Chapter 11: 11

I finished my food earlier than everyone else and I grabbed a banana, I broke it in half and gave the other half to Zeus. Everyone else seemed to be happy eating and chatting with each other, I headed to where the truck was and inspected its contents. It’s filled to the brim with different sacks of rice, it ranges from the regular white ones to the special kinds like brown rice and the glutinous ones, though most of it contains the regular ones.

Jo approached me and he said, “Hey, thanks for taking everyone in. We hauled everything from the stores, I even brought everything from mine. I’ve brought fresh vegetables and fruit, a few groceries and all of the trays of the eggs and the salted eggs that we made. Aside from that, clothes and other things are in the bags.”

“That’s good, thank you.” I said to Jo. He patted me in the back and we approached the group eating.

“Unc, have you cleared the store here?” I asked.

“Oh, not yet. I’ve called the store and I told Nathan and Arnel to stop receiving customers, they’re probably tidying up and ready to pack by the time we get there.” Zardon said.

“Okay, I’ll come with you then.” I said.

“Sure, and hey, Paco has been hit. It’s about to start there now. It’s getting closer.” he said as I give a serious look.

I tasked the guys to load everything from the truck to the storage area then we drove for the store at the public market. Nathan and Arnel, the other two at my employ were waiting for us. We parked in front of the store and then they started hauling the sacks of rice, sugar, flour and salt first. What followed were different kinds of groceries for cooking, hygiene, and household supplies.

A few onlookers took notice of what we’re doing and my next-door shop owners can’t help but ask me.

“Hey, what are you guys doing? It looks like you’re closing early.” one of them said.

“Why are you guys hauling everything here? It’s not like a super typhoon is coming, I know rainy season is coming but I think this is too much.” another one said.

“Just being ready. Something is definitely coming though, watch the news.” I replied.

A few others voiced their opinion on the matter and some tricycle drivers waiting for customers started to ridicule me. I paid them no mind as I talked to some of the shopkeepers.

“Something’s happening, I suggest you guys do the same. Gather everything you can and secure your home. Wait for the government’s help or try to help yourself.” I said to them.

A series of laughter is what I received from the tricycle drivers again and some with the other shopkeepers. A very few of them have pensive looks.

“Change the channel to the news aside from that sports channel so you get what I’m saying.” I pointed to the TV on one of the shops.

As the guy was about to grab the remote, one of the tricycle drivers shouted. He broke the bottle on his hand when he threw it in the ground.

*crash*

“You f.u.c.k.i.n.g know-it-all better shut the f.u.c.k up! I’m watching that! You better not press that remote or I’ll f.u.c.k you up like what I would do to this kid!” the guy slurred as he pointed at me. Although the TV’s channel wasn’t changed, other guys turned their radio on as they listened on it with their headset.

I gave him a look of indifference as I continued talking. “Do what you want, I said my piece. I hope you listen to me unlike this blubbering idiot here.” I said nonchalantly.

“Oh, boy.” My uncle said.

“The f.u.c.k did you say to me?!” he rushed towards me, his other ‘friends’ don’t seem to mind what happens.

He’s larger than me, he’s very obese to say it bluntly, his beer belly and his flapping lateral muscles sways as he tried to punch me.

*whoosh*

I tilted my head slightly to dodge, then I kicked upward toward his crotch. He felt the hit as he knelt down clutching his balls. He spat in my face as he cursed. I stared at him dead in the eye as I formed a fist and gave a clean hit to his chin.

*crack*

He fell sideways on the pavement unconscious.

“Damn.” My uncle remarked.

The place was now silent while the two other guys just laughed at their companion and they left him there unmoving. I just carried the guy on the side while I wait on the guys loading the truck. I received a text that my cousin Nicole and her GF Alicia just arrived home along with our few family members while another text was from my old college friend, Ken.

“I’m rolling there soon man, give me 30 minutes. I’ve brought my sister with me. Hope you don’t mind I also brought my dog.” he said.

“Great, no worries man, just come here quick, it’s getting closer.” I replied.

“Alright, man, peace!” he replied.

The truck is finally filled though there are still a few tin cans of cooking oil left. I placed it in front of the truck then I let them go first. Nathan and Arnel rode their tricycles but Nathan stopped before me.

“Hey boss, I got to tell you something. I think me and my family would head to her parents in Novaliches, they have a place there too. I appreciate that you invited us here but I think we’ll try our chances there.”

I looked at him and he seems to be decided.

“I respect your decision; I’ll give you something before you guys go. I’ll head somewhere first.” I told him.

“Thank you, we’ll drop by your house after Jane finished packing.” He said.

He gave me a pat on the back as he rode his vehicle home. I went to a bike shop where they sell motorcycles and other accessories. I bought five full suits with their full-face helmets.

“This could help a bit.” I said to myself then I called for a pedicab, a bicycle with a sidecar attached to it, to drive me home.

As I reach my house, I saw a car next to my gate. As the door opened, a woman about the same age as me walked out. She opened the trunk and when I saw what she’s pulling out, I helped her immediately. We both pulled the wheelchair and she placed it on the other passenger door.

“Thanks.” she said as I nodded.

“What’s up man? Been too long since I last saw you.” I said to the guy pulling himself out of the car, He placed himself properly on his wheelchair then he spun it himself and he gave me a fist bump. “What’s up man? How long has it been, 6 years?” he replied.

It was Ken, my friend from college and his sister Kristine. I helped them with some of their luggage as I opened one segment of the gate so he could push himself in.

Their English Bulldog Peanut is looking around curiously, she saw Zeus running towards me and then they both just looked at each other as their tails slowly wagged, they seemed to be friendly as they interact.

I introduced Ken and his sister to everybody and everybody else welcomed them. One of them offered to push Ken’s wheelchair but he waved them off, he gave a grin and he flexed his arms. He has bigger biceps than mine. Her sister laughed at the sight and Lois, who offered to push him was visibly surprised.

I told Lois to guide them to the house between mine and Oscar’s as I go towards Rin.

“Hey, let’s put you to work.” I said.

“Of course, what do you need sir?” she replied.

“I’d like you to take make an inventory of everything that we have here. I trust you could make a fine system on it, sounds good?” I said.

She nodded and she smiled. She seems pretty excited on doing this sort of thing, so I let her leave and grab some of the notebooks she brought from the store.

A moment passes then there’s the sound of someone ringing the bell at the gate. I opened the gate and saw Nathan and his family; they are packed and ready to leave. He brought out his tricycle and all of their bags is tied to the roof. I gave his wife and kids a small greeting as I grabbed a bag from the house.

“Here.” I handed the bag to him.

“Thanks, but what’s in here?” he asked while he puts it on his back.