2 Chapter 2

"Your cooking is the best, Mom!" Zen said as he munched on the food, he was happy to be able to taste the food prepared by his mother whom he treats as the best cook in the world.

"Zen, don't talk while your mouth is full" his mother warned him as she continued on eating her food.

Ed looked at his family before acting as if he got choked on something, "This would happen to you Zen, if you talk while eating"

There was a moment of silence in the dinner table before Mariz laughed as she found her husband's action quite comedic.

"Dear don't joke about that or it might come true!"

"Again with my lovely wife's nagging." Ed rebutted as he laughed.

In no time, the family finished their dinner and went on to prepare for sleep.

Zen was too full to walk so his mother lifted him up to his bed, "My son, you're getting heavier as the days go by." Mariz giggled as she walked upstairs towards Zen's room.

After putting Zen into his bed, she walked towards their bedroom where she sees her husband sitting on a chair while talking to someone on the phone.

"My father called." Ed stated as he looked serious.

Mariz was shocked as she asked, "What did father say?"

"He asked how Zen is, and will allow only Zen to go back in Manila once he entered college."

Mariz felt sad but her love for her son overwhelmed her, "As long as Zen will be able to live a happy life in their estate." she stated.

"Anyway, let's sleep Mariz." Ed said, as he gestured for his wife to lay down.

He held her as he said, "Don't worry about it, we'll always be together."

Mariz faced Ed as she showed him her biggest smile, "I love you."

"I love you too, darling."

The night ended and it's a new day for Zen's family.

Mariz was preparing Zen's lunch pack when suddenly a hand tugged on her skirt, she was shocked but when she looked back, she saw it was little Zen.

"Mother, can I use a bigger water bottle?" Zen asked as he looked up at his mother.

Mariz was confused but still agreed to Zen's request.

"Thank you Mama" Zen said as he strode towards his room to wear his uniform.

"Hon! Come help Zen bring his items to the jeep."

Hearing his wife's shout, Ed walked towards Zen's lunch pack and bag, lifting his things up to put it at the back of their jeep, "I better start the jeep while waiting for them."

Zen wore his uniform and went downstairs, "Mama, I'm ready now," he held his mother's hand and she walked with him outside.

"Zen, don't forget about having fun with your friends too, and Ed, go directly to the store, I'll need help because Jen can't work today." She said as she gave Zen a kiss to the cheeks and to the lips for Ed.

"Alright, I just hope Jen's father will be okay."

The father and son drove off towards school while listening to the songs from the radio.

"Alright Zen, stop sleeping, we're at your school now."

Zen woke up from his deep sleep as he groggily picked his bag and lunch pack up, "See you later, dad"

Zen walked towards his classroom and saw his friends; he smiled and sat beside them.

The day went by as Zen studied, played with his friends, and ate together with them.

As class ended, the group of four walked together towards the school exit, talking and enjoying each other's company.

"Hey guys, do you want to eat dinner with my family?" Zen asked as he felt sad at his new friends.

Dan and Toni looked at Zen happily, "Really Zen!?" they shouted as they hugged him while Sheena smiled at her three friends.

"Yeah guys, I'll ask father to send you home after." Zen said.

"Hehe, I can't wait to taste your mother's cooking!"

"Yeah, you've been telling us about the food your mom cooks!"

They were happy. It was the smile of these innocent kids that made this moment priceless, a moment Zen will always treasure in the future.

Minutes later, Ed arrived with his jeep and he saw Zen's group outside the school waiting. He stopped his vehicle in front of the group and Zen stepped forward, "Dad, can I bring my friends to eat with us? Please."

Ed looked at Zen's friends and he smiled as he saw how Zen's friends were happy.

"Alright Zen. Come hop in guys and introduce yourselves to me while I drive."

The trio introduced themselves to Ed while asking him a lot of questions about the jeep, or the city since it was a well-known fact that Zen's family came from the capital, the four also played while they were in the car.

"We're here everyone, don't forget to remove your shoes before you enter, children." Ed said happily as the four kids walked inside.

Mariz came out of the kitchen, "Looks like our little Zen brought home his friends"

"Hello auntie!" the three greeted as they walked towards Mariz to take her hand and put it onto their forehead as a sign of respect.

"Such respectful children, alright you guys play with Zen as I prepare food for all of us"

Zen went to his room to bring out his toys and shared it with his friends, the four played until they were called that the food was ready, they happily ran towards the kitchen and sat on the empty chairs.

"Aunt, Uncle, and Zen thank you for inviting us today" the three bowed while Mariz and Ed were touched at the kids.

They knew the living situation of the kids as the families in the countryside here in the Philippines are quite poor, some families of farmers can't even afford to eat three meals a day, some even eats rice with salt as their way of relieving their hunger. It was a horrendous situation for the families of these children and both husband and wife wanted to help, even at the simplest gesture.

The kids ate to their fullest as if it was their last day, they smiled as they ate.

"Kids, I'll be packing the untouched food for each of you, bring them to your families." Mariz said while she brought the leftovers to the kitchen to start packing.

The kids had teary eyes as they thanked the family for their generosity.

"If you guys are hungry or need any help, just tell Uncle but don't forget to accompany Zen in school." Ed looked at the three kids as he felt pity for them, his family was well-off and they could afford to help the children so he didn't mind it.

"Yes uncle, we'll protect Zen always." The three replied gratefully.

"Well, your family are probably worried of you guys, let's go and I'll drive you towards your homes." Ed walked outside and started his jeep while waiting for the kids.

The kids said their goodbyes to Zen and his mom before hopping on Ed's jeep, they were driven to their respective homes and during the journey, they listened to the songs on the radio, they loved it as it was rare for them to be able to listen to songs due to their financial situation.

Ed felt sadder as he saw their wooden houses each time he dropped the kids, he realized how worse these kids situation is and how this normal dinner for his family might be a luxury for these kids, his heart ache at the thought of it and it made him want to help them more.

As he drove home, he couldn't help but ask God "Why do these people even suffer?"