"Ma'am Harika, tinawagan ko ho ang sekretarya ni Mr. Levantine, mayamaya pa raw ho ang balik niya ng opisina," anang matanda na pinagmamasdan siya mula sa rearview mirror.

Harika was crying at the backseat in her tutu. Katatapos lang ng dressed rehearsal nila para sa isang ballet performance na gaganapin sa makalawa. Humihikbi siya na may luha sa ilalim ng mga mata.

"I'm still going, manong. Hihintayin ko na lang po si Lolo Dad sa loob ng opisina niya." Kahit pa malungkot at masama ang loob sa sarili, hindi pa rin nawawala ang respeto ni Harika sa matandang driver na kausap. She's just upset, but she won't act like a brat.

"Okay ho, ma'am."

Harika took her bag, which contained her favorite coloring book and dozens of colored pencils, when they got to the Levantine Holdings Building. She stepped out of the car and waved goodbye to her personal driver, Liro. Kabisado na niya ang daan papasok sa loob ng gusaling iyon. She turned eight, and she knows that she can always find her Lolo Dad at his Holdings Company.

Kinagiliwan agad siya ng mga babaeng staff nang makapasok sa lobby. Some praised her outfit, and others were especially taken with her stunning princess face. She wiped her tears away, but it was still clear that she had shed them.

"What brought you here, Little Miss Harika?" inquired a sophisticated woman wearing a different office look that was even more formal but welcoming. Sumalubong ito sa kanya na may ngiti habang dinig na dinig ang takong nito sa mula tiled floor ng hallway.

"I need to talk to my Lolo Dad, Miss Charmaine," she said with a little smile.

Tumango ito sa kanya. She held her hand as they made their way to the elevator. "Okay, no problem. Tinawagan ako ni Manong Liro na pupunta ka rito, ang kaso wala pa si Mr. Levantine sa opisina niya. He went to a coffee meeting with a client. But don't you worry, inihanda ko na ang opisina niya para doon ka muna mag-stay. Would that be okay?" paliwanag ng sekretarya.

Nag-angat ng tingin si Harika at tumango sa sinabi nito.

Nang makarating sila sa palapag ng opisina ng kanyang Lolo Dad, agad na iginiya siya ng sekretarya papasok sa loob at saka siya sumalampak sa milyones na halaga na couch.

"Do you want anything? There are a lot of chocolates and cookies in the pantry; would you like some?" Charmaine offered.

Harika took her coloring book from her bag and scattered all the pencils from the table. "I already had my lunch, Miss Charmaine," she just said.

"Okay. Kung may kailangan ka, nasa labas lang ako." Saka siya nito nilisan mag-isa.

Naghintay lang si Harika sa loob ng opisina ng kanyang Lolo Dad. The smell indicates that the interior was very masculine. His desk was made of pricey mahogany wood, and the rest of the space was plain but more like a wealthy businessman's office. She turned to look at her photo in a frame next to a tiny plant on his desk. Hindi siya mababagot doon since inaaliw niya ang kanyang sarili sa coloring book niyang dala.

Lumampas ang kulay na pula sa bestidang kinukulayan niya nang bumukas ang malaking pinto ng opisina sa kabila ng katahimikan. Agad na bumaling si Harika sa dumating. It was Joseph Ishida, dressed in a tucked-in black polo.

"Did I surprise you?" he asked as he walked in, putting his jacket on the side rack, "Charmaine told me you were waiting here, so I came inside to say hi." Saka ito kumaway at pinuri ang suot niya.

"Tito Joseph!" Tumayo agad si Harika at sumalubong ng yakap dito. "Nandito rin po ba kayo para hintayin si Lolo Dad katulad ko?" aniya habang magkasabay silang naglalakad pabalik sa couch.

Maamong ngumiti ito sa kanya. "Yes, we're using the chopper to fly to the city of Bellmoral late this afternoon. Gusto mo bang sumama sa amin?"

Harika's eyes widened as she smiled from ear to ear. "Really, Tito? Puwede akong sumama?"

They took their seats on the couch. "Yes, of course, and did you know that your Lolo Dad would later serve as our co-pilot?"

Umiling siya rito ngunit bakas na bakas ang pagkamanghang malaman iyon. "Lolo Dad hasn't told me anything about it." And then her smile disappeared. "Baka ayaw niyang sabihin sa akin dahil ayaw niya akong isama."

"Baka naman gusto ka niyang surpresahin," anito. "Kilala mo naman ang Lolo Dad mo... he's full of surprises. At kung hindi ka niya isasama, ako ang bahalang kumausap sa kanyang isama ka." Saka siya nito kinindatan at ipinaramdam sa kanyang magkakampi sila.

She felt even more excited when Joseph secured her from having a seat inside the chopper. Sa kabila ng kuwentuhan nilang dalawa, saka naman ang pagdating ni Jed.

"Hi, Harika..." Kumaway ito sa kanya pagpasok. Nang bumaling siya rito ay agad na nabanaag niya ang kakisigan nitong taglay sa uniporme nitong suot. Recently, Harika enjoyed watching a teen sitcom in which one of the actors she had a crush on reminded her of Jed. Masaya siya sa pagdating nito, but she couldn't hide her blush. She was really drawn to him by his politeness, patience, and caring personality.

She smiled back at him after his greeting.

Lumapit ito at tumabi sa kanya. "How are you?" Sumalubong sa ilong niya ang natural nitong amoy.

"Not so fine, Kuya," malungkot na pag-amin niya.

Jed was observing her as she colors the page. "Bakit naman? Napagod ka ba sa practice ninyo?"

Pumasok si Charmaine sa loob na may dalang tray ng tsaa, tubig at snacks. Ipinatong nito ang mga iyon sa kabilang table kung saan naroroon malapit si Joseph.

Umiling si Harika kay Jed. "It's not it, Kuya," she said with a pout, "I came here to tell Lolo Dad that I lost something really important."

"What did you lose? May I know?"

"The tiara he gave me when I turned eight last month. Ang sabi ni Aunt Lymareva na ingatan ko raw ang tiara na 'yon dahil nagkakahalaga iyon ng tatlong milyon. She also said that it was made of high-end materials and there are real diamonds embellished in it. Kaya nanghihinayang ako at natatakot dahil nagkakahalaga pala iyon nang ganoong kalaki." Lumungkot ang mukha niya. "What if I tell Lolo Dad about it and he gets mad?" She exhaled a long, tense breath.

Maging si Jed ay nabigla rin sa halaga ng tiara na iyon, itinago lang nito. If he lost something of that value, he might become alarmed and regret it as well. Kaya naiintindihan nito si Harika. On her end, she felt completely responsible losing it.

Jed began to ask her questions after learning about her situation, as if they were taking part in a twenty-question game. Lahat ng mga posibleng nangyari bago, habang at matapos maiwala ni Harika ang tiara ay inimbestigahan niya. Iniisip rin nito na sa edad ni Harika, baka ay na-misplace niya lang iyon o nasa lugar lang na nakalimutan niyang doon niya nailagay. He's considering every angle and possibilities.

"How about your helpers? Naitanong mo na ba sa kanila ang tungkol sa tiara? Possibly when they clean your room, they'll store it someplace secure."

Pinagmamasdan lang nito si Harika na tahimik na nagkukulay. Pinakikinggan lang siya nito. Sasagot minsan sa tanong, subalit madalas ay tinanggap na niyang nawala niya ito. At ang isa pang hindi mawala sa mukha niya ay iyong lungkot dahil alam niyang pinahahalagahan niya ang bagay na iyon, Jed, however, held her in place by putting something on the table.

Bumaling ang mga mata ni Harika sa bagay na iyon mula sa pahina na kanyang kinukulayan at napangiti. "Paper crane? Marunong kang gumawa ng paper crane, Kuya?" She turned to face him as she did so.

Tumango si Jed. "Yes, it was also the simplest. I made it in my boring class." He laughed softly. "Kunin mo na, sa 'yo na 'yan."

Hindi naglaho ang ngiti nang dinampot ni Harika ang simpleng paper crane na iyon saka pinalipad-lipad gamit ang kanyang mga kamay.

Mayamaya'y nagpaalam na si Jed. He left the borrowed books from Constancio's desk. Joseph and Harika remained in the office.

Charmained walked in a moment later. "Mr. Levantine has arrived at the building. Nasa lobby na ho siya, Mr. Ishida," she announced.

Lumawak ang ngiti ni Harika, pero sa kabila niyon ay nangamba siya sa sasabihin dito.

"Harika, start gathering your things. Sasalubungin na natin ang Lolo Dad mo sa baba."

She nodded at Joseph. Nilinis na niya ang mesa na ginamit niya saka sila magkasabay na bumaba. Sinalubong nila si Constancio sa lobby, yumakap si Harika, humalik sa pisngi nito at ikinapit ang kamay sa malaking kamay nito. Ang hindi nila inaasahan ay kasama nito si Waki na ikinatuwa naman ni Joseph.

"Mr. Levantine drove me here and said we're going to the amusement park in Bellmoral, is that true, Dad?" excited na saad ni Waki.

Tumango ang ama nito.

Nakatingin lang si Harika kay Waki. She had no idea they were going to an amusement park via chopper flight to Bellmoral. Kailan kaya ito sasabihin sa kanya ng Lolo Dad niya? Kung susurpresahin man siya nito, parang kahit magpanggap ay hindi na siya magugulat.

"How's your day, princess?" pangungumusta nito.

"Tiring," she answered. "Lolo Dad, pupunta po pala tayong amusement park, bakit hindi ninyo po sinabi sa akin?"

Yumukod ito at bumulong sa kanya, "Dahil gusto kitang surpresahin." Saka ngumiti.

Matapos niyon ay gusto na niyang sabihin sa kanyang Lolo Dad na naiwala niya ang tiara na ibinigay nito noong birthday niya. Her chest began to race, preventing her from saying it right away.

Nagkatinginan si Constancio at Joseph. They both nodded as if to indicate that something was prepared. Both Harika and Waki were silent as they made their way to the elevator to the rooftop.

Malakas ang pagaspas ng hangin na nanggagaling sa umiikot na rotor blade ng chopper nang makarating sila. Para itong napakalaking electric fan sa dalawang bata.

Harika doubted to ride it and immediately pulled her Lolo Dad's hand and wished she never came to the rooftop. "Lolo Dad, I'm scared!" she whined, frightened.

"Don't be, princess..." Constancio encouraged her not to be afraid. He smiled as he held her shoulders and turned to face her. He held her close and assured her, "Nothing bad will ever happen to you. Remember when we flew to Chrisford using a private plane? It was just the same with this chopper." He kissed her head and said, "You're safe as long as you're with me."

Natatakot man ay sinubukan ni Harika na maglakad patungo sa chopper. As she goes near it, the wind became more intense. Her hair's flying in the air when she tries to check on Waki, nakangiti ito sa kanya nang magtama ang mga mata nila.

Once they were inside, she briefly felt some relief. Joseph sat in front keeping an eye and directing them as Harika and Waki were seated next to each other harnessed in a large seat belt. Constancio was their co-pilot when he joined the cockpit next to the pilot. To avoid hearing loss and to make radio and communication easier, they all wear aviation headsets.

Nang umangat na ang landing skid mula sa semento ng rooftop, mariing napapikit si Harika. She started to feel anxious and scared. The environment became extremely loud.

Napansin ni Waki ang takot niya. It was her first time and it was his second that was why he knew the feeling. Sa pagkakataong iyon, hinawakan nito ang kamay ni Harika, may higpit na nagpapahiwatig na naroroon lang ito para sa kanya. Waki was nodding with a smile when she opened her eyes, seemingly as if to reassure her that everything would be okay... and she quickly understood that.

Lumapat ang ngiti ni Joseph sa labi habang pinagmamasdan ang dalawa. They were adorable and look great together. He must have been proud of Waki, because he knows how to give courage to someone who needs it.

Nabawasan pa lalo ang kaba at takot na nadarama ni Harika nang tumaas pa ang lipad nila. Awe-inspiringly breathtaking was the view from the top. Napagmamasdan nila ang syudad ng Windercoln, ang pinakamalapit na coastline at ang residence area. And it was the view Waki wanted to see at that precise moment. He has always preferred an aerial perspective.

Nang makarating na sila sa Bellmoral, sumakay ng kotse patungo sa amusement park, tila ba naglaho na ang takot at pangamba ni Harika nang makita ang napakagandang mga bagay na makikita sa isang amusement park. The rides, the lights and all of the food stalls were ready for use. Wala ibang tao bukod sa kanila. Constancio rented the entire amusement park. Mas masaya, mas exciting sakyan ang lahat.

Takaw tingin si Harika sa lahat, gusto niyang sakyan ang lahat ngunit hindi niya alam kung saan mag-uumpisa. She then pulled Waki while still holding his hand. "Lolo Dad, can we ride the carousel?"

Constancio's lips curved into a smile. "You two can ride it all!"

Gaya ng sinabi ng kanyang Lolo Dad, sinakyan nila ang lahat. Lalo na iyong mga ride na pasok lang sa edad nila. Everything went wild and crazy, as if Harika wasn't tired of the day she had earlier. Tinalo ng excitement ang pagod ng kanyang katawan.

Walang katumbas ang galak nila ni Waki. They will expend a lot of energy trying to make the evening enjoyable. Ganoon kadaling pasiyahin ang mga bata. Ganoon nila mabilis ma-appreciate ang mga bagay. Kids naturally have a tendency to be content with things and not give a damn rather than acting like adults and pretending everything was fine.

Kumain sila after ng ilang ride. Nang makatiyempo si Harika at masolo ang kanyang Lolo Dad ay naibahagi na niya rito ang tungkol sa pagkawala ng tiara.

Nanghihinayang ang mukha niyang inamin iyon dito. "It's my fault for not taking care of the things you gave me, Lolo Dad, and I'll understand if you get angry with me."

Constancio caressed her head. "Walang kaso sa akin kung naiwala mo ang tiara na iyon. It's just a tiara. I could buy you another one if you'd like. Hindi mo kailangang malungkot o manghinayang. What really mattered to me was you; you're a priceless angel, no money can match you or could ever replace you. Nag-iisa ka lang." His eyes looked straight to her. "At ang lahat ng mayroon ako, mga bagay na pinalago at pinundar ko... lahat ng iyon ay dahil sa 'yo at para sa 'yo. Kaya huwag na huwag kang manghihinayang sa mga bagay na kaya namang mapalitan. Ang pinaka-importante ay ikaw... to me, you're more than anything in this world."