CHAPTER ONE

FIRST WAVE

By: Gene Franco

INTRODUCTION:

Ronn was the eldest of the Francois family's twelve siblings. The family's patriarch was a well-known lawyer in their hometown of Garch, and he served as Chief of Police for a long time. They are descended from military or police personnel. Each of them has their own tale, which I will narrate in this series; stories that are complex, thrilling, and amusing, but also contain a wealth of valuable lessons. The characters, settings, and events in each narrative are all made up; if there is any resemblance, I don't mean it; I just want to express what comes to mind.

Every wave in the ocean acts as a blacksmith, teaching the boys to be bold and faithful in life. Despite the fact that their father was a Chief of Police, they were raised to labor at sea and in agriculture. Their father is the type of cop who does not accept bribes or any kind of bribe to commit delinquency. Many have attempted to pay for his principle, but all have failed to violate its principle of simple service and dignity. Ronn is the eldest and, together with his two younger brothers, Hubb and Rocc, is the captain and commander of deep-sea fishing. They would start out before dawn with nets to capture fish, and after they returned from the sea, they would proceed to the school where they were grown up. Because they cannot assume their father's wage which cannot afford for living, they only survive because so many people offer them food, rice, poultry, veggies, meat, and goods, which is a sign of expressing their community's appreciation for his father's service to the town. Ronn is the type of man who is heart and mind focused on responsibilities, a dutiful son of theirs. Women in their community have always wished for a muscular figure, a tall, handsome face, and mischievous eyes. But, unlike his siblings, he is unconcerned about so-called flirting with women.

Their area is on the east side and faces the Pacific Ocean, their area is a major route for storms. Every year, they are hit by eight to ten typhoons, four of which are powerful enough to damage their homes, crops, and livelihood. As a result, they continue to be a highly challenging area in their province, if not the entire country. Typhoons strike them on a yearly basis, at the same time as people grow and mature. Ronn realized and experienced till they grew up that the primary occupations in their area were fishing and farming. It is seen there that their tenacity is fashioned by life's unpleasant problems, which, even when studied, raise the majority, but remain challenging in comparison to those living in cities or rich towns.

They would get up at two a.m. as normal, Ronn would prepare a sweet potato for breakfast, wake up his two younger siblings, and then sip coffee for breakfast. His two brothers have already planned what they will carry, including three basins, three paddles, a bolo, a thermos, coffee, and sugar. The nets they were planning to use were already put on their boat with a pitchfork the day before, so that when they set sail the next morning, they were ready to go.

"Come on, let's go", Ronn said to the two brothers and they said goodbye to their father who was also having coffee.

"We're leaving, Dad", the siblings said goodbye. Their father just nodded as he continued to have coffee and read the papers that came from the National Post Office. For a brief moment, he called Ronn's name.

"Ronn, wait," the father said to his eldest son.

"What it is that, Dad?" Ron asked his father.

"When you come back later, let's talk in the office," the father suggested. The office, he claimed, is at their Municipal Hall, around three hundred meters from their house, where their father works as Chief of Police.

"OK," Ronn replied to his father.

"We're going now," he said to his father, turning around to leave the house.

Hubb and Rocc was paddling and was singing along, Ronn was discreetly waiting to see whether there was a flock of fish in front of their destination. Slow Rocks is one of the siblings' favorite songs, as are songs by Queen, Gun N' Roses, Tom Jones, Franck Sinatra, The Beatles and many more. They keep paddling to the beat of the song "Ocean Deep," by Cliff Richard, following the rhythm of their stroke.

Shhhhhh...", Ronn whispered as he noticed a school of fish, "Get ready, we're going to cast the net," Ron told his two brothers.

"Yes, sir!", the two shouted simultaneously, and they prepared to cast the net. Their nets are the longest in their area, and they also have the largest fishing boat.

They started casting the net into the sea hurriedly as they paddled about, hoping to catch the enormous swarm of fish. After they let down the nets, they let down the boat's anchor so they could rest and wait for the sun to rise before picking up the net. It took them nearly an hour to cast the net, so they were exhausted and needed to rest and nap so they could lift their net later.

Ronn awoke at daybreak, so he awoke his two brothers, who had probably fallen asleep earlier since they were fatigued.

"Come and enjoy breakfast," Ronn said as he hugged the brothers. He poured coffee for the three of them and placed stewed sweet potatoes on the platter.

"It appears that our boat will sink now, ah," Rocc exclaimed.

"I certainly hope so!" "So, I can get new uniform pants," Hubb explained.

"Pants or billiards!" said Rocc.

"There you are again," Hubb remarked.

"You said the same thing last week, but where are the pants?" Rocc asked again.

"Enough!" Ronn yelled at the two.

When their older brother's voice sounds like that, they will remain silent because they already know what's going to happen. Ron was a quiet man, unlike the two boisterous brothers. They knew how angry he was since they had already experienced the "military discipline".

"Get ready and let's lift the net, before we'll have done at lunch," Ronn encouraged the two.

They've already begun hauling the net, but they're having difficulty since, aside from the wind, there are a lot of catches fish. They're already bringing in the net without removing the fish, because they could be caught in the middle of the sea at noon. There are individuals that wait for them whenever they return from the fishing, and they are the ones who remove the fish, primarily their friends or relatives, but there are also those who are curious and assist with the removal of the fish and cleaning the net, and then they bring home a fish dish. Because their family is well-known in town for being helpful, they simply let people get what they want, especially when they catch a lot of fish.

It's about eight o'clock in the morning when they arrive at town's port. Many people were already waiting, smiling as they greeted them.

"Jackpot!" exclaimed Dagul. Dagul, their childhood friend and the son of their father's office caretaker.

"That's right," Hubb said.

"Is it true, OMG! Your boat almost sank?" Dagul asked, smiling.

"All good, Gul, you look after the fish. We're still going to school," Rocc replied.

"No problem, I'll handle it," Dagul answered.

They returned home while also bathing in a nearby well of water. They are rushing because it will be eight o'clock soon and they may be late for class again. However, it is especially beneficial if kids are seldom absent and consistently achieve high grades in tests. So, they can't just skip school since they will reported to their father, who always punishes them with military punishments like kneeling on bits of beans or salt, squats of about three hundred or a thousand push-ups, that is punishment for them once they commit mistake.

"How are your catches, children?" their mother said gently as Rocc handled their mother's favorite fish, "Buraw".

"It's okay Mom, quite a lot," Ronn said.

"Dagul is already taking care of our catches," Hubb explained.

They said their goodbyes to their mother, who had just given birth to their youngest brother, Terr.

"We will be going, Mom," the three replied as they parted ways with their mother.

"All right, boys, be careful," their mother said.

Ronn is finishing up his senior year of high school, Hub is in his third year, and Rocc is in his first. Ron is the Corps Commander of the Citizens Military Training, and Hubb is the Training Officer who is under pressure from their Adjutant Commander to be the next Corps Commander.

The siblings go home to have lunch after class at noon; their siblings in Central School are far away, so they have lunchboxes; only those in high school can go home at noon for lunch, then return to school before one o'clock for the afternoon class. Ron sent Hub and Roc to their younger siblings' primary school after the afternoon class, saying their father was sending him to its office.

The two comprehended their eldest son's response and went after their younger siblings who were in Central School, while Ronn proceeded to the town hall due to his father's order. The municipal personnel, particularly the guard who was usually mocking him, smiled at the entrance. And, much to Ronn's amazement, the majority of them saluted him. He simply continued to enter while smiling back at the Municipal staff he encountered. He knocked on his father's office door as he stood up at the door.

"Knock! Knock! Knock!", Ronn knocking the door of his father's office.

"Come in please!", his father's staff answered.

Ron entered his father's office and paid his respects to the office's staff member, Staff Sergeant Nina Agapito.

"Good afternoon," Ronn said politely.

"Good afternoon as well, you go straight in his office, the Chief is already waiting for you," the Sergeant added.

He nodded and paid his respects as he entered his father's office. Her father grinned, which they don't get to see very often. This is often very serious, especially if he is dealing with a large number of cases or is often harassed by rebels in their area.

"You're going to board the ship," his father said.

"Huh?" His reaction was nervous, and he was taken aback. He isn't ready, or he isn't ready to leave his parents' control.

"My colleague Commodore Guevarra sent a telegram and recommended that you join the Navy," his father explained. "Because your graduation is approaching, I already sent an answer, and after graduation, I will accompany you to the Naval Base in Camp Boni," his father said.

He said nothing but nodded in agreement. They are aware of their father's decision. None of them could stand in the way of its every decision. In truth, their father is quite cautious in his judgments because he is extremely educated and does not appear to enjoy making mistakes. He said his goodbyes and left early to return home and recuperate before they set out again at daybreak. They've caught a lot of fish before, so they'll take advantage of the abundance now. Their lowest catched is two hundred kilos in late February and early March.

He walked out of his father's office silently. Everyone he meets in the Municipality's Hallway smiles and greets him. He gazed out to sea as he walked home. His spirit wanders as if drowning in the depths of the ocean, the current of the water sweeping away every memory they shared at sea and on their field with his siblings. His thoughts wandered,

His mother inquired, "Do you have a problem son?" "Are you sick?", she asked, his insinuation returning as she caressed his brow.

Ronn kindly replied, "Nothing, Mom." To his mother's question, he said, "I'm just weary and awake. Please do not worry of me, Mom"

"All right, son," his mother said, "get dressed, have a snack first, and then relax in the room so you'll be ready to sail later."

Ronn replied faintly to his mother, "All right, thank you Mom."

Ronn entered their room, changed, and went to bed. Their three-bedroom house is constructed of hardwood. In comparison to other households in their neighborhood, this is significant. Only a few have large concrete houses in their neighborhood, usually the homes of Chinese businesspeople living abroad. They are generous, notably the Kwatseti family, who share a single residence. The Kwatseti have the most retailers in their area, with a wide range of goods ranging from household appliances to building materials (hardware), pharmacies and more. They also import products from farmers, such as copra and weaved hemp, to Legas City. Return ferries or large wooden motorboats with groceries, pharmacies, and hardware. They have young children Kwatseti, two girls Menin and Salli, the youngest is a boy who is only nine years old.

Huge waves greeted Ronn's ship as they patrolled the northern region of the country. A massive wave hit them and capsized their ship, and they immediately rushed into the sea to prevent sinking. He discovered a piece of the container and created buoyancy, but he was sunk by one of his colleagues. He pursued the swim while also pulling the container, and they both pulled the pull. "Aaahhh!" Ronn yelled, a shark after biting his leg. He sprang awake as his mother began to shake him. Because he was moaning, his mother shook and pinched him, believing he had been attacked by a shark. He awoke sweating, looking at the clock on the wall, it was going to be early in the morning. He stood up and put the blanket aside; the two brothers were next to him, and Rocc was the one pulling his blanket, which he had imagined was his buddy on the ship in his dream.

He walked to the kitchen, brewed coffee, and ate; he hadn't eaten since the previous night. He had already boiled sweet potatoes and added six eggs for later consumption in the sea. He sighed and attempted to clear his head after recalling his dream. After cooking their lunch, he prepared the basket for them to take, as well as the items to be taken, and then went to their room to wake the boys.

"Hey, wake up," he said quietly to the two, shaking their shoulders.

They got out of bed and fixed their beds. They immediately went to the kitchen. After finishing their coffee and retiring, the three carefully descended the house to the harbor, where they were met by patrolling guards and town guards who saluted Ronn. Her two siblings puzzledly grinned. They welcomed them and escorted them to the harbor.

"I wish you had more catch," stated Chief Guard.

"Thank you; we shall continue," Rocc said.

As usual, the two sang while paddling. They are now performing The Beatles' "Hey Jude".

The two looked at their older brother, as though they couldn't be heard despite almost crying out while singing the song's chorus. They are frequently chastised for disturbing the fish flocks, and they are even scolded, but today it is weird. And it reminds them of the two when the Guards and guards saluted earlier. They sang "Aubrey" from the song "Bread" again. To pick up their older brother, they changed Menin's name to Aubrey.

To their surprised, their older brother, on the other hand, stayed silent while paddling. When their older brother acts like this, they know he is feeling something or that their father has only punished him once a year because he is so loving and sober. Quiet, not a slacker like the other two. His older brother seemed to enjoy sewing tears in the net or playing chess with their father. Their older brother moved slowly, indicating that there were already large groups of fish ahead of them. They began casting the net, and as Hubb paddled quickly, Ronn and Rocc assisted in casting the net into the sea. They constantly move quickly to avoid losing the fish. There were additional flocks of fish in front of them that seemed to be joyful as they jumped into the sea when they cast the net.

What Ronn witnessed saddened him even more. He only notices such scenes now, but how can that be when he continues to leave? His spirit was moving again as his two brothers began to snooze once more; they would wait until daylight before casting the net out to sea. Ronn can't sleep since his dream keeps flashing in his memory. He was not afraid of the sea because he had grown up and had become accustomed to fishing at sea. What he will be concerned about is the welfare of his two brothers, the fishing, and the weekend planting.

The vast ocean witnessed his maturation and molded his resilience to life's trials as he watched the sea and the fish continue to leap. He watched the two brothers sleep, unconscious that he would abandon them in the water where they had spent the day and night fishing together. Storms, enormous waves, and powerful winds in their life strengthened their Relationship, not only as brothers, but also as friends.

"Aaaaahhhh," he exclaimed in his head. With his father's choice to let him live without them, he attempts to forget what would happen next in his future. Life he never expected, life he never imagined. What is his ambition? They promised that the siblings would work hard in order to keep their family out of difficulty. They always say that those dreams don't exist in their town. They do not have dreams that will pull them out of poverty in the sea or in farming, but rather in the metropolis or abroad.

He composed himself and resolved to follow his father in pursuit of their shared vision. Perhaps this is the avenue where he will assist them in escaping poverty. Perhaps their destiny to succeed in life is not in their hands. Other fishermen, their compatriots who have built concrete houses because they have emigrated. He smiled; they, too, were mariners, impoverished seamen with little rest.

He didn't realize it was going to be morning. He roused up the two brothers, and they ate breakfast while drinking coffee. Then they started lifting the net out of the water. They had numerous catch fish, as expected given the magnitude of the fish flocks earlier.

At the very same time, they expressed gratitude to the Lord for the grace bestowed upon them. Just like yesterday, it took them almost two hours to bring the net out of the sea because, aside from the fact that it was a little windy, they had a lot of catch. Ronn's boat had nearly sunk with the last of their catch, so they paddled gently home. The three paddled home quietly, despite the fact that Rocc was so sleepy that he could whistle the melody they used to sing every time they went home. He enjoys singing slow rock music.

They will arrive at town's port around eight o'clock in the morning. Many people were already waiting, smiling as they greeted them. As usual, Dagul was in charge of the fish as well as cleaning the net and the boat, after which they would repair the net inside the boat so that they could sail Ronn. Dagul also transports the caught fish to the market or the fish buyer; Dagul simply provides their mother Ronn a list of what was sold.

This is always the scene for Ronn and his two siblings: they take a bath after returning from the sea, then go to school, and finally rest and sleep. They set sail again when morning broke. Their routines repeat regularly, and when the weekends arrive, they plant or weed the crops. Despite their exhaustion on a regular basis, none of them complain.

The scenario in which Ronn scolded Hubb and Rocc has not been repeated; it has always been quiet since their father talked to him in the office, which the siblings are attempting to discover. They assumed Menin would fail, but the two were always together. As a result, he is startled and envious that he does not show it to the youngsters. She is embarrassed to admit and tell Ronn that she has loved him since their first year of high school till now, so she mocks her peers and fellow students who are flirting with her, including the most handsome of all and mestizo, Richard. She was concerned Ronn would perceive it differently if she told him she loved him and caused him to avoid her, so she kept her sentiments to herself.

Menin tried to talk to Ronn while they were relaxing because the school year was coming to an end and they were getting ready to graduate.

Menin's introduction is "Ronn." She inquired of the young man, "Do you have a problem?"

"Huh? "Oh, nothing," Ronn responded. "Why?" he queried the girl again, who was rather lovely, with a pointed nose and puffy lips that matched her modest face.

"Because I've noticed you've been quite silent for three weeks," Menin said. "Does this have anything to do with our plans to study in the city?" Didn't your father let you? ", Menin inquired one after the other.

"No, that's not it," Ronn said. He looked the guy in the eyes, knowing in his heart that the girl liked him, just as he had loved her since they were best friends. He just doesn't want to flirt with Menin because he's worried, he'll be wrong in thinking she likes him, and he's afraid she'll avoid him.

"Perhaps I'm simply weary, we catch a lot of fish almost every day," he'd explain to the girl.

"Are you sure?" Menin asked. "Couldn't the person you're dating have disappointed you?" she sarcastically inquired, but what she said broke her heart and head. Would she accept if her friend was courting someone? In the silence of the young, she was startled and had to disregard the thought.

"Of course not!" Ronn answered, "when did I hide from you?" "Besides, you know I'm not dating anyone, and I'm not dating anyone until I realize my dream of helping our family get out of poverty," he continued.

"Thank you," Menin said, sighing.

"Why?" Ronn inquired.

"Huh? "Nothing, and at least I know I'm thinking incorrectly," Menin responded.

"You know my dream, don't you?" Ronn asked. "I'll be fine; even if you don't persist, you won't suffer," Ronn told his friend.

"What's the problem, it's only for a short time and it's not one of us," Menin responded. "I will also work hard for myself and my future family," she said, her gaze fixed on her attractive companion. "For you," she told herself in her mind.

"Let's go, and perhaps they're already waiting," Ronn said to his buddy.

"Huh? Okay, come on ", she was surprised because she had already heard "us," she just grinned at the torpor of the friend she adores.

Ronn graduated from high school. He received the Outstanding Student and Leadership Award for his role as Corps Commander of the C.A.T., and Menin graduated as expected as Valedictorian. The award is nearly entirely devoted to academics, as well as the Outstanding Student and Leadership Award for her achievements as President of the Student Government Organization (SGO). So, she was overjoyed because she was on stage with Ronn while his father, their town's Chief of Police, was recognizing her, especially when she shook his hand and congratulated her accolades.

"Congratulations!" said Ronn's father, the Chief of Police.

"Thank you very much," Menin said in response to the Chief.

"Your parents are very fortunate, and you are very fortunate to be married," the Chief said. "Isn't my young man not flirting with you?" he inquired.

"Huhh" she couldn't say to Ronn's father. Her heart was pleased, though, ronn's father had voted for her. Everyone would have noticed her glowing with excitement if the light hadn't been a touch dismal.

He also greeted Menin's father, Mr. Kwatseti, with "Congratulations, Compadre."

"Thank you, Chief," his father responded. "Congratulations also to your eldest son; I heard you're departing tomorrow," her father added.

"He still needs to get ready and say farewell in a week, Compadre," said the Chief, who was staring at her.

Menin's smile had vanished after hearing Ronn's father's words. As they exited the stage, she wondered aloud, "Do they leave Ronn?" She cast a silent glance at Ronn, who was following their parents off the stage. Ronn holds her elbow as she walks down the stage to their seat. Ronn noted her quiet; he knew she had overheard their fathers conversing. He would have liked to say hello and farewell to the girl before they went, but he didn't seem to be able to do so.

The graduation ceremony is over, and the grads will now dance. Menin was having a house party, and her father invited the Chief and Ronn. The two nodded and followed them. The two fathers were ahead of the road, while they were both in the back, silently walking. Their residence is close to the school, so they can quickly get to the Kwatseti's house. Mr. Kwatseti had told his helper that they were going home with the Chief, so the table was ready when they arrived.

"Welcome Chief," his father's invitation to enter their home.

"All well, thank you, good evening Mrs.," Ronn's father said to Menin's mother, a Chinese mestiza.

"Good evening, too," she said. "And congrats to you as well, Ronn," she said with a smile.

Ronn said to Menin's mother, "Good evening and thank you."

Menin's mother hugged her, trembling but not losing her grin. The mother is aware of her daughter's love for Ronn because Menin always confesses her feelings to her, thus what her daughter feels is not hidden here. However, her daughter appeared to be truly in love, so she went to her room to get ready before saying goodbye to the guests. Menin, the one she had been keeping from hearing their father's talk at school, hugged her and cried when she came at her room.

"Is that how our fresh graduate and Valedctorian will express fun?", the mother inquired, concerned. "Does Ronn already have a girlfriend and confessed to you tonight?" she inquired of the young lady once more. "Wait, and I'll talk to Ronn," the mother said as she stood up. Which Menin put a stop to.

"Ma," she said to her mum.

"What is it, you're acting here instead of taking care of your first love and your father-in-law?" her mother teased.

"Ma, hheh," Menin reprimanded.

"Tell me",the mother said.

Menin wailed, "They're leaving Ronn."

"What's the matter?" her mother inquired.

"I heard Papa ask Chief earlier if they will continue to leave tomorrow with Ronn?" Menin remarked.

"Sssshhs Chief," she said, imitating her daughter. "Why don't you say it's my father?" she jokingly suggested to the girl.

"Ma!", she chastised her mother.

It becomes melancholy as soon as her daughter's melody ends. They were like that as siblings; they were pals with another girl. As a result, if there is an issue, their children always seek her. So, she is well aware that she knew Menin's love story, which is currently lacking owing to Ronn's numbness. They like Ronn's for their lady because he is not only very kind, hardworking, helpful, and tall, but he is also the son of their Chief of Police, who is a highly intelligent and responsible law enforcer. That's all, the young man is stupid even though he knows they are in favor of it, because he is very courteous, especially to the old whom she and the others care for.

"Have you talked to Ronn yet?" Menin's mother reassured her.

"Not yet," she told her mum. "He's been quiet for a few weeks," she explained.

"Wait for him to say before you lead him, let's walk outdoors and maybe I'll be bored," her mother smiled. "I'll go first, and you can follow when you get ready," she said as she exited her room.

"All right, Ma," she mumbled to her mother. She sighed and wiped her face, washing her hands before changing her clothes. Ronn was still sitting in the living room when she came out with their father and mother at the table, and he stood up as she approached.

"Mean," her moniker for him, makes her extra happier when she hears it. "I'm going home, I still have stuff to do at home," Ronn answered hesitantly, not looking at her.

"Do you want me to get lost here?" she answered, wishing she could shout, yet it was still his fault. "Come, let's eat, and then we'll discuss later," Menin said angrily at the young man. She pushed him slightly to the table. The young man had just followed, and if what she stated was true, they would both be embarrassed. They sat calmly next to each other.

"All right, daughter, let's eat, bless first the grace from above," Mr Kwatseti replied to her. Because they are not pure Chinese, and they are Chinese Catholics. Before they had eaten, Menin began to lead the prayer. Menin and Ronn were eating silently as the two heads of the family chatted. Her heart was filled with excitement as she sat at the table with her lover and their respected fathers. That was joyous, yet there was anguish and sadness in Menin's heart that she was trying to push away.

They lift Ronn with cooked food for his siblings and mother after dinner. They bid farewell to Menin and the Kwatseti family.

"After you get changed clothes, we'll talk," she said quietly to Ronn.

Ronn didn't say anything, but he nodded to the girl. His mother and brothers greeted and hugged him when he arrived home.

"Congratulations, son," his mother said. " I'm sorry we won't be able to celebrate your graduation".

"Congratulations, brother," they said almost simultaneously to their older brother.

"Thank you, Mom, and it's all right," Ronn said. "And thank you guys," he added in response to his siblings. "Menin will keep this for you, so you can eat now." Ronn just getting ready to his room, he bid goodbye to the majority of the living room. He walked into his room, change clothed, and lay down, thinking about how to say goodbye to Menin until he fell asleep.

Menin was bored waiting for Ronn, so she bid goodbye to her parents and went to see Ronn, like she often did, and Ronn simply took her home because their houses were so nearby. She mocked the young man but didn't respond.

"Good evening," she said as she knocked on Ronn's door.

Zedd and Gerr yelled, "Ate Menin!" Salli's friends include Ronn's two younger sisters, as well as Hubb, Rocc, and Mari. "Come in," Gerr said as she took her hand in hers.

"Good evening, Aunt," she said, greeting Ronn's lovely mother. Aunt is what she has called her since they were children until now.

"Come on, Menin, and thank you for the food you sent," she encouraged him as she nursed him in the living room. "It's embarrassing, we're not ready for Ronn's graduation," perhaps pouting, still in his room.

"No, that isn't it. "Don't even think about it," she said compassionately to Ronn's mother. "Besides, Ronn gets it," she continued.

"In any case, Ronn would never consider that. "Just go to their room, maybe he's sleeping," Ronn's mother said.

"All right," she said. Menin walked to Ronn's room because, unlike her siblings' rooms, it didn't have a barred door and they were still alone. Ronn was lying down and appeared to be sleeping when she arrived. Slowly approaching its bed, she sheepishly observed its face. She is depressed; all she can think about is the young man and what will happen after he leaves. Her chest clenched at the thought, and Ronn looked up to see him sitting on the bed.

When Menin met the young man, she was filled with hatred. Both are quiet and unwilling to say anything. After more than thirty minutes of stillness, Menin couldn't take it any longer and was the first to speak up, calmly since she had bent down.

"Won't you tell me?" Menin questioned Ronn hesitantly. "Will I notify from others that you are leaving, or do you have no intention of informing me?" she said angrily of the young guy. Ronn remains silent. Because he didn't know how to begin causing them both pain. He wanted to hug the girl and make her feel his anguish that he was leaving her now. He wanted to tell her he loved her and how long he had felt and loved her, but he didn't know how.

"I thought it was inappropriate," the girl said, her voice hoarse. "I really stiffened my face to come here, since I thought," she wailed as she stood up and prepared to leave. Ronn, on the other hand, held her hand once and hugged the girl hard, but with delight in her heart. All of the wrath she had just released towards the young man has vanished, replaced by hope, hope, hope. They sat down slowly, facing one other.

"I'm sorry," Ronn said. "I don't know what to say, I don't know how to say goodbye," the young man admitted.

"You are correct that I have a problem, or let's say not a problem if there is it's dispute," Ronn responded. "Every day, I think about how I'm going to say goodbye to you, to my brothers, and, most importantly, to Mom," he stated regretfully to the girl. Menin grasped the young man's hand to show her understanding of how he felt.

"Why didn't you tell me?" the girl asked, a little resentfully. "You know I'm simply here, you're always with me, I understand what you say," the girl explained.

"I can't tell you that since you don't know how I feel," the young man interrupted himself.

"So what?" the girl inquired. "How much longer will you put up with it, how long will you repress your feelings?" How long will you be a moron?", Menin couldn't help but wonder. She, too, was taken aback by what was said, as was Ronn. "When will you say that you love me as well?" she asked, adding that there is no wait, it is up to the scenario.

"Do you love me?" Ronn asked confidently.

"Huh? "Ahh...eh," the girl stuttered. "Did I tell you I love you?" She couldn't finish her sentence since Ronn had already kissed her on the lips. She was stunned and had no idea what was happening to her. It felt as if she were swinging on a cloud, being carried away by the sea's waves. She was startled when the young man's lips parted, and she awoke to her imagination running wild.

"Why did you kiss me?" she exclaimed to the young man with a smile.

"Do you love me, yes or no?" questioned the young man simply.

"Can't I still, after you kiss me. Your deception, I really made a way for you to confess", the girl said with a smile.

"It's really like that, if you don't want anything, there's a reason for it, but if you want something, there's a way," the young man replied with a smile.

"You haven't responded yet, Ms. Menin," the young man said with a smile.

"Do I really need to respond to your question?", the girl inquired.

"Necessary, for formality," the young man remarked, adding, "I know maybe you're just being forced, I previously answered you and then you don't want me to answer."

She mocked the young man, "You have a thick face, Mr. Ronn," but she was scared and blushed.

"Your face is really thick, you must change your dressed, and our classmates are waiting at school," she claimed.

Ronn teased the girl, "Will you dress me?"

"You're brute!" exclaimed the girl, smiling. "Heyy, Mr. Ronn, we recently finished from high school, and I'm about to finish college; what are we going to do with our family?", Menin added, smiling.

"Just get dressed, you're thinking differently, you!" exclaimed the young man.

"I'm not sure what you're thinking, you should get dressed, I'll wait for you here in the living room," she once said as she came out of the room and sat on the living room, playing with Ronn's younger siblings.

Ronn was already dressed; he donned Menin's birthday gift polo shirt, which he complemented with trousers pants borrowed from a friend and leather shoes given to his father by the Town Mayor. A little perfume, a little hair shine to make his hair shiny and clean. Menin was taken aback by her boyfriend's attractiveness when he walked out the door. Only now did she see Ronn in this outfit, constantly dressed as though his garments were ripped. Because he didn't wear the gift she gave him for his birthday, she was more delighted.

"Let's go!" Ronn exclaimed to the surprised girlfriend, who was already in front of him.

"Mom, we'll continue," the two remarked as they parted ways with Ronn's mother.

They walked to school together. They weren't thinking about Ronn's leaving, and they hadn't talked about it yet, since they didn't want the bliss in their hearts to fade. Almost all of their classmates and acquaintances were staring at Ronn when they started dancing.

"Ronn is incredibly gorgeous," their peers muttered.

"Yes, it's just a ridiculous case," another added.

"Is that stupid?" they exclaimed while holding hands.

"When else?" inquired another.

"It is also rumored that they stay together, always together, and talk to each other," one of their classmates remarked.

In Ronn's outfit, Richard felt humiliated and insecure. He had always mocked Ronn's appearance, claiming that his handsomeness was not on his little finger because of his attire and type, but now he was humiliated by what he had witnessed. Richard is likewise incredibly attractive and mestizo, but he is so arrogant and rude that Menin dislikes him. Richard felt envious of Ronn since Menin was the only woman who ignored him. But he couldn't confront him since, in addition to being revered inside the school as Corps Commander, he was also the son of their town's Chief of Police.