His grandmother glanced up from her laptop, her expression calm but her eyes soft with understanding. "Hmm. No wonder you felt uncomfortable. Anyone would, if they were treated like that."
Alvaro let out a breath, his brows knitting together. "Exactly. I wasn't even doing anything. I just wanted a normal day, but somehow I became… some sort of target. I hated it."
His grandmother gave a small nod, then returned her gaze to the glowing screen. For a brief moment, the living room settled into quiet, broken only by the hum of the ceiling fan.
Ding!
The sudden chime of a notification cut through the quiet. Alvaro quickly turned his head toward his grandmother's phone, snatched it up from the table, and handed it to her.
"Thank you," she murmured, eyes narrowing at the screen.
"What is it, Grandma?" Alvaro leaned closer, curiosity written all over his face.
"It seems they've moved it forward. The results will be given out tomorrow," she replied, her tone calm.
"Really? That's awesome!" Alvaro exclaimed, unable to hide the excitement bubbling in his chest.
His grandmother glanced at the clock on the wall, then back at him with a faint smile. "Well, it's almost dinnertime. I'd better get cooking."
"Alright, Grandma!"
She made her way to the kitchen, gathering vegetables and spices. The sharp aroma of garlic and onion soon filled the air, followed by the sizzle of meat hitting the hot pan. Flames licked upward, loud enough to be heard from the living room.
By the time dinner was ready, Alvaro had just stepped out of the bathroom, his damp hair sticking slightly to his forehead. He wore a loose shirt and looked freshly awake. Helping his grandmother carry the steaming dishes to the table, he settled down beside her, and they began to eat together.
"Grandma, does this mean… this Thursday I'll already be starting at my new school?" Alvaro asked hesitantly, poking at his food.
"Yes, that seems to be the case," she answered simply.
"I see… honestly, I'm kind of nervous."
"Good luck on Thursday." She smiled faintly.
Alvaro chuckled under his breath, nodding. "Yeah… thanks."
When they finished eating, he carried the dishes to the sink, rinsed them off, and returned to his room. His grandmother, meanwhile, returned to her laptop in the living room, typing steadily as if in search of something deeper.
Lying on his bed, Alvaro stared at the ceiling. Sleep didn't feel like an option. Maybe I'll just stay up tonight, he thought, grabbing a novel from his desk. Hours passed, pages turned, and soon the silence of the house was wrapped in midnight's hush.
The next morning, Alvaro blinked awake, feeling unusually heavy. His eyes landed on the clock—and widened.
"Wait… it's already eleven!? Why didn't Grandma wake me up—!" he burst out, leaping from bed. He rushed through his morning routine, splashing water on his face, brushing his teeth in a blur, then gulping down the breakfast left neatly on the table.
But as he ate, unease crept in. The house was too quiet.
"Eh… Grandma's not here? Where did she go?" he muttered. Reaching for his phone, he typed quickly.
Alvaro:Grandma, where are you?
No reply. He tried calling. The line rang and rang but was never picked up.
"It's fine, she probably just went to the market," he told himself, though his voice betrayed doubt. He glanced toward the door, heart nudging him forward.
"Or… maybe I should check."
Throwing on a black jacket, Alvaro grabbed his keys and stepped outside. His motorbike roared to life, carrying him through the bustling streets. The closer he got to the market, the thicker the crowd grew—vendors calling out their wares, children weaving between stalls, and the smell of spices, fried food, and fresh vegetables hanging heavy in the warm air.
He parked and hurried through the maze of stalls, his eyes darting restlessly. He nearly circled the entire market before—
"Eh, Alvaro? What are you doing here?" his grandmother's voice rang out.
Relief washed over him as he spun toward her. "Grandma! I was so worried. Why didn't you answer my texts or pick up my calls?" His voice wavered, caught between relief and frustration.
"Hahaha, sorry. I got carried away chatting with her," she said, gesturing to a woman beside her.
"Still, please answer next time. I almost panicked," Alvaro sighed, his shoulders loosening but his tone earnest.
"Yes, yes," his grandmother chuckled.
The woman turned her gaze toward Alvaro, her smile warm. "Oh, so this is your daughter, is it?"
The word landed like a pebble in his chest, sending ripples of awkwardness through him. Alvaro froze, his breath hitching. D-daughter? Me?
"D-daughter…?" he echoed softly, glancing at his grandmother as though begging for rescue.
But she only smiled serenely. "Yes, her name is Valerie Celeste."
"Oh, she's grown so much. What grade is she in now?" the woman asked kindly.
Alvaro—no, Valerie—drew in a quick breath. His lips stretched into a hesitant smile, though the muscles of his face felt stiff. "F-first year of high school, Auntie." His voice trembled faintly, but outwardly it passed as normal.
The woman nodded approvingly, her gaze lingering with kind amusement. "My, you're quite tall for your age."
"Heheh… y-yes, Auntie," Alvaro replied, scratching the back of his neck with an awkward grin. Inside, though, his heart thumped uncomfortably, the word daughter still echoing in his ears.