US

Chapter 3

Waking up a couple of hours means two hours, it's five o'clock in the afternoon. Looking out the window, the sky is orange, sign that the sun just set.

Scratching at the back of my head, I went to my desk and opened my computer. Game time.

Nearly two hours passed when Mom called me for dinner.

"Son, time for dinner! Hurry down!"

Focusing on my final game, for now, I shouted in reply.

"Yes! Coming!"

I said coming but knowing Mom, she knows what I mean. I'll be there when I finish my last round.

With the last round ended, I stood my chair and went down. As I walk down the stairs, I hear noises from the kitchen, utensils being prepared.

"I'm already here, Ma" I said yawning.

Not sleepy but I yawn, nonetheless.

"Come, let's eat."

"Ahuh."

And sat on my usual spot from the left while she's in front me while the left side was for dad, but looking at the situation, dad's either going home late or will not be home for today.

I shrugged. I'm used to it. Busy parents but I'm not complaining, and I enjoy it too. Free time and freedom, I say.

Stabbing the tomato using fork, I put it in my mouth and chew. Hmm, yup, she's mom. This taste was her cooking, she's not fake or alien. Good.

Chewing my own food, I concentrate when mom informed me about dad.

"Your dad won't be home tonight until next week; he has a business trip at Visayas. So be well at school and try being active from time to time."

And usual, I reply a "hmm."

And that's the end of our conversation.

I'm not close to my parent and so they are to me, but they are good parents, I'm telling you. They provide from all I need, and I want, and me trying to be obedient to their every word except being active entirely. I'm too exhausted dealing with school already. Sitting around and listening to those unreasonable people at class then participate?! That's way too much for me to talk, so no thanks.

Finishing my meal, I informed mom after I finished and went upstairs to surf online.

I have this routine for long time now, limited friends and connection inside and outside the house, I'm pretty much the boss of my time. Mostly and entirely mine, to do what I want.

I played, watch, and surf the net for many hours that its already twelve midnight. It's time to sleep. Not sleepy though but I still have class, I force myself to sleep.

Next morning, six in the morning, I got ready to go to school. New washed uniform, pack the bag with messy half-done homework I'm lazy to finished and grab a new sock for today.

Never mind the hair, it's not like it's going to become a bird's nest or something.

So, I walk down, straight to the table, grab my allowance and made my way out of the house.

It's been like this. Mom leaves early every morning due to work. So, she has no time to prep breakfast that it made me used to not having one. I only eat at lunch, sometimes candy for breakfast, and dinner normally. When someone's around to feed me, I'll eat junk food or fast food one. If they're not here, then I eat what I want.

Waiting for another jeepney to come, I stand at the side at the road. Thankfully, it didn't take long to have one and I boarded.

Watching yet another scenery for long, I arrive my destination. Paid the ride and boarded down and cross the road. Subconsciously, I looked at the spot 25 meters away where I was yesterday. No one is there.