Chapter 16

With every step I took, I heard the loud crunching sound of the leaves and felt the itchiness caused by the grass sticking to my legs. I looked around and only then realized that I was in the rice fields of Papa’s family in Bulacan.

“Papa?” I called out as I continued walking.

No one answered, so he probably wasn’t there. I continued walking. I wanted to find a place to sit down, to sleep here… the breeze and the tranquility. I wanted to wander here for a long time and forget about everything I was thinking.

When I saw a hut near a large tree, I quickened my pace. It seemed cool there as I could see how the leaves of the tree moved with the wind’s gentle blow.

As I got closer, I saw a woman lying down, seemingly in deep sleep. Should I still go? She might wake up… get angry because I disturbed her peaceful slumber.

Oh well… I’d just walk slowly and carefully so she wouldn’t notice me.

When I entered the hut, the woman still seemed sound asleep as