Episode 59: Emperor's No Clothes (Part 2)

                 •|• TUTTI •|•

TARGET LOCKED.

I stopped playing Among Us and sat properly when Dean descended from the stairs. I rested my hands atop my knees and smiled sweetly at him.

Kumunot ang noo niya nang sundan ko siya ng tingin na sinabayan ko pa ng ngiti. Mas niyakap niya pa ang dalang malaking piattos saka naupo nang may kalayuan sa akin. Hmp...

Queen was too busy painting her nails while Snow's reviewing. Dapat nag-aaral na rin ako dahil malapit na ang semifinals but I decided to just be a unicorn for the meantime and shower the earth with colorful glitters. In short, chill-chill muna. Nagmumukha na kasi akong G na G sa grades. I want to somehow break the stereotype about Chinese and academics, char.

I slowly scooted towards him. Umusog din siya. Nakalagay pa rin ang mga kamay sa tuhod na parang maamong bata ay umusog ulit ako palapit sa kanya.   I silently groaned when he moved away again. Sumunod ako. Akala mo ha...

"Putangina!" he cursed when he had no space to move to anymore. Napatingin si Snow sa amin. Unbothered naman si Madam Queen at busy parin sa kuko niya.

Gusto ko sanang matawa kaso baka lalong madimunyu si Dean at hindi talaga ako bigyan.

"Problema mo?" he snapped at me.

Tinaas ko ang isang palad at nilahad. "Penge ako."

He grimaced and hugged the piattos more.

"Ang laki-laki kong tao, kulang pa nga sa akin 'to!"

"Maliit lang naman ako..." sagot ko nalang sa maliit na boses. Sorry, self.

He smirked. "Ayoko nga. Kapag ba ako nanghihingi, nagbibigay ka?"

I puffed my cheeks and thought hard of that instance.

Alamak, walang lumalabas...

I swallowed hard as I readied the retort I had in mind. "Kailangan ko 'yon para lumaki ako..."

He laughed heartily, finding it really funny.

"Sige sige, pagbibigyan kita. Pero dapat sabihin mo munang, 'ako si Tuttieanak, pangit na Instik na maliit-liit-liit'," pang-aasar niya pa.

My face turned deadpan then I moved my hand that's suspended in the air which I used to beg for some piattos alms towards Snow. "Beh, akin na ang palakol."

Snow giggled while Dean only smirked more.

"Doll, ito na."

I looked at Rum who already stood in front of us with a huge bag of nova in hand. I stood up excitedly and rushed towards him then I took it. I even caught him slightly extending his arms for a hug. Akala niya yayakapin ko siya.

Natawa naman ako at bumalik saka niyakap siya. "Thank you, mamsh!"

I strutted my way back to the sofa then I opened the chips, took a fistful of it, and munched them all. Naupo na rin sina Snow at Queen kasama namin ni Dean sa sofa. Si Rum nasa tapat na grandfather's chair naman namin. He'll be discussing about Emperor Visconde's service for sure.

"King Visconde was claiming that his brother committed suicide because he saw it on social media. He rushed home but didn't find his remains there," he began. Tumango-tango ako sabay dakot ulit ng chips at sinubo agad ang mga nasa palad ko.

"He asked for our help to find his remains and because he's scared that maybe his brother will have his revenge on those who have wronged hi-"

"Can't you eat slowly and silently?" Queen asked. I stopped chewing.

I looked at her, blinked three times, and chewed slowly yet noisily one more time. Maingay nga.

"Hayaan mo na, Queen. Sabi niya kailangan niya raw 'yan para lumaki siya," Dean laughed mockingly.

"Bakit ba G na G ka sa height ko, Dean? Kahit piyok ka nga nang piyok, kalmado lang naman ako rito, ah," I fired back.

He groaned and was about to stand up when Rum called all of our attention. "Kids, tama na 'yan. Hindi tamang nambubully ng batang paslit-"

He laughingly caught the Grizzly Bear slipper I threw at him. Isa pang lowkey na bully 'to, e!

They all laughed.

Bakit kayo ganyan sa akin?

Tumayo si Rum at ibinalik na sa akin ang tsinelas ko saka siya nagpatuloy.

"We have to split into two groups. One will look for his remains whilst the other will stay on lookout for his next potential victim."

"Sino naman ang sa tingin mong magiging susunod niyang biktima, Rum?" asked Snow.

"Nabaliw si Anika na siyang lider nila sa research na namahiya kay Empe ng araw na magpakamatay siya. Si Benson na matalik niyang kaibigan ay nagpatiwakal din matapos matanggap ang mensahe niya. King said that Benson's mother was the reason behind the circulation of Empe's nude photos in the internet. That leaves us to her..."

"I'll go with you, Rum," Queen made her decision.

"Magbabantay ako, nay. Siyempre isasama ko si Snow sa akin," hayag din ni Dean.

Grabe, nakapili na sila. Feeling ko talaga minsan, konduktor ako. Kumakapit na lang sa likuran dahil punuan na sa loob ng dyip. Dumukot na lang ulit ako ng chips at lumamon.

"Beh, saan ka sasama?" nakangiting tanong ni Snow sa akin.

"Saan ba 'yong team na may bakbakan?" tanong ko at tumayo na yakap-yakap pa rin ang bag ng chips habang kumakain.

"Sa amin ka na lang para may alay kami kapag nagkagipitan. Tsaka kailangan namin ng dwende para swertehin kami," sabi ng pabibong dibil.

Snow darted him a warning glare. I stepped forward and towards them.

"Awts, gege. Nuknukan ka pa naman ng malas. Snow needs a cute Chinese for good fortune," sagot ko naman sabay awra at rampa nang pa-side view sa harapan ni Dean. Akala mo ha...

After that, we all changed clothes to go to our respective places and to do our respective tasks.

Queen was wearing a cropped black tube top under an olive plaid cropped short sleeves blazer then black trousers. Kahit nakaputing sneakers ay nagmumura pa rin ng Crazy Rich Italian ang total presence niya dahil sa tatak nitong Versace. Bagsak na bagsak ang buhok ng mahal na reyna na parang newly rebond lang with matching pearl clip pa. Agaw-pansin din ang gold necklace niyang may pakpak ng anghel at emerald sa gitna.

Snow looks sweet with her white off-shoulder top na puff elbow sleeves. It has yellow prints of leaves and ferns. She paired it with a denim shorts and brown belt then white sneakers. Suot niya iyong pangmalakasan niyang headband which always reminds me of Snow White's.

I decided to put on a white oversized sweater which I rolled slightly up my wrists then a dungaree over it. Nakatupi rin iyon nang kaonti pataas mula sa edge ng puting sneakers ko. I tied my hair up on double buns using a tiny red hair ribbon for each.

Pagbaba namin ng hagdanan ay pinaningkitan ko agad ng mga mata si Rum. He was wearing a navy blue short sleeves button down shirt tucked in his white trousers then brown Oxfords.

Bakit lagi kaming nagkakakulay kung hindi naman terno ng suot? Feeling ko sinasadya niya, e. It might not be obvious with the others but the genius inahin was actually psychoanalyzing me. Kuha ko na agad iyon nang kunwari ay tatanungin niya ako ng random na bagay-bagay o ng kung anu-ano tapos sasagot naman si ako.

Parang kanina, tinanong niya ako kung maaliwalas ba ang mood ko. Sinabi ko oo with matching tango pa. He hinted from there that I want to wear something with light color. Gusto ko ba raw ng maginhawang feeling. Tumango ulit ako. He knew by then I will wear something lousy or oversized. Then he asked me how I will be preparing for our service. I answered, the usual thing- chill but all set, the kind that's always ready to chase after any beasts. He had gotten instantly that I will be donning a comfortable attire that would allow me to do that easily. Something denim perhaps. Kaya nagkulay navy blue siya to match my denim.

Si Dean naman minimalist lang ang datingan. Naka-black v-neck siya na sing-itim ng budhi niya tapos tattered pants saka brown Doc Martens. Yayamanins ang dibil. Sanaol.

                 •|• SNOW •|•

NAGHIWALAY SA DALAWA ang grupo namin. Rum and Queen went with King to find his brother's remains. Kami namang tatlo ay nandine sa may Pasong Gatang na lugar nina Ma'am Katarina na nanay naman ni Benson, nagbabantay. Hinala kasi ni King ay ito ang susunod na babalikan ng kapatid niya.

Kasalukuyan pa ding nagaganap ang lamay ng anak niya. Nasa tapat kami ng bahay nila at inihalubilo sa mga nakaparadang sasakyan doon ang Jeep Wrangler.

"Manong, isa pa po," ani nang naka-squat na si Tutti sabay lapit ulit ng baso niya sa nagtitinda ng taho. Napabuntong-hininga naman si manong.

Pang-limang baso na niya kasi iyon...

Sa tuwing akmang aalis na si manong ay uubusin kaagad ni Tutti ang laman ng baso niya tapos tatawagin ulit si manong na hindi pa nakakalayo para bumili ulit.

Nakatayo naman ako sa tabi niya. Kumain ako kanina pero nabusog din agad sa isang baso.

"Tangina, bakit hindi mo na lang bilhin lahat 'yan?" naiinis nang tanong ni Dean habang nakadungaw sa nakatalungko pa ding si Tutti.

"Ikaw talaga, Dean, utak mo may ubo. Siyempre kapag inubos ko 'to, wala nang maiiwan sa iba pang mamimili ni tatang," depensa naman ni Tutti.

"E, putanginang kanina pa hindi makaalis si manong dahil tawag ka nang tawag sa kanya para bumili! Dapat kasi nilulugar mo 'yang paglamon mo!"

"Gutom pa ako, Philippines! Oh, may lugar na po, baka naman pwede na pong kumain nang matiwasay?"

"Hijo, hayaan mo na 'yong kaibigan mo," ani manong.

"Naku, manong, hindi po kami close n'yan. Pagkakaalam ko alagang dwende 'yan ng kaibigan kong mahilig sa swerte," kaila ni Dean.

Napahagikhik ako nang umawra lang si Tutti saka tinalikuran na si Dean para bumili ng pinakamalaking baso kay manong.

Pagkatapos n'on ay nagpokus na kami sa gagawin namin. Ipoposisyon na sana ni Dean ang binoculars niya para silipin ang loob ng bahay nang biglang agawin iyon ni Tutti sa kanya.

"What the fu- ndak..." nasabi na lamang ni Dean nang mataman ko siyang tingnan upang balaan sa balak niyang pagmumura ulit.

"Beh, anong ginagawa mo?" pagtataka ko sa ginagawa ni Tutti.

She took two round contact lenses alike items from a small black box then put them on one by one at the lenses of the binoculars.

"These are special camera lenses. Binigay sa akin ng tech-genius na si Goliath. Whatever you're seeing from the binoculars will be viewed and recorded on my laptop too. Wowerz talaga, 'di ba?" paliwanag niya.

"Paano mo naman nakuha 'yan?" kunot-noong tanong ni Dean. Ngumisi naman si Tutti.

"Sikretong malupit, bro. Close ba tayo?"

Naungot sa inis si Dean dahil sa pambawi ni Tutti sa ginawa niya ding pagtanggi dine kanina.

Binalik na ni Tutti ang binoculars kay Dean saka siya pumasok sa backseat ng Jeep Wrangler at kinalikot ang laptop niya. Sumunod naman ako at naupo sa tabi niya para sumilip sa laptop.

"Wow..." manghang usal ko nang makita din namin sa laptop niya ang nakikita ni Dean mula binoculars.

Sinuyod ni Dean ang buong bahay. Si Ma'am Katarina ay nasa sala, namumugto ang mga mata habang nakatulala sa litrato ng anak niyang si Ben. Mula doon ay nilibot pa iyon ni Dean sa paligid ng bahay.

"Sandali, love," I called him.

Ibinaba niya ang binoculars para balingan ako. "Bakit, love?"

"Ibalik mo ulit doon sa may kusina."

Tumango siya at sinunod na ang sinabi ko. Nang nasa kusina na ulit ay tiningnan kong maigi ang laptop.

"Bakit, beh? Gusto mo i-zoom?" tanong ni Tutti sa akin. Tumango ako.

Zinoom niya ang video. Namangha ako lalo kasi touchscreen ang laptop niya at nahihiwalay pa ang monitor sa keyboard niyang may pailaw pa. Doon ko lang din napansin na iba pala ito sa laging ginagamit niya. Hindi ako maalam sa mga gadgets kaya hindi ko masyadong gets si Tutti sa tuwing sinasabi niyang notebook, ultrabook, at gaming laptop. Hindi ko kasi alam kung anong kaibahan nila.

Hinayaan ako ni Tutti na i-zoom iyong bahaging gusto ko. Maging siya nanonood nang maigi sa akin.

"Alamak..." bulalas niya matapos masaksihan ang pa-on na paggalaw ng tangke ng gasul. Sumunod naman ang pagkaka-on ng stove sa paraang walang lumalabas na apoy na siyang talagang delikado.

"Anong nangyayari, beh? Bakit na-on na lang 'yon bigla?" tanong niya sa akin.

"Si... Si Empe... Binuksan ng kaluluwa ni Empe..." pag-amin ko sa nasaksihang ginawa ng kaluluwa ni Empe na hindi naman nila nakikita dahil wala kami sa Overlook.

Tumango si Tutti at tinawag si Dean saka kami mabilis na kumilos papasok sa loob upang pigilan ang mangyayari.

"No smoking zone, 'tol," rason ni Dean sabay takip gamit ng kamay sa lighter na hawak ng isang lalaki upang sindihan ang yosi sa bibig.

Delikado na at baka sumabog nang tuluyan iyong tangke dahil dine.

"Ha?"

Iling lang ang naisagot ni Dean na pumasok na agad sa loob matapos ibulsa ang lighter para makasiguro.

"'Yong lighter ko, boy!" pahabol na tawag ng lalaki kay Dean. Huminto si Tutti sa tapat nito.

"Manong, masama po ang paninigarilyo sa kalusugan. Mag-mukbang na lang po kayo ng gulay para naman ang buhay niyo ay maging makulay."

Nginitian ko na lang ang naguguluhan pa ding si manong saka sumunod na kay Tutti sa loob.

                 •|• QUEEN •|•

I REALLY DON'T understand why Rum keeps on following King's lead while we're walking aimlessly on the length of Hayes Street.

We're looking for Emperor's remains. Like, if Empe will go after Katarina Mahinay, then surely, we can all meet him there. Pero mas gusto ng funeral director namin na bumuntot kay King at magpasama sa kanya papunta sa lead nito kung nasaan talaga si Empe.

Our steps halted when King ceased walking in front of us first. He spun around to face us.

"Tatawagan ko lang muna ang ospital para kamustahin si Lola Soledad saglit," paalam niya. Rum nodded and smiled.

"Sige, maghihintay kami rito."

King nodded and distanced himself for awhile to talk to someone on his phone to check on his lola's condition.

I crossed my arms when Rum turned to face me.

"I don't think King knows where his brother's remains could be."

"Just so you wait, Queen. We're about to unfold something important," makahulugang sagot niya sa akin.

♦♣♥♠

"Alas was able to hypnotize Emperor's soul but Madame haven't given any instructions for us then. Really? Why aren't we doing anything to destroy them?" Clover spat.

"Dahil lagi tayong palpak," Joker retorted.

"Excuse me, kayo, hindi tayo," she corrected.

"She's preparing for something," Heart who's reading her book of potions and spells butted in.

"Preparing for what? Bagot na bagot na ako! I want to get even to that queen bitch," Spade exclaimed while rolling her eyes.

"Calm down, Spade. Reklamo ka nang reklamo palpak ka namang magtrabaho," kalmadong tugon sa kanya ni Heart nang hindi inaalis ang mga mata sa binabasa.

"We're about to face them for real," Diamond stated upon entering the lobby.

He sat on the couch and crossed his legs comfortably, an evil smirk on his face.

"Did you know that when you kill a guardian, you will have his or her weapon?"

"We won't be needing Heart's potion then in summoning our suedo- weapons because that ability of a guardian will be passed on us too upon his death, isn't it something interesting?" he added.

They all grew silent. Aminado silang kailangan nilang uminom pa ng potion ni Heart para ma-summon nila ang weapons na pinili nila noon maliban na lamang kay Alas. Guardians of the afterlife and their offsprings can do that easily and if they are killed, their ability will be passed on those who have killed them.

"Kaninong weapon ba ang gusto niyo?" Clover smirked too.

"The funeral director possessed the best ones. Plus, he's incredibly powerful just like Alas. In fact, he can par him," replied Diamond.

"He's off-limits," matipid na sagot ni Heart.

"I know. Kaya nga 'yong Chinese na lang ang uunahin ko. She got a cool shotgun," he retorted smirkingly.

"Give me the dagger queen," Spade commented.

"I'll have the bow and arrow then," Clover seconded.

Si Joker naman napaisip. Ayaw niya ng weapon. Masaya na siyang tumatagos sa pader para tumakas.

Heart didn't mind them all.

                 •|• SNOW •|•

LIGTAS NA ANG paligid. Mabuti na lang at naging maagap ang pag-aksyon namin. Hawak-hawak na din ni Dean si Empe na wala sa sarili.

Anong nangyari sa kanya?

Yorme had given us a special paper with Latin carvings on it that will help us see and restrict every soul's movement.

"Tapos na rin tayo rito sa wakas," masayang hayag ni Dean habang palabas kami ng kusina.

Nahinto lamang kaming tatlo nang mapansin ang wala din sa sariling si Ma'am Katarina na duguan ang kamay habang hawak-hawak ang basag na piraso ng salamin ng picture frame ni Benson sa isang kamay at cellphone naman sa kabila na nakapwesto pa sa bandang tenga niya.

Dahan-dahan niyang inilapit iyon sa leeg niya upang gilitan iyon nang biglang nasa tapat na niya si Tutti at mabilis na inagaw iyon.

Tumulong na ako upang pigilan si Ma'am Katarina na susugod sana sa kaibigan ko upang bawiin iyon. Pinigilan ko siya mula sa likuran at hinila siya palayo sa kaibigan ko. Nakapagtatakang hawak-hawak niya pa din ang cellphone sa tenga niya na parang may kausap doon.

Ano bang nangyayari?

                 •|• QUEEN •|•

RUM HELD ME by the shoulder as he made me face King's direction. Dahan-dahan at maingat niya akong iginigiya palapit sa nakatalikod na si King habang may kausap pa sa cellphone.

"Mama, samahan mo ako... Magsama na tayo... Wakasan mo na rin ang buhay mo..."

My eyes widened in shock when I realized everything.

King is a crocotta who can mimic human voices. Now, he's mimicking Benson's voice to lure his mother into ending her own life. Siya rin ang gumaya ng boses ni Empe para gumanti kina Anika at Benson. That's why Rum's been tailing him since awhile ago to find out the truth and to stop him from doing this.

"Nalulungkot ako rito, mama. Ayokong mag-isa..." he continued with his theatrics.

"Ma, please... Magpakamatay ka na r-" he didn't finish saying his lies when Rum snatched his phone.

"Tama na, King. Tama na," he told him calmly.

Anger registered on King's facial feature.

"Ibalik mo 'yan sa akin! Ibalik mo 'yan!" he furiously shouted while trying his best to reach for his phone.

Rum caught his wrist then pressed its pressure point to weaken him. Realizing he can't fight him, he sat miserably on the ground with fresh tears streaming down his cheeks.

"Magbabayad sila sa ginawa nila sa kapatid ko... Magbabayad sila..." he cried.

Rum squatted in front of him with a sympathetic look on his beautiful face.

"Sa tingin mo ba, magugustuhan ni Empe na makita kang nagiging higit pa sa mga taong nagtulak sa kanyang gawin iyon?" tanong ng kaibigan ko sa malumanay na tono.

"Mahirap lang kami pero... pero... pare-pareho lang kaming may pangarap sa buhay... B-Bakit... Bakit kailangang gawin nila iyon sa kapatid ko? Hindi namin pinili at ginustong maging mahirap.."

He looked up at my friend and cried harder. "Kailangan namin ng tulong... Bakit... Bakit sa halip na tulungan kami ay tinutulak nila kami lalo sa bangin? Bakit? Gusto kong maintindihan... Gusto kong malaman..."

Sa prustrasyon ay hinila-hila ni King ang damit ni Rum, nagmamakaawang ipaintindi sa kanya ang lahat.

Tears welled up my eyes. I grew up in a wealthy family. I always have what I need and even the extras to life. Ngayon, nasaksihan at naiintindihan ko na kung gaano kapait ang mundo para sa mga taong katulad nina King at Emperor na kailangan pang magbenta ng laman para lamang makuha ang mga bagay na kailangan nila.

"Bakit... Bakit hindi pantay ang mundo? Bakit... Bakit kailangan naming magdusa nang ganito? Gusto lang ng laptop ng kapatid ko at pambayad sa operasyon ni lola... Bakit... Bakit ang sama nila sa aming mga pobre? Bakit ayaw nila kaming pakinggan? Hindi ba sila naaawa?"

I immediately wiped my tears away. Rum shook his head sadly. I will help him. I will help them.

"Bakit kami ang laging kawawa? Bakit kami ang laging talunan? Gusto kong malaman, parang awa niyo na..." hikbi pa rin ni King. He dipped his head and cried even more.

I felt sadness and pity clutched my heart. King deserves sympathy and a helping hand.

Rum held him by his shoulder. He looked up and our funeral director smiled at him thoughtfully.

"The world might be unfair but God isn't. Everyone goes through different battles but He sent guardian angels to fight with us. He sent special people to help us, King. Nandito ako. Nandito kami at maraming iba pa na maaaring hindi mo pa nakikilala."

Rum looked at me. King mirrored his reaction. I nodded my head and smiled at him sympathetically.

"We will listen and help you, promise," I told him.

EMPEROR'S FUNERAL WENT smoothly. King surrendered himself to the police for the crimes he did and enforced by the dire circumstance he was in.

The Charmings' Funeral Home took care of his lola's hospital expenses and my parents agreed on giving them constant financial support. Dinadalaw din namin si King paminsan-minsan sa presinto para kamustahin siya. He was doing really fine, he would always say with a bright smile on his face. I guess, he finally understood everything now. He made me realize the same thing too.

I was checking on my freshly-manicured nails of matte maroon while waiting for Alas at the café.

I slightly lifted my hands on the air when he pulled the chair in front of me to sit on it.

"What are you doing?" he asked after giving me a peck on the cheek and crouching. He then finally settled on his seat.

Hinarap ko sa kanya ang mga kamay ko.

"Should I change my nail color? What do you think? And what color will it be?" I asked him while wiggling my fingers.

He looked at me fondly and uttered something irrelevant. "You're beautiful."

I smirked with matching eye rolls. "I know right but I'm asking you for the color, you lovesick stronzo!"

"Yeah, right. I love you," he mouthed and I couldn't help but smile. I even felt my cheeks heating up.

This idiota boy.

"Alas lang malakas, wooh!"

We both turned to the dwarf who shouted from his back. Napahagikhik si Snow. Sinamaan ko sila ng tingin. They're on the next table.

We're wearing our type A uniforms. The one paired with skirt. The nuno feigned ignorance and diverted her eyes off me.

"Beh, ang tagal naman ng order natin," she told Snow.

My brows furrowed even more. Order? She was still holding the menu!

"Beh, hindi pa tayo umoorder," Snow giggled.

"Alam mo, beh, natatandaan ko dati n'ong kasama pa natin 'yong isa r'yan, sabay-sabay tayong magsa-snack tapos libre pa niya. Pero ngayong may bebe boy na, tamang parinig na lang mula rito," walang-kwenta hayag ng nuno.

I rolled my eyes, Alas chuckled then stood up.

"Ako na kukuha ng orders niyo. Samahan mo na sila," he said before pecking on my cheek again and retreating to the counter.

Nahuli ko pang napatakip ng bibig saglit si Tutti bago nang-asar ulit. "Sanaol!"

I rolled my eyes but didn't hide my smile as I walked towards them. Sinapak ko agad siya lightly ng sketchbook na dala ko.

"You're so gaga!"

"Oh la-la, want your bad romance..." she sang.

Napahagikhik si Snow. Natawa na lang din ako at naupo sa tabi nila. Nagulat kami ni Tutti nang biglang tumayo si Snow at niyakap kaming dalawa mula sa likuran nang sabay.

"I love you, mga beh. Behstfriends forever tayo ha?"

My heart tugged at her words and sweetness. Oh, Snow...

"The ew with that endearment!" I complained but still chuckled along with the two of them.

"Group hug!"

Muntik na kaming masubsob sa lamesa nang dambahan din kami ng yakap nang kararating lang na si Dean.

"Dean..." Rum called him warningly.

Pabirong sinabunutan naman ni Tutti si Dean. "Muntik na kaming makipag-lips-to-lips sa lamesa. May payakap-yakap ka pang nalalaman, e, si Snow lang naman gusto mong hagkan. Kunwari ka pang tsonggo ka!"

"Aray ko! Tangina mong dwende ka!"

"Doll, tama na 'yan," pigil ni Rum sa kanila sabay lapit.

When the nuno released him, our inahin sighed in relief, pulled out a chair then placed his satchel there. He extended his arms and smiled warmly at us.

"We Bare Bears hug?"

Our laughter and smiles synchronized then we all stood up and advanced towards him for a We Bare Bears hug.

I really love these people, always and forever.

•|• Illinoisdewriter •|•

Empe's case is an example of suicide due to poverty and societal pressure. I would like to have this time to remind you that words are so powerful that it can either make or break someone else's heart and even worse is life.

It's okay to be mad just like Anika when you're at your breaking point. Ang mali niya lang ay hindi tama ang ginawa niyang pamamaraan nang pagpuna ng pagkukulang na hindi naman saklaw ng sosyal at pinansyal na kapasidad ni Empe. I also remember getting mad at my group mates in research when I was still in senior high but we talked it out. I pointed out the things they did wrong and those which they failed to do without insulting who they are. It is because I understand that what I have seen and have known about them is just half or a glimpse of their entire lives, and that I still don't know their secret battles. My point here is that we need to be sympathetic and careful with what comes out from our mouth because it might be too late to realize that we unintentionally had given someone a reason to end his existence.

P. S. The next update will be the revelation. Get your list ready for the potential card suits. Drop it on the comments and I will pm whoever got it right for their price. Ciao, Charmings! ♥