Sun rises and birds began chirping in the village of Quezon City. Workers, children and mothers began to sing as they cherish a new life given by the Lord from above. Stall vendors happily displayed their products out of the blue and began calling costumers. Children ran around and played with each other as they gather stone, wood and leaves for them to play games they wanted to. Mothers also began baking bread for breakfast and prepared their husbands pack lunch and clothes. Quezon seems to be happy everyday, but poverty can't be hidden as it is enveloped in their smiles.
Every house seems to be joyful everyday but a certain house is different. It is the house of the Helbournes. Every morning of joy in everyone's singing is their everyday silence. The home is built with old wood and many vines are hung in their fence. The place is really really quiet.
"Dianna, get your mom water", a deep serious voice talked. As the young lady passed, the father held his wife's hand and kissed it. His eyes were painted with shining eyes of hopes for his wife to be well. Mrs. Helbourne has leukemia but due to lack of money, the family chose to treat her inside the house even it would just cause her early death without medication. Dianna gave her mother water to drink while the old woman continues to groan in pain.
"Francisco, I'm about to die, please don't lay difficulty in your lives and kill me now. You don't deserve to suffer just because of me", Mrs. Helbourne weakly said. Dianna's eyes wanted to cry but she doesn't want her mother to see her crying that will give her more reason to let them kill her. "I'll cook breakfast", Dianna said and started to walk out of the room while her steps pressed the creaking woods. Holy Molly, if the woods are not to be replaced, they might find themselves below the house. Dianna had her way to the kitchen and washed the pots. She rinsed the black beans and started a fire to heat the water inside the pot. Silence conquered the room and her pale face matches it. She couldn't think of something to do to help her mother and get her treated by professional doctors. Her father also had hypertension and arthritis causing him to suffer every night. Dianna is alone watching her parents while her brothers were gone as good. They went missing for several months and all she had to do and wished for them to come back. They used to work as miners but they were gone. Not killed, just gone. All other men also began missing in their village but no one knows where they've gone through. All they remember is when intruders came, they vanished as if they're taken. Dianna missed them so much especially her brother Jordan. Jordan used to be with her all the time because Jordan is a cook. They would chase each other around the house and play when they were little. Jordan was soft and quiet but they always had time to talk to each other. While Dianna had worries in life, Jordan would assure her she can do it. She missed the times they would cook together and prepare meals while their other brothers came at night. They would laugh and talk about their experiences at work and their parents would love their stories. "Jordan, Farran, Geoffrey and Colt", she whispered as she count her brothers using her fingers. After setting up the fire, she sat in the wooden chair and looked at the wall. The wall that holds a painting, a painting of the family. Their clothes were colorful and each had great smiles showing joy. Her tears began to fell, and she slowly uttered, "I miss you". The water began boiling and she poured the seeds in the pot. She scooped a spponful of oil and salt and mixed it together with the beans.
"Dianna, sweetheart?", her father called from the door. She gazed at him and showed a curious face. "What is it, father?", she asked. Her father just smiled. "Nothing, I'm just checking you out. Are you alright?", Mr. Francisco said worrying. "I'm alright, Dad", she assured him. "Okay then, take care", his father said and left. She smiled as she watch the fire. Her father is really one of a kind, he would still check on her even he watches her mother all day. Dianne's sweat dripped from her head and she wiped it out with her clothes. It is sure hot since it's summer. Her throat was dry and she poured water in the cup to drink. Even their water is warm that didn't ease the heat in her body. She would just pour more and drink again. After cooking, she prepared her parents' meal and delivered it at their room. Her father ate while she gives her mother her food. After the meal, she collected their plates and washed them beside the pump used for water. She wiped the dishes well with soap and rinsed it, placing them at the aluminum basin. She went back their house and sat to eat. She was enjoying her meal when their neighbours began shouting and were running around. She immediately opened the doors and asked for the people. A woman passed running and she asked what's happening. Upon, hearing the answer, she was shocked.
