1 Chapter 1
In a hospital on the northern province of the Philippines, a young man can be seen walking back and forth outside a labor room.
Moments later, a young nurse approached him as he composed himself.
"Will my wife be okay?" the young man asked anxiously.
The nurse smiled as she said, "Congratulations, both of them are safe and you may now come in to meet your newborn, sir."
The agitation of the young man disappeared quickly, as his emotions changed one after another.
"Please lead me to them."
He followed the nurse as they entered the room. There, he saw his wife alongside with his newborn baby, it was a sight to see as he looked at his family.
The mortals were unaware but the heaven sings alongside the birds outside, as they welcome the arrival of a child that harbors great destiny.
The man approached his wife as he stared at his child, and the woman looked at her husband with a smile, "Ed, come hold your son."
"What should we name our boy?" she asked as he held their son.
The man smiled "We should name him, Zen."
"Oh stop it, naming our child because of your infatuation on Chinese culture." The woman looked angry as she started on her husband.
"Well, Zen isn't from Chinese culture but derived from the Japanese. Also, I have a Chinese blood so it's normal." he teasingly replied as he looked at his child, "Isn't that right, Zen?"
The baby looked at him calmly, as if it acknowledged what he said.
"We're Christians, for God's sake Ed!"
7 years later
In a rural village on the southern side of the mountain province.
The family of three had settled in this village, composing of approximately a hundred people. Ed bought a two story house and established a grocery store, which helped the villagers greatly due to the convenience of buying supplies.
The grocery helped on establishing Ed's standing in the town, giving him a respectable reputation, and in this village lies a small public school, teaching from preschool to elementary. The village isn't that much advanced compared to those near the capital.
Inside their two story house, Ed and his wife, Mariz could be seen arguing over something in their living room as their little Zen lied over the sofa with his fat tummy out.
"Are you for real, Ed?" she shouted as she points at the pile of paper on their table "You've been teaching our son, english and sanskrit? He's just Seven, Ed, Seven!?"
Ed's situation depicts the saying: "the husband is meek in front of his howling wife"
He tried to explain himself but he gets interrupted by her shouts, as soon as one word gets out of his mouth. For this reason, he was just forced to wait until she calmed down.
As Mariz calmed down for a bit, Ed uttered, "But our son has a good memory, and this will help him in the future."
"Ed, as much as I want to hit your head right now, you do know Sanskrit is useless because we're Christians, right!? Please stop forcing your passion into our child!" She pointed at his face as she howled again.
"Alright, how about we ask him once he wakes up then?" Ed looked at his wife.
She looked at the clock and as if hit by a sudden realization, she shouted, "Oh my God, Zen wake up or you'll be late on your first day!"
"Mommy, please let me sleep for a bit." Zen drowsily said as he pat his fat tummy.
Mariz looked at her husband and pointed at the door, "Prepare the car, I'll handle Zen!"
Moments later, a young chubby Zen walks out of their home alongside his mother, "Okay Zen, I'll prepare your favorite meal after school if you behave!"
"Yes mama!" Zen giggled as his fats jiggled.
"Alright Zen, come sit beside me and I'll take you to school" Ed started his engine as Zen got inside their owner-type jeep.
Five minutes later, they arrived in front of a medium sized gate, the school looked decent and its size was enough for a small village like this, assuming that it probably has around fifty to eighty students from Pre-school to elementary.
The surrounding of the school was well-maintained and there was not a single trash around since the pollution and plastic wastes around provinces aren't that much.
"I'll pick you up once your school ends." Ed said as Zen got out of the jeep and smiled while he said his goodbyes to his dad.
Around Zen was children of varying ages, some came with their parents while some were alone, though Zen attracted all of the attention due to being the only one who used a jeep as his mode of transportation.
It was 2008, and so vehicle transportation in the province was pretty rare and most people can't afford one, so well-off families are the only ones who have it in the provinces.
Everyone has their own thoughts and aspirations as they entered school.
"Children, introduce yourselves one by one." the teacher said as she points at a fat young boy.
The fat boy stood as he started his introduction "Hello everyone, I am Zen"
It was a short introduction, especially from a young child. It would have been normal if the child looked a bit shy but Zen stood there calmly which made the teacher's interest piqued.
"Okay, but what do you want to be when you grow old, Zen?" She asked
He looked at her eyes and said, "I don't know yet Ma'am"
"Is that so? Okay, next" the introduction ended as the last of the eight student finished his introduction, most of their answers were those of a child's innocent dream of their future.
Their subject ended after they learned how to write letters and were given a 30 minute recess.
In Zen's class, there are those who are simply poor while some are fortunate enough to be able to afford their own snacks. Looking around, Zen saw three of his classmates, two boys and one girl sitting on each of their respective chairs observing those who are fortunate.
As he opened his lunch box, he saw that he had four packs of biscuits prepared by his mother and a bottle of water. He took three of the biscuits and gave one to the three kids, they were at first shocked and reluctant to accept it, but he persuaded them to come over at his desk so the four of them can eat together.
"Thank you so much, Zen" The thin young girl said as she took a bite on the biscuit in her hand.
The two young boys followed suit and the three introduced themselves again to Zen.
The two boys was Dan, short and thin for his age while the other one was Toni, he was an inch taller than Zen but he was as thin as Dan. The girl was Sheena, she was thin as well, she was enthusiastic and talkttive. The four children conversed about their dreams or things.
The four hit it off and played the whole time and as the day continued, they became close to each other and seemingly formed a group for themselves.
As the day ends, they each said goodbye as Zen left with his dad on their jeep while the three kids walked on the opposite way.
"It's a good thing, you didn't cry on your first day Zen" Ed laughed
Zen looked at the scenery and said, "Well I met new friends, Dad"
"That's great, we have to hurry now so we can watch your Mom cook your favorite meal!"
