“B-But… I think this is the first time I’m learning that you’re actually scared of leeches,” Rowena said to Andrei, stammering, while Aviannah remained frozen, staring at the man.“There’s still a lot you don’t know about me,” Andrei replied to Rowena, then continued washing the clothes.“Ouch, huh,” Rowena commented on what Andrei said. “But it’s true. There’s still a lot I don’t know about you. But it’s not too late, and I can still get to know you better, right?” Rowena moved closer to Andrei, sat beside him, and quickly wrapped her arms around his. “You know, I’m just waiting for you to say yes—ah!”Rowena froze in her speech and instead stood up, gasping in shock when Aviannah suddenly stood up and threw a small stone into the water.“Ah, sorry, I just saw a leech over there,” Aviannah said to the two of them, who gave her surprised looks.“L-Leech? Really? There’s a leech there?” Rowena asked in disbelief, still looking shocked.“Yes, there is.”“But wait—I've been coming to thi
Aviannah’s senses woke up early due to the loud crowing of roosters. She slowly opened her eyes with a smile. She didn’t know why, but despite staying up late, she still felt light and woke up in such a good mood.“Good morning, Ate Belle!” Tonya greeted her with a cheerful smile.“Good morning, Tonya!” she replied with an equally bright smile.“You seem to be in a really good mood this morning, Ate.”She sat up and smiled sweetly at the little girl. “Do you think so?”“Yes, Ate. Hmm… it looks like you had a really nice dream, or maybe something good happened to you last night before you went to bed.”Aviannah froze for a moment as the memory of what happened between her and Andrei last night quickly came rushing back. She couldn’t stop thinking about the way he smiled at her and the gentle way he stroked her head. She pouted slightly, unable to hide the giddy feeling she was experiencing. After all, it was the first time she had ever felt this way. It was the first time she had been
Aviannah bit her lower lip as she quietly observed Andrei sitting on the side. They were still at the carnival.“Kuya, how are you? Are you still feeling dizzy?” Tonya asked Andrei after making sure he had taken his medicine.Thankfully, Tonya was with them. If she hadn’t been there, Aviannah wouldn’t have known what to do with Andrei in that kind of situation.“I’m okay now, Tonya. Thank you,” Andrei replied to the young girl.“It’s your fault, kuya. Why did you even go on that ride? Ate didn’t force you,” Tonya scolded him.Andrei didn’t respond to the girl and instead just gave her a glance. That simple look made Aviannah feel even more guilty.Even though technically it wasn’t her fault, it still felt like it was — especially after the man confessed why he had felt the need to go on that ride in the first place.In the end, when Andrei started feeling better and the dizziness had passed, they decided to leave the carnival and head home. It was already past seven in the evening.Si
Aviannah was left speechless when she saw the carnival that Tonya was talking about. She didn’t know that this kind of place was called a carnival. It looked like an amusement park, the kind she used to visit with her friends. Suddenly, she missed her two friends, Sandra and Jamie. She wondered how they were doing now. She was sure they were probably very worried about her since she hadn’t contacted them after leaving the city.“Ate, let’s go on some rides. Which one do you want to try first?” Tonya cheerfully asked as she approached her.“Huh? Uhm…”“Are you used to rides?” Andrei asked, then glanced at Tonya. “Tonya, don’t take her on the high rides. Just the ones she can handle,” he instructed the child.“Yes, kuya!” Tonya replied happily, then looked at Aviannah. “Let’s go, Ate Belle!” Tonya pulled her toward the caterpillar ride. Tonya bought two tickets for them.“Just two?” she asked the child in surprise.“Yes, ate. For the two of us,” Tonya answered, then glanced at Andrei, w
Aviannah carefully observed the single motorcycle that Andrei would be driving. It slipped her mind that she had never ridden a vehicle like this before. If she went through with it, this would be her first time. That’s why a mix of nervousness and excitement surged through her now.“Ate! Let’s go!” Tonya said cheerfully as she walked up to the motorcycle.Andrei followed shortly after, coming out of the house and heading straight to the motorcycle. He turned to her. “Do you know how to ride a pillion?” he asked, and she didn’t know how to answer. “Okay. Maybe it’s your first time or… you just don’t remember,” he said, answering his own question.“Don’t worry, Ate Belle! I’ll take care of you!” Tonya said confidently as she approached her. The little girl took her hand and gently pulled her closer to the motorcycle. She let herself be led.She watched Andrei open the small storage box on the bike and take out two helmets. He handed one to her.“What about Tonya?” she asked, looking fo
In the end, the old man had no choice but to give in to her request."I’m going to mix this using my hands? Are you sure?" Aviannah asked in surprise as she stared at a pot filled with leftover rice."Yes, ija. Crush the rice and mix it with your hands so it’s easier. We’re going to fry it so it won’t go to waste," the old man replied, which she still found hard to believe. Or maybe she just didn’t know that was really the process.Before touching the rice, she thoroughly washed her hands. She made sure her hands were clean before handling the food. Once she was done, Mang Gener sautéed it in a hot pan with oil and onions. He had already fried some fish earlier. She didn’t bother asking to learn how to fry because she was scared of the oil splattering from the pan.She watched the old man as he diligently stirred the rice in the pan. While he did that, she couldn’t help but think of her father.How was he now? She was sure he was still angry at her—or maybe he was even cursing her by