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...

CERVIN RAESON VESALIUS's POV

"Cyan, do you have a lead yet?" I asked Cyan Lay Del Rosa, one of my friends and my private investigator.

After my work I immediately went to his office and I found him focused on his computer.

"Oh, Cervin, it's you. As of now, nothing. It's hard to find your husband's whereabouts," he said.

I took a deep breath as I sat on his visitor's chair. I am frustrated, a month since my wife is missing.

I just took him to their university and we still had a good conversation. And now, she's missing. It's hard to trace her whereabouts and even her phone cannot be reach. Killed 'ata and even when we looked at the CCTV footage at their university we got nothing.

I am worried about my wife, and especially we still have children. It often looks for him. She even cries when she can't be seen.

F-ck! Where are you, Cashren? Where the h-ll did you go?

"Are you sure there's no third party, Cervin?" Cyan asked me in a serious voice and frowned at me.

"You know that we're marriage because we love each other, Cyan," I said firmly.

"It seems, she was protected by someone else. Cervin, even if your husband's cellphone is turned off we can still trace but it didn't happen. I'm sure there was a powerful man hiding from him, "aniya.

I shook my head to disagree, "and what do you mean about third party?" I asked him, seriously.

"Maybe, she left you for another boy?" he answered but in a question way.

"F*ck, no! She can't do that, Cyan. My wife is in love with me. She doesn't have a man," I said in a hard voice.

I know, Cashren is only 20 years old when we got married. We love each other and marriage is what we both thought of. She was so young when she delivered our first born baby. But, now? I need her, I need my wife. I love him so much.

"Okay, just give me a week but I am afraid it will take months and the worst is, years."

"I'm fine with that, Cyan. The more important thing to me is to find my wife. Even if it's been a long time, it's okay as long as I can find her. And she's still with me.

go home. "

ATOPW

Chapter 2 (2.3)

Third party? F*ck that words. I was the only man in her life.

And I never saw her with another man. I personally take him to their University and I also follow him home. My husband loves me and he can't change me in his life.

***

After our conversation with Cyan, I went to my friend's hospital.

Lervin de Cervantes, one of my friends. He's a neurologist doctor and Vesalius Pharmaceutical is his hospital partner when it comes to supplying medicine.

"Cerv," he called to me when he saw me.

"Hey, bud," I said.

"We have a medical mission, tomorrow at 8. One week," he announced.

I want to decline but I know I can't. This is a medical mission and even if I only do medicine and work, I should be there too.

"Okay," I answered, shortly.

"You can bring your own car, if you don't want to ride in the van with our co-doctors. And besides, Cervin. I can't come with you guys. Kierson is with you," he said.

I stared at my friend intently. We have the same attitude. Like me his face is often emotionless.

And he's not totally complete, there's something missing in his personality and I know what that is.

"Why?" I asked him. She has arranged her belongings and looks ready to leave.

"I need to meet my wife-soon-to-be, and after that, we need to get married but a civil wedding. Then, here comes the honeymoon but I'm going abroad and I'm going to meet Jillian," he said.

I just hugged him. He still into that woman who are already married. I pity to my friend but as a friend of him, I will support him whatever he'll do.

I know it's against his will to marry another woman he doesn't love. If it was Jillian she might even scream in the air with great pleasure.

But, no. It's not like that. Heaven and earth still seem to cover him.

"I can't invite you, guys," he said softly but without a trace of emotion.

"That's fine, bud. Invite me if you're going to marry the woman you love so much. That's if you're going to get married a second time," I said and I grinned with that thought.

Is that even possible? That she will get married for the second time around? And that time, was it with the woman he loved? I don't think so.

"She's a bad luck, but who is she?" I asked and his face was serious again.

"She's the granddaughter of Primero family," he replied and he didn't seem to care where that family came from.

"Bud, she's just a college student if she's the daughter of the Primero family. Primero is a single family, and one of the richest here in the Philippines."

"I don't f*cking care about that family, Cerv. If it she's not my Jillian, she's nothing." I shrugged my shoulder because of his words.

He was really dead to that woman. Eh, nothing else was done to him but to hurt him. Finished with his best friend? That's the most heartbreak.

ATOPW

Chapter 2 (3.3)

"GOOD luck, then. But best wishes, bud," I said.

"How's your wife? Found it?" he asked.

I shook and sighed. He tapped my shoulder.

"She's safe but soon, you'll find her too."

"I hope so."

***

When I got home I found mommy feeding my daughter Renna Cerae. He is one year and five months old. My only daughter.

I stepped closer towards them and mommy noticed me.

"Hey, son," she greeted me and I kissed her cheek.

"Thank you for taking care of my daughter, mommy."

"Nah, don't mention it, son. It's my grandson," she said and smiled at me.

I sat down next to mommy. I leaned my face to kiss my daughter's forehead.

She looked at me with her innocent face and when she met me she smiled at me.

She spread her little arms, that means, she want me to carry her.

"How's my baby?" I asked her. He even clapped for joy.

"As usual, crying and looking for her raw mommy," mommy replied.

She hates my wife but because my mother loves me so much she let me do what I want. That was to marry Cashren.

"Mom." Mommy's eyes rolled and shook.

Cerae placed her head on my chest and hugged me with her small arms around my neck.

"Dad-dy ..." I smiled when he called me.

I kissed her cheek several times and she giggled because of that.

"Mommy, daddy? Mommy?" he innocently asked.

He is looking for his mommy again. Well, our son Cashren is used to being with him whenever he is not at school.

"Mommy's coming home too, baby," I said and I heard mommy whisper.

"Go home? Who is the sensible mother who puts personal pleasure before her son and wife?"

"Mom, she's just missing," I said to my mom and she grinned even more.

"You know, son. It all happened to another man?" he raised an eyebrow and shook my head because I didn't agree.

"She loves me, mom."

"She's still young, son. Those like her will also change how she feels about someone."

My mother was not unaware of the loss of Cashren. My family is just mommy. Are you daddy? He's dead, five years ago. Daddy has a heart disease so that's why he died.

"Okay, whatever."

"Mom, can you stay here for the week? Or just take Cerae to the mansion. We have a medical mission for a week."

"Nah, I'm glad to take care of my, grandson, son. Sure, enjoy your medical mission and I hope you bring Cerae's new mommy," he said happily.

"Mom!"

"Where is that medical mission?"

"In Sta. Maria province."

***

To be continued...

MARSHIN ESCALANTE's POV

"MARENG!"

That rude Gabril. Why is it here in my grandmother Inding's house again?

"Let me in, grandson," Grandma Inding said to me.

My face flushed as I left our little house.

"Come on!"

"What the heck, Gabril! I'm not deaf!" puckered when I said and he just smiled.

She is now wearing a white dress and black pans. Isn't there a class this Gabril? My monkey friend is in his third year of college and will soon be an Engineer. If I had just studied we might have been the same year and maybe, I would have studied Culinary Arts. By the way, not lucky. I have also applied for the scholarship several times but I am very unlucky. I don't have p-wit skin but that scholarship is just not for me. Then another we were just in the province.

"Aren't you in today, Gabril?" I asked him.

My friend feels at home so even if I don't invite him to sit down, that's what he did.

"Tomorrow, go to daddy's side-farm, Mareng," he said.

"What am I going to do there?" I asked as I raised one eyebrow.

"Doctors from Manila will come tomorrow and they have a medical mission here in our province. Everyone from Sta. Maria can come. Also, we are the priority in their medical mission. Go, Mareng. There is a free check. -up there and they can give you medicine for grandma Inding. And you'll have a check-up too. 'Isn't it, your stomach often hurts? "

"Often, that's when I'm stressed and just tired," I said and he nodded.

That would be nice and maybe give us medicine for my grandmother.

"Then another, we are really required to go," he added.

I thought about it. Grandma can just because I think it's a pity we're selling in the market tomorrow. Sta. Maria Province has only one market. Those from the other town still come here.

This is an opportunity for grandma Inding. I'll just take care of our merchandise tomorrow.

"Grandma, you just go," I said when grandma entered our small living room.

He put down the boiled banana he was carrying and my monkey friend quickly left it.

"It's just you, grandson. To check that your stomach hurts," said grandma but I turned her around.

"It's you, grandma. I'm in the market," I promised firmly.

"We're closing tomorrow, grandson. Then one more thing, we should all be able to go. It's only once like this, Marshin."

"Yes, Mareng! You two and grandma Inding. Don't worry, I'll write your name on the first list," Gabril promised with a smile.

"That's what you shouldn't do, Gabril! Grandma and I are going," I surrendered and her smile widened even more. Then he continued to eat her.

ATOPW

Chapter 3 (2.3)

CERVIN RAESON VESALIUS's POV

WELCOME TO STA.MARIA PROVINCE. Five words and twenty-five letters immediately appeared to us when we finally arrived Sta.Maria Province.

The trip from Manila to this old province is also seven hours. I immediately felt tired even though I was just sitting inside Kierson's car.

"Finally, I can rest well," said Taki and he was the first to get out of the car.

There were only three of us in Kierson's car. Me and Taki. Kier was also the only one driving here. He also did not want to trade with us.

I went downstairs and followed as my companions looked on. We are ten doctors here, with five nurses. They were riding in two vans.

I roamed my eyes around, well, the surroundings were very green. Quiet but beautiful surrounding.

The breeze is also nice and only a few people live here. It was already afternoon because we arrived so maybe the sunshine isn't so painful on the skin anymore.

"Good afternoon," a muscular man greeted us immediately and he had fellow bodyguards.

"I am the barangay captain, Manuel Santa Maria." That explain, why.

Taki was the one who talked, especially since he is the team leader here in our medical mission.

There's a tent where we can rest and are ready for tomorrow. Lerv's hospital can afford to give us a budget for one week of this team.

But because the mayor and their barangay captain are showing off their elegance here, they are the ones who take over everything.

So are those in politics, right?

"I'm dead, tired," Kierson said and he groaned, too.

We were in the same tent and we could have five of us inside. But because Kier didn't want to be with anyone else, there were only three of us in the same tent.

"Where is Dr.Cervin, by the way?" question of who was outside our tent.

I was lying on the bed-fold and I glanced at Kier with his eyes already closed. No one cares about the person outside.

"Who was that, Kier?" I asked crookedly.

"You fans," he lazily replied while still closing his eyes.

"Dr.Cervin? Yuhoo! Sweetheart! I have your drinks, here. Can I go in there?" What the h-ll? It's Dra.Georgina!

F*ck! I forgot that she's one of the doctor in this field.

"Come on, Cerv. Let your fans in," Kier said smiling and I circled him.

"F*ck you!" I kissed him and took a blanket to the side then I covered up.

"It's okay if Dra. Georgia and I do something here?" Kier asked me with his signature smirked.

Georgina is one of his fling and I know, they are f*cking each other. But his woman wouldn't even let me go.

"You are so disgusting, Kier. Get out!" I said to him in disgust and I heard the sound of him lying down then he laughed.

"Babe, Dr.Cerv is asleep. You just brought me," Kier said to the woman.

"Oh? Okay?" In the tone of his voice he seemed disappointed. Tsk.

"Are you free tonight, babe?" Kier is actually flirting with her.

That naughty Kier. Is this how his body heat is carried? What the h-ll. Call it Lervin.

I got up and took out my phone but I was just shocked when I saw there was no signal.

ATOPW Chapter 3 (3.3)

I PROMISED to my daughter that we're going to video call once I'm in Sta. Maria Province. But how? If there is no signal here?

Because I was frustrated I just lay down and fell asleep.

The next morning we immediately prepared for our medical mission. We will start by 8 am in the morning. And even without 8, there are already many locals and that's amazing. This is really the case when in the province, early.

"Dr.Cerv!" I silently cursed when Georgina hugged me.

My hands quickly removed his arm from my waist.

I could still hear Kier's laughter.

"Dra.Georgina, may I remind you that we are in the middle of our medical mission? Please, be professional," I said emphatically and I could still see the pain in her eyes.

"I am married, you know that."

"But, she's missing right? So I don't see her anymore," she said smiling.

"No," I moaned.

"Well, let's see," he said and left in front of me.

"That b-tch," Taki whispered.

"Don't worry, I'll tell that one," he said.

I sat down in my seat and someone stood next to me who must be Taki.

This medical mission is not Kier's field. Therefore, he's free to go, wherever he wants.

"What is it?" I asked the man without emotion.

He's wearing his white v-neck shirt and black pans. He looks decent and it looks good.

"Can they be listed first?" he asked innocently and just frowned at me.

"This is first come first serve, our priority is the first in line," I said and they shook their heads.

"One of them is a senior, then he has heart disease. The second, well, he is still young but he also has a disease," he explained.

Okay, we prioritize the senior especially if it's sick.

"Okay," I said as I cleared my throat.

"Thank you, here are their names," he said while handing me a piece of paper.

"Indina V. Escalante, 70 years old. Widow. Marshin V. Escalante, 20 years old."

Marshin? I feel weird about reading her name.

After that conversation with stranger he said goodbye immediately. I waited for them but it was only 12 pm in the afternoon that they did not arrive. We called their name several times.

"Indina V. Escalante," Taki and I's nurse assistant called and an old woman raised her right hand.

The nurses quickly supported it and sat it across from where I was sitting. She's 70 years old, but it seems, she's still strong.

"Indina V. Escalante?" I said his name.

"It's me, son," he said with a smile.

I check her blood pressure and it's normal. I put my stethoscope on his heart and I could hear his faint heartbeat.

"You seem to have a heart disease, grandma?" I asked him and he nodded.

"But I don't need medical treatment. Because I will only be in the world for a few days, son," he said meaningfully and my eyebrows met.

I often encounter scenes like this. But I'm still not used to it. How can someone predict their own deaths?

"My grandson needs that more, someday."

"Are you drinking any maintenance?"

"No, but I have a medicine that's not maintenance." he said and shook his head.

"What's wrong with your grandson, grandma?"

"Her stomach hurts, son." "Ah ..." that's all I could say.

"I'll just give it to--," I didn't finish what I was about to say when I was suddenly confused.

I stood up in shock and when I saw what kind of tire the people of Sta.Maria had created.

"It's just a cat fight, Dr. Cervin. He's said to be the mayor's son and Mareng?" promise of our fellow nurse.

To be continued...