A House With Heartthrobs

Disclaimer:

This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, businesses, places, events, locales, and incidents are neither the products of the author's imagination or used in a fictitious manner. Any resemblance of actual persons, living or dead, or actual events is purely coincidental.

Do not distribute, publish, transmit, modify, display or create derivative works from or exploit the contents of this story in any way. Please obtain permission

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I love handsome boys, but I never had a boyfriend. Because of the love, my parents gave me, I don't find the need to seek more.

I love watching TV dramas. My biggest actor crush is Donny Pangilinan. Who wouldn't be thrilled with that handsome and humble man?

"Kaoree!" Jezrielle calls me. Jez for short. He has been my friend for a long time.

He loves shopping, and the paper bag that he was holding is proof of that.

Every time he earns a salary in his part-time job, he buys some stuff like make-up. Jez really loves make-up! He's like a second version of Paolo Ballesteros.

"Goodness! There are so many men there, Sis!", He pointed to the alley on the corner of the street along the barangay hall. It's vacation time, so we have a basketball league in our town. I'm sure that's why there are many people in the court, to watch the league.

"Crazy! All this time, I thought you have forgotten about me already!" I said as I carried another paper bag he was holding. This bag I am holding is heavy.

He laughed, then adjusted his bangs to block his eyes.

"Just a few trips from your house, and yet you can't visit me!" Jez used to live in the same town as mine with his parents. They moved in when he was in high school. However, we now live in a different town.

Jez is two years older than me. I am currently a fresh Senior High School graduate, while Jez is an incoming third-year college in a university. He has a younger sister named Apple, who's also my friend. But compared to Jez, Apple is not that close to me.

"I'm sorry! I have a lot of part-time jobs these days. I came to my mother's house and then viola! I'm here visiting you! Aren't you glad?" he was kicked out of their house. His father caught him putting make-up on his face and could not accept that his only son was a woman at heart.

He currently lives at his friend's house. There is no rental fee, so it's okay because he can save money. He only pays for other expenses such as water and electricity bills.

"It's good that your parents accept you even if you flirt," he snorted. I laughed. "I'm not a flirt. Okay, maybe a bit flirty, but I have regretted that already!" I did not like anyone with numerous men courting me because Donny Pangilinan's level is what I want! But of course, I have to be an actress first, so maybe he can stay with me.

"You are so full of yourself! You will grow old as a single woman because you rejected those men! If my body was a woman ..." He even raised an eyebrow at me. "I'm going to be pretentious!" I just ignored what he said.

"It's good that you visited me today because it's my father's birthday."

"It's good to know! I didn't have a snack when I got out of the jeep earlier," he said. When we got home, we found a few acquaintances. Some were taking food while others were chatting with my dad, who's holding a chicken. He even sniffed it. It looks like his real son more than me. I once thought of making it tinola, but every time I attempted to slaughter the chicken. Dad always came home, and I almost got caught.

"You seem to have many visitors," said Jez.

"Sweety!", It was Mama putting the plates on the table. She kissed me on both cheeks. "Why did you take so long? I thought you were in Charlotte's house for a while" This holiday, I went to do a part-time job teaching Chander, Ate Charlotte's daughter.

Ate Charlotte is my Mama's batchmate, but they are not close, so she was not invited either.

"Ma! Look who's here! It's Jez!" Mama gasped in surprise.

The two kissed on the cheeks.

"Wow! You look so handsome!" said Mama. But that is true. Compared to his last visit here, he looks different. He seems too stressed in life.

"Yes, Tita! But I'm not handsome. I'm beautiful" we laughed at what it said.

"Is that you, Jezrielle?" Dad is still holding his chicken. Does he have no intention of releasing that?

"No, Tito, I might be a doppelganger" Dad was very scratchy at what he said. "You're a teenager now! He looks more handsome compared before" Dad tapped his shoulder.

"I'm touched! Uncle!", His tongue almost twisted at what he said.

Mama invited us inside. I saw some of my Papa's co-workers at a construction site. Sadly, we have no relatives that are invited. Because they are living in the province. Every vacation, we come to visit them. My grandparents on Mama's side are both dead. Lolito, Papa's father, has also passed away. My only cousin is alone-his name is Lucky, younger than me.

Jez and I scooped up something to eat.

As usual, Shanghai was his first target, while mine is a hotdog stabbed with marshmallows.

"There are no handsome guests here. Most of them are all old people!" Jez drank some water.

"It's more important that you eat," I said to him.

"My stomach is full, but my eyes aren't, so I need to see a handsome guy!" he cried.

After a while of crying and murmuring that he wants to see handsome guys, Mama came to talk with him.

"Of course, joke! That's okay. You're still kids. Just enjoy, but not right away!" I don't know what they are talking about, but Mama sees she belongs in generation Z when she engages in conversation.

"Yes, Tita! Do you know I already sent her too many guys to date? But she doesn't want to," he snorted.

"Who is it? The guys should be handsome and kind!" Mama first inquired into the picture shown by Jez.

"It's mine!" he complains as I took his cellphone.

" My dating life always leads to failure," I said. The recent man he chose to be my date has a girlfriend. It's a good thing the woman didn't slap my face.

"Just choose there!" Jez and Mama giggled as I stared at the picture. They are all handsome, but why does all of them know how to smile except for this one who looks like an anime guy?

I woke up early because of the loud noise from the bicycle ridden by the bread vendor.

I heard Mama calling him. We loved to eat pandesal (A favorite bread of every Filipino) every morning, so she didn't miss to buy.

I folded the blanket and stacked my pillow neatly. I stretched my body before leaving the room.

Dad brews coffee in his favorite cup. The aroma of coffee fascinates me. I pulled out a chair then sat on it.

"There, have breakfast," said Mama. When I touched the pandesal bag, it was still warm.

"Your favorite coffee," Dad said as he pulled up a chair next to me. He knew I wanted coffee mixed with milk or coffee, mate.

We are often like this every morning, especially when I have no work. We only had pandesal for breakfast. But sometimes, we also ate rice when the vendor did not pass by.

"Sweety, will you come with me? I'm going to the market this morning".

It's Saturday now. My mother's day for shopping. Besides, we had no dish in the refrigerator other than beans for lunch.

I have work today at Charlotte's house to teach Chander, her son. Dad is out of work today, but he still wakes up early because he has some things that need to be fixed. Just like the galvanized steel we need to replace. When it rains, water drips from there. It's hard because when it rains hard, the kitchen is flooded.

"Not anymore, Mom. I'll clean the house first. And it looks like you're leaving too"

Mother is wearing a green dress with a flower design. Her basket is already on the table. She seems to have taken a bath because her curly hair is wet.

"Oh, Okay. I can't wait for you either. I'm going to the market," she said goodbye after eating some more pandesal.

Dad told her to buy something before she finally turned the door lock.

I went straight to the bedroom to get a towel. I also took a bath for an hour because of the water's heat that dissipated the cold brought by the morning.

"You're so lovely!" I greeted myself. I face the mirror as the foam plays with my hair. It's my hobby to talk to myself in the morning.

"You inherited it from me, Sweety!" It was Dad who had been waiting for me to come out.

"Yes, Pa. That's right!" I even sang because of the loud music of the neighbor. It's better to hear loud music than fight.

A few more pours of water into my body before I finished. Dad took a deep breath. It seemed like he was waiting for Christmas before I finished a bath.

I wore a simple white shirt and faded jeans. I also adjusted the shoes for a simple look.

I cleaned the house before leaving. I broom and mop the floor. Mama will take care of other things.

"Pa! I'm leaving!" I shouted after carrying the greeting card for the child I was teaching

"Be careful, Sweety! There's your allowance on the table!" he says from the bathroom.

I would not have accepted that, but I thought maybe my fare was not enough. I also don't have breakfast. I will eat at the cafeteria nearby the house Charlotte when I feel hungry.

Immediately my stomach rumbled. I bought a plate of porridge with eggs. The porridge with minced garlic and lime is delicious. I thought I was the only one eating this morning here in the cafeteria. I saw a man-eating from a table not far away from my seat. He has a good physique, and his nose is defined. You will definitely be cursing because of his perfect face. Adam's apple swelled even more because he swallowed what he ate.

I adjusted my seat as he noticed I was looking at him.

"Ma'am! I'll pay! Keep the change!"

I hurried to drink water and then took a tissue to wipe the side of my lip.

"Keep the change! The change is just one peso!" Manang shouted.

Shame on me!

"And at least there's still change! Be thankful, Manang. That's a blessing!" I said.

During the few hours teaching Chander, my head hurts. If her mother hadn't come to the neighbor to gossip, Chander would have listened to me. He only listens to his mother, and it sucks.

He is easily distracted because of his young age. It would have been okay because he quickly understood what I was teaching. Still, he was very impatient and easily bored. Sometimes he would suddenly take his robot toys to entertain himself.

"Thank you, Kaoree. It's good that you put up with my son" she laughed and then handed me the payment I had worked for a month.

"It's nothing!" I smiled. This will add to my savings for going to college next school year.

Exhausted, I fell asleep in the jeep. If I hadn't woken up by the person next to me who I just leaned on, I wouldn't have woken up.

"Oh! I'm sorry!"

Her eyebrows meet. "You just slept on my shoulder. You even managed to spit on it!"

"My saliva has a benefit because it is the saliva of the Goddess. You should be grateful!" I laughed at her, so her eyebrows met even more.

I was surprised when I came down that the sky was dark, not because of the rain but because of the smoke.

Within a few minutes of walking, I saw our mobbing neighbors. The firefighters were noisy, and there was a lot of mourning.

"Boss! Where are they!?" I asked one of the firefighters.

"Don't worry. We're rescuing them!"

I suddenly felt nervous when I saw the fire slowly consuming our house.

I didn't know if my parents were in the house, so I was even more nervous.

"I want to help!" I said, but they stopped me. Ten minutes before firefighters extinguished the fire, there's no sign of Mom and Dad.

My tears started to run.

"Please! Where are my parents!" I said to the firefighter. But his eyes became sad, and I followed where he was looking.

"Pa! Ma!" I cried as soon as I recognized them. Their bodies lay with the other victims of the fire.

Even though their face is not easy to recognize because of the burn, I know that they are my parents. The wedding ring that the two wore and the slippers I gave last Christmas were enough to confirm that it was them.

I cried hard. "Ma! Pa!"

I want my body to be numb because of the weight and pain I feel. I hope they just took me.

We spent the whole day in front of the house of the lot owner where we lived. He seemed to hear no complaints from the people. He deliberately set our homes on fire to build a new commercial building-the squatter area where almost all of the land is owned by various traders. When I was in elementary school, we tried to live with Lolita. Still, we had difficulty with the situation because the school there is far away, and traveling is also difficult.

My companions here are getting smaller and smaller as time went on. Some left the tarpaulins used on the road. We came to the Mayor, asking for our justice. But he could not answer properly. I really feel that someone knows what happened. Even though I knew there was very little chance of hearing us, I was still hopeful. The local government assistance is not to live our life the way before we used to. Tomorrow the dead victims of the fire will be buried at the same time.

The dead victims are currently in the church for the wake. As my stomach swelled, I felt tired. I have nothing to save except the things left in my bag. Fortunately, half of my savings are in the bank. I stared at my parents' unrecognizable face. I didn't want to stare at them, but I couldn't help it. I might even shed tears in their coffin. It's hard.

"Ma, Pa. I know you are happy where you are. Don't worry about me. You know that this child of yours is strong and brave," I said, laughing even though my voice was hoarse because of holding back the tears that wanted to drip. I can feel the throat trap because of the ache in my heart. I took water from the water dispenser to calm down. It was as if my chest was being pinched.

Today I will spend the night at church. There is free food for the fire victims. Some also donated clothes, including blankets.

In one corner, I lay down near the window. The mat I use is what Mother Misha gave me. She is one of the kindest nuns here. She's always open to those people who need help. In fact, when Mama had to be taken to the hospital when she got sick, she took care of everything. Even in financial deficiency, she also gave. I am very grateful to her.

"If you want, you will be with us for the time being until you return to the province," she said after placing the noodles on the long chair. She knew I had a relative in the province, and I also told her I was planning to go home. She disagreed because apart from being a woman, I was afraid I would travel alone. She still wanted to pay for my fare, but I refused. I also wonder if I ever went home there, is there a school for my college?

"Not anymore because you have done too much for me. That's enough, Sister. I am thankful for those things."

"I'll look for a job. Then I'm not sure if I can go to college in case I go home," I added.

She took a deep breath then stacked the pillow I was going to use. "Just in case you need anything, just call me" The noodles and rice in front of me are gone. I just played with it with a spoon and fork. I don't know if I can eat without Dad and Mom together.

I don't know if I can survive without hugs or kisses from them every time I go home after school. The night was refreshing. After turning on my cellphone five more times, I only realized that Lucky called me. I feel the trembling in my chest. I am afraid if they know what happened.

"Kaoree! Are you busy? Auntie didn't answer my call" I bit my lower lip. I breathed a sigh of relief. "Uh. Mama lost her cellphone. Why?" My breathing tightened slightly. It was as if he was hesitant to say because he let out a deep sigh in his own breath.

"Lolita's medicine is running low. We don't have any income in corn yet because the pest recently eats lots of the corn" I bit the nail of my thumb. "Uh. All right. I'll send you the money, maybe the next week. Can Lolita still wait?" I'll deduct that from my savings. Maybe when I find a job, I can get the money back.

"Yes, Ate. Thank you! I'm sorry. I have a lot of school fees. Then how are you, Aunt and Uncle" I drank a glass of water.

"We're alright" It was as if a thorn had pulled me out as he dropped the call. I stood up to approach the altar where Mom and Dad were. There are a few more awake. Wiping the glass of their relative's coffin.

"Coffee?" A boy offered me. He seems to be the son of one of those who died here. They just moved into our barangay recently, so I don't know what's his name. I shook. He gave his coffee to his mother, who's mourning.

I watched him from the other row of chairs. I just noticed that I was crying because my tears were falling on my fingers.

"Hey, Lady, Are you okay?" the child approached me.

"Of course. Am I?" I forced a smile. We did not know each other, but he hugged me. I only slept for three hours. I am restless. Aside from the mixed smell here, I hear some other people crying.

It's almost morning, most of them wake up. The crying was constant, so it was more challenging to sleep.

"Girl!" it's Jez. He was wearing a black shoulder bag and a white polo shirt and pants.

"I just read your text! How are you? Come here" I avoided her embrace.

"You don't want my hug?" I also agreed. I could not hold back my tears. I sobbed as he comforted me. "It's just natural that you feel mournful. I'm still here! Your Lolita, I, and Lucky! Add my sister who's next to me" I let go of his hug, then wiped away my tears with the handkerchief he handed me.

I think it's a miracle that Apple is wearing a dress today. Apple is her name, the younger sister of Jez.

"I feel sorry for him," she said. She still does not change. She looks like a woman because of her beauty, but she also likes girls too. "I'm just here even though we don't talk often," she added.

"Don't be shy to tell the two of us about your problems," said Jez while adjusting his BB cream unevenly.

"By the way, Jez. I can't go home to the province yet. Maybe you know where I can work?" He smiled broadly. His white teeth are shown, as well as his brace. He returned the used BB cream to his expensive bag.

"Sure! I know where that is!"