THE CHILDISH AND THE MATURE CHILD

I woke up with a sore arm from last night. As I glanced at the sofa, brother Khalil was sitting there, looking at my laptop.

"Hey, brother, what are you doing on my laptop?" I asked with a furrowed brow.

He just signaled for me to be quiet, so I stood up and approached him. I didn't know whether to laugh or cringe at what he was watching.

"Seriously? Mermaid Barbie?" I raised an eyebrow.

"Shhhh, you might be heard by the enemy; they might catch Barbie." He said, fully engrossed in what he was watching.

Honestly, I wanted to smack him. I could understand if someone in their twenties watched Barbie, but a thirty-year-old guy? It's tempting to give him a good smack.

"I can't believe this. Maybe your mom dropped you too hard in the crib, that's why you're like this." I shook my head and headed to the bathroom to wash up.

"The USB..." I quickly grabbed my bag, searching for the USB.

Once I found it, I snatched it from Kuya Khalil and plugged it into my laptop.

"Not finished yet," he complained. "Milk!"

"Shut up!" I snapped.

I inserted the USB into my laptop, and there was only one file. I opened it, not realizing it was a mistake.

"Stop! Ughh!!"

"Wahhh! My virgin eyes!!!" he shouted, covering his face and running out of my room.

That serves him right.

I sighed and took out the USB, putting it back in my bag. Who are those people in the videos? Is that Senator Mujeño?

"YES, MILO, THAT'S TRUE!! MILK IS WATCHING PORN!!!" Brother Khalil's voice echoed.

My eyes widened in shock. He was talking to brother Milo. I quickly snatched the phone from him.

"Brother don't believe him! I'm not watching porn! I just checked the USB's contents."

"Wtf, Milk! You almost died because of that USB full of porn!" Brother Milo said, and I ended up hitting my forehead.

"It's not porn videos on the USB; it's videos of rape. The men are killing the women after assaulting them. Think, brother, do you really believe I'm confronting these bad guys just for porn?" I argued.

"You have a point," he admitted. "But be careful, Milk, you're dealing with powerful people."

"I just need to find Marvin, and my problem will be solved."

"Why not report it to the police?" Brother Khalil suggested.

"One of the men in the videos is a senator; he could bribe the police to get the USB back."

"Then give it to the senator and let him pay you," Kuya Khalil proudly smiled.

I could kick him.

"Kuya, can't someone else watch over me? I feel like I'll die if I stay with Kuya Khalil!" I complained to Kuya Milo.

"He's the only one available; don't worry, he's capable even if he's like that. Call me if anything strange happens."

"Okay, Kuya." I hung up and handed Kuya Khalil his phone.

"I'm done watching porn. Can I watch Barbie now?" he teased.

"I wasn't watching porn! Just get out of my sight before I kick you!"

"How would you kick me?"

I was about to show him when he quickly ran into my room.

Early morning stress.

I made my coffee and prepared a sandwich, sitting down. As I was about to relax, my phone rang.

"Hello?"

"Hello, Milk? Is Sofia there?"

It was Tita Fina. Sofia is one of my friends.

"No, Tita, why?"

"She hasn't come home since last night. I called Brandon and Ashia; they said she's not with them. She's not answering her phone either. Something might have happened to her."

"Don't worry, Tita, I'll call her."

"I tried, Milk, but her phone is dead."

"I'll look for her. I'll keep you updated."

"Okay, dear. Thank you."

I hung up, feeling a sudden unease. I stood up and headed to my room.

"Kuya Khalil, I'm leaving," I informed.

He closed the laptop. "I'll come with you; your life is in danger."

He was the first to leave, so I followed, not having the chance to change.

"Wait, where are we going?" he asked, puzzled.

Anywhere, as long as I find Sofia," I replied.

"Who's Sofia? What does she look like?" he inquired.

"She's my best friend." I scrolled through my phone to show him a picture of Sofia. "There's Sofia."

"That? I just saw her earlier--"

"--Where?"

"On Facebook. She was found dead. I think she's already in the funeral home."

My phone rang just in time.

"Milk, Sofia is gone," Ashia cried. "They found her lifeless earlier."

I broke into tears before hanging up.

"Why are you crying?" Brother Khalil asked, bewildered.

"Sofia is dead, and you're still joking."

He suddenly burst into tears. "Huhu, I'm a great fortune teller. Ouch, why!"

"You're celebrating when someone is dead!"

I was about to knock him down Brother

"CONDOLENCE, Auntie," I said to Aunt Fina, and then I hugged her.

I feel sorry for Aunt, as Sofia and she were the only ones left in each other's lives. Now that Sofia is gone, Aunt Fina is alone.

Sofia was a kind daughter and friend, which intensifies the sadness I'm feeling.

"Milk, they are animals. They took advantage of my daughter, they defiled her! They have no mercy!" Aunt Fina cried.

"Aunt, please calm down. Don't worry; we will get justice for Sofia," I assured her, breaking the hug and gently guiding her to sit. "I promise to do everything to hold those responsible for what happened to Sofia accountable."

"Thank you so much."

"It's nothing, Aunt." I stood up and looked at Sofia.

I could hardly recognize her; her beautiful face was covered in bruises and wounds.

"They're heartless!" I angrily commented.

"No shame, those rapists!" I retorted to the disrespectful person, none other than Kuya Khalil. "Why? I'm just telling the truth."

"I'll punch you right there--"

"--But you're wearing sandals." He interrupted with a smirk.

"Oh, you..."

"I hope Sofia haunts you--"

"--Just kidding, you're too serious." He suddenly became serious and looked at Sofia. "Tsk, how can they do this to women, as if they don't have mothers and sisters."

"I've never hurt a woman in my life, and they do this." I saw him clench his fist. "Miss, remember this, I will find those who did this to you, I will find those shameless people who victimized someone like you."

I prefer his childish side; he's scary otherwise, hehehe.

"Is there no coffee here?" He asked, glancing at me. "Get me coffee and bread."

Because I was impressed with what he said earlier, I obeyed. I prepared coffee for him.

"How's Aunt?" Brandon asked. I was a bit surprised because he suddenly appeared.

"She's not okay," I replied. "Aunt Fina is left alone now."

"Don't worry; I will visit her every day," Ashia said.

"Who's with you?" Brandon asked.

Brandon is a friend who used to be my suitor. "He's just making a scene; he's probably ugly."

"Fool, he's more handsome than you!" Ashia teased. "Come on, let's go over there."

I handed the coffee to Khalil; now he was sitting next to Aunt Sofia.

"Who are you?" Brandon asked him.

"Khalil Cavort," Khalil answered, then drank the coffee but immediately spat it out. "It's hot! Aunt, why is your coffee so hot!?"

"I'm so close to smacking you with hot water!" I shouted at him. "Apologize!"

"I'm just telling the truth." He said with teary eyes. "You've been mad at me since earlier! Hmp! Just because I interrupted your porn-watching!"

"Oh my gosh, Milk! Are you watching porn!?" Ashia asked loudly, drawing the attention of others.

"Fool! Do you think I would do that?" I gave Khalil a stern look. "You, I'll get back at you!"

We stayed for a few minutes before deciding to go home. It was already two in the morning, and I wanted to stay longer, but we had a family dinner tomorrow, so it wasn't allowed.

"I'm getting sleepy," Khalil said when the car stopped.

I was about to get off, but he quickly covered my mouth.

"I think those chasing you have been identified." He whispered, making me nervous.

My anxiety doubled when someone knocked on the window in front of me. Khalil and I made eye contact.

He quickly unbuckled my seatbelt and lowered my shirt a bit, then pulled me close to him. If someone saw us, it would look like we were up to something mysterious.

"Don't move..." He whispered before lowering the window. "Why, bro? What's wrong? We're just disturbing the two of us and Missus."

"Sorry, bro, go on." I heard the guy say. I also heard the window closing, so I quickly moved away from Khalil and adjusted myself.

"They're gone," he said, and I sighed in relief.

He drove faster, and I bumped my head, but it didn't hurt. "They're no longer following us."

"Shit! Just stay down; they're following us," he said, speeding up the car even more. "Hold on tight."

He suddenly turned the car, and although I hit something, it wasn't painful, just the right impact.

"They're gone," he said, so I adjusted my seat. "For now, let's head straight to your mansion. We can't go to Saphira's because the kids might be involved."

In a few minutes, we were at the mansion. We quickly got out and entered. Kuya Milo was the first one to greet us while carrying Yamiro.

"What happened?" Kuya Milo asked.

What are they doing here?

"They found out about my condo," I answered. "They're hunting me now."

"That's what I've been telling you, Milk!" Kuya Milo scolded me. "You're getting into big trouble."

"I'll give them a taste of their own medicine," I said firmly.

"But you might get hurt before that happens!"

"I don't care, as long as I find out who they are! I want all of them to be in jail," I cried. "They raped and killed my best friend, Sofia."

"That's why I need to finish what I started. I don't want them victimizing innocent women again," I said.

"Many minutes passed before we decided to leave. It was already 2 AM, and I wanted to stay longer, but we had a family dinner tomorrow, so it wasn't allowed.

"I'm getting sleepy," Khalil said when the car stopped.

I was about to get off, but he quickly covered my mouth.

"I think those chasing you have been identified." He whispered, making me nervous.

My anxiety doubled when someone knocked on the window in front of me. Khalil and I made eye contact.

He quickly unbuckled my seatbelt and lowered my shirt a bit, then pulled me close to him. If someone saw us, it would look like we were up to something mysterious.

"Don't move..." He whispered before lowering the window. "Why, bro? What's wrong? We're just disturbing the two of us and Missus."

"Sorry, bro, go on." I heard the guy say. I also heard the window closing, so I quickly moved away from Khalil and adjusted myself.

"They're gone," he said, and I sighed in relief.

He drove faster, and I bumped my head, but it didn't hurt. "They're no longer following us."

"Shit! Just stay down; they're following us," he said, speeding up the car even more. "Hold on tight."

He suddenly turned the car, and although I hit something, it wasn't painful, just the right impact.

"They're gone," he said, so I adjusted my seat. "For now, let's head straight to your mansion. We can't go to Saph

Sure, here's the translation:

...

MILK GAUDINO

"Where do you plan to hide?" Ate Saphira asked.

"In my place," Kuya Khalil replied. "We're safe there."

"Make sure, Cavort. I'll be the one to kill you if anything happens to Milk," Kuya Neo threatened, but Kuya Khalil just rolled his eyes.

"One more thing! Don't mess with my sister!" My eyes widened at what Kuya Milo said.

"Milo! Are you out of your mind? I'm not a virgin, but I'm not going to mess with your sister!" Kuya Khalil responded angrily. "What the heck, Milo? She's twenty-one."

"Better safe than sorry," Kuya Milo said, and then turned to me. "Just call me if anything happens to you."

"Yes, we'll leave first." I kissed Caramel and Yamiro on the cheek before getting into the car.

After Kuya Khalil also got in, he immediately started the car. Speaking of cars, I remembered last night; that was crazy.

We traveled for about half an hour before stopping in a crowded place with houses close together, in short, a squatter area.

"Do you live here?" I asked, and he nodded before taking my arm. "The guys here seem a bit sketchy."

We started walking, and people stared, especially at me.

"Your chicks are pretty, Khalil," a group of people we passed commented.

"Stop bothering us. If you don't want me to blow up all the houses here," Kuya Khalil warned seriously.

"Just kidding, Khalil. You know we owe you a lot," they replied, and Kuya Khalil just nodded before continuing to walk.

The houses here weren't bad, just average, but people were wandering around.

"We're here." Kuya Khalil stopped in front of a not-too-big but beautiful house with a second floor.

He opened the door, entered first, and I followed. I was amazed at the inside; there were pictures hanging, some of Caramel and Yamiro, and some with their friends.

"Your room is downstairs," he said. "Mine is upstairs. If you need anything, just go up."

"Okay, thanks." I went upstairs after putting my few belongings in order. The room was decent and clean. I took out some clothes and placed them in the cabinet.

When I finished arranging, I went upstairs. There was only one door, so I knocked.

"COME IN!" Kuya Khalil shouted from inside, so I entered.

I was amazed when I got in; there were many guns, grenades, and even a katana. He also had several computers and laptops.

"Can you help me find Marvin Alderama?" I sat on the sofa.

"Do you know what he looks like?" he asked. I shook my head. "Milk, I didn't dream of becoming a fortune teller."

"Where's the USB? Let me check if I can find anything." I handed him the USB.

He sat on the bed, and I wanted to see what he was doing, so I sat down too. He plugged in the USB and pressed various keys. He did it so fast that I didn't know what he was doing.

After a while, a picture of a bespectacled guy appeared, who I assumed was Kuya Khalil's age. Below the picture was written Marvin Alderama, so I was sure it was him.

"Where can we find him?" I asked.

"There are no details here," he replied. "But I can locate him. We just need to pay."

"How much?" I asked.

He signaled to wait, took his cellphone, and made a call.

"Hello... I have a picture that I want you to find... how much?... One million? How about 500,000... okay... 3 days then." He hung up and looked at me.

"The payment is 500,000, and he'll find the guy in three days," he said, surprising me.

"500,000? Where am I going to get that money?" I asked.

"I'll lend it to you," he said, giving me a serious look. "But you need to pay it back quickly; it's hard to earn money nowadays."

"Okay, thanks." I stood up and took the USB. "I'll cook; do you have any food?"

"Buy from the grocery outside; I don't have stocks here." He handed me a thousand pesos. "Hurry, and Rosana might see you. She has a crush on me, and you might become her target."

"I don't care about her." I rolled my eyes and left his room. I went to my room first, grabbed my jacket, and then went outside.

"Where's the grocery here?" I asked myself and continued walking. "Excuse me, can I ask? Where's the grocery?" I asked a passing woman.

"Just go straight, then turn right; you'll see it immediately when you turn right," she replied.

"Thank you." I continued straight, as she said, and when I turned right, I saw the grocery.

I entered, feeling a bit uneasy as it was filled with men who stared at me. I went to the canned goods and noodles, also buying soy sauce, vinegar, fish sauce, and cooking oil. After shopping, I went to the counter.

"Miss, are you Khalil's chick?" one guy asked, but I ignored him. "Oh, snob..."

"Sorry, but I don't talk to strangers," I said to him and focused on the counter.

"Rich girl..." another one commented. "It shows in her body shape, and she has a good chest."

I didn't like what he said, so I approached him and kicked him.

"You're so rude!" I said angrily. "Do you want me to report you to Kuya Khalil?"

"Miss, you're in trouble," one of them warned, so I kicked him too. "Hey, go back here!"

Why are so many people chasing me? Am I really that beautiful?

...........................................

KHALIL CAVORT

It took a while for Milk, so I went out to look for her.

"BOSS KHALIL, YOUR CHICKS ARE BEING CHASED BY DOMENG!" Jayson shouted breathlessly.

That Domeng is really annoying.

"Where are they?" I asked.

"Near the Grocery," he replied.

As I was about to leave, I saw Milk running towards me, pursued by Domeng's group.

"Kuya Khalil, help me!" she said, panting, hiding behind me.

"Khalil, give us that girl!" Domeng angrily demanded.

"What happened?" I asked.

"Your chicks kicked us, we were just asking nicely--" Negro was cut off by Milk.

"--That's not true, Kuya. They insulted me! That ugly one said inappropriate things about my chest, and they were leering at my body," Milk said.

"Domeng! What did I say? I don't want anyone disrespecting women in my territory!" I angrily said. "I SAID YOU SHOULD RESPECT WOMEN!"

"You're all about women! Maybe you're gay!" Domeng grinned. "Pretending to be tough like--"

He didn't finish his sentence as I immediately punched him, causing him to fall. I approached him, landed a few more punches.

"I don't tolerate disrespecting women. I have a mother and sisters! I also have nieces!" I angrily said. "Don't ever compare yourself to me!"

I stopped when our "captain" arrived. "Khalil, what happened?"

"Those idiots! They disrespected my companion!" I answered. "Lock them up!"

"Okay, Khalil." Mang Rene looked at Milk. "I'm sorry, dear."

"It's okay, sir," Milk replied.

They took Domeng and the others away.

"You're really amazing, Idol," Jayson said.

Jayson is only seventeen, the closest to me here. He's also sometimes at my house; we share similar vibes.

"Jayson, my hand hurts," I said with a wince.

"Idol, it's your fault," he replied. "You were so angry earlier, I didn't know your sensitive side disappears when you're mad."

"You're crazy." I turned to Milk. "Are you okay?"

"Y-yes."

"Next time, don't go out alone, especially if you're alone," I advised.

"Fool! You made me go out alone earlier. I didn't even get my change!" She glared at me. "I missed getting my change!"

She stormed inside, and I felt like the world collapsed around me.

'My change.'