One morning, Gwen was walking home from school with her friend, Merly.
"When are you going to get a boyfriend, sis? Valentine's is coming again! I'm excited because my boyfriend is sending me flowers and chocolates again." Merly said, a hint of envy in her voice.
"So what if he's sending you gifts? Do I die if I don't have a boyfriend? Stop bothering me." Gwen replied, clearly a little annoyed.
"I'm just concerned, you know. You've never had a boyfriend since birth. Why don't you give Aaron a chance? He seems kind and handsome. Ayieeeeeh!"
"Ugh, I'm not thinking about that. I need to finish my studies first, for my siblings and parents."
"Hello, Gwenniee girl! It's not the '90s anymore. You can have a boyfriend while studying."
Gwen didn't answer her friend, and soon Merly said goodbye and left.
As Gwen walked, she passed a large tree before entering their subdivision. The area around it was full of various plants and flowers. She stopped in front of it, staring at the tree again, lost in thought. She was about to step into the garden when suddenly an elderly woman grabbed her.
"Haaaay!" Gwen screamed in shock, as if waking from a trance.
"Child, it's almost nightfall. Go home, or your parents might be looking for you," said the elderly woman.
"Wait, Ma'am, may I ask you something?"
"Sure, what is it?"
"What kind of tree is this?" Gwen asked, her curiosity overflowing.
"That's a long story, child, and it's dangerous if we stay here until late."
"What do you mean?"
At that moment, her younger brother Angelo saw her and called out:
"Sis! Sis!"
"Oh, there you are. What are you doing out here?"
"I wanted to buy a pen at the store, but it was closed. The shops close so early here, sis."
"Ah, yes, but–" Gwen turned to speak to the elderly woman, but she had vanished.
"What was that, sis? You looked like you saw a ghost."
"Let's go! Mom might be looking for us."
To be continued ...