Roasted

It was scorching, the sun. He has to endure walking under it for an hour or so. The 6-km distance of the school from their house could be that hot... He had to or else, he would spend about 20 pesos for tricycle fare. His mother could afford only 5 pesos per day. That would be for his lunch... 2 pieces of bread and an ice water.

He would envy Mark. He is his neighbor who was bought with a motorbike recently. Mark has a sister and they would be riding together. He could not ask Mark to let him ride because the sister must be prioritized...

During the times when there is rain, he would cry a bit since the downpour hides his tears. They don't have an umbrella at their house and the owners would scold him if he would cut banana leaves for protection.

Jolito cajoled him to stop schooling and join them in the "bangka". The owner of the "liba-liba" is recruiting young boys to become helpers. But his teacher told him not to do it since, according to him, it is an illegal trade. But there were times when he would think otherwise. Especially when hunger would arrest him like mad at lunch time...

One time, his teacher in Chemistry scolded him for dozing off. He had this funny feeling at one in the afternoon, a feeling as if he would pass out. He could not understand how those atomic numbers are taken out from the periodic table since his head would feel like splitting. But he would feign an expression of interest to avoid more embarrassments.

Now, it's so hot. The road showed a mirage of being wet due to the heatwaves. His head seems to sizzle with the perspiration on his scalp. He could probably use his textbook to cover the heat...

Chester fell on the ground as Mark sped by with his motorbike. A classmate rushed to where he was and called out his name.

He tried to open his eyes and he saw a platter of roasted chicken instead of Kim...

"Now, I could not be hungry..." he passed out when the roasted chicken lifted him on its arms towards the nearest house.