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Chapter 27
The children's meeting with their grandparents went well. Especially Sophia, she got a lot of hugs from her grandmother. Almost like Sophia was Corazon's daughter.
As for Penelope, she was just happy to watch her mother and daughter.
"The room was already cleaned. We prepared it for you."
Alberto (father-in-law) said and handed me a cigarette. I didn't know what to say. I just shook my head and smiled bitterly.
... Ah, the taste of smoke. I miss it. Besides, it's Marlboro Black.
Fortunately, I didn't have any withdrawal symptoms.
"What's the matter? You don't smoke anymore?"
Alberto and Simeon looked at me in surprise. They didn't seem to believe that I had quit smoking.
"Yes, I promised my wife that I would stop smoking and drinking."
I explained, and then my wife joined in.
"Father, you must not invite Keith to a drinking session. Do you understand? My husband is trying to change."
She glared at her father. Earlier she had cried and hugged him. But now she looked at him as if he was an enemy.
"Is that so? Ahem."
My father-in-law coughed embarrassedly. He looked at Simeon, and whispered something.
"Give the coconut palm liquor (lambanog) to your brother. I think he likes it."
"What? But I thought you wanted to give it to Keith?"
"Can't you see he stopped drinking? Just give it to your brother. I will find another gift for Keith."
"Okay, Father."
I think they were whispering about the gift, but I can't hear them clearly.
Alberto coughed after talking to Simeon and turned to me. He awkwardly put the tasty Marlboro back in the box.
"So Keith, how's your job? I heard that car thefts are getting out of hand, you're a taxi driver, right? - Penelope, why are you looking at me like that?"
My father-in-law stiffened when he realized his daughter was staring at him again. I guess he didn't know that I was involved in a car theft and almost died.
"I'm fine, Alberto. I just got my bonus and the management has been good to me."
Of course they were good. Because I didn't make a fuss at that time.
"That's good. I can see it very well. The children's toys look expensive. It's nice that you take good care of the children. But you also have to save money. The children will grow up and need money for their education.
He began to talk about philosophical things.
And for the third time, Penelope looked at him.
"Penelope..."
"Father, the toys are not that expensive. They only cost 200 pesos at the most. We have also saved money for the children. We don't spend the money carelessly."
"What? 200 pesos!? These toys cost 200 pesos!? Hell, I better make a wooden sword instead. At least it will cost nothing."
He huffed. Alberto was brought up to live frugally. 200 pesos might be a lot for farmers.
"But of course..."
He looked at the children. Sophia giggled as her grandmother carried her. Roman played with his Gundam.
"As long as the kids are okay."
He smiled. He was glad to see his grandchildren.
"Roman, do you like swords? How about guns?"
If you heard these questions out of context, it could lead to misunderstandings. But I know what Alberto meant.
"Yes, Grandpa. I like both."
"Good, then I will make you a sword and a gun."
"Thank you, Grandpa."
Alberto nodded and patted his grandson on the head. The last time he had seen Roman, he had been just a little boy.
Even when he was young, Roman was always calm and collected. Maybe that is why Alberto likes him. Unlike other children who run around and make trouble, Roman is quiet and mature.
"Let's prepare dinner. Your brothers and sisters will be back later."
"Yes, Father."
Penelope stood up and decided to help them prepare dinner. Of course I helped too.
Then I remembered something...
"Let's chop wood."
"Okay."
Her family didn't use gas. It is expensive. Stoves and gas tanks are expensive, so they prefer to use wood.
I followed Simeon to the back of the house. The wood was already dry, we just have to cut it into smaller pieces.
"So how's your work?"
Simeon asked as he picked up the axe and asked me about our life in Manila.
"Everything is fine. Roman is in kindergarten. The teachers say he is smart. He must have inherited his IQ from his mother."
"Yes. Out of all of us, only Penelope went to college. Hehe, I'm ashamed to say it, but our grades in high school are disappointing. We didn't take the chance to study hard."
-- Chop!
He successfully cut the log in half, and I grabbed another log for him to chop. Of course, my job is to help Simeon; even if I wanted to chop wood, Simeon would probably stop me.
We are the guests who have just arrived at the house. Simeon thinks we are tired. Unfortunately, he is wrong. The Energy Pill keeps me active.
-- Chop!
"Simeon, about the land. Why did father-in-law and mother-in-law want to sell it?"
I was curious. I only heard a few things from Penelope. I think there are more reasons.
"I hope I'm not overstepping boundaries."
"Of course not, you're already part of the family."
"Thank you."
Simeon is the second brother of the family, and he's the one I'm close to. I have only met the other siblings once. To be honest, I don't even remember all of them.
Except for that certain woman... I can't believe that Penelope will have a sister like her.
"If you're talking about the land, Father and Mother want to sell it because no one wants to inherit the farm. I work as a tricycle driver and I make good money. Unlike farming, where I burn my skin to char."
He smiled bitterly.
"I remembered the time when I was young. We harvested our grain and sold it to the businessmen. The looks they gave us were heartbreaking, I feel like they don't see us as people. They didn't even pay us right..."
"..."
"I can understand why my brothers and sisters don't want to take over the land. They want to sell it instead. I don't blame them. It was an honest job. But at this time when many industries are flourishing, they chose the easy ones."
I read an article that in 2022, Filipino farmers only earn 13,000 pesos per month. That was the equivalent of $236. A very small amount for an important job.
Brother Simeon may be right, no one wants to be a farmer in this country.
That's why many people from the provinces risked their lives to go to Manila instead of plowing the land.
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