AURORA

[1990, Ayera's giving birth to Aurora]

"What will you name her, Ayera?" asked the midwife while not taking her eyes off the baby.

"Aurora," Ayera answered weakly. The midwife nodded and turned to her husband standing in front of them. He also turned to her and shot a deep look with his scary eyes.

"Far from Ayera's face." The midwife said to herself and quickly stood up from the bamboo floor. She didn't even think about the delivery fee and hurriedly said goodbye to the couple and left. She walked quickly to get away from the house of the hunter, Proseo.

"Where have you been?" The person she knew asked when she reached the lighted part of Sitio Balerio.

"Ayera has given birth!" She said confusedly.

"Oh my God! Did that man get her pregnant?"

"Yes, Proseo even chased me to tell me that Ayera was about to give birth." They walked together and continued to talk.

"I can't believe that Proseo became her husband. I know that she is an orphan of her father and mother, but I did not expect her to be with that man. Many rich and good-looking men want to marry Ayera. After all, she can shop too much.”

The two of them talked incessantly and walked towards their house.

The next day Ayera's birth of a baby girl was added to the conversation of people in Sitio Balerio. The strange face of the daughter of Proseo and Ayera has been spread all over the place. Even its name Aurora.

While Ayera was staring at her daughter. A one-year stay with Proseo for unknown reasons. Her tears continued to flow because of the joy she felt while watching her daughter.

“Aurora, you are so beautiful.” she promised. For her, Aurora is beautiful because it comes from her. She raised her gaze to her husband and she looked as if asking a question. Ayera seemed to realize something while observing his face.

Proseo's jaw tightened as he leaned against the wall. He quickly left and went to the back of the house. And even though Ayera's body was still in pain, she slowly got up from lying down and quickly followed her husband. She caught him looking for something under the wooden table where there were various bottles with strange contents.

"Proseo?" Ayera asked as if she just found out her husband's name. Something changed in her mind when she saw her daughter earlier.

The husband ignored her and continued to search behind the house. It took a few moments for Proseo to find what he wanted. A bottle of liquid that is red in color and slightly oily.

He held it and approached Ayera who was now wondering. He held her tightly by the wrist.

“Why did you follow me? Come let's go back inside and I'll get you something to drink." Every utterance of Proseo was soft and he gently let Ayera inside their house.

He laid Ayera down again and took care of what he wanted his wife to drink. A little while later, Proseo was carrying the glass with red wine. Ayera frowned when she noticed this.

"What is that?" Proseo's jaw tightened again because of Ayera's question. He sighed and answered his wife.

"Drink that, so that your body's strength will return." Ayera nodded and slowly drank the liquid. It has no smell but if you see it you will really hate it. A few moments later, Ayera gradually fell asleep next to her little angel who was formed without her knowledge and who didn't even ask her for permission.

While Proseo's mother and daughter were sleeping, he watched her silently. And at the same time he prayed to those he believed would have...

None of his loved ones will know the secrets he is hiding.

AYERA'S POV

"Are you sure, you're only here in Balerio?" Aunt Corazon asked. While I was staring at the coffin of my deceased parents. I am carrying a lot of grief and sadness right now. I never thought that an accident would take the life of my dear parents.

"Ayera, you haven't answered my question yet." I turned to Aunt Corazon and stopped my stupor.

"I will not come to Manila. No one will be here in our house. And then I can live alone.” I smiled at her as a reassurance that I was fine.

Aunt nodded and held both of my hands. "If that's the case, I won't force you anymore. Just don't think too much… and about paying for the funeral. The owner of the truck that ran over will pay.” I smiled at her again.

"If you need anything, just send me a letter and I will help you. Just take care of yourself and you'll be alone now.” She let go of my hand and hugged me tightly before she finally returned to Manila. I sighed before turning to the people visiting my father and mother. Some of them are colleagues in the field where my parents grow rice.

They had just finished harvesting when they decided to put their produce on the back of a truck, to send home. They were busy loading and both knew that another truck was coming. They both thought it was just parking, but unexpectedly, the driver of the truck was drunk. It quickly approached the back of a truck that my parents were busy loading. They were not able to leave immediately and got stuck in each other's arms and died because of irresponsible truck driving.

That's the story their colleagues told me. I didn't know what I was going to do then because I just saw that they were all destined for purgatory. I couldn't think straight then and all I did was cry. I took care of their funeral carefully, even though my mind was a little floaty because of what happened. My tears are still not enough to cry. I want them to wake up and join me until I have a family too. My tears continue to fall even though this is the last day of their consciousness. I sat for a moment and stared at them.

A moment later, a hand landed on my shoulder. "Ayera, hold on." Arturo's pronunciation was soft.

He continued to caress me until I stopped crying. He was one of those who helped me until my parents were buried in the cemetery.

"Father, Mother. Thank you, I love you so much." I continued to cry while standing in front of their grave. Everyone who went to the funeral has left and only Arturo and I are left.

"Ayera, let's go home." He whispered behind me. I faced him while wiping my tears. "I'm alone." I said. He smiled at me and I felt his warm body hugging me. I stopped and was surprised by what happened. Even so, I gave him a hug. After a few seconds of being hugged, I felt tired.

I closed my eyes for a moment and slowly opened them. I saw Arturo's face when I let go of the hug. He immediately spoke which I didn't pay attention to because of a man in the distance.

He stood near other graves. His dress was blue and he was wearing pants. He shot a sharp look and then slowly walked away.

"Ayera, are you okay?“ I turned to Arturo again as he slightly raised his voice.

I looked again to where the man was.

"Let's go home." I said confused.

Arturo quickly nodded and helped me walk. While we were walking, I couldn't forget the man I saw. The deep look and there seemed to be something strange in my face, which I only observed for a moment.

I quickly put that out of my mind and maybe he was just one of the grave cleaners.

"How are you now?" Arturo asked when we stopped in front of our house.

"I don't know." I bow down.

"How are you studying? Are you still going to college?”

I shook my head. "No longer. Maybe I'll work first and save."

He smiled at me and tapped me on the shoulder. "If you need anything, just tell me. I'll leave you Ayera, maybe mom is looking for me. I'll be back tomorrow."

I nodded and smiled.

"Take a rest." He said.

I entered the house and immediately fell asleep because of the tiredness and sadness I felt all week. I never thought that I would be the only one to sleep in our simple house.

These worries at home with my parents should never be erased.

The next day I received a letter from Father's relative. Even though their condolences are late, I am still grateful because they delivered a message for me.

While I was reading this, Arturo arrived.

"Good morning!" He opened the door and quickly entered the house. He didn't disappoint me as he said he will get back to me tomorrow.

He brought some fruits. "What is that?" I asked even though I knew.

“Fruits, you were so tired last week that I think you need this. You're losing weight." There was a reminder in his tone.

I took it and put it on the table. "Thank you, I'll eat it."

He nodded at me. "Get some rest today."

"I can't take care of much." I answered, even though I knew to myself that I was still tired because of what happened.

“Just open it. Let's go for a walk, let's go home."

I turned to him. "Don't let your mother look for you. Aren't you with her gathering wood and crops?"

He scratched the back of his neck because of what I said. "It's not because I invited you this morning that it's now. Later tonight Ayera."

My jaws were left open with what he said. "Apologies."

"No, it's fine. So tonight you get ready, we'll go out. For now I will leave first and do what you are worried about." He promised and was leaving the house.

"Yes, if that's what you want to happen." I smiled and stood at the door.

"Thank you Arturo, I'll wait for you tonight!"

He looked at me and smiled. "Thank you too, Ayera." He said and walked away from the house. I closed the door as I feel shiver because of the cold air. It's seems so weird outside the house. I feel like there is someone looking at me. By thinking that now, the face of the man in the cemetery flashes again. I closed my eyes and shake my head trying to erase it.

I'm scared actually!