ben. He hastily open the door wide and look around the room looking so alert.

" Is everything okay ma'am? I heard a shout inside."

"Ah. Hahaha. It was just me Ben, nothing happened." I replied, chuckling. I wave my hand to dismissed his worries. Ben look so confused but nodded anyway. He composed himself and went back outside to stand and guard.

"Makaria, you scared the poor man! Geez that was so epic! Hahaha" I laugh along with Cecilia. It has been so long since I had a good time like this.

"I didn't mean to. I'm just overwhelmed and ecstatic to hang out in rooftop."

"Do you want me to accompany you upstairs? You know, I wanna smoke now."

"Seriously? Aren't you busy miss nurse? The head nurse must be looking for you now" I tease her as I remember one time when the head nurse looked for her and scolded her due to hanging out in the rooftop during duty hours. She rolled her eyes and grunted.

"Argh. Don't remind! Geez. Fine. I gotta go then. Take care, okay?"

"Yeah. I can definitely manage now on my own. So off you go Missy."

After shooting Cecilia away, I stretched out my whole body. I can feel the excitement in my body as I made my through the halls. I rode the elevator and stop on the third floor. The pathway is deserted but the occasional rustle of the things can be heard in the rooms aligned.

"I'm sorry but I can't remember. I don't even know who am I, more so my family." I stop momentarily as I heard someone weeping inside the room. The small creak of the door allowed me to hear the sad, mellow voice of someone and the heavy cries.

"Don't worry. I'll do everything to help you remember everything. Please, just believe in me when I say that you're my son Enzo."

The conversation tug my heart. It might really hurt for the mother's part that her son doesn't remember her anymore. Moving forward, I walk away from accidentally eavesdropping as I felt that moment was meant to be intimate and close, something that is not to be eavesdrop on by some outsider like me.