1 Prologue

With a loud thwack, the metal axe cut through the log, splitting it in half. Mang Kuno was almost done with his morning routine. He had his stack of firewood lying on his yard, close to the violet flowers he and his wife have planted. Only one more left before he head back into the kitchen when he heard the leaves rustle.

Mang Kuno turned his attention to a tree, their great Mahogany tree, standing at about 30 feet tall right in the middle of their two-storey nipa hut. The cold air passed by and the branches danced in response. After a second of gazing into the wide area of leaves, Kuno replied with a smile.

"Is that so? Alright, but after I'm finished with this one."

CHUCK!

The man had his towel soaked in sweat as he entered the kitchen door that was a bit small for him.

Just as he expected, he found his wife kneeling towards a wooden cabinet, situated right beside the thick tree trunk.

Kuno approached his wife calmly. He reached out for her shoulder with his strong, familiar hand, but to his surprise, he had startled the woman.

"Alyng, what's wrong?" His comfort was replaced with concern. He saw his wife and her worried look along with a wrinkled paper. It was the letter they both have been holding out to ever since the day it came.

Now aware of the matter, Kuno placed his eyes on the stairs and stared keenly.

'He's still sleeping...'

The man lowered his voice and asked the woman.

"Do you think he'd be happy?"

Kuno then watched the lady look at the pictures framed, hanging steadily at the tree trunk. He followed her eyes to an old photo of them together with a small boy and his tall father. All of a sudden, Aling Alyng spoke.

"It doesn't matter, this is what he needs."

Kuno felt her saddened tone yet he couldn't help to disagree.

"But today's a special day for him, the boy would be crushed. Maybe we could just tell him the next-"

"There's no point in hiding this from him." Aling Alyng interrupted. She stood up and paced repeatedly.

"Kuno, it's better to tell him sooner."

Silenced by his wife, he closed his eyes and sighed.

"You're right, you're right." he said, reducing his tone to a whisper.

"I'll wake him up and let you talk to him."

Mang Kuno slowly climbed on the stairs that circulated up and around the trunk. With each step feeling weighted, he stalled and paused to every photo leading to a room. He saw the same boy, growing bigger and taller, up until to the last picture. His smile was beautiful and Kuno felt his hug warm, but the warmth was quickly replaced with shivers from the air.

'Where'd that come from?''

Suddenly, the leaves rustled loud. Kuno listened before rushing into the room. He saw the dark outside from the windows wide open. The bed was tucked in nicely and empty of anyone sleepy. Realizing that there's no one in the room but himself, the man then peeked out of the window and contemplated.

"Where has that boy gone to now?"