Gabi went down the stairs hurriedly as if someone or something is following her. I thought she was just playing with Bambam but when I saw her shocked face, I know something is not right. She immediately went to me and cried that there was this hairy caterpillar on the window beside the clock. I was confused as to what she had seen so I went upstairs to their room and checked the windows but found none. So I asked her again where and she pointed to the window in our room. She does not want to go near it because it gives her the creeps. When I checked on the window, I found that there is a little brown higad (hairy caterpillar) on the window. I was surprised to find it there, of all the places, so I sprayed with an insecticide.

The incident was already forgotten and we had our dinner of sinigang na bangus which was requested by Bambam. As I was doing the dishes, I’ve noticed in the corner of my eye that there is something crawling up the wall beside the stove. When I closely looked at it, I discovered that it is another higad. I went to get the spray and aimed it to the higad. So we now have two higads in our house and they were located on unusual places. Then as I was finishing the dishes, I’ve heard that there’s some commotion upstairs and Bambam is calling me for help. I quickly ran up and found her and nanay looking at the bottom of a monoblock chair. Yup, there’s another higad there! They’re all very edgy and does not want to sleep on their room because there might be another higad in there. So we fully inspect around and assured them that hopefully that would be the last for the day.

Jimer asked me if I checked on the roof and around the house to see if there are higads. I told him that I checked the plants on the roof and there’s none. They might come from the Avocado tree from our neighbor which now has plenty of leaves after it was cut months ago. So tomorrow, my assignment is to look for the source of this mayhem and stop them once and for all. I am not planning to test the effect of those hairy creatures on any part of my skin as long as I can stop it.

Yesterday, I removed the three plump caterpillars from our flower plants on the roof. My Nanay do not want me to remove it because it will become a butterfly later on. But when I looked at the plants, almost all the leaves were gone, so I decided to remove them before they cause anymore trouble. I place the three caterpillars in a box and filled them with leaves and stems for their sustenance.

Today, when the kids arrived from school, they inspected the box and there’s only two caterpillars left. We do not know where the other one is. Bambam noticed that one of the caterpillar is colored brown while the other one is green. We thought it is already done but when she touched it, it moved so we assume it might be turning into butterfly that’s why its changing the colors. So I told her to put the caterpillars on one of the plants outside the house so that they have something to cling on. She has second thoughts on doing it because the passing children may harm them so I told her to put them somewhere between the plants very well hidden. She’s checking on them every now and then making sure that they’re still there.

I was in the kitchen preparing our lunch when suddenly she rushed to me with eyes swelling with tears. She whispered to me that the caterpillars were gone. I asked her who did it and she told me that our neighbor’s father squished them on the ground. I went with her outside hoping that she’s just joking me but when she showed me the caterpillars, I felt sad for her. Then she started to cry and I don’t know why would some shed a tear for mere caterpillars, but when I looked at her, I realized that you need no reason to feel attached onto something or someone because it’s been so long ago since they last had a pet so maybe she’s missing the thought of taking care of something. The sobbing last for sometime and I reassured her that there are still more caterpillars to come to her life so we just have to patiently wait for the next batch to come to our plants.

During lunch, as usual Bambam is very concerned about what food were served on the table. She’s not fond of eating vege-foods (synthetic) that’s why she requested for alternative dish. I told her to eat whatever is served, she don’t have to picky. So this irritated her much and started to make a scene. She requested for noodles instead, but I would not give in. Rantings are heard from her up to the point that she pick on her sister who is quietly eating her lunch. Another round of bickerings were exchanged and I have to step in to quiet them down. With tears in her eyes, she pleads for her noodles so I asked nanay to prepare one for her. While waiting for her request, she then starts to eat the vege-tapa and vegemeat. And as usual, they did not agree as to who gets what and starts another round of confrontation. Kids! I’m sure that this bickerings will last for a long time and I’m just patient as to when the time it will cease.