Into The Woods
Chapter One
Summer vacation is coming!!. Can't wait to be under the sun and just chill at the beach.
Hiraya
Hey girl! you ready?
I immediately texted my best friend,Jessica. The things I need for my perfect summer vacation is ready.
Jessica
Hey girl, yeah I'm on my way to your place. Can't wait!!
Since Dad won't be here with me again I'll just spend my summer with my friends. He's always busy at work since my mom died.
We never visited her grave since then. I'm missing her yet I don't want to be there too. The place is a big no no for me. It's not like I hate Philippines, it's just it reminded me of mom.
I heard a car stops in our house. Probably Jessica.
Hiraya
Why are you here? you are supposed to be in a trip, right?
Peter(Dad)
Did you pack your things?
He look at my baggage for my perfect summer vacation.
Peter(Dad)
Good, will leave exactly 3pm
He went to his room and pack his things too.
Hiraya
Wh-What's happening dad?
Peter(Dad)
Didn't you receive the text I sent you?
I immediately scan my inbox and there is dad's message.
Hiraya
Dad no way!, dad no way no way no way!!!
Hiraya
I already have a plan, with Jessica. I told you that before summer starts,right?
Peter(Dad)
I'm sorry sweetheart but you have to cancel your plan with Jessica . You can resume it next summer.
Hiraya
Oh please dad, can't we just do this next summer?
Peter(Dad)
No, your grandmother needs us there so will be there. Past won't repeat itself again.
Dad feels guilty for choosing his job over mom. He have no choice , we can't pay the hospital bills if he won't work. Mom died without dad in her side.
Peter(Dad)
Hiraya Manawari!! no buts!
My name sounds native and old. Why would mom think of such a name. If I really had I chance to have her just another chance I'll cherish that moment.
Hiraya
But Jessica is on her way
Peter(Dad)
I'll talk to her
We went outside to talk with Jessica.
Jessica
Good morning Mr. Evans , I've come to pick up Raya.
Peter(Dad)
Come inside, Jessica
Peter(Dad)
Look Jessica about your plan with my daughter that will be cancelled for now
Jessica
What?, what happened?
Hiraya
We're going at the Philippines
Jessica
Well that's great, the beach there is more majestic than here
Hiraya
If we can go to beaches but the place we're going to is at the mountains
Peter(Dad)
Look Jessica, I know this is important to the both of you but this is also important, very important and I need you to understand, ok?
Jessica
Is it a family emergency?
Peter(Dad)
Yes, a family emergency
Jessica
Then I have to rights to interfere
Jessica
What girl? it's a family issue
Chapter Two
Peter(Dad)
Are all the things you need are right it in your luggage?
Hiraya
Yes dad, you've ask that for the tenth times
Peter(Dad)
Just making sure you didn't leave the things you wanted
Hiraya
Maybe if you let me go with Jessica then there is no checking to do
Peter(Dad)
Hiraya we talked about this. Jessica even agreed
I just frown and went inside my room. I check my things once again. All pack
Hiraya
I hope the internet there is fast
Peter(Dad)
Are you all set?
Peter(Dad)
Ok, we're good to go
We went straight to the airport and waited for our flight.
Peter(Dad)
This will be tough
Hiraya
You have no idea how tougher it is for me
It took hours of plane travel until we reach Philippines.
Peter(Dad)
The weather is way hotter. This is Philippines
Peter(Dad)
Why not? you like hot weather, right?
Hiraya
Yes dad but not here
Peter(Dad)
What's the matter here?
Hiraya
Because... because of mom
Peter(Dad)
Ooh, I miss her too
We kept on walking until dad stop.
Aunt Dahlia
If isn't my lovely niece, welcome home Hiraya
Peter(Dad)
Hey won't you greet me,Dahlia?
Aunt Dahlia
Why would I?. AHAHAHA
We hug each other and so did dad with her. My eyes stop in the teenage boy with the eyes of the sea.
Aunt Dahlia
Well Hiraya can't you remember him?
I gave her I I-can't-remember-look. She just laugh at me. The boy hug me tight and I gasp because of shock. I immediately push him away.
Hiraya
Hey you're being rude!
Aunt Dahlia,dad and him laugh at me while I'm in confusion. Who is this guy?
Lorenzo
Can't you remember me? Ate Hiraya?
"Ate" means older sister in Filipino.
My eyes widened so did my mouth. I immediately hug him tight and he just chuckled at me.
Hiraya
Oh my gosh I miss you Lorenzo!!
Aunt Dahlia
Aren't you guys hungry? let's stop at some fastfood
Peter(Dad)
You grown in such a fine man, Lorenzo
Lorenzo
Not quite,dad. Puberty hits
Hiraya
Oh my gosh, do you have girlfriend already?
Lorenzo
I don't have that in mind
Hiraya
Yieee my brother is becoming a man
Aunt Dahlia
Stop it you two HAHA. Let's get something to eat. Your grandma Zenaida is excited to see you, especially you Hiraya
I just smiled at excitement. I can't believe my little brother is a grown up now. I remember he always cries when we're leaving. Look at him now, he looks like dad but younger. Now I know why mom fall for dad.
I wish I had those eyes too. I bet a lot of girls is chasing after him.
It's been five years since we went here. I wonder if there are something new in the haunted house of grandma.
It's not really haunted, it look so old. Like the houses in the late 1800s.
Chapter Three
Images that had been use aren't mine. The story is fiction, scenes and events that have been mention that have a similarity in real life is just a coincidence. Some elements are inspired from Filipino culture.
ctto of the images
After our lunch we went to the airport. We already have a flight to San Lorenzo. While waiting I can't stop talking to my brother.
Hiraya
So do you always explain why you have blue eyes?
Lorenzo
Opo ate, actually all the time. They say I look like a Filipino with the features of a foreigner which is true
"Opo and po" is use in the Philippines when communicating to someone who is much older than you .
Hiraya
Do you still have school days? Like now?
Lorenzo
Opo ate, I just absent to fetch you. Aunt Dahlia created my excuse letter.
Hiraya
You shouldn't have to. We can meet at grandma's house
Lorenzo
Eihhh I want to be the first to see you
Peter(Dad)
Your ate is right, Lorenzo
Aunt Dahlia
Come on Hiraya don't be mad at Lorenzo. He just wanted to see you
Hiraya
But aunt Dahlia, that isn't acceptable to skip class
Peter(Dad)
You always skip class
Peter(Dad)
That's true Lorenzo, I always got calls from the school saying she skip classes
Lorenzo
Now you're the one who should be lectured ate
A few minutes later, our flight is announce. Time to go
Aunt Dahlia
Is your luggage complete?
Aunt Dahlia
Good, let's go
The flight isn't that long. After an hour we reach San Lorenzo.
Peter(Dad)
She hate riding Jeepneys
A "Jeepney or jeep" is a public transportation vehicle commonly used in the Philippines. They are originally made in US. Left over military jeeps during world war II.
Aunt Dahlia
Darling get use to it. Lorenzo loves riding jeeps
Lorenzo
What's wrong with jeeps?
Hiraya
Because it's crowded and there is no air conditioner and the ride is bumpy and noisy, that's why
Lorenzo
You'll enjoy the ride ate. The passing of fares is my favorite part
Hiraya
That too, you always get and pass
Aunt Dahlia
You're really an american girl
Peter(Dad)
I'm sorry for that Dahlia
Aunt Dahlia
Don't be, it's fine . Sooner or later she'll enjoy it
It's getting hot here, I'm already sweaty. I immediately remove my trench coat leaving my black raglan sleeves and denim pants. I shouldn't have wore these clothes.
Lorenzo
Ate put your coat in your belly. Men might see your belly
Hiraya
So what if they see my belly?
Peter(Dad)
Hiraya, Filipinos are conservatives especially in clothing
Peter(Dad)
Then blame the one that told you to wear that clothes
I ignored what my little brother said and show off my belly. It's in good shape I wouldn't I show it off?.
Later on I saw some other filipinas taking a few glance at me.
Hiraya
Why are they glancing at me ?
Lorenzo
Because of your clothing
Aunt Dahlia
Oh look there's the jeep come on.
Dad and Lorenzo carried our luggages. I saw a lot of people staring at me with surprise in their eyes. What's with them?
We all take a sit and Lorenzo is on my side.
He frown from the stares of other people so he took my coat and cover my belly. The stares were gone.
Gosh, they are really conservatives.
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