AMINAH
She takes a deep breath before entering the classroom. She's expecting something might come again so she will not let her guard down. To her surprise, everyone was looking at her but unlike before there was a look of admiration, respect, and amazement.
Three of her classmates come to her and do something unexpected – talk, they’re talking to her.
“Aminah! I don’t know you’re such a fighter”
“You look amazing yesterday”
“Finally, they learn their lesson!” A girl with her thick glasses intentionally raises her voice and looks at Percy and her underlings. She just rolled her eyes and ignored what she heard, things she rarely does. Something changes from her aura; she has a less barbaric atmosphere.
The classroom atmosphere changed and she no longer felt different from them, as they treated her no differently from them now. They’re more welcoming and talkative with her than on her first day.
One Friday night, she was alone, and there was no available vehicle to ride at that time. She stayed in the library for too long as she was finishing her research paper and lost track of time. She then decided to walk on the dark path, it scares her but still pushes her to walk despite how frightened she is. Later on, there is a group of street boys walking toward her, she walks fast in the opposite direction to avoid them but to her surprise, they block her path and say nasty words. When someone touches her shoulder, she can’t bear it anymore. She tries to escape, but someone grabs her hand and it makes her cry like a child. She cried out loud hoping someone could hear her, but the street boys were just laughing at her. She felt helpless and prayed, she didn't want to end up like those girls on the morning news; helpless, hopeless, and lifeless.
She halfheartedly accepts her faith that she’s going to die that night, but a silhouette of a man suddenly appears. She can’t clearly see his face as the light from the streetlight covered his figure. The way he stands looks so arrogant, holding a bag on his shoulder, and one hand in his pocket. The dim light from the pole manages to sneak and light up his clothes, he’s wearing the same school uniform as she is. We’re schoolmates! She really thinks that someone answered her prayer but the man continuously walks and passes them. Aminah noticed the street boy also paused and just observed how the boy ignored them, she took this chance to grab her things and run as fast as she could. She passes the ruthless man and makes sure that he will see her glare, succeeding that, its nameplate catches her attention. I’ll definitely remember its name.
She heard them calling her and running but she never looks back as it scares her, and continues to run for her life. Miraculously, the men couldn't catch up, so when she finally got away, she sat up tired and scared, gasping for breath. Aminah feels that she has discovered her talent in running, finally, she can say that she has talent when someone asks her.
Though tired she continued to walk home, she planted that she would never spend the night again at school. Yet Aminah doubted what she promised, if the internet was stable at home and there was a computer shop nearby, she wouldn't spend the night at school.
When Aminah got home, she saw her grandmother on the terrace, her face showing concern with her cousin next to her grandma, who was also restless with her cell phone.
“Where have you been!? I’ve been calling you nonstop and you don’t even bother to answer it” Angel, her cousin looks upset but at the same time concerned.
“Sorry, I didn’t notice the time, I’m at school doing my research and my battery died” she apologizes sincerely as it is her fault for not informing them, she wanted to tell them what happened to her, she wanted to shiver and express how scared she is, but their worried faces worries her the most. Her grandmother looks so anxious but just sign her to
“Go inside and eat dinner”
Aminah also made a sign “I’m sorry”
“I know” her grandma made a gesture again.
She hugs her as she can’t contain how guilty she is for lying, hiding her frightful experience, and making them distressed. Her grandmother is mute their only way to communicate is through sign language. She honestly wanted to tell more but she is still learning and doesn’t know a lot of sign language.
After dinner, she washes up and treats her wounds. 12:35 am and she still has a hard time finding her position to sleep but she can’t. She decided not to and goes to the balcony, she looks at the sky and she was still amazed at the number of stars visible. She rarely saw things like this then, but now she just peeks out the window effortlessly, then she can see them. Aminah then remembers the nameplate of the selfish jerk he met – Bram --
REN Ren was excited about his departure from Australia, he couldn't wait for a day, that's why he had a hard time sleeping that night. It's already their vacation and they have two months to loosen up from all the work and pressure at school. He is finally going back home to the Philippines that's why he can't contain his satisfaction. He packs all the "Pasalubong" in a box for the children in their neighborhood, his mother will surely nag him when she finds out. *Arrival at the NAIA He arrived at 6 p.m. at the airport. He had a lot of luggage, he was tired but excited. Ren saw his mother together with the guards, waving the banner where his name is imprinted, he smiled widely and directly enveloped her mother tightly. They're heartily exchanging stories and regards to each other while they're in the car: traveling home, to the province of Aurora. “Btw, why do you have a big box at the back? Don’t tell me it’s another gift for those children?” Her mother really knows him and he kno
REN It’s Friday, Ren woke up early and asked their servant to prepare the box he took home, it contained toys, clothes, and things he had bought for the children. He ate his breakfast and also asked the servant to pack some food, he also planned to bring it for them. He immediately drove to his destination; it was only a corner away from their house so it was easy for him to reach that place in a second. As soon as Ren came down from his car, he immediately heard their screams. To their excitement they hugged Ren happily, there were others who still looked dirty but Ren didn’t care, he hugs and greets all of them. Most of the children here are out of school, their parents are unable to finance their education. That's why he felt so sorry for them and promised himself to help them all get educated. So far, his scholar is only ten children. The others who are in high school and college, his mother, who is already a mayor, supports their education. “Brother Ren! We miss you ``'' We've
REN In a large dining room, Ren and his family are having breakfast. The silence that surrounds them is suffocating for the maids that serve their food but this kind of ambiance is normal for the family. His mother is sulking on the other side, she’s annoyed last night because he got home late and he doesn’t give any explanation. While Ren is just minding his own food until his father finally breaks the silence. “Your mother told me that you got home late last night. Did you go to that place again?” His father, who was wiping his lips, looked at Ren intensely. Ren just nods and continues to mix his food tiredly; he loses his appetite whenever his father talks in a serious manner. He continues to mix the soup as if it will make the food appealing to him to eat. His mother on the other side, her eyes lit up as if she had found an ally to preach to Ren. “How long do you plan to play? You are too immersed in that role play Ren” Ren just reluctantly played with his food with the fork,
BRAM The pleasure of the people paddling in the falls is evident, a lot of tourists don't miss the chance to climb high trees and jump in the deepest part of the falls. Likewise, families on one side of the falls were having fun drinking and singing in every cottage they rented. These noises give relaxation to young Bram floating in the water, the noise of water falling on the falls and wind from the towering trees surrounding it calms his nerves. Not only is his body floating but so is his mind. It is a normal weekend in the private resort in their town, frequent visitors here are mountain climbers, after they climb the high mountain not far from the private resort they will paddle in the Falls. Today Bram was assigned to guard the resort due to the absence of one of their staff. He does this whenever someone is absent and he does nothing. He acts as a replacement, this is the business that makes a living for him and many people in their town. It was the legacy of his late mothe
BRAM The breeze of the night enveloped the shirtless Bram who was spacing out while looking at the sky. He can hear the cricket and the frog sounds, accompanied by the sounds of the flowing water of the fountain in his backyard. This sound and atmosphere helps Bram to relax and just think about his last blissful moment with his mom. He reminisces about the time when his mother was still alive, the two of them will always talk to each other about random things while looking at the countless stars. Now, he can't do anything but just stare at them and look back on moments that will never happen again. He can't let their good times die. He then enters his house where the cold is much colder than the outside, not just physically but also emotionally. This piercing cold made Bram numbed each time he stepped inside, the house that doesn't feel like a home is like a cage. As he slowly closes his eyes while thinking of the last moment he has with his mother, tears come out. He woke up gas
AMINAH “Hey don’t argue with him, I know you don't know him because you’re new here but learn how to ask us about people who are strangers to you,” Letty said while dragging her in their seat “Why do you sound so scared to him? Is he a bully here?” Aminah ask “Perhaps? I mean no and yes? He used to” Pia whisper that she doesn't even want even the mosquito to hear her respond. “No wonder he didn't even move my bag properly if he will occupy my seat” “Anyway don’t talk to just anyone here, some might be friendly but there still definitely a lot of students out there who target new students like you” “I’ve been here for months am I still new to them?” “Obviously!” Pia slightly raised her voice that made some students look at her “Sorry hehe” The appealing teacher suddenly came, Mrs. Santos, Aminah’s favorite teacher. She greets the student, they play a short game, and then she discusses and talks about their current lesson. Aside from its kindness Aminah like how the teacher ble
AMINAH “I can’t believe this! Your section never changes! You even got your new teacher into trouble!” The guidance counselor was looking at us while shouting. The guidance room can’t accommodate our school section that’s why we are in the gym right now. Each of us is holding cleaning supplies while avoiding the eyes of each school staff in front of us. Some have bruises and messy hair, some even got in school clinics as they passed out and a few students are in hospital’s town as they were hit by the chairs. “You are a graduating student yet you act like a kid!” Frustrated and upset our homeroom teacher is looking at us showing disappointment by shaking her head. “Everyone of you I want all your guardian to go to school tomorrow no exception” That’s the last reminder from the guidance counselor before she left us to clean the gym. “You all embarrass me, you didn't even bring shame on your section” Our adviser irritatedly said while looking at us intently. “No one is allowed to
Bram stops walking and looks back at Aminah who happens to be looking at his jacket for a while before walking slowly. He follows her and also takes one step at a time, he remembers the first time that he saw Aminah who happens to almost perished. Bram wonder if the girl didn’t remember that incident or maybe he is the only one who was forgotten that day, how come she will remember him, she even run without looking back.Minutes have passed and Aminah enters a two-story old Spanish house. It has a wooden gate that shows its age and decay. There is a tall avocado tree in its yard and the house was surrounded by various types o flowers. Even at night, the energy inside the house can still be felt, Bram can hear the dog barking and conversations coming from inside accompanied by the sounds of plates and utensils.“Why are you late again? And why is your uniform dirty?”“I am one of the cleaners and it took us a while to clean up, where's Grandma?”She was in the room mumbling, waiting f