The Beginning | Serena

The night is cold. Yet, I could feel the fire in my eyes, burning as tears welled up.

I hugged myself tightly as I curled underneath the thickest blanket that we own. I could feel the hard floor beneath our thin and old mattress.

I'm not sure how many years it has been since Mama bought this.

Oh. This was an installment.

It's not as good as new, of course. The covering is already torn in a very few areas that I needed to put another old blanket on top of it so the covering would not be torn even worse.

The floor, including the house shakes as waves smash wildly by the shore few meters away from our shabby house.

"Get the rope!"

I shut my eyes closed.

How could I sleep peacefully? With the heavy rain that keeps pouring, the waves that seems like thunders on the shores, people outside rescuing their boats...

Not to mention the strong wind blowing outside, almost flying the yero roofs of our neighbors' houses.

Our house is made of light materials. Half of it, which includes the toilet and the kitchen, were washed away by the previous supertyphoon just last year. Fortunately, Papa was able to temporarily restore the house. Still, the house is not safe for typhoons or strong and huge waves brought by southwest monsoons.

But we have no choice. We do not have anywhere to go.

"Serio! Go and help your Papa outside!" Mama began shouting angrily at my older brother who doesn't even care about the bad weather.

Papa is outside. Soaked by the rain. Struggling with the waves and the winds. Freezing, yet, doing what he has to save the only source of our income-- his small motor fishing boat.

"They're already helping him, Mama!" I heard Serio shouted back.

I gritted my teeth. Annoyed by my brother, I got up and went out of the room, leaving my younger siblings sleeping peacefully.

"Aren't you worried? One blow of the wind, our house will turn upside-down, Serio! You should be helping your Papa outside instead of cursing there with your phone!" Mom scolded.

She was putting small pails on the areas of the house where the rain water drops from the holes in our roof.

I opened the door. The cold wind immediately enveloped me.

Flashlights were everywhere and men shouting is almost deafening as they help each other lifting boats one by one and putting them on a safer place.

It was dark. The waves were almost as high as the huts outside. Most of them were already washed away but some still stood strong.

I looked at the direction where I could hear Papa's voice.

Five men were lifting an average sized fishing boat. A light from the flashlight hit the bare back of a familiar man.

Muscles were on there right places. They were flexing as he moves. His biceps were muscular as well...

He was well-built, ripped, and... I can't believe I am saying this... but he is hot!

"Thank you, Kino!" That was Papa who let out a heavy sigh after successfully placing a boat to their desired position.

"It's nothing, Tito." He replied in a low voice.

They were meters away from me and I know that they could see me here standing by our door once they look at my direction.

"Kino's helping?"

I almost flinched when I heard Mama from my back.

"Uh... yeah. He's..." I trailed off, losing my focus when our eyes met.

Despite the poor light from the flashlights around him, I could tell his gray eyes were staring back at mine.

He brushed his wet hair backwards, one hand resting on his waist. From those action, he looked exhausted.

"You should be ashamed, Serio! Kino is even helping and yet you are here! Playing that darn video games! What will you get from that, huh?"

Mama began shouting at my brother again.

I bit my lower lip.

Kino heard it.

I am used to how noisy our house would always be but I never felt this embarassed.

Is it because of Kino?

Since when did I cared about our rich neighbor? That rich kid shouldn't be here outside the storm in the first place. He has a huge, safe, and cozy home where he could choose to sleep peacefully and worry of nothing.

I panicked when I saw him walking towards our house. Before I could even step back and close the door, he is now standing in front of me.

He is towering. My height could only reach up to his shoulders. My legs trembled as I stare at his gray eyes. I had to look away.

Damn it. My heart is beating wildly it could defeat the storm!

"Can I have some water?" His deep baritone voice sent shivers down my spine.

I gulped.

Slowly, I nodded. Without a word, I turned my back against him and walked hurriedly towards our water jug.

As I wait for the cup to full, I realized... he might not be drinking water if it's not purified or distilled.

I shook my head. I should've told him beforehand!

"Uh..." I hesitated to extend my arm that holds the cup when I walked back the door.

"It's from the water pump but it's safe for drinking." My voice was low and thank God I didn't stutter!

He smiled. My stomach suddenly flipped seeing his cold and intimidating expression fading away.

He knows how to smile...

Oh, stupid! Of course, Serena!

I do not go outside the house that often to socialize with our neighbors the reason why I am not that close to any folks here.

It's not that I am shy. It's just... I don't like majority of them. All I will get is backstabbing and the aunties spreading bad rumors about our family.

So, no, thanks. I would rather rot in our shabby home than see their rotten faces and attitudes.

"You should sleep, Serena."

My eyes almost widened when he drank all the water from the cup without a hint of disgust on his face. I took back the cup once he's done.

"I can't... sleep..." I replied.

His eyes wandered inside our house.

He now gets it why I cannot sleep.

Our house is not as storm-proof as yours, Kino! Can you see now?

Even if I force myself to sleep, I would only find myself laying my back flatly on the old mattress and weighing the situation. Guarding the house even if I couldn't do anything if the wind decides to blow it away.

My thoughts about what will happen to us if the storm will take everything away from us are keeping me awake.

How could I sleep with that?

"I'm sorry about that..."

Now, I regret telling him that. I feel so little even more. The pity on his eyes were evident and I am not liking it.

"You should be in your house, now. Why are you outside?" I don't know why but annoyance filled my voice.

It was too late to correct it. I suppose.

I caught him glanced at my chest. Then his eyes looked at mine again.

"Nah. You should be inside, Serena. Close the door. I'm leaving. Thanks for the water."

He glanced at my chest again.

My face heated up.

I realized how thin this sleeveless white shirt I am wearing! No wonder why it's getting colder!

And it's a bit see-through! Damn it!

I didn't bothered to say goodbye due to the embarrassment. I didn't care if I'd look rude or what. I shut the door close despite not seeing Kino leave first.

He said he's leaving so it's fine, maybe!

"You were talking to Kino? What about it?" Mama was smiling from ear to ear like a teenager waiting for her bestfriend to talk about her crush.

The corners of my eyes shrink as I look at her unbelievably. I could still feel my face heating up.

"He just asked for water, Mama." I replied, trying so hard not to sound annoyed or defensive.

She might take it the wrong way.

I marched back to our room and immediately laid down to cover myself with a thick blanket.

The wind is calmer now and the rain stopped. But for sure, it will rain heavily again after a few minutes so I have to sleep before it could happen.

But now, how could I sleep after my encounter with Kino?!

I don't remember talking to him even just for once for that long! Even he's a neighbor!

Their huge house is surrounded by a tall wall, separating from the rest of the ugly houses around this area.

One more thing, I'm more of an indoor person so I don't go outside often. If people sees me out, they'd even joke it's a miracle.

C'mon, Serena! What were you thinking?! The typhoon is threatening your house and here you are thinking about one damn encounter with that rich kid who probably doesn't feel anything weird like you do!

Damn. I should really be sleeping!

Now... the situation of our life is creeping to my senses back again.

Someday, I'll be able to leave this place. I'll be able to provide a better shelter for my family— far from the destructive seas.

Someday, I will surface from drowning in this unfortunate situation. From poverty.

Someday...