He's driving silently. I am busy looking outside because I don't know where he was going to lead me but somehow, I have faith in him. If he says that he knows my brothers, maybe he's a good guy.

"When did your family come back?"

"Last day..."

He nodded. I looked back outside of his moving car. This place is really rich in nature. All the roads are surrounded by trees.

My eyes grew big when he suddenly open the window. We immediately felt the cool wind. I somehow want it but I am bothered with his sudden move.

"Is it... okay?" I slowly asked.

He raised his eyebrow telling me that he didn't get my question.

"The window is... open. Is it fine? You'll get your car dusty," I said.

"It's okay. It's not really polluted here not like in Manila."

Manila. We're going back to that city after a couple of weeks. Or maybe earlier. My brothers said that they will have to fix some matters and then we'll head back to stay for my schooling.

I nodded and stayed silent. I wanted to ask him some questions to lessen the awkwardness I am feeling but I might disturb his driving.

When we turned right, I can see the small village I saw earlier. This means that we're a bit near to our house but... I can still ask him like five or more questions.

"Why are you in Tony's house earlier? Are you one of their relatives?" I asked.

He shook his head. "I am not related with them. I just help his family from time to time, that's all."

Oh. That means he's really a good guy, then?

"How about you? Why were you with him earlier?" He asked.

"He mistook me for being a tourist so he wanted to tour me around. I have no money so I refused but he insists because he said he needs money..."

"What's the reason you don't have money with you?"

I bit my lower lip and looked away.

"I just escaped earlier. I didn't ask permission from my brothers so..."

"Why is that?" He asked again.

"Because they won't agree. They won't let me."

He paused for a minute and focused on driving. I thought he won't speak again but he did.

"Next time don't disobey them. They're probably worried that's why they don't want you to go alone-"

"Even if I said that I can ask someone to be with me they still won't say yes!"

I looked like a child having tantrums. I stopped when I realized that it's not appropriate to be like this in front of him since he's... a stranger, perhaps?

After that along silence occurs especially when I saw our house. I thought I have to explain everything to the guards but with just one look, they made way for his car.

"They know you?"

"I've been here for the past years. Talking business with your brothers."

He's a business man? How old is he, by the way? He doesn't look old at me at all.

When we're near the main gate, my brothers are waiting for me. With cold and irritated faces. I prepared for this. But I feel nervous because Cyrus is here and I'm shy if he sees me get scolded by my brothers!

I opened the door first and run towards my brothers. I immediately hugged Kuya Art because he's more understanding than Kuya Wren.

"Stop hugging Art, Viri. We are going to talk," Kuya Wren's voice is full of authority.

I burried my face to Kuya Art's chest but he just won't hugged me back because Kuya Wren is here.

"Thank you for driving her home, Cyrus. I'm sorry if our sister took your time. You should be in Manila now," I heard Kuya Wren.

Manila? Does he live there? Not here?

"No worries, Warren. It's a good thing that I saw her and not any guy here."

They talked about some things with Kuya Art that I can't understand. When Cyrus was about to bid goodbye, Kuya Wren called me to join them.

"Nice meeting you, Victoria. If you want when I come back here I can tour you around," he offered.

What? He will?

I looked at my two brothers and ask them non-verbally if I can.

"We won't agree if it's some other guys but since it's Cyrus... okay, I'm fine with that."

"Yes!" I almost shouted because of excitement.

Kuya Art hugged me and pinched my cheeks. I moved to Kuya Wren and hugged him, too.

"Thank you, Kuya!"

I looked at Cyrus and he remained a poker face. He only nodded and go inside his car. We watched his car until it disappears because of the dark.

"Let's have dinner," Kuya Art said.

That night after having dinner they let me rest in my room. When I was already lying in my bed, I decided to stalk Cyrus in social media but I don't know his full name. Maybe my brothers and him are friends on Facebook? Or maybe not? My brothers don't use social media accounts often because they're busy, maybe he do the same?

Never mind, I just want to say thank you for giving me a ride home, that's all. And I wanna know when is he coming back so I can go out again. Where are we going? What time and what should I wear?

I made myself busy by finding what school will I enroll in Manila. A week has passed and I can't find a school that excites me. Maybe, I need to see it personally so I can choose. I have a month left before the school year for colleges starts.

Since I have nothing to do here in the house, I always sat on our balcony and write poems about random things. I wake up, eat, write poems and sleep. Sometimes I help in the household chores but the head maid does not allow me.

Maybe I should start to choose another hobby, then?

I found Kuya Art checking something on his laptop at our living room one morning. He's wearing a black long sleeves tuck in, in his slacks. I hugged him from the back and he held my hand wrapped around his stomach.

"Why are you being clingy all of a sudden?" He asked.

I pout my lips. "I'm always like this."

"Okay. Now, what do you want to say?"

I sat beside him. Checking his laptop. He's checking a file. Business again, nothing's new.

"Is it hard to manage the business?"

He pouted his lips, too like what I did earlier and pretend to think about something.

"It's not hard if you study how to do it," he said," he answered.

"Then teach me how, Kuya."

He looked at me with confused and amazed eyes.

If I can learn it while I'm young, the better. I am so bored in this big house and I can't even clean a single corner here. I wanted to learn how to cook but they won't let me without the permission of Kuya Wren. Besides, the maids here are busy with a lot of stuffs, too so no one will teach me.

"You're going to attend your school soon. You should've said that earlier. Don't you want to prepare for school instead? Buy some books and read."

"I can do that when school starts," I reasoned out.

Kuya Art pulled me closer to him and kissed me in my forehead.

"I want to teach you if you really want to learn it but I'm not sure if Kuya Wren will let you. He wants you to focus on your studies first."

"Okay... as if I can do something to change his mind."

Three more days have passed and I still can't see Cyrus' shadow. He promised to be back and tour me but I guess he's just a very busy person so I think he wouldn't make it.

If I wait for him to come back, I can never see all the beautiful places here because for sure we will go back to Manila.

When Kuya Art left for work, I watched his car disappear. I go back to my room and took a bath. I choose a black jean and a white off-shoulder and pick my white shoes to pair with.

I waited for the maids to be gone at the main gate. There's an on-going renovation in our backyard so the guard is not around.

I hurriedly passed through the gate and I almost screamed because of too much excitement when no one noticed me.

I left my phone so that no one could reach me. If no one will come with me I can do it on my own. I wonder if Tony is available? I know that he's attending school but is he dismissed?

I took the same path I took when Tony toured me last, last week. I found the same scenario of fishermen on their boats. I knocked on Tony's house several times but no one answered. I guess his father and him are not around?

"Well, I guess I have to be alone this time," I said to myself.

If I followed the path that leads to the river, maybe I can found another beautiful place if I just walk further.

When I saw the river again, the excitement that I felt yesterday is also the same for today. I wonder how much more will I feel if I see the other places here that are much more beautiful.

After staying for an hour, I decided to walk. If I will just remember the path that I will take, I can easily go back without being lost.

Without hesitations, I turned left and started walking. I can't help but to stare at the tall and big trees surrounding me everywhere I go. I can't even see the clouds because of their leaves.

While walking, I wonder, will my school year here will be good? Will I have friends? I wonder if the educational curriculum here is just like in the States, too. I wonder, too how do boys act here? Because in the States, almost everyone is liberated. They're a bit fast when it comes to admitting their feelings. Will someone here do the same?

Unconscious of where I am going, I stopped and looked around me. The sky is getting dark and I know that evening is fast approaching.

"I thought I can find something," I whispered to myself.

I should asked Tony to come with me again if Cyrus can't make it. I don't want to waste my remaining days here. I want to see everything. Maybe I should ask him when he has no class. But first, I should head back.

Trying to go back where I came from, I failed many times. Every corner in this forest looks exactly the same and I don't know which way to go. I should've left something so it will serve as my trail but it's too late now. I have to figure out how can I go home. My brothers are probably at home and I don't want another long talk with them.

I have no choice but to pick a path. Recklessly, I chose the one in the right. Now, I will leave stones so if ever that I chose the wrong path I can still go back here.

"That's not the right way."

A familiar voice suddenly echoed in the forest. Amazingly, I looked at him. Wearing a simple white shirt and black jeans paired with black sneakers, Cyrus looked different for me this time.

"What are you..."

"I told you to not do it again, right?"

His expression darkened. I looked away. It has nothing to do with him, though.

"Where's the right way, then? Tell me so I can go home now," I said not looking at him.