The Vens

Betinna Baptiste & Taylor Shift

The helicopter tour was indeed quick. In less than two hours, we have circulated the picturesque caldera of Mount Pinnatubo, distributed milk, played with my Aeta children and spent amazing moments with Hans. Helenna asked her driver to drop me and Hans off once the chopper landed back at Peninsula Manila.

Hans didn't waste time during our trip back to the house. We didn't have the consideration that the driver knew what we were doing at the back seat of the Escalade. I reciprocated Hans passion in kissing me, touching me. I wanted to give Hans my virginity in that Escalade. I wouldn't mind if the driver could see us naked and watch us make love. I wanted Hans.

My lips were plump and swollen when we got home. Papa was in the living room when we arrived. As soon as I saw my father, the pain resumed. My temper rose and I screamed with utter hate.

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Hans left the house at almost midnight last night and he came to the house early to check on me. He is in love with me again. I got nine days left and Hans will return to Avery's arms and long legs.

When Helenna and Jennafer arrived, Papa announced that he will be making pizza again. The pizza he baked yesterday were toasted to charcoal. Papa's voice sounded so annoying to me. I tried to hold my tongue but I failed.

"I wish I drowned you with the rest of those foreigners. I should have shrunken you to be eaten by mawmags. You only think of your greed. I should have killed you and saved this entire country from slavery!"

Everyone was staring at me. I heard what I said but I had no idea why I said what I said.

I was panting. Screaming was extremely exhausting. My throat hurt as if cat claws scratched my esophagus. I couldn't remember the last time I screamed that loud.

I heard the crystals on the chandelier dangled with the cacophony of the picture frames falling from the living room wall. The chandelier kept on swaying on the ceiling. Mama held on to the couch for support as the floor shook. Hans has panic all over his face. Helenna and Jennafer were standing next to each other with calmness even though their knees wobbled with the earthquake.

"Hans, I need to sit down."

Hans didn't hear me. His face still showed panic and shock. He was staring at me. I felt the tightness of his grip on my right arm. I clasped my hand on his hand and shook my arm free.

"Hans, let's sit down."

"Huh?" Hans asked.

I pointed to the couch. He came to his senses.

"Mianheyo Papa. Sincha mianheyo," I said looking at my father who was stunned as everyone in the room.

Papa looked confused.

"Another earthquake. This is frightening. We haven't had earthquakes this frequent in a long time," Papa said.

"Something's burning," Mama said.

Papa's nostrils got bigger and sniffed the burnt pizza. He ran to the kitchen. I heard him cursing in Hangul with the clinking of utensils.

"What language was that?" Hans asked.

"Mianheyo means sorry in Korean," I said.

"I know what mianheyo means. You taught me that. When you were screaming at your father, you spoke a different language," Hans said.

"I said it in a different language?"

I was so relieved. I spoke in Bol-Anon. Papa didn't understand what I said. It was Mahalla who had the tantrum and not me.