I got startled as Inin suddenly shouted behind me. I immediately faced him and saw him smiling wide and same goes with tito who's behind him. Their smiles look like a carbon copy of each other. 

"I thought you guys left. Akala ko umalis na kayo." I said, the hint of relief present in my voice. 

He squinted his eyes, "Di ah, nakikain kami doon sa kagawad na naghanda para sa bagong taon." he replied, pointing at a certain direction and I slowly nod. 

"Ah... so busog pa kayo?" I asked before tightening my grip on the bag lace. 

He didn't answered and look at me for few seconds before I saw his eyes travel to the bag I'm holding. 

"May dala kang pagkain 'no?" He asked, I bit my lower lip and slowly nod. 

"Tara, kainin natin." He said which made my head snap up. I saw him pass by me to walk towards their hut. Tito followed him while slowly laughing. 

He stopped in front of me, "Matakaw talaga 'yang batang 'yan." Tito said before walking inside their hut. 

"Lory tara na!" I hear Inin call from the inside. So I rush towards the door and entered their hut. I place the bag on their table and pull out the containers from the inside to serve them on the table while Inin grab some plates and forks. 

"Ikaw pa? Kakain ka po?" I heard him ask his father, "Hindi na, kayo nalang ni Lory." I heard tito replied. 

Inin place the plate down and sat on the chair near him as I finish serving the foods. 

"Ang dami naman." He said when all the foods are out, "Oh, pinggan mo." he hand me a plate and fork. As much as I still feel full, I don't want him to eat by himself so I joined him to eat. 

"Inin doon muna ako sa katrabaho ko, ingat kayong dalawa dito." Tito said before exiting the hut. 

"So... how's your New Year's eve?" I ask while eating, I'm eating slow and almost not taking any bites. I also still feel full. 

"Ayun, nagluto si papa ng kaunting pansit tapos bumili ng barbecue." He answered, still focused on his food. 

I slowly nod not knowing what to say next, I don't even know why I suddenly went here. Maybe because I want to give them some foods and get out from the house. I feel bored there despite that fact that I can do a lot of things. I've been stuck inside for couple of days that's why I feel bored. 

"Anong gusto mo gawin ngayong hapon? Kahit ano, ako ang gagastos." I told him once I can't think of any agenda for us two. 

He lift his head up and confusedly look at me, "Huh? Huwag na 'no, huwag kang gastos nang gastos, ipon-ipon din." He said before giggling which made me chuckle and shake my head. 

"I just want you to have fun." I said before taking a bite of the pork liempo. 

"Sus, hindi mo kailangan gumastos para maging masaya." He said before smiling at me. 

I scoffed, "Sorry, I'm a materialistic girl, I enjoy spending money on things I want." I said and he look at me confusedly. 

"Ano yung mga want mo?" He ask before continue eating but still keeping his eyes on me. 

"Well..." I sigh, "Bags, clothes, shoes, jewelries... luxury." I replied and he slowly nod. 

"What about you? What makes you have fun or happy?" I ask, he tilts his head a bit, looking up at the ceiling. 

"Ano... maghalo ng semento." He said and my brows furrowed. 

"Maghalo... ng semento?" I confusedly ask and he slowly nod. 

"Oo, tapos mag palitada, mag buhat ng hallow blocks, mag martilyo, mag pintura, magbuhat ng sako ng semento." He replied and my jaw dropped. 

"So... yung mga ginagawa ng construction workers?" I ask and he nods. 

"Tama, ang saya kaya, lalo na yung paghahalo ng semento gamit yung pala." He said smiling, my lips twitch a bit before slowly nodding. 

"So... nagtatrabaho ka rin sa construction?" I ask again and he nods. 

"Tumutulong ako kay papa at mga ka-trabaho niya." He answered and I slowly nod. 

"May sweldo ka rin?" I asked again, curious about his working life. 

He shake his head, "Wala, tumutulong lang, alangan naman palamunin at nakikitira na nga lang ako tapos manghihingi pa ako ng sweldo." he joked that made the side of my lips rise a bit. 

"Okay, I get it, but how about now? Walang nagtatrabaho sa construction site." I said as I noticed a while ago that no one is there. 

"Kapag hindi ako tumutulong sa construction, anong ginagawa ko?" he ask and I nod. 

"Ano... tulog, cellphone, kape." He replied which made me chuckle. 

"Boring naman nun." I said before continue eating. We went silent after, just the two of us eating. He really tasted all of the foods I brought. He didn't let any dish pass. Parang hindi siya kakagaling lang sa kainan.

"Uy, may na-alala ako!" he said before standing up from his seat and rummaging through the boxes. Hinabol ko siya ng tingin at napakunot ang noo ko habang pinapanood siya. 

"Pikit ka! Dali! Surprise 'to!" He said while facing his back at me. I sighed and shake my head before closing my eyes just like what he said. I am guessing this is the gift he was talking about before. 

I felt his presence in front of me, "Buksan mo na mata mo." he said and I sigh before opening my eyes. A loud gasp escaped my lips when I saw his gift on his hands in front of me. 

"Inin...!" I squealed once I reached for it. 

"This is... so awesome!!" I said before starts jumping. 

It's a piece of wood where my name is engraved on it. There were flowers and hearts as designed! It's so beautiful!!

"You made this?!" I asked as I look up at him, a shocked expression printed on my face.  

He smiled and scratch the back of his head, "Oo, sorry 'yan lang kaya ko. Nagustuhan mo ba---"

"Isn't it obvious?! Of course I like it!" I cut him off before I look back at his gift. It's so beautiful! It's even varnished! 

"Buti nga apat na letter lang yung Lory mo." He said that made my head snap. 

Confusion draw on my face, "Huh? Bakit? Ano pa ba ang ibang spelling ng Lory? Letter I? Eh four letters pa rin naman yung kahit letter I." I said and he giggled. 

"Malay mo ano... L-O-R-R-I-E, diba pwede naman yun." he said, I faced palmed before shaking my head as I hear him giggle. 

"Joke lang, pero masaya ako na nagustuhan mo. Akala ko hindi mo magugustuhan kasi... mayaman ka naman na, mabibili mo kahit anong gusto mo." He said, I lift my head up and squinted my eyes. 

"Hindi ah, gustong-gusto ko. Remember what you said about the bonnets I gave you?" I ask and he just look at me confusedly. 

I smiled, "Mas na-appreciate mo yung bonnets kasi ako mismo ang gumawa. Same goes with this, you handmade them yourself, I appreciate it more. Hindi ako makakabili ng ganito sa iba. This is a limited editiona nd specially made for me, it's special." I said and he shyly smiled. 

Our attentions are both caught when my phone suddenly beeped. I place down his gift and pick up my phone to see Laura's message. 

from Lau-ruh:

Lory!! Your tita Thena messaged me and asked me if you're still with me, she said they will pick you up so I told them you went home  na! Wherever you are, go home! You might get into trouble!

My eyes widened after reading Laura's message, "Uy, may problema ba?" Inin ask which made my head snap at his direction. 

I slowly nod, "Ahm... wala wala, wala naman. Kailangan ko nalang umuwi." I said as I pick up his gift and put it inside my bag. 

"Dito muna yung mga tupperware, kunin ko nalang next time, tell me if lilipat kayo. Bye! Thank for the gift again!" I exclaimed as I put on my bag. Without waiting for his answer I rush out their house and hop on the motorcycle and drive off. 

I almost made the vehicle fly as I drive over the limits. I know there's something happening at the house. My titas won't look for me when it's something not so serious. I just hope I didn't get into any trouble that they found out. But I didn't got into any trouble these past months. That's what I remember. 

"Ma'am hinahanap na po kayo nila ma'am Thena." The guard said as I enter the gates which made me more nervous. I parked the motor before going inside. 

"Lory!!!" My eyes widened as tita Thena squealed, 

"May pinadala ang mom at tito Thiago mo mula ibang bansa. Uuwi na daw sila next week!!" Tita Thena squealed, my jaw dropped as I saw them in the living room where big boxes are at. 

That's it?! Because of the things they sent?! They made me nervous like that?! 

"Why do you have to ask my friend pa?" I ask as I walk towards them. 

"Ay, nalaman mo pa 'yon? Sabi niya pauwi kana noong nag message kami?" Tita Theresa ask. 

I gulped, "Well... nasa labas pa ako ng bahay nila so she told me. I thought something bad came up. You made me worried." I said as I sat down on the sofa in front of the boxes. 

"Hindi naman, ikaw kasi ang gusto namin an pagbuksan dahil alam namin na para sa iyo naman 'yan. Na excite lang kami ng mga tita mo." Tita Thiara said. I sigh and nod before grabbing the cutter on top of a box that they already prepared. 

I cut through the thick tapes before finally having the access inside the first box. 

"Ang ganda!!" Tita Thena squealed as the bags immediately welcomes us. 

"Hoy, kay Lory 'yan, makatili ka akala mo sayo." Tita Theresa said as she slaps tita Thena's arms. 

There's a paper on top that says Lory's, so I am expecting these are all for me. 

"Sige na Lory, sa kusina muna kami." Tita Thiara excused themselves three and I just nod while looking at the bags. 

I started pulling them out, and it is indeed full of bags from Chanel, Gucci, Prada, Burberry, Louis Vuitton, Saint Lauren, Dior and Givenchy. They are different designs and styles. There's backpack, body bags, sling bags, purse, cross bag and lots more. It took me a lot of time just to open the bags and look at them. After looking at each bag, I put them back inside their packaging before going to the next box which are full of shoes from the same brands as the bags. But there's other brands like Balenciaga and Versace. I also tried each and one of them on which took me so long. On the third box, it is full of clothes. I didn't bother trying each of them since it will take me so long and I am starting to get tired. So I asked the maids to help me get it upstairs to my room. 

"Pakilagay nalang po diyan." I said as I sat down on my bed and watch the maids put the boxes inside my room, gladly the door is big because it almost didn't fit at the door. 

Once they're done putting the boxes inside, they left and closed the door leaving me with the humongous boxes inside. 

I grab my phone and call Ali. 

[Hey, kamusta?] she ask from the other. She opened her camera and set it up where I can see her, she looks like eating and she's on their dining table. 

"Nagpadala sila mom and tito Thiago ng bags, shoes and clothes, ang dami, look." I said and switch to back camera to show it to her. 

[Ay gagi, pwede ka nang magtayo ng tindahan mo!] she exclaimed from the other line which made me chuckle. 

"Nah, I'd rather give them to you." I said and I saw her eyes widened. 

[Gaga, kung ano-ano sinasabi mo.] she said before laughing. 

I shake my head, "Seryoso, I'll give you some of these." I said and her eyes widened. 

[Ma sa kwarto lang po ako, kausap ko lang si Lory.] I heard her talk to her mom before I saw her stand up and walk through their stairs. 

[Wait lang ha.] she said and I just nod. I waited for her to enter he room and close the door. 

[Hoy ikaw ha, tinatakot mo ako. Akala mo ba di ko alam 'yan, yung mga tao na nagbabalak magpakamatay ipinamimigay gamit nila, huwag mo akong inu-ulol Lory ha, susundan talaga kita!] she scolded from the other line which made my eyes widened. 

"Oh my God, Ali of course not! Hindi 'yon ang dahilan kung bakit kita bibigyan. I just want to... you know, give you. You're my bestfriend and I have lots of them." I said and she squinted her eyes. 

[Huwag na, sa iba nalang. Nakakahiya 'no! Binili 'yan nila tita para sayo, tapos ipapamigay mo lang? Siraulo ka ba?] she asked from the other line which made me giggle. 

"Grabe ka naman--"

[Ah basta, hindi, hindi mo ako bibigyan niyang mga 'yan.] she said and I chuckled before nodding. 

"Fine, fine, you're going to sleep na?" I ask and she shake her head. 

[Hindi pa, mag mo-movie pa kami nila mama sa baba.] she replied and I slowly nod. 

"Oh, okay then, enjoy. Bye bye!" I said while waving my hands. 

[Bye bye! Nighty!] she said before ending the call. I dropped my phone on my bed before taking a deep breath and standing up, proceeding to my bathroom to take a shower. 

I change into pajamas and went to my study table where my laptop is at. I started watching random videos in the internet to spend my time. I'm just waiting for them to finish dinner. I know that before I went upstairs they are about to eat. I'm not in the mood to eat with them or even eat at all because I'm still full. 

It's around 9:30PM when I got a notification, I pick my phone up and saw Inin's number which made my brows furrowed. 

from Inin:

Uy, okay ka lang? Alam ko na may problema diyan sa inyo kaya bigla kang umuwi. Pwede kang mag kwento sa akin. 

I squinted my eyes after reading his message which also made me chuckle, he's really worried and thought that something came up here at the house. 

to Inin:

Wala, may dumating lang na package para sa akin kaya pina-uwi na ako. Don't worry, okay lang ako. 

from Inin:

Ah sige sige, goodnight! Chineck lang kita, sweet dreams! 

I replied the same thing to him before placing down my phone with a confused expression. 

Him? Worried? To me? That's new. He's checking up on me just like Ali? That's odd. Someone cares for me aside Ali? Unbelievable. 

The next day I woke up around 1PM, I decided to start sorting the bags, shoes and clothes. I put all the old ones to the boxes to have a place for the new once. It's not surprising that I had to put a lot of the old ones away in order to have space for the new ones. 

I am sweating and panting after fixing those bags, shoes and clothes. I haven't even eat anything so I can feel my stomach rumbling. I change into a new shirt first because the one I am wearing is so sweaty before I head downstairs. 

I ate some cereals, cookies and chocolates since I'm craving for something sweet. It's already 5PM and I'm just having my first meal of the day now. After eating I decided to bring a tub of ice cream upstairs. But once I'm at my room, the urge to take a bath crossed my mind so I put the ice cream in my fridge first before taking a quick shower. 

Still a towel wrapped around my head, I sat down on my sofa, eating ice cream while watching TV. I sent a picture of my old bags, shoes and clothes to our group chat and ask them if they want something from it. 

from Emory The Emo Queen👸👑🙌:

Ayaw ko sissy, nakakahiya naman. 

from Gwen ver.2.0:

Ayaw ko rin, nakakahiya nga anubaaa!

from Alipangot Ang Bagong Haliparot 🧚‍♀️🧜‍♀️🧚‍♀️:

Ibenta mo kaya?

My eyes squints a bit after reading Ali's response, she has a good point though. My bags, shoes and clothes are not used that much, the ones I put in box even looks new and untouched. They are just in my walk in closet, displayed. I think some of them I used only once. 

from Alipangot Ang Bagong Haliparot 🧚‍♀️🧜‍♀️🧚‍♀️:

Oh? Bet mo idea ko 'no? 

 to top secret 6:

I mean... pwede naman pero... paano ko sila ibebenta? Tsaka... parang stressing naman 'yan 'no. 

from Alipangot Ang Bagong Haliparot 🧚‍♀️🧜‍♀️🧚‍♀️:

Ikaw bahala sis, pero naisip ko talaga na baka pwedeng i-benta mo nalang kaysa itapon or ipamigay mo. 

to top secret 6:

I'll think about it, kayo, if gusto niyong bumili, just tell me, punta kayo dito. 

After I hit send, I decided to get myself dried in front of my vanity mirror. I also put some creams on my face. After being satisfied, I stand up and went to my working table. I started working on the bead painting Ali gave me. I've been trying to finish it before New Year but sometimes I get tired or bored while doing it. 

When the dinner came by 8PM, I decided to eat with them. My three titas are talking about their business and I just sat there, eating in silence. After dinner, I stayed at my terrace before deciding to sleep early tonight so I won't wake up super late the next day. 

Just after 3 days of New Year, classes came back, my female classmates are almost newly rebonded which would make me chuckle in silence. 

"Ali, look at this jacket from Balenciaga, I think this would look good on you." I said as I showed her my phone, I already took photos of the clothes last week when they told me to take pictures of them. 

"How much?" Ali ask, 

"Ahm... I'll just give it to you." I said and her eyes widened. 

"Gagi, ayaw ko! Bibilhin ko." She said and I pouted. 

"50 pesos," I said and her brows furrowed. 

"Gaga, Balenciaga 'yan tapos ibebenta mo sa akin ng 50 pesos?!" she ask and I sigh before leaning closer to her. 

"Here... diba sabi niyo ibenta ko nalang edi... kunyari ukay-ukay, kayo ang bumili, 20 pesos, 50, 100, kasi... I have my savings naman, tito Thiago and mom give me and Theo savings, so I don't have to worry about anything. If I sell them in expensive price, I might end up using the money to buy new ones, kaya bilhin niyo nalang ng mura, please? I just want them gone." I said and she look at me with wide eyes. 

"Gaga, nakakatakot kayong mayayaman!"