MORENA-Chapter4

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Cedric made sure that he would be sitting next to Dylan when they were inside. Honestly, he did not pay attention to the movie. He took advantage of their sitting arrangement. He took as many glances as he could.   

It was 10 o’clock in the evening when they decided to be home. This was because the other four all got their drivers waiting at the parking lot, except for Dylan. She wanted to take the cab but he insisted to bring her home. And, they are now both at the backseat talking.

“Why did you choose to study here? There are great schools in Australia? Why here?” asked Dylan

“I wanted to try Philippines.” Cedric plainly answered.

“But your brother and sister are in Australia right? Brannon also mentioned that your Dad comes here once a month. I find that kind of weird.” Dylan was curious

“So you asked Brannon about me?” He inquired grinning instead.

”I didn’t. Brannon just loves to tell facts about you.” Dylan answered back.

“I came to find my mom. She left us when I am still 8.” He said in a flat tone.

“I’m sorry to hear that.” Dylan sincerely said.

She found his weakness, his family. She once thought that Cedric is invincible, that he needed no one, that he is rich, famous and smart and drop dead gorgeous. She was wrong.

He didn’t answer. He just showed a forced smile.

She waited for Cedric to open up.

Silence…

Silence…

Silence… until it became an awkward silence. He’s not ready to tell me, she thought.   

You know what? I only I have the chance to study abroad, I will” She broke the silence.

“You really love to study, don’t you?” He commented afterwards

“Of course! I always love doing school works. School is exciting. You get to meet a lot of people and you learn a lot”

“I hate studying.” Said Cedric.

“What? Don’t you want to become a lawyer? I think you will be a good lawyer because you are insistent and bossy. You look respectable also.” She tries to lighten up the moment.

“I think that’s more of an insult than a compliment.” Cedric said amused

“It is neither of the two. Just stating a fact.” Dyan replied smiling too.

“Don’t you hate bossy people?” Cedric asked

“Don’t worry I don’t. I can tolerate them” She responded laughing.

“Good!” Cedric said and winked.

“You are not cute!” She said and jokingly frowned

“I know you mean the opposite so thanks!” Cedric told with a big grin.

Dylan laughed and then Cedric too. Dylan is a really fun person, he thought.      

“You should come to Australia.” Cedric asked seriously after.

  

“Why?” Innocently Dylan asked

“You should come to Sydney…, and will take you to a party” Cedric is indeed enjoying this talk.

“I’m not fond of parties. But Skydiving diving in Sydney will be exciting. I’ve seen it on TV” Dylan shared.

“Right! I never tried it. So you want to do it? Let’s fly tomorrow”. He jokingly said but he will surely remember that she likes skydiving. One of these days they will do it together.

“Shut up!” She said followed by her famous giggle.

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“Good evening po!” Cedric politely greeted the lady waiting at the gate.

“Who are you?” Aunt Mardy looked really strict while saying this.  

“I’m Cedric. James Cedric Reid, Dylan and I are friends, we’re schoolmates’ po”. Cedric was consistently respectful And, he said those with his most reliable smile.

“Dylan is my niece. You can call me Tita Mardy” With his smile Tita Mardy softened.  

“Thank you po Tita for allowing her to go out” Cedric replied sincerely

“Ok. And thank you Cedric for bringing home Dylan safe. Now you go ahead, it’s getting late. And inform Dylan when you got home” Tita Mardy said with genuine concern.

“Ok I’ll go ahead then. Bye!” Cedric waved as he stepped out of the gate  

“Take care!” Aunt Mardy waved. Then she turns to Dylan   

“He’s cute. Hmp! Why James? Ian usually brings you home.” Tita Mardy asked while they are walking towards the house.    

“Tita, I wanted to take a cab. All of them said no, that it is dangerous. And James volunteered.” Shyly Dylan responded.

“That James, is he courting you?” somoSOCO si Tita.

“Nooo--- tita. We’re just friends. You don’t ask question like that when I am with Ian Tita, why?” Dylan asked her Aunt.

“Ian is like your brother but that Cedric…it is something” Aunt Mardy teased her favorite niece.

 “Tita, it’s not what you think. We are just friends. Ok! I’ll just change, tita” She kissed her Aunt goodnight and runs towards the stairs smiling.   

“As of now????” Aunt Mardy was not convinced. Ang wafu kasi nung naghatid sa pamangkin niya. MERON siyang nasesence!

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He was in his bed thinking. He almost told her. Good thing he controlled himself. The last he wanted is to be pitiful in front of anyone, with her especially. Girls are the one to protect not the opposite.

Three years ago, his best buddy Brannon left Australia for Philippines. Brannon’s father married a Filipina after his divorce to his mother. He felt so empty when Brannon left. In Australia, he’s an outsider. He was always the victims of bullies because he’s different. He’s not white. It is not because he’s afraid of those bullies; in fact countless times that he went home full of bruises or with a bleeding head, lips, etc. He can fight to death but he can’t fight the feeling of being alone. At least when Brannon is around, he can’t feel emotionally abandoned because Brannon was also left by his mother.

One day, Brannon called and talked about how great to be in the Philippines. He praised how warm Filipinos were. He told him how great sinigang is. He boasted how he got attention. But the very thing he envied his friend is when he bragged of how great his new mother is. He told him as if  Filipina mothers are the best mothers on earth.

From that day on, he saved everything he could save. When he thought he had enough, he asked his dad to allow him to go to the Philippines. Of course his dad was shocked. He just turned 15 and Leslie of course was furious. She told him he’s stupid. His older brother Derek said the same. Derek and Leslie hated their mother but he didn’t. He didn’t  care of what his siblings think. All he need was his father’s approval. He told him what he thought will convince his dad. He said that he wants to know her mom’s relatives, her country and hopes to see her.