My Love, from afar

Chapter Two

Tatay Guido just woke up and noticed their hut is severely hit by the storm. Apo Ingkang is still asleep.

"Aryana, gising na, maghanap tayo ng mga kahoy at nang magawa ang bubong at dingding."said Guido while collecting firewood for their hot water and coffee. A simple coffee, fish and a piece of banana is their usual breakfast, sometimes they add root crops like kamote and kamoteng kahoy. Their life in the island is simple yet they are contented.

"Aryana, abay tanghali na, neneng"said Guido while walking up the stairs to Aryana and Apo Ingkang's room. To his dismay, only Apo Ingkang is on the bed asleep.

"Apo, asan po si neneng?"while softly shaking Apo Ingkang's body.

"Huh?naku, ang neneng namin?ay hindi ko alam, wala ba sa labas?"asked Apo Ingkang who hurriedly sit straight and looked for her slippers.

"Sige po Apo, ako na po ang maghahanap, kumain na po kayo sa ibaba pagkatapos ninyo mag ayos."said Guido.

Aryana is the only child of Guido. When her wife, Teacher Soling passed away due to Leukemia, Guido was the sole parent who raised the 9 year old Aryana. It was very hard, especially when Aryana had her first menstruation. That's why Guido is thankful, Apo Ingkang is still alive because she is the next best mother figure Guido can give to Aryana.

"Aryana!San ka bang bata ka?"shouts Guido while strolling the shores. He was beginning to feel anxious when he reached the cave. Then suddenly, he felt his blood went up to his head when he saw Aryana, wearing wet thin clothes with dripping hair, while seated beside Hyungsik's unconscious body.

"Susmaryosep, sino sya Aryana?!"exclaimed Guido.

"Oy Tay, di ko po sya kilala, tinulungan ko kagabi kasi inanod sa dalampasigan. Patawad po, lumabas ako kagabi para tingnan kung ligtas dito sa kweba." explained Aryana.

"Bakit naman kasi hindi mo ako ginising. Hindi sya taga dito. Tara at dalhin natin sa kubo."

So Tatay Guido, even old, has a strong physique easily lifted Hyungsik and trailed back to their hut.