Heroic Extremes: MHA in Philippines

Chapter 1: Starting Point

{•===2024===•}

In a peaceful town in the province of San Andres known as Kunpal, is a child known as Serafin Tanglaw, who is sitting atop a hill.

The wind would blow its gentle breeze, causing a faint whistle in the air, making the blades of green grass dance along with the leaves of the trees.

Serafin sits quietly, his eyes glued at the children who play with a weaved bamboo ball. They toss it around, receiving it using their heads, elbows, chest, or even their knees, but never their hands.

Serafin watches with interest, smiling when the children laugh and frowning when they hurt themselves in the middle of their fun game. It does not help that Serafin is sure that they definitely got small bruises, scratches or cuts.

"You know, you should really play with them," Serafin looks to his left and sees his mother sitting on the ground beside him. "How many times are you going to stay here and just watch? Why not experience the real deal, Sera? Hmm?" She asks, removing her strawhat and placing it just beside her, looking at her son.

His mother, she has long, simple, black hair paired with hazelnut eyes that bears amusement when her son stares back. Without any words spoken next, the woman slowly but surely presses her index finger on Serafin's nose with a warm smile.

"Boop," she chimes before looking at the children playing in the fields, her smile slowly becoming downtrodden. "You know, I really want you to enjoy your time when you are this young. I want you to be able to enjoy yourself. I never experienced it, you know," she pauses, glancing at Serafin who listens attentively. "I never experienced playing when I was young, so I don't want you to go through that as well. It was just when I had you that made me sad that I didn't even get to feel such joy back then."

"You're still young though," Serafin said without missing a beat, hugging his legs before letting his body tilt to the side, courtesy of his mother who pushed his head which caused his whole bodg to follow. "I'm just saying what I am saying, mama. There's no lie with the truth I'm saying, mama," Serafin giggles as he goes back to his sitting position.

"Yes, I'm young but what I meant was as a child, I never got to play and enjoy life that much. I never had the time to enjoy myself," the mother spoke, caressing her child's head using her gloved hand, pressing Serafin's head to her side. "Your mama was a busy child back then, she never had time for herself. Mama was always plowing the fields and mama barely had any education so she didn't have that much of a chance to experience things. She just want you to enjoy yourself, especially now that she can give you some time for yourself."

Serafin's face grew a small yet troubled frown. It was the talk again, one of her experiences from her childhood that keeps Serafin thinking from time to time. He understands her point and he knows what she wants and tries to accomplish it, but Serafin wants to understand why she keeps on repeatedly reminding him of these things.

"I would play if I feel like to, mama," Serafin answers, melting with his mother's touch as he scoots closer, making his mother wrap her arm around his shoulders. "I prefer just being like this for the moment though. I guess I'm not much of an active kid. Maybe playing is not for me because just being like this is enjoyable for me."

"You never even tried it," his mother huffs, squeezing him lightly under her arm. "You've been watching, but never trying. How can you say that it isn't for you when you haven't even experienced it? You're pulling my leg here, Sera!" She ends with a pout, making Serafin quiet down.

The boy stayed quiet, thinking for a moment, his eyes glued on the scene of kids playing. Serafin can see their smiles, he can hear their laughs, and as seconds pass, his mother has a point. Although he would still prefer just sitting and watching the others play.