When every day will never be the same to the people of Bayanihan, their very Barangay Captain Arturo Sanchez counted that his nights were always the same. Almost every night, even from a farther distance, he could hear Marika and Riley quarreling about the same thing. However, it was Marika’s voice that traverses through the sky and dooms his residence to a chaotic connection with Riley’s hut. If he was Riley, he would have cut off Marika to stronger arguments to prevent her deplorable fits. He knew that his daughter only throws accusations at the weak link. But the young man does not retaliate. Riley could reason but has never demanded Marika to peace out for the meanwhile. Yet, who is Captain Arturo but a mere father to an already grown woman who can now think on her own? What was best he could do was to spare advice from Marika’s sentence of no adherence. So his night was spent away. But a peaceful morning somehow eased his trouble. Captain Arturo went out of his house for his of

It seems like someone is shy. Paco cannot escape Gwyneth's scrutinizing eyes although he already revealed his honest intention to not harm Essi. He tried keeping his pace faster but Gwyneth's steps are longer.  Gwyneth is of the same height as him, 5'5. There are times she gets to walk closer next to Paco but would also get a little farther as if she wants to look at him from another angle. Her blond hair reveals the gentle touches of the wind as they stroll past the hill towards Essi's house. She keeps looking at him, with a sheepish smile. Her eyes also sparkle to a degree of knowing his little secret. Paco stopped for a while to stare at her. "Is there something you want to say?" "No, nothing," Gwyneth said but her grin would like to tell otherwise. "Just wanna make sure if Essi's admirer passes my standards first before hers." Paco felt stepping again on the cold floors of an ancestral house that they can no more reclaim. He can act that Gwyn

Stale cold air. Beehive noise. Movements of people. The only boundary Oneil has between them is the designated tent for him. But he kept it open to see his surrounding. His eyes scrutinize the place until he gets familiar. There is a nearby charging station and distribution of solar lamps to the evacuees. New batches of evacuees are coming with their needed items. Their eyes are filled with the question if there are more available tents for them. Oneil went out from the large tent and thought of giving the unit to a larger family. “I think they need it more, Sir,” Oneil said to the evacuation coordinator. He was carrying his bagged bedding while pointing to the influx of people who needed spaces in the building. The officer was moved by his genuine effort. He offered a tent space near their station for this lonesome caring man. Oneil thanked the officer before moving to place his bedding inside. “By the way, did you eat already? There’s a releasing of food fo

Essi has something to say. Whatever it is, Oneil is more than willing to listen. He groomed himself a formal one for his visit to Essi’s company building. He knew that his apparel is already fancy. But the people entering there are wearing clothes of greater elegance. Even the building is an impression of a modern palace where Essi is the princess. He entered there without constraints. The guards greeted him. Inside the building are a different huge world of metal beams and glossy floors. The tiles reflect his astounded countenance. Ceiling lights and chandeliers join the orchestra of luminous hymns. The lobby is wide and polished with fine materials. He was distracted for a while but composed himself again towards the conference room. A dim glass with large letters of the room’s purpose awaited him. There are LED lights at the edges and glows in harmony with the interiors of the wooden accent. And yet, in all these beauties and designs that mark the talents of workers combi

How does an Essi Paulsson sulk? Instead of locking herself up in the room, she got to the office to get all her focus on work. There, the hopes to not think of Oneil reside intransigently. Clipped folders are on her desk, still waiting for her scrutiny. Emails are logging to her online address and appointments are waiting for confirmation. Gwyneth cannot even disturb her. On behalf of her cousin, she bears the shame of hurting Essi Paulsson. She can choose to have a serious talk with Oneil again but Essi pleaded with her to not do it. Instead, she is brought with her in the building, as a talking companion for whatever Essi would like to chat about.  But it’s past six hours and Essi didn’t start another conversation. Little inquiries were for necessities like meals and company events. Still, Gwyneth is to bear the silence in the room. She cannot even find something else to waste her time about. For on playing chess alone would make a fool in herself. And reading