3

(Chapter 3)

'PARENTS'

The next day I woke up early. I found Eren curled up and fitting himself on our small, old couch in the living room.

He slept there last night. I just gave him a few pillows and a blanket. There is also an electric fan there. but he didn't open it because it's cold here every night. No need for an electric fan.

I took a quick shower and then left the room. Eren was still there and fast asleep although not comfortable.

I didn't realize that I was close to him. I stared at his face while sleeping. Eyebrows raised and clearly uncomfortable in the position. I want to laugh because he looks like he's frowning while closing his eyes.

When he moved once, I immediately backed away. when I recovered, I immediately left in front of him and walked towards the kitchen. I drank water to quench my sudden thirst.

I leaned my hands on the table. My breath came faster. I do not know why.

I tied my hair before glancing in the direction of the kitchen again.

"What can we have for breakfast?" I mentally asked myself. I took my wallet and looked at its contents.

There are still fifty pesos. Tomorrow I will look for something to earn here. I will die if I just stand here with that heavy man.

I left Eren there and left the house. I saw some neighbors who were already working in the fields. People here are hardworking. Not like that city man. He seems like a king when he sleeps. Thank you

I decided to walk to buy pandesal. that's the only thing we'll eat for breakfast because that's the only thing that fits my money. It's up to him if he doesn't eat it.

"Come." I stopped walking when someone called me. He is one of our neighbors.

"Manang Selia." I greeted with a smile.

"Did you come home? When?"

"Yesterday, yes." I answered.

"By the way... we sympathize with your father." sincerity reflected in his voice.

"Thank you." I smiled bitterly.

In an instant, everything seemed fresh to me again. But sadness has no place for me now. Back then I would just be killed if I mumbled. it's true that I once cried thinking that I was an orphan from my parents. From now on I have to learn to live without them.

I continued walking to the nearest bakery. it's good that the place hasn't changed much so it won't be difficult for me to find where I'm going. On the way I met some acquaintances. Both of them are congratulating me on my return and sending their condolences for what happened to my father.

as planned I bought pandesal for breakfast. I was on my way back when I saw some horses passing by on the bumpy road. I'm not surprised because that's often here. As usual. If not domestic horses we watch buffaloes.

I saw on the other side of the road the children who were comforted because of that. The children were amazed as they watched the horses follow the direction their master wanted.

I can't stop comparing myself to them. I was probably like that when I was their age.

I continued to walk home carrying the plastic with only pandesal.

I can see our little house. There were a few women there peeking inside as if they were waiting for something.

when they noticed me they stopped giggling.

"Mari... are you home?" asked an unfamiliar person. I didn't say anything and just kept standing in front of them.

"Mari, who is the handsome man inside your house?"asked the other one, whose gums I could almost see from smiling so much. "Your cousin? Introduce us."

They were probably referring to Eren.

"What are you talking about?" I faked a laugh.

"That man at your house? We saw him come out earlier... the handsome one. looks like a city dweller."

"Ah? That's it? That's not there. It's just an acquaintance... that will also come home to them later."

"As for the weed... just introduce yourself."

I gulped loudly before shaking my head.

"It's up to you." I said before passing them. I even heard them whispering something but I just ignored it. I walked into the house.

I immediately heard the sound of the TV on. It's probably awake and watching.

THE PRINCE IS AWAKE.

I wiped my foot on the doormat. I barely listened to what he was watching while doing that.

"UNTIL NOW THE MISSING SON OF THE SALVEDRES, EROS SALVEDRE, IS STILL BEING SEARCHED. SEVERAL DAYS HAVE PASSED BUT THERE IS STILL NO NEWS THAT CAN TELL US WHERE HE IS. EVEN THOUGH THE PEOPLE WHO HAD BEEN WITH IT LAST COULDN'T POINT OUT WHERE IT WAS. THE FATHER OF THE SAID YOUNG MAN HAS PAYED FIVE MILLION BONUSES TO ANYONE WHO CAN TEACH HERE..."

I walked towards the living room with a frown. When he saw me, he immediately turned off the television.

"What are you watching?" I asked then walked to the kitchen to put down the pandesal I bought.

"Where have you been?" he deviated from the conversation. We looked at each other but I immediately distracted myself. I felt him stand up from sitting before walking closer.

"I brought breakfast." I answered. I took two cups and made coffee."Are you having coffee?"

"Hmm..." he sat on the vacant chair.

"There are really a lot of people who are missing right now." I shook my head while thinkingor the syndicates that take the heart and then sell it to the rich."

He said loudly causing me to glare at him.

"Are you okay?" I asked. He just looked away."You? What are you doing here?"

After brewing, I put it on the table and then sat down.

"What is this?" he unfolded the plastic that only had a sticker on it.

"That's Pandesal." I answered before taking one and immediately dipped it in the coffee. "This is the only thing my money could handle. Breakfast for the poor."

I saw how his eyebrows meet while watching me eat. Grimacing, he took one before examining its entirety. I want to laugh at the reaction on his face.

"Dip it in the coffee, it's delicious." I smiled sweetly at him before continuing to eat.

"Is this a bread?"he asked half frowning.

"Arte neto... don't worry. It's clean!" I held back a smile.

"How can you be so sure?" the side of his lips lifted.

"It was molded by clean hands." I chuckled. I took another sip of coffee and then bit into the pandesal again. He remained silent on one side while observing the bread in his hand.

The art!

"My mom loves baking..." she smiled sparingly. Little by little, the smile on my lips disappeared when I saw the sadness in his eyes.

"What's your mother's name?" I didn't ask myself. His gaze penetrated from the bread in his hand to me."My mother's name is Leniese."

"S-Selena..." he answered weakly before splitting the pandesal in two. I nodded and didn't speak again."Wheres your parents, anyway?"

"I don't have parents anymore." I faked a smile. I couldn't go back to eating."My mom died early and then my dad died of pneumonia."

"I see..."

"You? Where are your parents?" I asked again. We stared at each other. His lips are in a grim line."You're rich, aren't you? You ran away from us?"

"No." he replied sparingly and then looked down at the table.

"So what?"

"I don't want to talk about it." he diverted his eyes from me. "That's not important."

I want to tell him that he is lucky because he comes from a luxurious lifestyle. He doesn't know how lucky he is because he has a family while I'm gone.

They are rich...

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