Chapter 3| Doom Day

After a long ride, at last, we are here. Miggy and I wake up early for this trip. We step out of the bus while holding our bags and suitcase. Every person in this place is almost broken their necks just to stare at us while the others look at us critically.

Dude, it's creepy.

Later, Miggy housemaid arrived on a tricycle. A tricycle is a three-wheeled vehicle.

They put my suitcase on the roof of the tricycle while Miggy's belongings were on the back. They even tied it with a rope to keep it from falling.

When we were sure our belongings are okay, we got inside the tricycle.

The place is crowded.

I said at the back of my mind as I looked around. I notice the houses got fewer and fewer and fewer. It seems that we are crossing the province right now. The road is a bit forested to look at.

I gulp. Nothing else enters my mind but wrong turn the movie that Arthur, Josh and I watched back then. I just watched the sex scenes in the movie but I still see the scenes where people are getting killed then their flesh are eaten. Terrible. I haven't eaten for a few days because of that.

Fuck to Josh and Arthur. They said we were watching bold then the wrong turn was shown on the screen.

I clung to Miggy's arm in no time. He turns his gaze to look at me and when he saw the fear drew in my face, he laughs.

Damn him! Okay! He's the brave one! No need to laugh.

A moment later, the tricycle finally stops in front of the small house. I guess this is Manang Leti's house. We get out in the tricycle and get our belongings.

"Please come in, Sir." Manang welcome us with a smile. I scan the place first. Many trees, green sceneries and birds chirping.

Ah... So this is it! The beginning of my punishment. No girls, No beers and cigarettes. Dang! Alexander, it's only a month, just only a month.

I sighed and went inside the house.

We went to our room after we entered the house. I used the room of one of Manang Leti's children as well as Miggy.

After unloading and arranging our belongings in our temporary room, I heard my stomach growled. I haven't eaten lunch yet. We got here in the province a little late. The sun has already set.

I decided to leave the room and I found Miggy who had just come out as well. We go straight into the kitchen together.

We saw them arranging something to eat for a dinner. Miggy offers his help but Manang Leti refuse. She just made us sit on the side and we're told not to move. That's the reason why my neck is getting numb right now. 

For a few more moments, I frowned after I saw the many plates that Manang Leti was preparing on the wooden table.

"Manang Leti, that's a lot of plates," I commented hesitantly and looked around.

Manang and Tatay Mario just smiled.

My forehead creases at what I've seen.

"Sir Alexander, Mario and I have eleven children."

I almost choke by my saliva due to what they have said. I look at the two and mischievously smile when I realize something. I glanced at Miggy.

"Diligence," I whispered causing Miggy to push me to the side. I winced.

God, it hurts! Fuck it!

Manang Leti just smiled at the expression she sees in me.

"You're really in love with each other. I can see it." I just commented and laugh awkwardly.

"Mario and I dreamed of having a daughter. In our ten tries, we blessed a boy but in one last try, fortunately, we finally got a daughter. We are granted an eleven child." Manang explained. She was smiling while reminiscing their past. Tatay Mario smiled and hugged his wife.

They're sweet indeed.

Miggy and I looked at each other at what we had learned as if we were both thinking 'ah, it explains why' and nodded at the same time.

"Congratulations!" I said in a mischievous tone. I then received a pinch on my ear from my cousin.

Fuck! I can't fight him back. He must thank the two elders in front of us.

Fried fish, half-cooked vegetables, rice and fruits are on the table today.

Manang Leti has already called her children.

"We are going to eat!" Manang shouted. Everyone went out to their rooms and sat down at the table.

The brothers are complete. They are just waiting for their youngest. It took a few more minutes before it came out to her room. I waited for her to get closer to the dining. I stared at her from head to toe.

When I saw her completely, I just said 'ah' in the back of my mind. She is a brunette who is tall and looks only average. Plain.

What else can I expect here in the province?

I spoke in my mind.

Our eyes met as he looked in my direction. Suddenly a prank entered my brain. I give my best smile at her like I do at university. No one can't resist my charm when I'm smiling.

But to my surprise, she just smiled a little at me and regained her gaze.

What? That's it?

I said fantastically to myself and stared at her. At the university, women go crazy and seem to smile widely and giggled when I smile at them. Doesn’t my charm work here?

"Come on Verna, we're going to eat," said Tatay Mario.

She sat quietly next to her older brothers then we ate together.

*   *   *   *

The next morning I woke up, I went straight to the kitchen. I noticed that Manang Leti and Verna were busy cooking. I saw Miggy on the other hand fetching water. Filling the water drum. Okay, instant gym.

I approached them to ask if I could help and that, they ordered me to buy vinegar, garlic and soy sauce in the local store.

After I came out of the house, I saw Manang's eleven sons and her husband are drinking with their peers.

Tatay Mario looked in my direction and called me.

"Sir Alexander!"

I immediately approach him.

"Yes?"

"Come have a drink. Sit here." he pats on the dry wood chair.

"Tatay Mario, Manang is ordering me to buy spices. I'll drink with you later." I explained.

"Anyway, what's with the day?" I asked curiously.

"My son, Marco's birthday." He points his finger in his eldest son's direction.

"Alright. I'll come back later." I let him know then he nodded in response.

*   *   *   *

At evening.

We ended up eating dinner but Tatay Mario and his sons are still drinking outside. If Josh and Arthur are here, they wouldn't be able to handle Tatay Mario in drinking.

Manang Leti, Verna, Miggy and I sat down in the living room and talked.

Later, Marco went inside.

"Mom! Dad is sending Sir Miggy and Sir Alexander to come outside for a drink." Marco informs Manang.

I would decline because there is nothing in my system right now to drink but he spoke again.

"You said earlier Sir Alexander that you would drink later. Dad expected that." from what I've heard, I sighed.

Of course.

I stood up and go with Kuya Marco but suddenly Manang stopped me.

"I'm fine, Manang," I assured. Hesitantly, Manang Leti nodded at me in response.

I pulled Miggy outside but stopped again at Verna's sudden speech.

"I'm going with you." I immediately turned in her direction. Wondering if what I've heard is correct.

When we saw that she was serious, Marco and their mother nodded in agreement.

The three of us go outside of the house.

When I sat down to drink, Tatay Mario immediately handed me a glass of beer. Same with Miggy.

I have a low tolerance for beers. Dang! If I got drunk in here... Let it be.

"Guys, this is the hik* son of my wife's boss hik*, Sir Miggy and this is his cousin Sir Alexander, hik*. What a handsome kids."

Tatay Mario introduced us to his friends.

"That's how I looked when I was young."

"Come on! Crap that, Lando."

They laughed and we started drinking again.

After a few minutes, my vision is slowly spinning. I only drank six glasses and I don't want to drink again.

I glance at my cousin who was already closing his eyes. In addition, his alcohol tolerance is also low.

While eating a snack, I looked at Verna. She has been quiet since we got here. It may be alcohol that hit her as well.

"Mario, has your youngest has a boyfriend already? Maybe my son hik* can court her." one of Tatay Mario's friend asked.

"Ernesto, I'm not going to just court my daughter that easy. My daughter is the only princess in the family. Leti and I have worked so hard for it." Tatay Mario's friends almost fell on their seats in his intro while Verna punches gently her father.

"Until hik*now you're still strict hik* with your daughter." commented one of his friends.

"Yes, Dad. Later our youngest will be an old maiden." Bernard added. He's the third of the siblings.

"That's right! hik*of course, I'll protect her." Tatay Mario said.

"Whoever hik*makes the mistake of touching even the tip of her fingers will going to taste hik*my hands," he added.

I winced at what I've heard. He's a strict father.

"Dad," Verna whispered in embarrassment. Her father just smiled at her. Later, Tatay Mario noticed that I wasn't drinking my glass while Miggy was asleep leaning on Carlo's shoulder. Carlo is Manang Leti's nephew.

"Sir Alexander, just drink. Let's have fun!" I winced at what Tatay Mario had said. I just don't want to talk anymore. I just took the glass and drank it with narrowed eyes.

"Dad! Let's spin the hik* bottle," suggested James who was one of Tatay Mario's children. We let him explain first how to play it. It was clear that each of them had already taken their seats.

Each round of the bottle is always pointed in my direction. I purely sip a glass of beer rather than answering and doing a dare.

Others even laugh at each other when their secrets revealed.

Old but still young. I laughed softly.

I was so drunk that I couldn't take it anymore. I was knocked out to the table with my eyes closed. I'm also dizzy. I can't open my eyes anymore due to the spirit of alcohol. Later, someone helped me entering the house.

I never looked at who it was due to my eyelid was too heavy. Until I was swallowed up by drowsiness.

*  *  *  *

I was startled by the rattle and footsteps coming from inside the room.

Fuck! That is Miggy for sure. What else?! This early morning, god!

I irritatingly slowly open my eyes. When I was able to adjust to the light and see the surroundings clearly, I was startled and my heart almost jumped by what I've seen.

I couldn’t move and almost got a heart attack due to nervousness after seeing different types of knives, machete and axes pointed at my face.

W-what is this?

I was about to ask what was going on but stops when someone moves next to me, at my left side. I almost ran out of blood and my eyes got wide open right after seeing the person next to me.

It's Verna! Wait! H-how come??!

I hope what I have in my mind is wrong. I hope it's wrong.

I repeatedly prayed to myself and held onto the blanket wrapped around the body of the two of us. I peeked underneath slowly.

I swallowed hard and blink a couple of times after seeing what's beneath the blanket.

Holy shit!!!

I'm dead!!!

I was terrified to look back at Tatay Mario and his ten sons holding knives, machetes, and axes. They're looking at me furiously.

I tremblingly raise both of my hands as if I am surrendering to a fight.

"L-let me explain." I stuttered in fear and smiled at them awkwardly.