CHAPTER 16: RIVER

"Synecdoche!" When I heard a familiar voice, I stopped crying. I tighten my grip on the books that I am holding. It is Ulap's voice. She's with her parents, aling sunny and manong Mundo. I'm happy yet sad.

"Ulap!" Tumakbo ako patungo sa kaniya at humandang yakapin siya pero may biglang humarang sa daan.

"Why are you crying, Synecdoche?" I am torn between going to Ulap's place or just stand here in front of Vani. He looks calm. Hands at the side of his pockets. Doesn’t he know what's happening?

I sobbed before I open my mouth. "Bakit ito ang nadatnan ko pagbalik ko? Bakit?"

"You mean, seeing me?"

"Yes.. but..no. I mean, here, the Grass...is ..now being..."

"Devastated?" sabi ni Vani at tiningnan ang paligid.

"Yes..but no, I'd rather say 'The grass is now like a deformed rubics cube rather than being devastated. It hurts me. Why Grass? Why us? We need light here, but the light they gave us came from the burning houses. We need c