Chapter 23: Chapter 23: Typhoon

On the final day before their first class on the 7th grade, Lawrence talked about his brief vacation in Japan. Describing his adventures like skiing, bathing in hot springs, and his favorite, the unveiling of the first commercial robot pet.

"IT WAS AS SMALL AS A CHIHUAHUA! BUT IT CAN OPEN DOORS AND DO A BACKFLIP! LOOK, I TOOK A VIDEO FOR YOU TWO!"

"HEY! DON'T BRING IT RIGHT NOW! DO YOU WANT YOUR EPHONE TO GET WET?!" Sophia said as she was helping Lemma put buckets on where water was dripping from the ceiling. 

"WELL, WHY NOT JUST GO BACK TO THAT BASEMENT ROOM. THAT ROOM SEEMS TO BE WATERPROOF."

"NO! DAD TOLD ME WE CAN'T GO IN THERE ANYMORE WITHOUT HIM! HE'LL BE HOME SOON ANYWAYS."

"TCH."

"WHY DON'T YOU HELP US, FATASS? OH WAIT, YOU CAN'T, YOU HAVE FLABBY HANDS!"

"WHAT DID YOU SAY?!"

"WHAT?"

"WHAT? I CAN'T HEAR YOU OVER THIS STUPID TYPHOON."

Sophia and Lemma worked while Lawrence sat on a corner watching robot videos while heavy rain and strong winds were raging outside until Carlo and Ile came home panicking and wet all over their body. 

"WHAT ARE YOU CHILDREN DOING HERE?! HURRY! GET OUT!"

"WE ARE SO DEAD! WE ARE SO DEAD! WHY ARE YOU EVEN HERE. OH MAN, HOW WILL I EXPLAIN THIS TO YOUR PARENTS..."

"LOOK OUTSIDE! THE ESTUARY IS ALMOST FULL!" 

Everyone rushed outside and saw that the little canal beside them was starting to overflow, and in minutes, their feet was submerged in infested waters.

"WHAT DO WE DO ABOUT THE HOUSE?!"

"WE CAN'T COME CLOSER! NATURE HAS TAKEN IT'S COURSE! WE MUST GET TO A HIGHER PLACE!"

"THESE SLIPPERS WERE NEW! NOW IT'S DIRTY!"

"YOU FIRST THOUGHT OF THAT?!"

Like bees out of their hive, thousands of people were coming out from their homes and went out of the slum area and into the hilly place where the middle-class lived. Whenever the rain fell, it always flowed down into the slums. Lemma looked back and saw her home covered in water from floor-to-roof. Household equipment were washed away, never to be seen again.

"W-Wh-what about our home, Dad?"

"Well, we just gotta live on the government-provided shelters until the flood subsides. Don't worry, this happens once every other year or so. You two better get home."

"Well... see you at school tomorrow, Sophia, Lawrence."

"Man, this stench will stick with me 'till tomorrow."

"Why are you concerned about that? You have rich-people soap, right?"

As Lawrence headed towards his personal butler, who was always waiting for him outside, he heard the local residents' gossip about the people who emerged from the slums.

 

"This is why I hate the typhoon season."

"Great. The rats will stay in our tax-paid shelters."

"Do you think there will be another increase in theft crimes?"

 

"Are you okay, Master Lawrence?"

"Get me a change of clothes."

---

In a basketball court converted into the flood shelter, people were preparing for the night with makeshift blankets made from sacks and beds from recycled plastics. Thunder and lighting filled the background as the typhoon kept raging on.

"How long are we going to stay here?"

"...probably a week at least."

Lemma, not knowing what to think of their predicament, asks Carlo why some people were being happy and praising God. 

"I never really understood it too until Chisa. They're grateful for every little thing they get to keep from nature's wrath. Look, that child saved his favorite toy."

"I see..." Lemma held Carlo's hand. "As long as you and Mom are with me..."

"Get some rest. Aren't you tired?"

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"...yeah. Good night." Lemma closed her eyes and fell asleep.

---

After getting their government-provided food ration, Ile found her husband laying beside their daughter. 

"Here. You like this, right?" She hands him some wafer sticks. "Heh." Ile laid down on the other side of the sleeping Lemma.

"Hey, Ile. Look around you, what do you see?" Following his request, she saw children running around the court, men gambling with bottle caps, and women praying to an altar.

"They look happy."

"That's true. I can't believe it myself at first, how come these people who just lost their homes be happy? But it's simple, really. They're just happy to get whatever they could get. Look, that child over their saved his only toy. That man is happy that his family is safe. Those people are thankful to God they survived."

"Then... why do you look sad?"

"Is... is this what it really means to be free? To be happy and thankful for everything we got? The people around us, I see nothing but people trying to numb themselves from their hardships. I... can't see the beauty in this situation at all..."

"Well... we have each other, and our robot daughter."

"Yeah... wait you knew?"

"Of course. I'd figure it out eventually, you dummy. why would the son of a billionaire and the daughter of a department secretary hang out with our little Lemma?" She rolls over him and lays on his shoulder, "...and maybe I stumbled upon that weird room by accident."

"...Hahahahahaha! Of course!"

 

The rain poured harder as Carlo told Ile about himself and his past. Ile understood everything quickly as she already had suspicions around her husband.

 

"You're not content with the way things are, right?"

"...I'm just wondering if I'm giving her the life she deserves. It's because of my selfishness that you and her are even here in the first place. "

"What are you trying to say?"

"...here."

Carlo reluctantly hands Ile some documents.

"Deeds for a house on a well-off part of Manila? Job security? All under my name and Lemma's only. What the hell is this, Carlo??!"

"Horace Zy and his lackeys started searching around the slums for me. Of course, he never stopped searching for me. I created the first sentient artificial being."

"I-"

"My old mates were discovered in Japan a few days ago. It would only take a few days before he finds me."

"T-then let's just escape to the provinces and live together as a family!"

"I can't let Lemma move away from her friends... not when she finally found true friends who accepts her for what she is."

"Carlo..."

"Think of the consequences, Ile. What would happen to you and Lemma if they find us together? Do you want to Lemma to lose her freedom? Please. I'll be fine."

"WHAT ARE YOU SAYING??!"

Thunder filled the sky. 

"Shh... she'll wake up from her sleep." 

Carlo kissed Lemma on her forehead, slowly stands up, and turns his back from his family.

"Where are you going?"

"I'm going for a walk."

 

 

 

Carlo disappeared.

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