Chapter 33 - Unsolved past

"Ugh~ I should've watch the news lately" Bending my body in laying my face flat on my armchair, I mumbled out for being restless because of today's very climatic day.

Okay… let me say what happened first lately.

After months have passed, summer break had eventually ended and the new school year has already started.

As the typical thing, a lot has been going on with us students regarding about our studies.

Time passed by quickly and we are now around on our 2nd quarter of the schedule, but today, it was a sudden happening of an event, or more likely, it was naturally expected to happen in this tropical country of ours, but I was unaware of it in the first place.

Earlier this morning when I went out of my boarding place to go to school, the sun was still showing its bright, warm light, and I noticed clouds were gathering from a far and seemed to be likely moving forward towards here in the city's direction.

At first thought, due to being lazy enough and care-free to think of what it was, and without having to be in tuned on the current and latest news, I proceeded my way to school unknowingly.

On the other hand, some of the students, especially my classmates, had probably anticipated that this might happen and have made their absences, but anyhow, some also went here at school just for the attendance.

Yet as for me, it was such an unfortunate day. Good grief~

My four buddies weren't inside as well and I was all alone at my corner, looking outside of the window while wasting time together with my other classmates who were sitting, talking, and laughing around despite the natural disaster that has set foot on the land.

Currently, the country is experiencing heavy rainfall because of a typhoon that has landed not a while ago and in which its eye is somewhere at Visayas as we speak.

Due to this hard rain, it made loud, ear-piercing noises as it hits the roofs of the buildings which resulted for classes to be ended.

Yeah, you heard it right. Even though knowing about such alerting news, classes would supposedly still be on-going despite it. Although I haven't known about it in the first place, I really don't think it's wise to risk the lives of us students.

Meanwhile, the sky is being covered by dark clouds and there was not a bit sign of sunlight even though it is still in the middle of the morning.

Just at the side of the school campus, the water on the river was rushing violently along its way and its water level has instantly risen up when it started raining hard.

Also, along with the rainfall comes with a very strong blowing wind that passes through every corner of the city and while the streets were being flooded which made it hard for people to pass through their way.

The people, even though having an umbrella with them, they still ended up getting wet and which made everyone to find shelter.

Shortly after, an announcement has been made coming from the faculty. The student body of our school has helped in going through all the classrooms to tell all of the advisors about it.

For today, or maybe the following days, classes will be suspended due to the typhoon, and as long as the rain is still being poured down on us, we would be staying stuck here at school, continuing to wait inside our classrooms until it would be safe enough for us to go back to our places.

"Hanuzuki?" Our class president, Alisha, called out and approached me. Surprisingly, she then sits down on an empty chair beside me. "Hmmm? Aren't you all alone today Hanuzuki? Where are your friends?" She added.

Without having the slightest idea on how to interact with this kind of situation, I got pressured still from thinking while being ridiculously shy.

Except in having a certain reason to approach someone, I often don't talk to girls, but right now, one probably wants to have a free-flow of conversation with me, and this is really not my thing.

"Uh, yeah. I guess they have already known about this." With a funny fluttering voice, I replied, feeling the embarrassment afterwards.

"Ahehe… I think they would rather be safe from this phenomenon, right?" From a giggle she let out of hearing my voice, she replied.

"Right."

Without really having anything else to say, the mood between us got awkwardly silent, so I decided to just wait for her to start talking about stuffs and just gave short replies to each of them.

"So… you've already done the tasks that were assigned to you by Sir Roxas?" Involuntarily, I ended up taking the initiative anyhow.

"Oh, yes. I finished them not a while ago, and it wasn't that difficult though" she replied.

"I see. I'm glad, since you've been always pushing yourself hard" Again, I spouted something without even thinking of it.

Good gried~ What am I even saying right now?

"Are you worrying about me Hanuzuki?" she questioned.

"Ah! Uhmm--- Well, it's just that obvious to know what's going on around me" I shot back with a shaking embarrassed face.

"Thank you" Quite stunned at first, but with a sincere smile, she instantly gave her thanks up close while looking at me straight in the eyes afterwards.

"Oh, don't mention it. And by the way, you can just call me Hanzaki." Slightly looking away, I replied with a low tone, and my heartbeat has already exceeds its maximum.

"Okay then--- uhmm, Hanzaki." Alisha also replied back with a low tone, seeming to be embarrassed as well. "You know Hanzaki…." She called out to me once more, but this time, her eyes that were fixed towards mine was making the situation more intimidating, making my chest to likely explode at any moment while feeling my face that was burning up red, probably.

*LUBDUB* *LUBDUB* *LUBDUB* *LUBDUB*

'What now? What now? What now? What now?' I panicked in mind.

"As the class president of this section, I really can't ignore the state of my fellow classmates. I'm always there to help them cheer up whenever they feel alone or lonely."

From hearing her words, I sighed out of relief as it quickly sunk into my mind.

"I see, so it's all about that. You should've told me beforehand."

"Hmm? Is there something the matter?"

Oh crap, here we go again, stepped at a land mine.

"Not really. I thought you're going to collect some money from me for the December dues."

"What? HAHAHA no way you silly. Besides, it is still early to do that, hahaha."

Good grief, I dodged a lot of bullet over there. I sigh. Expectations versus reality it is, quite a disappointment--- oh wait, what am I even thinking?

Haha, seriously. I guess there's no helping of my nature as a man.

After several hours, the rainfall has slowed down a tiny bit when early afternoon strikes, yet it was still that intense but already good enough to go outside and make a run for it.

Opening my umbrella inside at the exit gate, I noticed Alisha at the side who was somewhat looking troubled.

"Yow, is there something wrong?" I approached her, trying to help.

"Uhm--- you see. I forgot my umbrella" Likely feeling shy, she averted her gaze.

"Uhh… If you don't mind, I can take you to the other side."

"Are you fine with that?"

"Yes, of course. I'll gladly lend my help"

That being said, just on the other side of the street in front of the school gate, I gave Alisha a hand in going home.

Sharing under my umbrella, we waited for a Jeepney for her to ride, but as of the moment, there were only a few passenger vehicles passing through and all of them were quite full.

But instead of just waiting quietly, we started talking about some random stuff and have continued to do so until there was one Jeepney that stopped, having some vacant seats inside.

"Thank you Hanzaki" While waving her goodbye with a smile, she began setting foot inside the passenger vehicle.

As soon as I managed to successfully help Alisha, I began moving my feet to go back to my place as well.

Along in my way, I was struggling in passing through the flooded streets because of me wearing tic-tac shoes.

I did what I could to prevent myself from getting wet, but still the water got inside my shoes in the process.

Since this heavy rain would not likely be stopping for the day, I guess I couldn't go to work at the restaurant, so probably manager Alvarez would send me a text message regarding about this sooner or later.

Dripping wet, I arrived at the gate after several minutes of that struggle. I then fixed my umbrella and have gone inside my room.

Taking a thorough inspection, my things weren't that damaged inside my bag, and quickly I took a bath afterwards to avoid getting a cold.

After another several minutes, I lie on my bed, thinking while facing up the ceiling.

Actually, there was a thought that has been bugging me up lately. I got absorbed too much of it that it had me gone thinking seriously and deeply about it while not minding any other facts aside.

It was something about the past. I realized that I needed to do something in order to get answers and end this curiosity of mine.

Thinking of the possibility, I got a little pissed and angry for some reason. I then took a deep breathe to calm myself, and I closed my eyes to sleep and waited for tomorrow's sun to rise… or maybe not.

Still, the days after yesterday were raining very hard, and unfortunately, classes resumed from its suspension.

On our very respective homes, or in my case a boarding room, we students were given assignments and homework via social media but then that gave me another problem.

It would take me some time to type at my phone. I cannot make my homework any quicker because I don't have any other high-tech gadgets with me such as a laptop.

I sigh, good grief. This is really stressing me out.

-----*-----

COCK-A-DOODLE-DO!

Finally a morning with a bright sun has come but it came on the start of the weekend.

Less water was on the streets, and the cold temperature of the area had decreased when the sunlight has shined down on the city.

But on the other hand, I took my chance on this day and have gone back into a very familiar place.

Slowly I walked, taking my time and preparing myself of what is there to be face ahead. I was nervous, so I then took a breather to calm my mind.

After moments of walking, I stopped as I arrived at my destination, taking a wide look of the place; the place where I first stayed when I distanced myself from my problems.

Surprisingly, the farm was already rebuilt from the disaster before and there were people in the area, likely working. I then went forward to get a closer look of what the situation is.

As I obviously made my appearance out on the open space, a person in the area saw me who was closing by and has gone nearing to me. Probably this person got curious of me.

"Hello! May I help you with something? It looks like you have a business with this place."

"Uhh, yes. I do."

"What is it?"

"Uhhmm… by the way. How long have you been working on this place?"

"For quite some time already. Maybe 4 months?"

"I see. It seems there are still quite a few people still working here."

"Ohh, so do you want to work here also? Madam Teresita has been finding for people lately and she had a hard time on doing so."

I was shocked when I heard the madam's name. Secretly, I held back my reaction in the inside with my blood that boiled a bit.

"Is the madam around right now?" I asked, pretending to be a first timer in this place.

"Yes she is. Why don't you come inside?"

"Yes, please lead the way."

I then followed the working person of the farm to meet someone I have known for quite some time but were rarely meeting with each other.

"We are still lacking manpower. I'll take my time finding people for the place."

"I hope you'll be able to find some sooner ma'am. There is really a lot of work here. Judging by our numbers, we really do have a hard time."

"Don't worry… I'll do whatever I can to gather some as soon as possible."

As we arrived, I heard voices coming from behind a room, and the person who was with me raised his hand and has swung it on the door a few times in front of us.

*Knock* *Knock**knock*

"I wonder who that is."

"Come in!" As a certain voice has loudened, I immediately knew whose voice it was.

"Madam! Surprisingly a stranger came by at our place and wants to talk with you." said the person who was with me.

"Let the person come inside. Sorry dear, but I want to talk alone with this one." The very familiar voice responded.

"Okay Madam!"

Taking their leave, I began entering the room.

In front of me was the very person who helped me, or so what I would like to imagine.

"Good morning there lad, what brings you here today?" Facing away from me, she asked while searching for stuffs inside a cabinet.

"I came to ask you about something, Madam Maria Teresita"

Upon hearing my serious tone, she stopped of what she was doing and has slowly turned around to look at me. Finally seeing, she showed quite the surprised face.

"HANUZUKI HANZAKI!" The madam said loudly. "You, you young man! You're still alive." She added.

With a fierce look, I stared at her and have remained silent for a moment, restraining myself towards her. For that spur of time, I was recalling all the things that happened in the past and have continued to look at her more intensely.

"Hmmmm? What's the matter young man? It seems that you have something to say to me." With a grinning face, she added once more.