HER TEARS

MARSHIN ESCALANTE's POV

THE sun was shining brightly when I got out of our little home.

It's past two in the afternoon. I did not immediately go to the market to help Grandpa Inding sell fresh vegetables and fruits.

We made a living selling fruits and vegetables in the market, which we also grew.

Grandma Indina was the only one who took care of me for twenty years.

My mom and dad stood up.

I'm 20 years old but I didn't go to college. When I graduated from high school, I immediately quit.

Especially since we lived on a farm and I didn't want to leave my grandmother alone.

So even though I really wanted to study I never did. I'd rather just be with grandma Inding. He is old but he still does everything so that grandpa Inding and I can have something to eat.

I was just wearing a cream colored t-shirt and jeans. It is old but it is clean. Our life was hard but I was content.

I walked to go to the market with Grandma Inding. I love my grandmother dearly because she is the only relative I have left in this world.

My parents? Grandma Inding told me nothing, only their death.

I was sad because I didn't even know them but I knew that they still loved me very much.

I looked up at the sky. This is the course of a person's life. There are lucky ones who have been with their parents for longer and there are many who have not. I'm with you.

But you know what's funnier? Some youths or even matured thinkers do not take good care of their own parents.

That's our parent, eh. We must love and care for them. They are lucky that their mother and father are still there. Someone is guiding them but me? Nothing.

"Why, Maring. The sun is very straight but you're just walking there on the side of the road?"

If I hadn't just been accustomed to the sudden insertion of a monkey I probably would have had a heart attack earlier.

But I'm used to it. I was so used to the presence of a monkey blocking my path.

And I didn't realize that I had just come out of the forest. And I'm on the paved road.

I was thinking too deeply about the matter. What are those terms? Monologue.

"Are you going to the market, Maring?" wide smile he asked.

Who is he? He is my great friend who has also been flirting with me for a long time despite being repeatedly basted.

Gabril Santa Maria, my childhood friend and Mareng is really what he calls me. It's not that I criticized him because of his looks.

Gabril is really handsome. He is tall and big, his complexion is darker but I just don't really type him.

THEN ONE more thing, I'm not ready to enter into a relationship where I don't have the certainty of a love life.

I have no experience with a love but my mind is open and I know the meaning of that.

I also love reading a romantic novel that I still borrow from Gabril's brother.

That boy is kind. We were only two years apart.

"You're on board, Maring."

I was still wondering if I would go with my friend or not.

I was scared because of the rumors that I was flirting with the son of our barangay captain in Sta. Maria.

Gabril is just my friend but I can't really avoid such talk.

Such is the course of life of gossips. Woe to them if no gossip is gathered from each other.

So let go of the gossip of your neighbors, mare. We are really famous.

The black furtuner owned by captain Santa Maria stopped. Gabril's dad.

"Gabril! What are you doing on the side of the road? You're still busy!" he shouted at his son and Gabril was still scratching his head.

"Papa, I'll deliver Maring," he promised like a child.

Gabril's car was also on the side of the road and I didn't realize he had parked it.

"He has his own feet, Gabril."

Our captain's behavior in Sta. Maria is really bad. Surprisingly, he became the barangay captain. That kind of politics is still low.

And many say Gabril's dad will run for mayor. I will not vote for him even if his son is still my friend.

People like that? Should no longer pay attention. But don't, it will be a saint when the election comes.

Give money and be kind, but abuse them.

Before the election, they will have to spend a lot of money, even if it is millions. Just get the people's vote.

That's our time to be higher than a politics. And after that? Won but where is the promise of the town? Nothing!

Gabril was afraid of his dad and had no choice but to leave me. Even though he was forced to, he just said goodbye to me.

"Forgive my son," his voice was firm and full of authority.

But what do we poor people fight against rich people? Nothing.

I just turned around and walked fast.

When I arrived at the market, hatred immediately filled my heart when I saw Hannah.

Grandma Inding is at her feet and you can imagine a donya sitting in Grandma Inding's chair.

But that's not what I noticed. My grandmother's goods were scattered. He was obviously the culprit.

Perhaps he is forcing grandma Inding to pay the tax he allegedly paid in the market.

She is the daughter of the mayor here in our area and the woman is very insecure in life. Insecure with me because I prefer his crush Gabril.

"Oh, here comes your good grandson, Grandma Inding," the hypocritical Hannah said sarcastically.

The fabric lacked the insecure, almost seeing her soul in her spaghetti strap shirt and mini skirt that were both red. Her cleavages and her smooth legs were obvious.

Then her thick makeup. Hey, my. She is beautiful but ugly.

"Don't call my grandmother Inding a grandmother. And what are you doing here?" I asked him without emotion and he stood still.

He was wearing heels that were four inches high but his face didn't even pass me.

That's one of the things he envies me the most. His short stature.

"Look at yourself, it's just a rag. But oh, our rag hasn't faded," he said.

"I'm not asking," I said seriously and I turned to Grandma Inding who had fallen to the floor and was holding her chest.

Her chest often tightens. So one of the reasons I don't want to leave my grandmother.

"Are you okay grandma?" I asked him worriedly but he just smiled.

I HELP Grandma Inding get up but we both fell to the floor when Hannah pushed us.

But instead of showing him I was angry or hurt I didn't show it to him.

It's better not to show your real emotions. Hide it.

I could hear our colleague sighing in the market but they could do nothing to help us.

They will be especially affected. So even though they wanted to approach us they didn't.

They just quietly watched us.

"You and your grandmother are still underpaid, alas!" its artistic shout and my fist clenched.

If I could just hurt him I might have done it before but I didn't.

Hypocritical Hannah has two bodyguards.

"It's still lacking but later I can give it to you in full," Grandma said politely.

Even though the person she was talking to was younger than her, grandma was still polite. Such is the mighty man.

"You ungrateful people! Your tenancy in my daddy's market is free!" its cry.

Free? Where is the free there? Eh, we will pay them 200 pesos by his raw daddy.

It's every day.

Most don't even have income but are already collecting right away? Once again they can't give and then, they will destroy your goods.

They are like that, disrespectful to the poor. But not all, there are rich people who are very open -hearted and know how to respect the lower levels of life.

Hannah left in a hurry but before that, she examined my cheek and pinched it. Although I was hurt by what he did I did not show my emotion.

But in my mind? He is dead.

"Your skin is so soft, what kind of soap do you use?" he asked me and I raised an eyebrow at him.

"Soap speed," I answered quickly.

"Do you use soap for washing clothes?" he asked in shock and I just answered with a dog smile.

"You thought who's beautiful."

"Are you all right? That lady is really overreacting," said Merda.

"It's okay, I'm used to his behavior."

I handed Grandma a glass of water and gave it to her. I caressed his clenched chest.

"Are you really all right, grandma?"

Grandma took my hand and stared at me intently.

"In the blink of an eye your life will change, grandson."

I frowned at what he said. Meaningfully, I'm not used to Grandma Inding's meaningful term.

"Even if you go through hardship and pain, sadness and abundant tears. You will still get what you want, grandson. You will be loved just like the kind of love you gave him. Although, there is more than that."

"I don't know about you, grandma," I said frowning and Merda laughed.

"A life full of sadness and joy. Grandpa, I see your future."

I really don't know grandma. He used to say that. I don't know if he will predict or what.

"You have to choose, grandson," he said and his grip on my hand tightened.

"Choose him over me."

***

To be continued...