REN
Ren was excited about his departure from Australia, he couldn't wait for a day, that's why he had a hard time sleeping that night. It's already their vacation and they have two months to loosen up from all the work and pressure at school. He is finally going back home to the Philippines that's why he can't contain his satisfaction. He packs all the "Pasalubong" in a box for the children in their neighborhood, his mother will surely nag him when she finds out.
*Arrival at the NAIA
He arrived at 6 p.m. at the airport. He had a lot of luggage, he was tired but excited. Ren saw his mother together with the guards, waving the banner where his name is imprinted, he smiled widely and directly enveloped her mother tightly. They're heartily exchanging stories and regards to each other while they're in the car: traveling home, to the province of Aurora.
“Btw, why do you have a big box at the back? Don’t tell me it’s another gift for those children?” Her mother really knows him and he knows her too, she hates it when he gives them stuff. For this reason, they will get used to it and they will become parasites.
“Mom, just let me, okay? This is the least that I can do to help others” He looks her mother in the eyes sincerely and touches her hand, he knows she can’t resist him.
"You're just the same as your dad, always looking for a way to help people " She gave up in supposedly nagging time, and Ren just smiled and hugged her mom. He knows her mom is kind, she’s just meticulous when it comes to people, she rarely trusts but once you earn it it’s worth it.
“That’s what a public servant should do right?” Ren then closes his eyes as it takes hours to travel to his hometown.
Their trip lasted for 5 hours until they got home. He was tired but his mother was urging him to eat dinner before he went to bed. Luckily, she has a visitor from the municipality and they’re having an urgent meeting. Her mother is a mayor of the province and she really has a hectic schedule that even their house becomes a workplace for the officials to visit.
“Good evening, Uncle” he greeted his uncle as a sign of respect. He is one of the visitors, and the vice mayor of the province. The young brother of his mother and the closest to him of all his mother's siblings.
“Why did the prince come home? Admit it, you play truant?” His uncle is being playful again, he can’t accept that Ren is a better student than him at a very young age.
“Silly” Ren just shakes his head, greets the other officials in the living room, and goes to his room.
Nothing has changed in his room; everything is still in order. Ren arranged his belongings, took a bath, and went to bed. But he woke up when he felt a few strands of hair. He observes it, it’s long, straight, and blonde. He then remembers one of the maids who greeted him and took his luggage. She’s a bit young and she's the only one who has a fake blonde in every maid, it looks like she’s a newbie and Ren doesn't like her presence. When Ren thought that she lay on his bed, he greeted his teeth and was annoyed by the thought of it.
REN It’s Friday, Ren woke up early and asked their servant to prepare the box he took home, it contained toys, clothes, and things he had bought for the children. He ate his breakfast and also asked the servant to pack some food, he also planned to bring it for them. He immediately drove to his destination; it was only a corner away from their house so it was easy for him to reach that place in a second. As soon as Ren came down from his car, he immediately heard their screams. To their excitement they hugged Ren happily, there were others who still looked dirty but Ren didn’t care, he hugs and greets all of them. Most of the children here are out of school, their parents are unable to finance their education. That's why he felt so sorry for them and promised himself to help them all get educated. So far, his scholar is only ten children. The others who are in high school and college, his mother, who is already a mayor, supports their education. “Brother Ren! We miss you ``'' We've
REN In a large dining room, Ren and his family are having breakfast. The silence that surrounds them is suffocating for the maids that serve their food but this kind of ambiance is normal for the family. His mother is sulking on the other side, she’s annoyed last night because he got home late and he doesn’t give any explanation. While Ren is just minding his own food until his father finally breaks the silence. “Your mother told me that you got home late last night. Did you go to that place again?” His father, who was wiping his lips, looked at Ren intensely. Ren just nods and continues to mix his food tiredly; he loses his appetite whenever his father talks in a serious manner. He continues to mix the soup as if it will make the food appealing to him to eat. His mother on the other side, her eyes lit up as if she had found an ally to preach to Ren. “How long do you plan to play? You are too immersed in that role play Ren” Ren just reluctantly played with his food with the fork,
BRAM The pleasure of the people paddling in the falls is evident, a lot of tourists don't miss the chance to climb high trees and jump in the deepest part of the falls. Likewise, families on one side of the falls were having fun drinking and singing in every cottage they rented. These noises give relaxation to young Bram floating in the water, the noise of water falling on the falls and wind from the towering trees surrounding it calms his nerves. Not only is his body floating but so is his mind. It is a normal weekend in the private resort in their town, frequent visitors here are mountain climbers, after they climb the high mountain not far from the private resort they will paddle in the Falls. Today Bram was assigned to guard the resort due to the absence of one of their staff. He does this whenever someone is absent and he does nothing. He acts as a replacement, this is the business that makes a living for him and many people in their town. It was the legacy of his late mothe
BRAM The breeze of the night enveloped the shirtless Bram who was spacing out while looking at the sky. He can hear the cricket and the frog sounds, accompanied by the sounds of the flowing water of the fountain in his backyard. This sound and atmosphere helps Bram to relax and just think about his last blissful moment with his mom. He reminisces about the time when his mother was still alive, the two of them will always talk to each other about random things while looking at the countless stars. Now, he can't do anything but just stare at them and look back on moments that will never happen again. He can't let their good times die. He then enters his house where the cold is much colder than the outside, not just physically but also emotionally. This piercing cold made Bram numbed each time he stepped inside, the house that doesn't feel like a home is like a cage. As he slowly closes his eyes while thinking of the last moment he has with his mother, tears come out. He woke up gas
AMINAH “Hey don’t argue with him, I know you don't know him because you’re new here but learn how to ask us about people who are strangers to you,” Letty said while dragging her in their seat “Why do you sound so scared to him? Is he a bully here?” Aminah ask “Perhaps? I mean no and yes? He used to” Pia whisper that she doesn't even want even the mosquito to hear her respond. “No wonder he didn't even move my bag properly if he will occupy my seat” “Anyway don’t talk to just anyone here, some might be friendly but there still definitely a lot of students out there who target new students like you” “I’ve been here for months am I still new to them?” “Obviously!” Pia slightly raised her voice that made some students look at her “Sorry hehe” The appealing teacher suddenly came, Mrs. Santos, Aminah’s favorite teacher. She greets the student, they play a short game, and then she discusses and talks about their current lesson. Aside from its kindness Aminah like how the teacher ble
AMINAH “I can’t believe this! Your section never changes! You even got your new teacher into trouble!” The guidance counselor was looking at us while shouting. The guidance room can’t accommodate our school section that’s why we are in the gym right now. Each of us is holding cleaning supplies while avoiding the eyes of each school staff in front of us. Some have bruises and messy hair, some even got in school clinics as they passed out and a few students are in hospital’s town as they were hit by the chairs. “You are a graduating student yet you act like a kid!” Frustrated and upset our homeroom teacher is looking at us showing disappointment by shaking her head. “Everyone of you I want all your guardian to go to school tomorrow no exception” That’s the last reminder from the guidance counselor before she left us to clean the gym. “You all embarrass me, you didn't even bring shame on your section” Our adviser irritatedly said while looking at us intently. “No one is allowed to
Bram stops walking and looks back at Aminah who happens to be looking at his jacket for a while before walking slowly. He follows her and also takes one step at a time, he remembers the first time that he saw Aminah who happens to almost perished. Bram wonder if the girl didn’t remember that incident or maybe he is the only one who was forgotten that day, how come she will remember him, she even run without looking back.Minutes have passed and Aminah enters a two-story old Spanish house. It has a wooden gate that shows its age and decay. There is a tall avocado tree in its yard and the house was surrounded by various types o flowers. Even at night, the energy inside the house can still be felt, Bram can hear the dog barking and conversations coming from inside accompanied by the sounds of plates and utensils.“Why are you late again? And why is your uniform dirty?”“I am one of the cleaners and it took us a while to clean up, where's Grandma?”She was in the room mumbling, waiting f
Aminah enters her grandmother’s room to talk to her and invite her to eat, she knows that he has been waiting for her for a while and doesn't seem to have any intention of eating until she gets home. Lola Rosario was lying on her side so Aminah approached her and hugged her from behind. Aminah felt the warmth of having a family whenever she hugged her grandmother. The feeling that she longed for and can't let go of. Her grandmother sat up from her bed and hit her arm, then spoke to her through sign language. She scolds her since she came home late at night and didn't even call, her grandmother shows that she is annoyed by her action. But she just smiled at her advice, knowing that she was doing it out of concern. She hugged her grandmother again, Lola Rosario then stopped and hugged her back "Let's eat," said Aminah before helping the old woman to the dining table. She saw her auntie and bless her hand. “Auntie I’m gonna change my clothes real quick” “Ok, hurry up and I'll just c