Silence filled the whole hut. I'm holding the mug in my hand while staring outside. Looks like the rain won't stop any moment which annoys me a bit. I badly want to go home. I badly miss my bed. After a whole afternoon of sleeping in our classroom, I still feel tired, I still feel sleepy. Why does it have to rain this hard?! It's flooding outside! Paano ako makakapaglakad pauwi?

"Miss gusto niyo ng tinapay? May tinapay kami dito." I look at the guy who's meters away from me. He get up from the wooden chair like that is surely handcraft before pulling a bucket under a table. He opened it and showed it to me, a wide smile on his face. 

"Masarap 'to, pramis." He said smiling, he left the bucket open on the table before grabbing a plate and transferring some biscuits on the plate before closing the lid of the bucket. I sat there in silence watching him do all those things with a smile on his face. He held the plate with both his hands and walk towards me, still a smile on his face. What the fuck is wrong with him? 

I moved away from a bit when he stopped in front of me and place the plate on the table next to me, "Favorite ko yung may palaman diyan, miss. Tikman niyo, masarap talaga." He joyfully said which made my lips wince a bit. He's too happy for me. He's too... nice. For a stranger he just met, he's being too nice. If he's like this to every stranger he meet, he'll end up in danger. 

He's looking at me with doe eyes, "Ayaw mo?" He ask in a nice tone. How can I tell it's a nice tone? Cause it's the same tone my little brother use at me. How old is he? He seems childish!

I slowly shake my head, "No," I shortly answered. 

His lips formed a small pout, "O...kay, pero iiwan ko pa rin diyan. Baka sakaling gusto mo tikman. Pramis, hindi mo pagsisihan na kainin 'yan." He said before giving me a smile and walking back towards the chair he was sitting a while ago. That's when I saw him open a notebook and looks like he's doing a schoolwork. 

I took another sip of the coffee made which I surprisingly liked. What's this coffee? The coffee in our house doesn't taste like this. The one in our house taste so bad, except kapag hinahaluan ni Theo ng kung ano-ano, it will end up a bit, just a bit better. But this... what's this coffee. 

I started stirring it with the spoon to see if there's any uncrushed beans. Is this even made from coffee beans? I look back at him and saw him still busy with his notebook. Then I glance at the plate beside me. I look back at him to see if he's looking, when I saw he's not, I slowly place down the mug on the table to not create any noise and get his attention. I slowly reach for the chocolate cookie sandwich he's talking about. Once I have already grab one, I look at him once again to make sure he's not looking before taking a quick bite out of it. 

"Hmm..." My head slowly nod as I tasted the cookie sandwich, it's like an Oreo but a cheaper version. There's less filling and the cookie taste a lot different. 

"Sarap 'no..." I stuffed the remaining cookie in my mouth before looking at him with wide eyes while he's looking at me with a smile on his face. 

"Gusto mo pa ba niyan?" tanong niya ulit, my brows furrowed before slowly chew on the food and shaking my head. 

"No, hindi naman masarap." I said before picking up the mug and taking a sip. It's not that hot anymore but the taste didn't changed. 

"Wews, sarap-sarap kaya niyan. Favorite ko nga 'yan eh." he said while looking on his notebook. His feet is on the chair as well which makes his knees touch his chest. 

I rolled my eyes before grabbing a cracker, he already caught me eating what he gave me. Might as well just continue eating, I also feel a bit hungry. I only had siomai rice for lunch that I didn't enjoyed much. And if I'm only by the house right now, I'm probably enjoying a snack with my little brother. But no... instead I'm stuck in this small hut made with plywood because it's raining hard outside with this guy with curly hair that keeps on smiling when talking to me. His smile doesn't look creepy, it actually looks like  genuine smile but I'm not used on people smiling at me. I'm not even used on people being nice to me. 

The sky turned darker and darker as minutes pass. It also starts getting dark inside the hut. I was startled a bit when he opened the lights. 

"Magsasaing na ako miss, dumidilim na kasi." he informed me as he walk towards a small kalan. 

Okay? Why does he need to inform me?

I already finished the coffee and so are the biscuits. My phone is out of battery and I can't contact anyone. The only choice I have right now is walk home. I'm not used on tricycle and I won't risk it. I'd rather walk, I also noticed there's no much tricycle passing by and if ever there is, they already have passengers. 

Smoke starts filling the whole place when he lit up their kalan and starts fanning it. 

May mga lumilipad na kung ano-ano sa hangin and it's making me cough and have a hard time breathing. He's also covering his nose and mouth with his shirt. 

"Sorry miss, ganito talaga kapag kalan at kahoy ang gamit." he said and I just rolled my eyes before looking by the direction of the door. 

When will the rain stop!? I cant stay here anymore! 

I look around the house to spot for something to help me get out from here. 

"Hey... may I borrow the umbrella?" I asked when I spot an umbrella near their bed. He look at me and smiled before nodding. 

"Ibalik mo lang ha?" He said and I was able to sigh in relief. I get up from the chair and walk towards their bed. I pick it up to open it, I saw that it has a print of a water refilling station in town. 

I look at him, "I'll be going now, bye." I said as I walk towards the door. 

"Uy, walang thank you?" I stopped on my steps and look at him before squinting my eyes. 

I shake my head, "Wala," I shortly answered before going out. Damn finally!!

"Lory bakit ginabi kana? Bakit hindi ka nagpasundo?" As I entered the gates, I immediately hear this from kuya Therence. 

A sigh escaped my lips and just shake my head before continue walking inside the house. The elevator is too far from the main door so I chose the stairs to get up to my room. The umbrella is still with me and once I have entered my room, I immediately went to my terrace and opened the umbrella to let it dry, I don't care if it will get more soaked in the rain, I don't want to put it in my room. 

I went to my bathroom and took a quick shower. I remember my hair got wet from the rain when I was starting to walk home before I stopped by that hut. I had to shampoo my hair and use conditioner to clean it thoroughly. After that I slipped to my pajamas and pull out the things in my bag. It was a relief to see them dry but the bag is still wet. 

I lay down on my bed with my phone in my hands to message Ali. 

to Alipangot: 

Hey, umulan ng malakas, nag practice pa kayo? 

It got delivered immediately and she's also online so she was able to read it immediately. 

from Alipangot: 

Nawp, nag stop kami, pero patila naman na yung ulan, baka magsimula ulit kami maya-maya. 

My brows furrowed as I read her reply. Isn't the ground still wet? Mahihirapan sila. 

to Alipangot: 

The ground is wet, nasa plaza kayo or school? 

from Alipangot: 

School, pero nasa court naman kami kaya hindi putikan, don't worry. Masaya nga kapag basa yung sahig, nababasa yung flags at tinatalsikan kami ng tubig. 

A sigh escaped my lips and I shook my head before replying okay and reminding her to take care. I closed my phone and place it down on my bed before staring at the ceiling.

How am I supposed to give the umbrella back? Right... going back to that hut. 

Few minutes later, I got a call from the intercom telling me that dinner is ready. So I went downstairs to the dining and saw Theo, tito Thiago and mom already there. 

We started eating and just like our usual meals, it is a complete silence. Only the sound of the spoon and fork hitting the plate is present in the atmosphere. 

Until tito Thiago speaks, "Me and your mom are having business trip sa US, we're planning na isama kayong dalawa. What do you think?" I slowly lift up my head and look at tito Thiago. 

"I want dad, I'm going!" I hear Theo beside me excitedly say. 

Tito Thiago smiled while looking at his son before looking at me, "How about you Lory? You're coming with us?" He ask, 

I swallowed my food first, "How long is the business trip?" I asked back, 

Tito Thiago tilts his head a bit, thinking, "Well... more than two months--"

"I'm not going, have fun in the US." I immediately answered before looking back at my food. 

"Why ate? You'll be left alone here. You'll be sad." I look at Theo who have a sad expression, printed on his face, a smile escaped my lips before I slowly caress his hair. 

"Ate will be fine, I won't be alone. There are maids around, and also, ate have friends. I might invite them to come over." I said to assure my little brother, but instead of smiling, he pouted. 

"I'll miss you." He sadly said which made me chuckle. 

"Ate will miss you too." I said before looking back at tito Thiago. 

"Kailan kayo aalis?" I asked, 

"Maybe next week, may aasikasuhin pa ako bago kami umalis." He replied and I slowly nod. 

"Take care of Theo." I said before continue eating and not looking back at them anymore. 

After dinner, I grab a tub of ice cream and some cookies before bringing it upstairs to my room. While working on some of  my projects, I enjoy my ice cream. Around 11PM, Ali messages me that she's home na. I replied a goodnight to her and rest well. 

The next morning, I get up to my usual time of getting up. Did my morning routines and get myself ready for school. I even ate a milk chocolate bar that I saw in the fridge in my room before brushing my teeth and going down the dining. 

I'm surprised when I saw a mug with hot chocolate on my spot, I immediately look at Theo who have the same drink as mine. 

"You made this?" I asked, pointing at the mug, he shakes his head and pointed at mom with his lips. 

I look at mom who's not even looking at me, "Mommy made one for me, I asked her to make one for you, ate." He said and my lips formed a small 'o' before slowly nodding and sitting down on my chair. 

I took a sip of it and it actually tasted nice, wow. Did she put any chemicals in here? Why did she made one for me? Is she finally going to poison me?

But sadly I'm still alive, I was still able to get to school in good condition. I saw my friends peacefully sitting down on their chairs in the classroom. All have their own businesses. Tobi and Jax are playing something on their phone. Gwen is watching something, Ali is reading something from his phone and Laura is at the corner with his phone, she looks like typing something on her screen. I just sat down on my chair and wait for the class to start. 

"Lory, cleaners ka today diba?" I look at Gwen's direction when the class ended. I slowly nod my head and she smiled, "Nawawala kasi panyo ko, baka makita niyo hehe." She said and I slowly nod, no expression at all. 

They waited for me to finished my duty as a cleaners before we started walking by the gates of the school. Ali is already at her practice, Laura is with her service, Gwen is already on her way home and I'm already at our car with Theo. 

"How's your day at school?" I asked him as he enjoy his bananacue he got from outside the school. 

"It's great ate, I already told my friends that I'm going to US soon and I'll be absent for months." He answered and a chuckle escaped my lips. 

"Take care there, okay?" I said and he nods. 

"Of course ate, papasalubugan ka namin." He said and a smile formed on my lips. 

"Sige, hihintayin 'yan ni ate." I said before removing my hands from his hair. 

We arrived home and saw that mom is already packing her and tito Thiago's things. Their stuffs are scattered on the floor and looks like they're already decluttering her stuffs. 

"Lory mamili kana dito ng gusto mo." I was about to go upstairs when she called me which surprised me a bit. 

"I have my old bags, shoes and clothes here, baka may magustuhan ka." She added, a sigh escaped my lips and walk towards them where a lot of boxes are on the floor. 

I went to her bags because I must admit that she have such good bags. Her clothes are a bit big for me and so are her shoes, her bags are what I mostly wanted. 

"Are you guys going to shop there too?" I asked, not looking at her because I'm paying attention on the bags. Her Saint Lauren bag that she just got last month is already here, what the heck? 

"Yes, may ipapabili ka ba?" She ask and I slowly nods. 

"Bags, shoes and jewelries, if ever clothes too." I replied and I just hear her hum. 

"Sure, noted." She said and a small smirked prints on my face. 

We may have lots and lots of misunderstanding, but when it comes on spending money on bags, shoes, clothes and other luxury things, she understands me. And as my mom who  earns her own money, I guess, she should just really spend her money on me and my brother. It's still her responsibility to give us our needs and wants. Her and tito Thiago never lack on our needs in terms of things and I'm thankful for that. They love my little brother and that's enough for me. 

"Why won't you come with us?" She ask which made me stand up straight and look at her. 

"School, I don't want to miss it, and so are my friends. I also don't have anything to do there. I know you'll get me the things I wanted anyways." I replied and she nods. 

"Yes, I know." She replied and I just nod. Well... at least we look okay just for now. I sometimes think if my mom is bipolar. She looks chill and okay today, parang hindi niya ako sinaktan noong nakaraang linggo. 

But I don't really care, ganun din naman ako. She's still my mom... I still need to respect her. There's just really some boundaries between us two. Not like other mother and daughters. Not like Ali and her mom. 

Days passed, weekends passed, another Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday passed. The day of Theo, tito Thiago and mom's departure arrived. I stayed in the house, hindi na ako sumama sa airport dahil may pasok pa ako. What important to me now is that solo ko na ang bahay. When I got down sa dining, may mga pagkain na nakahanda. I asked the maids to make sandwiches. Ham and Cheese, Bacon and cheese, egg sandwich, hotdog sandwich and a tuna sandwich for my friends. I look at our fridge and saw some corndogs so I air fried some and put it in a small, disposable paper bag before rushing out the house and get inside the van. 

It feels a bit empty na wala si Theo, but I'm sure he'll enjoy US. 

When I arrived at the school, Tobi is there already and so is Jax. I handed them the sandwiches. 

"Para saan 'to?" Tobi confusedly asked while looking at me, holding his sandwich. 

"Siguro ipapakain mo sa aso." I sarcastically replied, Tobi frowned while Jax laughed at him. 

I waited for our other friends to arrive, when Ali came, I handed her the the hotdog and egg sandwich, she said she likes that combination. The Bacon and Egg is for Gwen and the Tuna is for Laura. 

"Busy kayo sa weekend? Tulog kayo sa bahay." I said during our vacant time, it's Friday today and tomorrow is Saturday and I know I'll feel bored. But they all have their own agendas. Ali have her practice, Tobi and his father will go biking, Gwen have her own agenda too. Jax and Laura didn't want to go since it will be boring if its just us three and I totally agree. 

And with that, I was asleep the whole Saturday. I only had one meal and it was 11PM of Saturday midnight. I was painting while a movie is playing on my TV. It was a Saturday night routine to me. 

And as usual, woke up around 4-6PM on Sunday afternoon. I just finished taking a bath and decided to go out my terrace when the umbrella welcomed me. 

"You're still here, akala ko nilipad kana." I said as I pick it up from the ground and close it. 

"Ibabalik na kita sa may-ari mo, kawawa ka naman." I said before getting back inside my room and pressing the button to close the terrace door. I grab a Chanel body bag that contains my phone and a small wallet, I slip into Dior slippers before going out my bedroom and going downstairs. 

"Kuya Therence, let me borrow your motor muna." I called kuya Therence who's in the garage fixing his other motor. 

"Catch," He threw the keys at me which I gladly caught. 

I walk towards his motorcycle and hop on, starting the engine and soon driving away. Since it's almost sunset, there's no much vehicles on the street anymore that's why I was able to arrive at the place faster. 

But to my surprise, the hut is no longer there. With a confused expression, I went down the motorcycle and walk towards the guard of the establishment. 

"Excuse me kuya, nasaan na po yung mga nakatira sa maliit na bahay dito?" I asked, pointing at the place where I last saw the hut. Hindi ko naman napansin kung kailan ito nawala dito. I also forgot about the umbrella these past few days that's why there's also no reason for my mind to pay attention to it. 

"Ah, yung mga trabahador ba miss? Naku, noong Huwebes pa po sila nakaalis." He answered, what's Huwebes? 

"Ahm... alam niyo po ba kung nasaan na sila?" I asked once again, just hoping to know where that curly guy is. 

"Ay, naku miss hindi ko alam eh, pasensya na." He replied and I slowly nod my head before biting my lower lip. 

"Sige po, salamat." I said before walking back towards the motorcycle, the umbrella in my hand and a hint of disappointment on my face. 

Where do I find him? I don't even know his name, all I can remember is his face, his curly hair and his smile!