Chapter 9: Talin's second family

It has been over four days and many things have happened. Ves was beginning to adopt Talin's life. He just looked at the rays of the light from the outside window. He was sitting on his chair while his head was resting on the rim of the chair.

Ves learned a lot from Talin's situation although she felt like she might end up making a bad decision. She could not help but wonder why the good ones end up with a hard life. She had a feeling, that she might end up making Tal's life more complicated.

"I just have to be careful and watch my decisions," she told herself.

Meanwhile, the Prof had been discussing the opening of clubs and organizations at the university. It was the news that came from the university director. This was great news for those students who want to explore more on their talents and interests. The news quickly flew and everyone started picking the club that they like.

Struggling to find a club that fits him, Tal wrote down his choices. Perhaps the writing, painting and the fashion designing club aren't that crowded and it suits him best so he chose the three clubs but already decided not to go to any of them. While men his age prefer the gaming clubs. His girl classmates have already decided which clubs they should be in.

After class, Tal packed up his things and cleaned up his seat area with a tissue sprayed with alcohol. Tal's phone beeped as he picked it from his backpack. He was about to read the message that his brother sent to him. A smile curled up his lips, as he read his brother's message, "I bought you some Sipzups as a respect for you, Teacher". It was their favorite childhood drink and also Ves' snack to reduce stress.

Tal had to leave than usual. He quickly rushed to his brother outside and went downstairs. He saw Gayo as he waved his hand waiting in the hallway. Right before he reached his brother someone he didn't know came up all of a sudden.

The guy bravely introduced himself, "Hi Cuevas! I'm the president of the fashion designing club, Allen Cazino."

Scared of how he should react he nodded while looking at Allen. He was amazed by what he saw, Allen was wearing basic clothes, all branded and matching his Rolex watch. He concluded just by looking at Allen that he's filthy rich just like his classmates.

"I went to see you in your classroom but you were not around. Oh! And I only found out that you left because of your friend Anatalia" Allen explained to Tal.

"What do you want?"

"Nah not me, but my club needs you" Allen spoked.

"Tomorrow is our first meeting and you got a chance to meet up with your seniors. Talin dear, one way of greeting everyone in the club is doing beso-beso and not just by a nod, hm-kay?"

"I just signed for the club so I can go home, I'm not planning to enter," Talin insisted.

"Why don't you just go tomorrow and I'll show you around?"

"Yea sure," said Talin while walking out avoiding a long conversation with Allen. The students were all staring at him walking faster with his brother towards the exit. After some minutes, they arrived at the bus station.

"Why is your attitude so awful, Tal? The guy was just trying to welcome you to his club and maybe make friends with you." Gayo uttered.

"I don't need friends, remember the last time I made a friend?"

His brother scoffed, "I can't believe you're still struggling to make friends Tal". His brother bit his lower lip and sighed while waiting for the bus. Gayo gave the drinks that he brought to his brother.

The two guys then went back to their business and decided to just go to Talisay station to walk Talin for his five-hour work. When the bus arrived some old woman struggled to get on it. The brothers assisted the struggling grandma and climbed the bus stairs.

They sat next to each other's seats. It took the bus 10 minutes to reach Talisay station. After getting off the bus, Gayo walked his brother to his workplace and left to go buy some trigonometry and precalculus books. Gayo had marked his earnings within his mind and had long since planned to go get an online job. Who would have expected that he'll work to support his personal needs?

He has watched his mother and brother push themselves to work hard just to earn money. He took out his remaining allowance and went into the book store. He slowly walked past each book that didn't meet his budget. He went out of the store to go home without buying anything and decided to just borrow from his school library.

..

After a few hours, Talin's shift ended. His workmates were shocked after hearing the news of Talin's scholarship. It was Iko's dream campus and Andero's. Unfortunately, the two did not pass the university's entrance exams.

Talin's intelligence was highly admired by his co-workers. Just after Talin stepped outside, he heard Manong Nonoy's voice inviting him to go back inside to celebrate his scholarship. He immediately paused when he smelled the aroma of the heated fried chicken and opened the cola. He suddenly peeked out from the store's door and smiled. He slightly smiled looking at his workmates' proud faces.

"Just what did you do to earn such useful brain cells?" Andero jokingly asked.

"Lend me some Tal," added Iko.

"You kids didn't eat that many vegetables growing upright?" Manong Nonoy uttered.

Talin laughed while taking his seat. He did not bother making his laugh louder. His workmates asked some questions about the school such as the fashion of the well-off and famous students. They also put Tal into the hot seat asking him who's the girl that caught his attention on the first day. Tal came up with an empty answer since he has things that he focused on more than getting himself a girlfriend.