Bro's Goofy Classmates

Family history

So, let me tell you this wild and goofy story! Kingkong never returned me to my mom. That dude's wanted, you know? The police were after him, so we had to hide for ages. Katrina was almost ten and Kate was eight when we finally moved to Manila. My mom passed away, and I never got to visit her. She didn’t even see her grandkids. She died heartbroken because I was gone. My dad? No clue where he is now. So I really depended on Kingkong; he was like a dad to me since I was basically a kid at heart. My mom wasn’t that nurturing; she was distant. I always felt like she saw me as a mistake. So when Kingkong came into my life... he used to tell me he took me to this rest spot at our school. I trusted him quickly because he never did anything bad to me. We talked a lot, and I shared my frustrations with him. I was barely thirteen, just a freshman at a Catholic School full of nerdy, bespectacled Chinese kids.

It was an all-girls school with nuns as teachers. My dad supported us even though he wasn't around. We had our own house in Caloocan, thanks to him. Life was good – dad sent us money, and mom was smart with it. She even bought land in Nueva Ecija, where she was born, and let her siblings live there. We used to vacation there – in the middle of the fields, with our aunts and uncles living nearby. My cousins were there too.

So, I used to pee behind the gym, but then I started going to Kingkong's place. At first, it was just playful stuff, then it got more intense. He was always hungry for me! When he took me to Pampanga, we were supposed to come back the next day, but that’s where he took my virginity. Kingkong is a big guy, so you can imagine! I bled and had a fever for a week. I couldn’t stand up. Kingkong took care of me but didn’t return me because he was scared the police would arrest him. His parents warned him too. They were terrified he’d get the death penalty because I was underage. When our kids grew up, they made sure we stayed hidden from my mom. Kingkong became a driver, and we faked all our papers so he could get a license without getting caught.

Kate came back with egg pie. She’s always offering food, just like her mom. Their home is so welcoming; I feel like I’ve known them forever.

“Have some! Want a soft drink?” Kate offered.

“I’m good, thanks. Water is fine for me.”

“How sweet!” Kate’s mom chimed in.

“When did you two meet?” she asked.

“About a month ago. They came over with my brother Arcy.”

“Oh, Arcy’s your brother? I thought he was the one courting Kate. He’s always here with his guitar, hanging out with Kate after their 4th period exams until they get their report cards. They always hang out here.” I gulped, realizing Arcy might really be courting Kate.

“I asked my brother if he was courting Kate, but he didn’t answer.” I had to make our first meeting sound wholesome.

“So how did you and Kate get close?”

I took a bite of egg pie and a sip of water. “We strolled around our subdivision. She was riding with me on my bike. We got to talking, and I told her I found her really pretty and wanted to court her. She agreed and told me to visit her at home.” Kate tapped my shoulder and smiled, like, “Nice story!” I thought I was making a good impression.

“And you, Kate, do you like Chris?”

“Of course, Ma! I already told you he’s my boyfriend!” Kate said, munching on egg pie, her voice rising.

“I’m just asking! No need to get snippy! This girl, really!” Her mom teased, pretending to pinch her.

“Maaa!!” Kate almost squealed.

As Kate and her mom got busy preparing food to sell, I hinted that I should leave. They wouldn’t let me help, so I felt a bit useless hanging around.