RDD 27

Chapter 27

The kids meeting with their grandparents went well. Especially Sophia, she received many cuddles from her grandmother, almost as if Sophia was her daughter. 

As for Penelope, she was just happy observing her mother and daughter. 

"The room was already cleaned. We prepared it for you guys."

Father-in-law chimed in and handed me a cigarette. I didn't know how to respond. I just shook my head and smile bitterly. 

'... Ah, the taste of smoke, I miss it. Furthermore, it's Marlboro Black.'

Fortunately, I didn't suffer from withdrawals because my soul was already overtaken by a college student. 

"What's the matter? You don't smoke anymore?"

Father-in-law and Brother-in-law looked at me with surprised expressions. It seemed that they could not believe that I stopped smoking. 

"Yeah, I promised my wife that I will quit smoking and drinking."

I explained then my wife joined in.

"Father, you must not invite Keith to any drinking session. Do you understand? My husband is trying to change."

She glared at her father. Earlier she was crying and hugging him, but now, she was looking at him as if he was an enemy. 

"Is that so? Ahem."

Father-in-law coughed embarrassingly and glanced at Simeon and whispered something. 

"Give the coconut palm liquor (Lambanog) to your younger brother, I think he likes it."

"What? But I thought you were going to give it to Brother-in-law?"

"Can't you see that he stopped drinking, just give it to your brother. I will find another present."

"Okay, Father."

I think they were whispering about the present but I can't hear it clearly. 

Father-in-law coughed after speaking with Simeon and faced me. He returned the tasty Marlboro to the package. 

"So Keith, how's your job? I heard that car stealing is getting out of hand-- Penelope, why are you looking at me like that?" 

Father-in-law stiffened when he realized that his daughter glared at him again. I guess he didn't know that I was caught in a car stealing incident and almost died. 

"I'm alright, Father-in-law. I just received my Bonus and the management has been good to me."

Of course they were good. Because I didn't make a fuss at that time. 

"That's good. I can see it very much. The children's toys look expensive. It's nice that you're taking good care of the kids but you have to save money too. After all, the kids will grow and they need money for education."

He started talking about philosophical stuff. 

And for the third time, Penelope glared at him again. 

"Penelope..."

"Father, the toys are not that expensive. They only cost 200 pesos at most. We saved money for the kids too. We're not spending the money recklessly."

"What? 200 pesos? These toys cost 200 pesos? Heck, I better make a wooden sword instead. At least it cost nothing."

He huffed. Father-in-law grew up living frugally. 200 pesos might be big for farmers. 

"But of course..." He looked at the kids. Sophia giggled while being carried by her grandmother. Roman was playing with his Gundam. "As long as the kids are fine."

He smiled. He was happy to see his grandchildren. 

"Roman, do you like swords? How about guns?" 

If you heard these questions without context, it might cause misunderstanding. But I know what Father-in-law was talking about. 

"Yes, grandpa. I like both."

"Good, then I will make a sword and a gun."

"Thanks, grandpa."

Father-in-law nodded and patted his grandson's head. The last time he saw Roman, he was still a young baby. Even when young, Roman was always calm and collected. Perhaps that was the reason why Father-in-law liked him. Unlike other kids that will run around and cause havoc, Roman is quiet and mature. 

"Let's prepare dinner, your brothers and sisters will return later."

"Yes, Father."

Penelope stood up and decided to help them prepare food. Of course, I helped too. 

Then I recalled something... 

"Let's chop woods."

"Okay."

Their family didn't use gas. It is expensive. Stove and gasoline tanks were expensive, so they prefer using wood. 

I followed Simeon to the back of the house. The woods were already dry, we just have to cut them into smaller pieces. 

"So how's your job?"

Lifting the axe, Simeon asked me about our lives in the capital. 

"Everything's alright. Roman is in kindergarten and the teachers that he is smart. He probably inherited his IQ from his mother."

"Yeah, out of all of us, only Penelope went into college. Hehe, I'm ashamed to say it but our grades back in high school are disappointing. We didn't cherish the chance to study hard."

-- Chop!

He successfully cut the wood in half and I grabbed another one for him to chop. Of course my job is to assist Simeon, even if I want to cut wood, Simeon would probably prevent me from doing so. 

-- Chop!

"Brother-in-law, about the land. Why did Father-in-law and Mother-in-law want to sell it?"

I was curious about it. I only heard a few things from Penelope but I know that there are more than that. 

"I hope I'm not stepping out of the boundary."

"Of course not, you're already part of the family."

"Thanks."

Simeon is the second brother of the family and he is the one I'm close to. I only met the other siblings once. To be honest, I don't even remember all of them. 

Except for that certain woman... I can't believe that Penelope will have a sister like her. 

"If you're talking about the land, Father and Mother want to sell because no one wants to inherit the farm. I work as a tricycle driver and I earned well. Unlike farming where I burn my skin to char."

He smiled bitterly. 

"I remembered that time when we harvested our grains and sell them to the businessmen. The looks they gave us were heartbreaking, I feel like they don't see us as people."

"..."

"I can understand why my siblings don't want to take over the land. They want to sell it instead. I can't blame them. It was an honest job, but at this time when many industries are prospering, they rather chose the easy ones."

I read an article that Filipino farmers only earned 13,000 pesos every month in 2022. That was equivalent to 236 dollars. Brother Simeon might be right, in this country, nobody wants to be a farmer. 

That's why many people from the provinces gambled their lives to go to Manila rather than plowing the land.