chewing.

          "Huh, it's Valentines Day today," answered the amused young girl. "I guess you didn't know that too."

          "Huh, I've heard that before, but I just didn't know much about what people normally does on Valentines Day."

          "Okay, it's like this Valentines Day is the the of hearts, of people who love someone, something like that," she explained. "Like my parents before, during this day, my dad would give my mom a lot of red roses because he loved my mom."     

          "Ah, okay, but why did your father love your mother huh?" he asked again.   

          "I'm not sure, maybe because my mom was beautiful, but they're both gone now, God took them to heaven. So, I'm just going with my grandmother and grandfather to America, there they are they're buying tickets. We're going to Manila."  

          "So you're going to receive a lot of roses then," the young boy said.

          "What made you say that, huh?"

          "Because you said, if the girl is beautiful and kind she will receive a rose, so probably you'll receive a lot of that now."

          "Huh, me, beautiful?" the girl asked slightly surprised.

          "Of course, if only I have money, I'll buy you a lot of roses," the boy added and looked at the beautiful girl he was talking to.  

                Shortly, a huge man approached the two. "Are you the granddaughter of those two who are buying train tickets?" he asked the young girl.

                "Yes, why?"

                "Your Althea then," the huge man abruptly dragged the young girl away. The girl screamed but the man covered her mouth with his hand and walked away with his captive.

                "The young boy was stunned with what he witnesseed and he immediately chased after the man. And when he caught up with him, he immediately kicked him from behind. The huge man fell instantly. The young boy immediately took the young girl away from the man. The girl was still horrified at what happened to her.

          "Thank you, it's good you rescued me, my god you're so great. You only kicked him once and that bad man immediately fell to the ground. You're so impressive, are you a martial artist, huh?"

           "No, not really, I just got lucky maybe. Maybe his uncle didn't care enough to give him vitamins, that's why he fell easily," the boy admitted and joked a little. The girl smiled at the young boy.

           The grandmother approached the two. "Who are you talking to Althea, huh, hey you look like you're crying?" asked the grandmother who wasn't aware of what had happened to her granddaughter because of the speed of the young boy's heroic acts.

          "A man tried to kidnap me grandma. Luckily this boy kicked him hard and he immediately brought me away from that man."

          "Come here Althea, let's board the train now, I'm afraid he might come back. Maybe he is one of those who did something bad to your mom and dad," said the old woman who was horrified with what she heard.

          "Come here Althea, the train is about to leave anytime, we have to board the train for Manila now," urged the grandfather who have just approached them.

          "Thanks again, we're boarding the train. I have to leave you now, huh" said the young girl to the young boy. "When I returned from America, I'll try to find you, huh. I hope you're here so we can see each other again, huh," the young girl said and walked to board the departing train.

          "Okay, I'll wait for your return."

          Inside the train, by the window, the girl slight stucked her head out of the window and asked the young boy. "Hey, what's you're name again?" she asked while the the sound of the departing train became louder and louder and gradually increased its speed.

          "Me, I'm Xandro, Xandro!" shouted the young boy and slowly run after the departing train.

          "Xando, Xando is your name!" the young girl shouted again at the young boy. 

          "Yes, Xandro is name!" she shouted back at the young girl.

          "Okay Xandro, wait for my return!"

          "Okay, I'll wait I promise!"

          The train had left and the boy sat once again and waited for his lost uncle.

    

2

After almost fourteen years have passed.

  

          "Hey, wake up!" the shout of a woman. "I'ts already twelve o'clock noon and you're still sleeping, wake up and you pay your rent!"

          "Lady Lucy, can't you see I'm still sleeping, you're such a distrubance," said Xandro who have just awakened.

          "Hey, before you go back to sleep, give me your payment for your rent in my boarding house," ordered Lady Lucy to Xandro.

          "I'l just pay you later Lady Lucy, my money isn't enough to cover for my rent," he requested. 

          "No, I said you pay me now!"

          "You're starting to annoy me, if I really become furious at you, I'll transfer to another boarding house, you'll see."

          "Where are you transferring Xandro?" butted in by Joanna who had been listening to the two and chewed at her favorite Chippy.

          "And why are you asking where he is transferring, huh, Joanna?" asked Lady Lucy to the female boarder, wondering.

          "Because we're transferring there too, whereever Xandro is,  is  where we're staying too," smiling, Joaanna who shampooed with Pantene early in the morning answered.

          "Hey Xandro, where did you say you're transferring, huh?" asked Angelica, the eighteen-year old daughter of Lady Lucy and chewed at her Shakey's Pizza.

          "Why are you asking Xandro where he is transferring Angelica, why are you transferring there, too, huh" asked Lady Lucy, who always use Johnson's Baby Oil on her hair, again.

          "Not really, I'm taking an architect with me so he can renovate, and so Xandro would be very comfortable when he moved there," smiling, she teased her mother.

          "So Lady Lucy, I've got to get going now, I'm moving to your competitor on the other block," Xandro teasingly threathened the lady.

          "All of you really, you always gang up on me, okay, you can pay me tomorrow morning, but if you'll still fail to pay me by then, you're really getting it," threathened Lady Lucy once more and left the house to buy groceries for her small store filled with merchandises like Aji Ginisa, Ajinomoto, Knorr Cubes at Sinigang,Datu Puti Vinegar and Toyo, Pantene, Sunsilk, Guard, Rejoice, Hansel Sandwich, Rebisco Sandwich, Fibisco Biscuits., Tide, Surf, Ariel, Gatsby,  and a lot others. All her merchandises are easily sold out, that's why she goes early to the grocery to replenish her store and so her loyal patrons won't transfer to other stores in the area.

          "Thanks, you helped me again with Lady Lucy to ask her to give me an extension Joanna, Angelica," Xandro thanked his friends.

          "No, that's nothing, we're good friends, I did it because I was afraid that this house would suddenly become so quiet, Lady Lucy would have nobody to shout at and nag. And moreover, we don't want to loss our very handsome buddy in this house," Angelica teased her friend.

          "Here, take some Shakey's Pizza. How are you, did you already see the girl you're looking for?" asked Joanna.

          "No, I haven't still, but I know, I'll see her again someday," Xandro answered and chewed on the Shakey's Pizza Joanna gave him. "I've got to go now and I'll try to make some money so I can pay Lady Lucy tomorrow."

          "Okay, take care Xandro," Angelica reminded the young man.

III

          Where on earth will I get the money to pay for my rent, Xandro asked himself and stood right in front of Guani Rent a Car.  It's really difficult when you don't have a permanent job. What will I do now, ah I know... I'm going to the market near Rose Pharmacy, maybe I can find work there, a sideline perhaps. Xandro rode a Jeepney, painted with Boysen Paint, that was going to the market. After he jumped down, he saw a guy running fast and rushing towards him. He was carrying an expensive bag. Suddenly, he heard a woman shouting for help. "Help me that man snatched my bag! Snatcher!"

          When the snatcher neared Xandro, he immediately grabbed and pullled the expensive leather bag from him. When the woman, in Rolex Watch, chasing the snatcher reached where Xandro was standing, she immediately thanked him. "Thank you really for recovering my bag, only that thief got away!" the woman thanked the young man. "This is so important, because all my sales for the day of my Appliance Center is in this bag. I was about to deposit this in the bank, how can I thank you huh, what's your name huh?"
          "Xandro, I'm Xandro, that's nothing, you don't have to thank me, really."
          "No, maybe you need something, wait what's your job, I'm also looking for a Driver/Delivery boy for my Appliance Center," admitted the woman who drank Alaska Milk for breakfast.
          "Really, it's a perfect timing, I'm actually looking for a job now, and I happen to know how to drive. I can do that job easily," the young man immediately answered. 

          "Wait, I'm Veronica, here's my calling card and in it are my name and the address of my shop. It's just far ahead. Just see me there, so you can start immediately.
          "Thank you, really, I'll drop by immediately this afternoon, I'll just go home for a while to get my Driver's License. 

          "Okay then, I'll be expecting you at my store this afternoon, bye," the woman said her good bye and walked away.
          "Okay, thanks again," Xandro thanked the woman once again. 

          Where on earth will I get the money to pay for my rent, Xandro asked himself and stood right in front of Guani Rent a Car.  It's really difficult when you don't have a permanent job. What will I do now, ah I know... I'm going to the market near Rose Pharmacy, maybe I can find work there, a sideline perhaps. Xandro rode a Jeepney, painted with Boysen Paint, that was going to the market. After he jumped down, he saw a guy running fast and rushing towards him. He was carrying an expensive bag. Suddenly, he heard a woman shouting for help. "Help me that man snatched my bag! Snatcher!"

          When the snatcher neared Xandro, he immediately grabbed and pullled the expensive leather bag from him. When the woman, in Rolex Watch, chasing the snatcher reached where Xandro was standing, she immediately thanked him. "Thank you really for recovering my bag, only that thief got away!" the woman thanked the young man. "This is so important, because all my sales for the day of my Appliance Center is in this bag. I was about to deposit this in the bank, how can I thank you huh, what's your name huh?"
          "Xandro, I'm Xandro, that's nothing, you don't have to thank me, really."
          "No, maybe you need something, wait what's your job, I'm also looking for a Driver/Delivery boy for my Appliance Center," admitted the woman who drank Alaska Milk for breakfast.
          "Really, it's a perfect timing, I'm actually looking for a job now, and I happen to know how to drive. I can do that job easily," the young man immediately answered. 

          "Wait, I'm Veronica, here's my calling card and in it are my name and the address of my shop. It's just far ahead. Just see me there, so you can start immediately.
          "Thank you, really, I'll drop by immediately this afternoon, I'll just go home for a while to get my Driver's License. 

          "Okay then, I'll be expecting you at my store this afternoon, bye," the woman said her good bye and walked away.
          "Okay, thanks again," Xandro thanked the woman once again. 

Chapter 4

          When Xandro had returned at the boarding house, he immediately took a shower. When he was all soaked up, he immediately grabbed the Rejoice and shampooed and whistled. Xandro couldn't help but smile at the thought that he seen could have a job at the appliance center. Xandro started soaping himself, he scrubbed his entire body carefully.  Xandro used Safeguard Soap to make sure that all the germs in his body would be removed. After he had soaped himself, Xandro immediately rinsed. He dried himself using the towel that he bought at Robinsons. He felt fresh, I'll probably get a job now, he thought. He immediately went out of the bathroom to change clothes. Which one will I wear, I have to look good so I'll get the job immediately. I'm wearing this Levi's Jeans and the light blue polo of Bench. Afterwards he looked at himself into the mirror. That looks good enough, I might be poor but at least I'm handsome. I'm ready for the interview later. He sat on the side of his Salem Bed and immediately wore his Nike Rubber Shoes. He stood up and looked at himself in the mirror once more, he smiled at himself. Xandro grabbed the Axe Perfume and sprayed all over his body. Xandro liked the smell of Axe. I look good and I smell good. It's fun to look good, he teased himself. He slowly walked out of the house and headed towards road. He walked fast, so he'll reach the Jeepney's waiting area soon enough. A Jeepney stopped right in front of Xandro. Xandro climbed up and sat at the front seat. The jeepney started moving fast and Xandro looked into the mirror, he looked at his shiny black hair, he made sure that strong wind won't mess his hair up. Gatsby really works, my hair still looks great. After a while, Xandro reached the place that Veronica told him, he read the big signage on the top of the building.
          "Veron Appliance Center," Xandro read while he was looking up. I hope I'll get accepted, so I can immediately start working here. He walked towards the big glass dor and opened it slowly. Inside the store, he immediately saw Veronica who was talking to a uniformed man. Veronica saw Xandro, she smiled at him and signalled him to take a seat at the elegant sofa. Xandro smiled back at Veronica and sat. He looked around the whole place, he saw a lot of branded appliances like Toshiba TV, GE Refrigerator, GE air con, Samsung DVD, Sharp washing machine, microwave oven, blender, coffee maker and a lot others. In one corner, Xandro saw a woman typing in her computer. He looked at the girl, she has a shiny black hair reaching up to her shoulders. He couldn't see clearly how she really looked like from his angle, but he could tell that she was beautiful, really beautiful. He couldn't quite explain to himself what he felt, but he felt something for the girl, something familiar to him.
          "I'm sorry I made you wait, I just asked one of my employee, rather your co-worker to run an errand for me," Veronica welcomed the man who recovered her expensive bag.
          "Huh, co-worker you mean I'm hired, right now.... no more interviews or something huh?" he asked a bit embarrassed.
          "No need for that, with the way you helped me earlier and besides I'd already talked to you, you have my full confidence," she answered.
          "Ah, here's my resume and my Driver's License," Xandro said and gave Veronica the envelope he was carrying.
          She examined its contents and immediately signalled the woman that Xandro was looking at earlier. The woman noticed Veronica, she stood up and walked towards them. Xandro stood face to face with the woman, she smiled at Veronica and looked at Xandro for a moment. "You've got company Veronica, what is he, a new employee, huh?" she asked immediately.
          "Yes, he was the one I was telling you about, the one who helped me recover my bag from that crazy snatcher," Veronica told her friend. "Here's his resume, file this in your records, huh. By the way, this is Lynette, a friend of mine, she'll be your supervisor Xandro."
          "Good afternoon Ma'am," Xandro greeted the beautiful woman.
          "Good afternoon," the woman greeted back. She looked at him carefully. She immediately left and walked back to her table to file Xandro's records.          

          "Don't worry Xandro, your supervisor is kind, she's been a friend of mine for a long time now and she had just returned here in our country," Veronica confessed.
          "Really, I hope we get along well," Xandro answered.
          "Okay, just sit on the sofa and when a client comes in just offer him a seat or just smile at him. My other employees will attend to whatever he wants to buy," she told Xandro and walked towards Lynette's table. Xandro noticed that Veronica looked like she was teasing Lynette about something, but he couldn't quite tell what it was. They just looked so happy about something.                                                       IV

          Shortly, the customers started coming in and the Salesladies immediately welcomed and entertained them. Nobody bought, the visitors just came in and asked questions about the appliances. And so Xandro just sat his time away, he couldn't stop himself from glancing at Lynette while she was typing with her computer. When Lynette looked at him, he looked the other way and smiled like a child. Xandro felt good looking at Lynette, he felt like they've known each other for a long time, even if he hasn't even talked to her that much.
          Shortly after, one of the Salesladies called Xandro and instructed him. "You're the new driver, right, will you please load up this Toshiba TV in the Delivery Van. The customer had already paid for this, just talk to him about the address where he wants his purchase to be delivered, okay," the Saleslady told Xandro.     

          The Saleslady pointed to Xandro the TV. He immediately carried it and headed for the door. But before he got through the door, he glanced back at Lynette, she noticed him and smiled slightly. So Xandro made sure he looked good and manly while he was carrying the Toshiba TV on his right shoulder. Immediately he loaded the TV inside the van.
          "Careful with that, it might get scratched or something," the male customer reminded Xandro. "Just deliver that at this address, okay."
          "Okay, ah... your address is just near, I definitely know this place. Don't worry I'll make sure that this will be delivered on time and in good condition.
          The customer left and Xandro climbed up to drive. Xandro was so happy he had a new job even they hadn't realy talked about how much his salary was. Before the van started moving, he noticed Veronica was looking at him and looked like she was pinching Lynette on her waist and was teasing about something. Veronica's smile was contagious, and so Xandro smiled too, even if he didn't really know what the girls were smiling about. Xandro drove carefully on the road, he obeyed all the traffic signs because he didn't want to be humiliated in front of his boss, just in case. He drove and passed the majestic hotels of Metro Manila. He continued driving. Finally, he reached the customer's address. He rang the doorbell and a little boy came out to meet him. "Mom, our new Toshiba TV is here, come out now. Okay, you bring that TV inside our house, so I could watch immediately," the joyful boy told Xandro.
          "You step aside a bit, so I can get this thing inside, wait where do you want me to place this, huh?"
          "Here, on our old TV rack, put it there," the little boy, who was carrying a pack of Chippy, instructed Xandro. "Do you know how to connect the antenna, my older brothers ain't home yet."
          "Of course, wait, I'll connect this on the back."
          "Wow, the reception is so beautiful, it's very clear, isn't it mom," the little boy asked his mom who just came out from her room.
          "Yes, right. It's good your dad chose this brand, it's so clear and the colors are so alive," the mother of the boy commented.
          "Yes it's very clear and the sounds is great, it doesn't sound like a tin can, just like our old TV before."
          "Hey, did you get tired, carrying the TV, huh? Son, go and get the Tang Orange Juice and give it to this young man."
          "Thanks, I'm really thirsty."
          "Here you drink this Tang Orange Juice, this is really tasty," offerred the happy child.
          "Yeah it's really delicious, thanks."
          "Are you really a delivery boy, huh?" the mother of the boy wearing a gold necklace asked.
          "Yes."
          "Really, with your face and the way you carry yourself, you look more like an actor from a movie, maybe you've got a camera hidden somewhere?" she teased and looked around the house.
          "No. I just look like this because I inherited my father's looks, he's an American."
          "I see..."

                               V

          

                             

          After his first delivery, Xandro immediately left the house and drove back for Veron Appliance Center.  He was so glad the customer's family was pleased with the TV that he delivered. He was even amused that the lady thought that he was an actor posing as a delivery man. He was so happy with himself, he didn't immediately notice the man who was trying to cross to the other side of the road. Fortunately he instinctively stepped on the break and the man was able to cross unharmed. Xandro pulled over to the side of the road and immediately got off the van. Worried, he approached the terrified man whose back was turned to him. Slowly the man turned to face him and Xandro was stunned with who he saw. The man looked a lot like his long lost Uncle Eric. "Uncle Eric, is that you, huh?"

          "Xandro is that you?" the surprised man immediately asked.

           "Yes it's me uncle, I almost hit you with the van I was driving. I'm really sorry uncle," Xandro apolized

 on the sidewalk.

             "Is this really you Xandro, goodness you've grown up a lot," he exclaimed and embraced his nephew. "Please forgive me Xandro I didn't really mean to leave you at the train station back then."

           "I know you didn't leave me on purpose uncle, the truth is I was worried that you weren't able to come back because something bad might have happened to you."

          "Yeah you could say it that way, why don't you come with me to a Fastfood for a moment so I could explain everything to you son." 

          "Maybe next time uncle, I still have to take this vehicle back to the Appliance Center. It's my first day at work and I really don't want to disappoint my new boss. I think it would be better if you just come with me so we could talk in the van."

          "Yeah, you're right, I don't want you to be reprimanded because of me."

           In the delivery van, Xandro looked intently on his uncle, he has aged a bit and had a few white hairs growing on the side of his hair. He felt so happy he found him again even if he still hadn't heard the reason why they got separated back at the train station.

          "You know son, more than the reason why we got separated, I have something more important to tell you about your true identity," Eric immediately stated.

          "Huh, is that so Uncle Eric?" the surprised question of Xandro. About my true identity, why is there anything that I need to know about my real identity. When I was still a young boy, I remember you telling me that father was an American and my mother was a beautiful Filipina from the countryside. Is there anything you haven't told me uncle, huh?"

          "Yes son there is, and it's really important."

          "Okay then uncle, tell me everything about it now, I'll listen carefully."

          "Okay here," Eric replied seriously and handed a small can to Xandro.

          "What will I do with this?"

          "Drink up, that's a softdrink right, let's drink cola first because I really do not know how I'm gonna start, I'm afraid that you might run into another road accident with a pedestrian after I had told you everything about you."

          "It's your call uncle, I'll drink this up even if I had just drunk juice a moment ago, I felt suddenly thirsty with what you just said. Is it really that serious or important uncle?"     

          "I'm afraid you won't be able to take it son. I suggest that you do take this vehicle back to your workplace first and then you can come with me to my house so you could also meet my wife and my children."

          "Really, you already have a family uncle, how many children do you have now, huh?

          "Two rowdy seven-year old boys, twins, I've got two twins."

          "That's great news uncle, so fascinating, I've got cousins now and they're twins."

          The truth was, deep inside, Xandro was still worried and nervous with what he heard from his uncle earlier. He just kept quiet and went on driving calmly. And once in a while glanced at his uncle that he truly missed for a long time.  

          Moments later, the two reached Veron Appliance Center. "Uncle just sit here in the van, just wait for me, I'm not really sure if I'm already allowed to accept my personal guests inside the store, I'm just new here."

          "Okay son, just do everything you need to do inside the store and I'll just wait until you'll be allowed to go home."

          Xandro immediately jumped out of the van and went inside the store. He looked for the saleslady he had talked to earlier and instantly handed her the signed delivery receipt. "Here's the signed receipt."

          "Thanks, okay I'll take it from here," the Saleslady said and walked back to her assigned post. Xandro was left sitting on the long and elegant sofa. He looked for Lynette on her table, but she wasn't there.  

So he decided to just look around the store. Momentarily, he noticed a small office with a slightly opened door. He thought that it might be Veronica's office. Slowly, Xandro stood up and walked towards the office to inform Veronica of his return from his delivery. As he got near the door, he realized Veronica was talking to Lynette. He hesitated whether he is going to knock and come in. Should I come in, maybe it's really important. I don't really want to disturb their conversation, he thought.

          "Are you going back to that old train station again hoping that you would finally see your Xando, huh Althea?"

          "Yes I'll take my chances, maybe this time I'll find Xando there waiting for my return. He promised me 

he would wait for me until I've gone back from America," Lynette answered.

          Xandro couldn't believe what he just heard from Lynette.

          "Hey Miss Lynette Althea Jones, you two were just kids then, maybe, unlike you, he had already forgotten you."

          "No, I believe Xando will fulfill his promise to me while he was running after the train I was boarding then. I'm going back there and maybe this time I'll find him there waiting just to see me."

          "Yeah, right. Maybe Lynette didn't hear me well because of the loud sound of the moving train. She thought I shouted Xando when I shouted my name Xandro to her. Xandro was so happy with what he have just learned. He just couldn't believe that he had finally found Althea, the girl that he had been dreaming to see for a very long time.

          "I think it would be better if I accompany you to the old train station. There are just too many criminals 

roaming around nowadays, that train station has long been abandoned," Veronica advised her friend. "And why see him at night, didn't you tell me that you two met up in that wonderful morning, huh."

          "Nothing, it's just that I had already been there in the morning but he didn't show up, so I thought maybe he is already working and he is only free at night. So I'm trying again tonight."

          "Wait Lynette, I suddenly remember it's mom's birthday tonight and she is expecting to see you. Maybe you should just see him tomorrow night. But tomorrow I promise I'll accompany you to the train station. I'll just wait for you inside my car, but we'll only wait until ten o'clock. Remember we still have to work the following day."

          "Okay, we'll go to your mom's birthday first and we'll just go to the old train station so you could meet Xando too just in case he shows up this time around."

          Ah.... should I just come in and tell Althea that I'm Xando. But I'm really worried about what Uncle Eric had told me earlier. I'll just come in just so I could see Althea even just for a short while and then I'll leave immediately to talk to my uncle, Xander finally decided. He knocked on the slightly opened door and greeted the two girls.

          "Come in..."

          "Good evening Ma'am Veronica, I just came in to ask your permission if I could already go home. Something came up and I really need to attend to it as soon as possible," Xandro informed Veronica and glanced at Lynette. Xandro looked intently at Lynette's beautiful face. And Lynette didn't realize it but she was looking intently at Xandro too.

          "Hey, would the two of you spend the whole time just looking into each others eyes huh. Oh Xandro I thought you came in to say good bye. Are you sure you still want to go home. Maybe you've seen something more important here and you no longer want to go home huh..." Veronica teased the two.

          "Huh, Okay. Good bye Ma'am Veronica, Ma'am Lynette I'm going home now. Bye again..."

          "Good bye Xandro, take care," Lynette said her good bye looking at Xandro's face.

          "Bye Xandro..." Veronica said winking at Lynette.

           Xandro then turned around and left the room, giving Lynette a last glance as he reached the open door. Xandro couldn't tell just how happy he was seeing Lynette up close. Earlier he found his long lost uncle and then he learned that Lynette is actually Althea, the girl that he had been longing to see at the old train station. But he suddenly thought about what his uncle had told him. What could it be, what do I have to know about my real identity, Xandro asked himself and immediately headed for the main door. When he got through, he immediately called on his Uncle Eric inside the van. "Uncle, come down so we could already go to your house."

          Inside the taxi, Eric remained mysteriously quiet. Uncle Eric looks so serious, it must be so important for him and probably for me too, Xandro thought looking at his uncle.

          "It's good my wife and my children are watching movies at the mall. Probably, they'll go to a Fastfood afterwards and they won't be able to come home early. We'll have enough time to sit down and talk, Xandro."

          "Is your place just near Uncle Eric, huh?"

          "In about twenty minutes maybe and we will reach my house."

          The two remained so quiet during the entire trip to Eric's house.

                                                                 VI

          "Your house looks kinda big Uncle Eric," Xandro instantly noticed as they got down from the taxi.

          "Just big enough for us to be comfortable and to accomodate any guests. If I just hadn't lost you back then, probably you would have been living with us son."

          "But there's nothing we can do about it now uncle. What happened had already happened, and I'm just thankful and happy that you seem to have a comfortable life now."

          "Come inside our gate," Eric said as Xandro followed him from behind. "Wait, I'll just open our door with my key. It seem like my wife and my children are still at the mall, the house looks so quiet.

          When he had opened the door, the two immediately got inside the dark house. "Just wait Xandro and I'll turn on our light." And the entire immediately lit up.

          Xandro instantly saw the interior of his uncle's house, it has enough appliances around. Eric asked Xandro to sit on his sofa. "Just sit there for a while, and I'll just go to my room to get something. Xandro waited and decided to look around the house from where he was sitting. He noticed a big picture of his Uncle Eric together with two little boys that looked alike and a woman. That is probably my uncle's wife and children, he thought. Xandro opened the TV and the six o'clock nightly news was shown. He watched for a while and shortly Eric went out of the room and approached Xandro with a small paper in his hands. When he got near Xandro, he immediately handed him the old picture he was carrying. Xandro immediately took it from him and looked. A tear slowly felt from Xandro's eyes, he was holding his old picture with his mom and dad. When he and his uncle got separated at the train station, all that was in his bag then were his clothes. After fourteen years,Xandro finally saw once again the face of his parents. He noticed his striking resemblance with his father and approximated that he was about as tall as he was.

          "Probably, you could still remember this old family picture, that picture was taken during your christening in a big church back then. Your father gave it to me when he visited me in my house." 

          "It's good that you have kept this in good condition uncle, you had shown this to me when I was still smaller and I remember you telling me that I was still one year old when this picture was taken. Could I keep this uncle, I no longer have any picture left of my mom and dad," Xandro requested his uncle.

          "That's really for you son, I have other copies of that in my family album," he answered as he sat down in front of Xandro after he turned off the TV. He then turned quiet and stared seriously at his nephew.

          "Uncle what is it that I really need to know about what had happened in the past and about my true identity?"

           "Okay, listen good and I'll tell you everything," Eric said looking at his nephew's eyes. "Yeah, that was all that happened Xandro..."

           "I can't believe it, thank you for telling me everything that had happened in the past uncle! Uncle Eric come on...  you haven't told me anything still, you're kidding me again like you always did before... you still haven't changed a bit, you still keep on teasing me with your jokes."

          "No, it's just that I suddenly lost the courage, I don't really know how I'm gonna start telling you, and above all I'm not sure how you're going to react when you hear the entire truth from me," Eric explained.

          "Okay uncle just tell me everything, don't worry about my reactions. I'll try to be as calm as I can be, just say it now."

          Eric took a deep breath and said, "Okay, I'm telling you right now... he was flying an--"         

          "Dad you're home!" exclaimed the seven-year old boy as he walked fast towards Eric. "Where is it, you told me you're going to bring me dried mangoes from Cebu, could I eat it now dad. Oh, you've got a guest dad, good evening sir."  

          "Young boy, you just run and barged in. You didn't even help your twin with the large shopping bags we brought from the mall," Smiling, Eric's wife scolded her son as she entered the house.

          "Yeah, really you're such a cheat, you always leave me to carry all our purchases," the other boy said from behind his mother. "Good evening dad, and to you too mister."

          "Good evening too," Xandro greeted back the two young boys.

          "Eric I didn't know you have a guest."

          "Yeah, wait didn't you tell me that the three of you might come home late because you're all going to watch a movie at the mall. What movie did you watch that it ended so soon, you all got home too early," Eric   

noticed.

         "No, it's just that the movie we're supposed to watch got rescheduled. I asked our boys to watch another movie but they refused immediately so we decided to go to a Fastfood Branch and eat hamburgers, spaghetti and 'halo-halo' and then I bought some school supplies for the kids and some grocery items," narrated Eric's wife Cristina.

          "By the way, I'm with Xandro," Eric's introduction of his nephew to his family.

          "Xandro? Xandro the Xandro? Are you saying he was the one that you had left at the train station, the one that you had been looking for years now, huh?"

          "You're right this is him, really him Cristina."

          The woman couldn't say a word, she looked intently at their guest, it took her a while before she was able to compose herself. And then she went to a chair at the side and sat. She faced Xandro and started talking to him. "Please forgive me Xandro, I and my brothers had made a terrible mistake, we have sinned against you."

          "You had sinned against me?" wondering, Xandro asked Cristina.

          "It's true Xandro, she and her family had greatly sinned against the two of us," Eric butted in.

          "I'll explain it to him Eric," Cristina offered. "It's like this, we could say that it was I and my brothers who had caused Eric to leave you behind all alone at the train station.

          "It was your fault, how did it happen, I don't get it really..."

           "To start, I thought Eric got me pregnant, and when the news had reached my parents and my brothers, immediately, my enraged brothers followed your uncle at the train station to make him answer for my pregnancy. And when they saw him buying tickets that morning, they immediately grabbed him and dragged him to face our entire family in our house. There, they threatened and forced Eric to marry me right away to avoid the humiliation that it could bring to our family. So they imprisoned Eric inside our house and guarded him. repeatedly, Eric begged my family to allow him to go back to the train station, telling us that he had left his nephew, named Xandro. But my brothers and my parent's didn't buy his story. They did not allow Eric to leave the house for fear that he might be able to escape us once again. And just after a week Eric and I were married right there, inside our house," Cristina's long narration.

          "But happened was this woman wasn't actually pregnant, it was all a mere false alarm. And the truth of the matter is, we had our twin after seven long years," Eric's sarcastic intervention to his wife.

          "So... Xandro I hope that you could find it in your heart to forgive me and my whole family for all the sufferings that we had caused you then," Cristina's earnest begging for Xandro's forgiveness as she held his hands.

          "Let's just forget all about it Aunt Cristina and the truth is instead of being angry, I think what happened was really ridiculous. In reality my uncle was more pitiful and unfortunate than I was back then," laughing, Xandro said and looked at his uncle.

          "You're right Xandro I was really pitiful back then, but the truth was we were only leaving for Manila so I could find a better paying job and not because I wanted to avoid my responsibilities to Cristina and besides back then I sort of love her too, slightly yeah."

          "You love me just slightly, huh?" Cristina's disgruntled joke to her husband.

          "Yes, but today I already  love her with all my heart, specially that she had given me these two cute and rowdy twins," teasingly, Eric reassured his wife Cristina.

          "Really Xandro, huh, you've already forgiven me, huh?" Cristina asked Xandro once again.

          "Yeah, it's all in the past now auntie, and I'm also glad that I now have two handsome young cousins," Xandro replied as he looked at the twins who had been listening to their conversation all along.

          "Aha, so you're our cousin Xandro, that's great and now I have somebody else to play with, I'm really getting tired and bored with this one here," Rap-rap teased his twin.

          "If you're getting tired of me, then you're also getting sick and tired with yourself, we look alike remember," Ron-ron teased back at his brother.

           The playfulness and the cuteness of the twins made Xandro smiled and laughed a little.

           "By the way, it's almost seven o'clock in the evening, I think I should bring something to eat for the two of you Eric, Xandro. Before we left earlier, I cooked so Eric could eat when he comes home from his work," Cristina said as she stood up from where she was sitting. "So I'm leaving the two of you Eric, Xandro 

I'll just heat up the food in my kitchen."

          "Okay Cristina come back as soon as you can, I'm really hungry now," Eric's reply to his wife. "You know Xandro, after a week I went back to the train station to find you, but you weren't there. I asked the young vendors there selling all kinds of stuff if they had seen anyone that matched my description of you. One told me that he had seen you but you just disappeared one day and never came back."

          "Maybe he was one of the vendors I have befriended, you see while I waited for your return, I also sold stuffs like newspapers and candies so I could eat. Then one day I went inside the train to sell newspapers. I was so tired I didn't know I fall asleep and when I woke up I was already here in Manila. I thought that maybe you were also in Manila, because this was our destination back then. I had hoped that you would try to find me here, so I decided to live here and wait for you," Xandro's long narration to his Uncle Eric.

          "Wait, I'll just place this food on the table so you two could start eating," Cristina said.

          "While you were here in Manila Xandro, was it hard for you, it's difficult here in Manila you really have to work hard to survive," Eric added.

          "It was really difficult at the start but eventually I got used to it. At first I tried selling newspapers once again, then I also sold candies like Stork, Candy Mint, and Snow Bear. Later I also roamed around the streets of Manila and sold Jack 'N Jill Pretzel, and Potato Chips and a lot others. And when I got bigger I also tried being a porter at the market, a gasoline boy, until I became a waiter on several Fastfood Chains like Jollibee and McDonalds, and to Mang Inasal Lechon. Wherever I was working, I just gave my best and worked really hard just like you always told me when I was smaller back in our province."

          "I'm so glad that you were able to support yourself. I was really worried about you Xandro, wondering if you have something to eat and a place to stay. Wait, did you go to school huh, son?"

          "Yes, because the tuition in public schools were just for free, but I only finished high school. Because after I graduated I wasn't really sure what course to take then. I felt I didn't fit in any course. Deep inside something was telling me that I was destined to do something else, something greater I just didn't know what it was.

          "But once you decided to go to college just tell me and I'll help you out, okay," Eric offered

          "Thanks uncle, but as of now, I really would like to just work first."

          "Xandro I want you to live with us here in our house. We're only four here, you can stay temporarily at the attic. It's spacious enough. And when the other room at the second floor have been cleaned you can move there if you want," Eric seriously offered his long lost nephew.

          "Funny, but I missed hearing your voice asking me to do something. If that's what you want uncle, besides I also want to be with you much longer and also I would like to know your entire family and be a part of it. I've been living all alone for years now, I have a lot of friends, but you're more important for me than any of them. You took care of me and stood as my father since as far as I could remember."

          "You're also important for me son. And I want to continue taking good care of you, even if you're no longer a kid. Okay, let's eat now Xandro."

           "These looks delicious, fried chicken and 'pancit canton' is really my favorite," Xandro said and poured Sprite softdrink in his glass.

           "I remember this is really your favorite even when you were still a little child. It's good Cristina had thought of cooking this.

           "I'm glad that I had cooked your favorite Xandro, this is really delicious because I used fresh Magnolia Chicken," Cristina added. "We'll leave the two of you alone. Kids let's go upstairs so your dad and 

Xandro could finish their conversation. Don't forget to wash your face and brush your teeth before going to bed okay," Cristina told her twins as she stood and walked towards the stairs.

          "Good night dad, cousin Xandro," the twin said their good bye to Eric and Xandro.

          "Good night Rap-rap, Ron-ron," Xandro answered his new little cousins.

          The three went upstairs and when Eric felt that his family had gone inside their rooms, he immediately asked Xandro to go with him to the attic. "I'll take you to your temporary room Xandro and we'll continue our conversation from where we left off, before Cristina and my twins came in."

          "You go ahead uncle, I'll just follow you."

          The two immediately went upstairs going to the second floor and continued walking up the stairs towards the attic to talk.

VII

          Eric opened the door of the attic and invited Xandro in. "Come inside Xandro." and turned on the Phillips Lights. 

          Immediately, Xandro walked in and he noticed the attic's small door going to the back of the house. There were two small windows and one Salem bed in the middle of the room. Eric asked Xandro to sit down. "You may sit on that chair Xandro." and walked towards the small window. He stood there for some time looking towards the tall trees surrounding their entire house. And then he walked and took a chair and placed it near Xandro. Xandro looked carefully on his uncle and he noticed his uncle's anxiety. He looked so uneasy while he was sitting in front of him. And then he stood up once more and walked towards the small window and looked out. "Xandro, maybe this is the right time for you to know the whole truth about your real identity as a person and about everything that had happened to your parents."

          Xandro listened without saying a word looking intently at his uncle's face.

          "Probably, it would be better if I start at the time when your mom and dad first met, just listen and don't say anything until I'm finished telling you the whole story."

          "Okay uncle, I'll just listen."

          And Eric started his narration at the time when Xandro's parents first met....

          I'm happy I have gotten my license to fly an airplane and now I could finally fly wherever I want to go. Henry was thrilled while he was flying his small airplane at the top of  the big mountains. He was flying for some time when he suddenly felt thirsty. He opened and drank the C2 that he brought with him. Shortly he noticed a massive white house on the top of the mountain which was filled and surrounded with tall trees. From the airplane he was flying, the massive house looked so fantastic for Henry. So he decided to fly his airplane nearer. When he got nearer, a large group of birds suddenly came flying out of the trees and onto the front of his plane. Henry maneuvered his plane away from the group of birds. Suddenly. Henry felt something hit and got caught in front of his plane and he instantly lost control of it. His plane plunged downward cyclical. Henry fell downward from the plane he was flying. Henry felt the strong winds as he continued falling downward. He was so was so terrified and thought that it was his end. Suddenly he realized he stopped from falling and floated. He glanced to his right and he saw the most beautiful girl that he had ever seen his whole life. Shortly, he noticed that his beautiful savior had white wings. Her black and shiny hair was long and she was in a long white dress reaching up to her feet. Even if he was so afraid for his life, he couldn't help but smile at his angelic savior while she was slowly flying him downwards. Henry adoringly stared at her beautiful face while she held him with her arms as they got nearer the massive white house. He was deeply captivated by the girls beauty. Shortly, he felt his foot slowly touching the the ground. Slowly, the girl released him standing on the ground and smiled at him. Still Henry couldn't speak, his eyes was still glued towards the alluring beauty of his flying savior. This girl is incredibly beautiful and she smelled great too. What perfume is she using, did she wear it because she saw me flying earlier, Henry thought, smiled and asked himself. Afterwards, the girl slightly flew upwards standing. She continued floating in the air near him and slowly flew backwards. Gently, she continued flying backwards and standing and Henry was stunned with what he saw. Slowly, his beautiful savior flew down to a half broken body. After the two half broken bodies of the girl were attached to each other, her two wings slowly disappeared. Henry looked at her wide eyed and realized that her savior was a 'manananggal'.

          "You're a 'manananggal'!" Horrified, Henry shouted loud.

          Shortly, the girl looked and walked towards Henry.

          "Don't come near me, please don't!" Henry walked backwards fearing for his life, turned around and ran as fast as he could away from the beautiful 'manananggal'. He ran and ran without looking back from where he came from, he didn't know where to go. He had ran so far with his Adidas Shoes. He was still horrified with what he had witnessed. He kept on running until slowly he felt so tired and exhausted. Trying to catch his breath, he felt on his knees. Not far away from where he was kneeling, he saw his small airplane. It was burning, its parts was turned into pieces and was scattered all over the place. He was still catching his breath from exhaustion as he looked at what was left of his airplane. Slowly, he recovered from fatigue after his long run. Henry calmed himself down and thought deeply. If that girl didn't saved me from falling, I could have been gone by now. Maybe she isn't really evil, maybe there's a reason why fate brought me here. He stood up and looked back from where he came from. I should go back to that girl, I have to thank her for saving me from that fall, he silently decided. He walked back towards the massive white house. He walked faster even if he was still afraid of what she might do to him when she sees him once again. When he got near the house, he saw the girl, sitting and crying with her head down in front of a round table. He looked at her and the whole place for a while. Slowly, Henry approached her. The girl immediately noticed him, she tried hard to stop herself from crying looking intently at Henry. She didn't say anything. Henry walked and stood on the other side of the small round table.

          "You came back, are you still afraid of me, huh?" the beautiful girl asked Henry.

          "No, not anymore, a little maybe," Henry's hesitant answer.

          "Don't you want to sit down, are you afraid that I might eat you, huh?"

          "If you hadn't saved me earlier, I could have been gone by now, and if you want to eat me now, probably I don't have the right to get mad at you, maybe a little sulky, yes," Henry's hesitant joke to his beautiful savior.

          The girl smiled slightly after hearing what Henry said to her.

          "Sit down, I suppose you could see that it doesn't fit me to eat and fed on humans."

          "Certainly, it doesn't fit you," Henry answered fast looking and admiring the girl's beautiful face as he sat down in front of her.

          "I don't really fed on humans. Everyday I only eat fruits, the chicken and the pigs I'm growing in my backyard," the lovely girl narrated looking at Henry.

          "Really... you eat chickens and pigs?" Henry in Jag jeans asked.

          "Yes, but before I start eating, I see to it that it is properly seasoned and cooked. In fact I like using Ajinomoto, Maggi Magic Sarap and Ajiginisa to make sure that my dishes taste really dellicious," her hesitant joke looking at Henry's face.

           "Ah... it's good that I am truly saved from falling and from being a part of your menu."

          "And don't worry, my body don't get broken into halves during full moon. It only happens when I no longer have a choice and if it's really necessary. Just like earlier, when I saw you fell down from your airplane," she explained further.

          "Really, you mean you'll always be this beautiful for me, you won't get broken into two halves right in front of me, huh?" Henry's fast question.

          "Why, are you going to fall down from your airplane once again, huh?" her fast reply.

          "Oh no, that was definitely the last, just promise me you won't get broken specially when I'm looking at you this way, huh."

          "Yes."

          "Promise?"

          "Yes, really, you're so 'kulit naman'."

          "Why, you don't want somebody as "makulit' and as handsome and as playful as I am, huh? Wait, what's your name, huh?"

          "Aryanna, I'm Aryanna," the girl introduced herself.

          "Your name name is so beautiful, just like you, and I must admit you're the most beautiful girl that I have ever seen my whole life. By the way, are there other people living with you here in that massive white house, huh?" Henry asked looking at time in his Rolex Watch.

          "No, I'm all alone, I'm the only one living in that big house, for a long time now."

          "You mean there's only the two of us in this place right now, huh?"

          "Yes," Aryanna answered.

          "My... it's so scary..." Henry gently said, looking and smiling at Aryanna.

          "Come, let's get inside the house," Henry invited the beautiful owner of the massive white house painted with Boysen Paint.

          "Why, what are you planning to do inside my house, huh?" wondering, Aryanna who uses Knorr when she's cooking 'sinigang, asked.

          "We'll play, scare games..." Henry softly joked. "Didn't you tell me that you cook delicious chicken and pork, maybe you could treat me with a heavy meal. I'm really hungry and thirsty from running earlier," he explained.

          "Come inside so you can drink and taste my dishes."

          "After they had eaten and a few days of conversations, laughters and personal games, Henry and Aryanna stayed inside the massive white house more often and longer. In other words, their love for each other brought into this world a cute, handsome, and healthy baby boy. And after another one and a half years, the baby boy, that Henry and Aryanna named as Xander became even cuter, handsomer and healthier. "Xander, dad is leaving you for a while, I'm going down to the city to buy your Johnson's Baby Oil, Johnson's Baby Powder, Bona milk and your favorite baby clothes, you like those huh..." Henry lovingly told his baby boy.

          "Come back as soon as you can Henry, you know Xander wants to be with you all the time, he becomes so uneasy if he doesn't see you around," Aryanna, who uses Tide detergent soap when she washes Xander's clothes, reminded Henry.

          "Maybe what you mean is, you feel so uneasy and lonely when I'm not around, hugging you like this," Henry teased and hugged the girl he truly loves. "Don't you worry Aryanna, I'll come back as fast as I can. I'll be home for dinner and I might take my younger brother with me. My brother likes Knorr Sinigang a lot, I'm sure he'll like your Sinigang version too."

          "Okay, just be careful when you go down from the mountains, I'll expect you to be home by late afternoon. Xander and I will wait for your return," Aryanna reminded Henry.

          "Bye Xander, daddy's leaving now..." his good bye to his son, kissing him in the cheek.

          Hours after Henry had left, Aryanna felt and heard strange sounds around the massive white house. She peeked and realized that the day she had been fearing was about to come.

          "'Kuya' Henry your house is so beautiful and big and it's on top of the mountains. This whole place is just awesome,:" Henry's younger brother noticed and praised the scenery.

           "I'm glad you like it here, it's really fantastic around her, our place is wide and the wind is really fresh,"

his answer to his brother.

          "Aryanna! I'm home! Where did you go, why didn't you meet me outside the house like you always do every time I come home from the city?" Henry asked looking at Aryanna.

          "I'm sorry, but I was doing something inside the house," Aryanna answered glancing worriedly around

their house. "Hurry up and come inside our house Henry."

          "Aryanna, this is my younger brother."

          "How do you do..." greeted Henry's brother.        

          "Hurry up come inside the house now," fast, Aryanna commanded the two.

          When the three had entered the house, "What's wrong, you look so anxious and worried, what's the problem Aryanna?" Henry's worried question to Aryanna. "And why do you keep on looking outside our house. You look terrified, what are you afraid of?"

          "They have found me Henry, they've discovered where I've been hiding all this time. I'm afraid that you might get dragged into this whole thing. It would be better if you just leave the mountains and bring Xander along with you, just leave me here. I want you and Xander to be safe. It's happening, tonight they're all coming here to end my life..."

          "No! I'm not leaving you Aryanna. We'll all be together, no matter what. Xander and I can't leave you here all alone and in danger."

          "What are you and Aryanna talking about, I don't understand it but I'm beginning to worry now..." Henry's younger brother butted in.

          "Didn't I tell you before that Aryanna is not an ordinary girl."

          "Yeah, you had mentioned that before, but you didn't quite explain why," his younger brother answered.

          "Aryanna is a 'manananggal, but she's a good creation, she doesn't harm humans," Henry assured his brother.

          "Are you kidding me Henry, how can someone as beautiful as this girl be a 'manananggal', huh?"

          Henry and Aryanna explained everything to the worried young man. But after he heard the whole story, he wasn't sure if he was going to believe them or not.

          "Everything that we have told you is true, believe us," Henry said trying to convince his younger brother.

          "Run and go down the mountains Henry, while we still have time, just leave me here, this is my destiny.

Take our son with you, Henry please..." Almost in tears, Aryanna begged Henry.

          But Henry adamantly refused and stood his ground. The horrible night came.

          "There's no more time Henry, we can no longer leave this house, I could sense it they're all here watching us close by... outside the house..."

          "The three of you, go and hide upstairs. Leave me here. Go upstairs and hide now please Henry..." Aryanna begged and begged Henry.

          "No! I've said it, I'm not leaving you here Aryanna. I'll stay by your side, no matter what happens...

Brother, here, take Xander with you and hide upstairs," Henry commanded his younger brother.

          "Okay Henry I'm taking my nephew, Xander with me, we'll find a place to hide upstairs." Hurriedly, Henry's younger brother ran up the stairs and hid.

          From their hiding place above, Henry's younger could see Henry and Anabelle downstairs. Shortly, they heard horrible and terrifying noises from the roof and several parts of the massive house. Suddely, a large group of evil 'aswang' and 'manananggal' came flying in, and scattered all over the house.

          "Have mercy, just me.. kill only me. Please... don't harm my husband... please..." Aryanna begged the leader of the 'aswang' and 'manananggal'. Hurriedly, Henry ran towards Aryanna and covered her body with his, hugging her. Aryanna begged once more but they didn't listen to her. One horrible looking 'manananggal' came flying fast and grabbed Henry away from Anabelle and bit him in the neck with his fang. Very weak, Henry felt on the floor, trying to reach for Aryanna's hands. Right before Anabelle's very eyes, Henry died. In a second, several 'manananggal' came flying towards Aryanna and bit her all over. After a short while, the 'manananggal released Aryanna, falling beside Henry. Aryanna looked at her husband for the last time and died. From where they were hiding, Henry's brother saw everything that had happened. Trembling, he held little Xander in his arms. He was in shock and didn't know what to do at that moment. He kept on looking downstairs and realized that Xander was also looking down at his parents, crying in his arms. In a moment, one horrible 'manananggal' noticed and discovered their hiding place upstairs. Fast, the 'manananggal' flew towards them. In panic, the young man dropped little baby boy. Crying softly, Xander saw the 'manananggal'

flew towards them, nearer and nearer. Little Xander continued looking at the approaching 'manananggal' and when it was about to grab him, the baby boy suddenly shouted, "Xander!"

          Henry's brother was stunned with what he had witnessed. Xander's little body turned into a half from the waist up and started elevating from the floor, floating in the air. He floated higher and higher and to the young man's surprise a blue ray of light came out from Xander's body. The blue light moved and hit the gruesome 'manananggal'. Right before the young man's very eyes, the 'manananggal' burned and turned into ashes. Enraged, the other 'aswang' and 'manananggal' came flying all together towards Xander. To the young man's amazement, the blue ray of light came shooting out from Xander and, one by one, hit all of the flying gruesome 'manananggal'. And just like the first, many of the 'manananggal' and 'aswang' burned and turned into ashes. And in just a short while, all of the gruesome creatures was beaten and killed single-handidly by little Xander. Shortly after, the massive house blazed into a burning inferno. The young man was still in shock with what he had witnessed that night, unable to move. Xander's half body came flying towards him. Horrified, he continued looking at Xander as he approached him from the air. Suddenly he felt something touched and held him by his shoulders. Xander carried and flew him out of the burning house. While Xander was flying him, the young man could see the little boy's half body flying in the air. He looked up and wondered how did the little boy carried him, when he didn't have any feet nor legs when he flew him out of the burning house. He could feel something was tightly holding his two shoulders, but he just couldn't see what it was. While in the air, he kept looking up to find out what was grabbing him, but still he didn't see anything. Shortly after, not far from the burning house, Xander started flying him down until the young man's feet touched the ground. He was unable to stand, and fell sitting on the ground. He looked at the flying little boy and after he had gathered enough courage, he approached him and held his upper body. How could this little boy fly considering that he doesn't have any wings. He was still fearful but he tried to touch what was under Xander that held him earlier. Immediately and to his surprise, the young man felt Xander's two legs, and when he went lower, he also felt his two feet. Slowly, he realized that the little boy had invisible legs and feet. Xander was invisible from the waist down. His body was not broken into halves unlike the other 'manananggal'.

          "Xander!" the little boy shouted once more as the young man held him carefully with his arms. And all of a sudden, Xander's legs and feet reappeared. Surprised and taken aback, the young man dropped Xander and the little boy fell on the ground. He cried and cried looking at the Henry's younger brother. The massive house continued burning. Worried that some 'mananangal' and 'aswang' might have survived the fire, the young man immediately carried little Xander in his arms. He ran and ran as fast as he could away from the burning house. He ran until he could no longer see the house. Exhausted and catching his breath, he stopped and looked intently at the boy he was carrying in his arms. Xander looked up at him and tightly, the young man embraced him. "From this day forward, I'll protect you, and love you like my own son, I promise," he vowed looking into Xander's eyes and embraced him once again.

                                                                    VIII

          After Eric had told the whole story, he approached Xandro. "That was everything that had happened Xandro, and I'd understand if you won't believe it, because I myself didn't believe your parents until I've witnessed everything that had happened on that horrible and sad day," Eric stated and sat in front of Xandro.

          "Then my real name is Xander and not Xandro, uncle."

          "You're right, and I only changed your name to protect you. I was worried that your legs and feet my turn invisible right in front of your friends if you, mistakenly, shout your real name, Xander. I chose the name Xandro because it sounds almost like your real name. Also, I decided not to tell you about your real identity  because I wasn't sure what effect it will have in your ordinary life. As far as I was concerned, I wanted you to have a normal life, just like any other child back then.

          "And based on your story... I'm also a 'manananggal', is that it uncle?" softly, Xandro asked Eric.

          "No... no... Because according to your parents, right before they were killed by the 'aswang' and 'manananggal', you're human. The evil 'manananggal', with black wings and a very long tonque, killed all the 'manananggal', with white wings and with a long blue rope in the middle of their upper chests, because of an old prophecy. The good 'manananggal' used their thin rope to get fruits from the trees and to pick flowers in the forests. The trees where they got fruits, bear more fruits, and the plants they picked flowers from, flowered even more. They believed that a powerful man who was destined to be the protector of the entire human race and will kill all of the black winged 'manananggal' will be born from the race of the good and white winged 'manananggal'. And this powerful man will be born by the princess of the good 'manananggal'. And that princess was your mother Aryanna, the last breed left of their race back then. She hid and hid, while she waited  for the arrival of the man who will love her and would help fulfill the prophecy. And true indeed, your father Henry came to love your mother. Henry loved your mother truly and deeply, in spite of her real identity. He loved you mother more than his own life, and he proved his love for her to the very end by offering to stand and die by her side.

          Xandro remained quiet and sat still with his head slightly bent down. He could feel the pain that his parents went through in the hands of the evil creatures.

          "I know how painful this would be for you son, I for myself could still remember and feel the agony and pain that my brother and Aryanna had been through on that sad day. The most important thing is, you had  immediately given justice to the horrible end of your parents."

          After Eric had left, Xandro walked slowly towards the small window. He wasn't able to stop the tears from falling from his eyes. Then he decided to leave Eric's house for a walk. Downstairs, Xandro saw Eric sitting on the sofa. "Uncle, I'll be gone for a while, I really need to think about all of this. I'll come back, don't worry," Xandro asked Eric's permission to leave.

          "Yeah, you do that son. I hope that tonight you would be able to accept everything in your heart. Go on son, think and decide what you're going to do from now on," his answer to his nephew as he sipped his hot Nescafe coffee.

          Outside, Xandro walked and walked in his new Converse Shoes. He had already walked for quite a distance when he saw a long bench near LBC. He noticed no one else was around, alone, he sat for a moment. He convinced himself that everything that had happened in the past was a part of God's bigger plans for the whole world. What matters then was for him to muster enough courage to face everything and fulfill the responsibilities that fate has given him. Slowly he stood up, took a deep breath and shouted, "Xander!" Xander slightly floated from the ground. Slowly, he felt better inside. He felt his short hair grew longer. His short facial hairs disappeared. He tried floating upwards, higher and higher. He was standing up in the air, inclined himself slightly forward, raised his right arm above his head and flew upward and fast. He flew and flew, stopped, stood up straight and held his waists. I didn't know, flying feels this great and awesome, Xander thought smiling at himself. Shortly, he flew once again, faster and faster this time until he reached and stopped, looking down in the middle of the wide ocean. He could see the big and grand Aboitiz Super Ferry and the colorful lights around it. He also saw a small group of fishermen in their small boats sailing quietly with their bright lamps they bought from SM Mall. He felt immensely great and as free as a bird. He then flew in wide circles and in different directions. He flew faster once more, and later he turned and flew cyclical in the air. He had already flown so far, he decided to fly back to the city, to see once again the beautiful buildings and roads of Manila. He was amused by the lines and files of Toyota, Daewoo, Mazda, Nissan cars and lot others in their bright lights. He stopped on top and admired the beauty and grandness of the whole of  Luneta Park. He saw many park goers with their respective families. They looked so happy while they were eating Greenwich Pizza, Mang Inasal Lechon Manok and drinking Nestea, Sprite, Kool Aid, Tang, and Coca-Cola. He was also amused by the balloons held by several vendors as the children dragged their parents to buy one. He noticed the water fountain in the middle of the big and long park looked even better and more appealing when watched  from above. Many of the park goers were wearing Bench T-Shirts and Jag Jeans. And fast he flew once more until he stopped near the top of the Appliance Center he was working. He looked down on it and thought, tomorrow... tomorrow I'm going to see Althea once again, the only girl I love in this world. Shortly, while he was standing in the air, with his two arms relaxed on his sides, he couldn't tell what but something made him open his two palms, facing forward, fast and hard. Suddenly, he felt a strong force coming from the middle and upper part of his chest. And from here, a thin and golden rope went shooting out. It looked like golden threads intertwined together forming a thin rope. Xander looked carefully at it, it reached up to about ten meters in length and it moved in the air as it was alive. Xander looked downward to see his foot, but instead of seeing it, he only saw the hollow inside of his right shoe, Xander just smiled, he took a deep  breath and suddenly the thin golden rope shortened and went back inside his chest. He decided to go back to his Uncle Eric's house. And fast Xander flew once again going to the house that will soon be his new home. He flew and flew and when Xander saw the window of Eric's room, he noticed his Uncle Eric was watching him, smiling at him. Xander stopped flying in the air and stood facing his uncle. He greeted by smiling at him, slightly bending his head down. Then he flew upwards going to the attic and slowly flew back in passing through the open door. As his shoes touched the floor, he noticed his feet have reappeared from the hem of his pants. He shouted gently,"Xander!" His hair shortened once again, returning back to its old crew cut and his facial hairs grew back.

                                                                    IX

          The following morning when Xandro went downstairs, he saw Eric and his twins sitting in the dining table. Eric noticed him and asked him to sit beside him, "Xandro It's good you're awake, come here and sit beside me so you could eat breakfast."

          "Thanks uncle," Xandro's answer as he pulled back his chair.

          "Just wait and in a little while Cristina will come out with our breakfast."

          "Xandro you look great in your clothes. I think you dress up to impress a girl you like in your workplace huh?" Rap-rap noticed and teased.

          "How did you know, I bet you yourself is trying to impress a girl at your school," Xandro immediately answered.

           "Yeah and her name is Jean," the fast answer of Rap-rap who shined his shoes last night using Kiwi Liquid Wax.

            "What, you're trying to impress Jean, didn't you know that I have been trying to impress her a long time ago, huh?" Ron-ron asked.

          "I know, and that's exactly why I'm trying to impress her too, it's what you call... brotherly sharing," Rap-rap teased smirking. "No, I'm just joking. There's another girl I like but she doesn't seem to like me. She thinks I'm too thrifty because I refused to buy her candies and chocolates at the canteen. I told her I'll just pick her flowers from our school garden but she just frowned at me and left."

          "Okay you two that's enough already, eat and finish your breakfast so you two could go to school early," Cristina, who just came out from the kitchen carrying Purefoods Hotdog, fried Bounty Fresh Chicken, Gardenia loaf bread, and Eden Cheese, said. "Xandro go ahead and eat, this is your first breakfast with Eric after a long long time."

          "Yeah you're right, I haven't thought of that," Immediately, Eric said and picked three hotdogs, ham and fried 'bangus' fish.

          "I think I'm going to enjoy it here because your breakfast is always delicious," Xandro just said as he poured Nescafe Coffee in his glass.

          "Please hand me my Nido Milk Rap-rap," Ron-ron requested his brother.

          "Okay, here, let's drink up all our milk together Ron-ron, so, together,  dad would also increase our allowances," Rap-rap said smiling at his dad.

          "Okay, I'm in such a good mood now for finding Xandro, as of today kids your allowances have just increased," Eric said pulling out his Seiko Wallet from the pocket of his Freego Jeans.

          "Mom, what did you put inside our lunch boxes?" Rap-rap asked.

          "What else, of course I put in Gardenia filled with Swift Bacon and Eden Cheese, Rebisco Sandwich and some Zest-o. Just buy something from your canteen for lunch, and be sure to include vegetables and not just meats okay."

          "Yes mom," Rap-rap and Ron-ron who were both in Swatch Watch answered.

          Cristina was left all alone in the house that looked bright because of the Boysen Paints they used.

Eric drove his twins to school in his Mazda car. Xandro refused his uncle's offer to bring him to Veron's because he was going on a different direction and he didn't want his little cousins to be late for school. Xandro rode a jeep. Many of the passengers were wearing Hanes T-Shirts and some had Seiko Wallets. When he reached the Appliance Center, Veronica and Lynette weren't there. He sat on the sofa and waited. Shortly, Veronica came in.

          "Xandro, it's good you came in early," Veronica said.

          "Good morning Ma'am Veronica," Xandro pleasantly greeted her.

          "Good morning too Xandro. By the way, take this Nokia Cellphone it's yours. I want you to have this so I could contact you if there's something I want you to do in connection with your deliveries."

          "I had saved our company number in that cellphone, so you could immediately call us back here in case you had some problems with your deliveries, okay."

          As they talked, Xandro kept looking at the main door.

          "Who are you looking for and you kept glancing at the door, is it Lynette?"

          "Nothing, I just looked, really."

          "Really... she'll come in later this afternoon, I asked her to do something important, she's probably at some restaurant talking to some of our suppliers."

          "Is that so."

          "You just stay here and wait, I'll just go to my office and make a call."

           "Just go ahead Ma'am Veronica.

          Xandro sat down on the big and long sofa, he watched what was airing on the Samsung TV. I hope Althea finishes with her meeting early so I could see her. God... how I want to see her and hold her now, Xandro thought impatiently. In a short while, a new customer in RayBan and Adidas Shirt came in. Xandro immediately greeted him, "Good morning sir." Xandro in turn called the Saleslady for her to entertain the prospective customer. Xandro sat once more and checked the new cellphone Veronica had given him while the Saleslady did her work with the customer. The customer checked and surveyed the appliances, and then he approached a big and white GE Refrigerator. The Saleslady opened its door to show him what was inside of it. He also walked and approached the GE Washing Machine. The Saleslady pleasantly explained and showed him the special features of the said appliance. Moments later, Xandro saw the customer paid his purchases. Immediately the customer left. The Saleslady immediately called Xandro and asked him to load up the big refrigerator and washing machine in the Delivery Van. After Xandro had loaded everything at the back of the van, he immediately climbed and sat on the driver's seat. He opened the Zest-o juice and drank. This tastes really great, Xandro noticed smiling a bit. He laughed a little when he saw that Cristina had also stuffed in Gardenia loaf bread, filled with Swift Bacon and Eden Cheese. "On to my next delivery..." Xandro said softly. He read the address of the delivery, and learned that it was for a house at Camella Homes Compund. I know this place. Xandro drove. While he was driving he passed by a busy Jollibee Branch. Jollibee, as usual, is filled with so many customers. So many customers flock in to this branch every time I pass by. When he reached Petron, he decided to refuel. Their service is good and fast, Xandro noticed and drove away. Xandro rang the doorbell when he reached the house. This house looks great, and the color of the paint fits the design of the house, Xandro silently praised the house looking up at it. Shortly a beautiful lady came out running to meet Xandro.

          "Good morning, I'm here for the delivery Ma'am," Xandro pleasantly greeted.

          "That's probably the refrigerator and washing machine dad said he is going to buy this morning," the beautiful girl started smiling at Xandro. "Come inside." Xandro went inside following the beautiful girl.

          "Where will I put this down?" Xandro asked carrying the big refrigerator on his strong arms.

          "Put it down here," she immediately said pointing at a corner of the kitchen. Xandro in turn positioned the big refrigerator on the said corner.

          "Just wait, the big washing machine is next," Xandro said and left. When he returned, the beautiful girl pointed at the door leading to the back of their house. Carrying the big washing machine, Xandro went through the door and placed and appliance on the ground. "Camella Homes is really beautiful, even the back of the house is nicely done and finished with a bright looking paint."

          Looking at Xandro, the girl invited Xandro back in. "Come inside to our living room." Xandro went inside surveying the whole house.

          "Okay, I'm done. I've got to go, bye..." Xandro said smiling at her.

          "Oh no... have a seat first," she said pulling Xandro down into the long sofa. "My... you're so strong. You looked so relaxed as if you were not carrying a heavy load on your big arms. You probably go to the gym all the time. You can't have a body like that, just sitting down at an office all day. Do you go to a gym and where?"

          "No Ma'am just daily push-ups every morning," Xandro simply answered.

          "So morning push-ups made your body look like that," she just said flashing her cute smile at Xandro.

          "Probably.... yes I think," Xandro immediately answered.

          "Do you play basketball huh?" the girl's next ready question.

          "Why? Yes once in a while."

          "You're tall and really handsome, you'll look great playing at popular basketball league. With your good looks, you'll have a lot of fans screaming for you."

          "Huh really...  but I'm not that tall, I'm only 6'2"."

          "That's more than enough, others played great games even if they just stand 5'7". It's how you play the game and not much on the height. With a face and a body like that, talent scouts would run and offer you everything just to get you signed. Why don't you try watching some shows on a television studio, live. I'm sure they'll notice and get you. With your good looks and charms, they'll probably cast you as movie action star doubling as a nightly soap handsome leading man."

          "Really... I could work as an actor."

          "Of course, just give it a try. You know how things are in the Philippines, The ones with foreign blood are usually signed up as an actor. Aren't you interested, actors usually earns higher than most of us."

          "Yeah... I heard."

          "Wait, how old are you, huh?" the beautiful girl asked looking at Xandro.

          "Me, I'm twenty-one, just two weeks ago."

          "By the way what kind of a girl do you like, huh?" she asked softly smiling at him.

          "Me, I just want a girl who could make me fall in love with her the first time I see her and could make me want to marry her the second time."

          "My that's something... and what is your favorite line to a girl, huh?"

          "It's a bit ridiculous, it's like this, I'm her one half, she's my other half, she makes me a whole number," Xandro just said and laughed a little.

          "Here drink this softdrink, Sprite first, this will quench your thirst easily."

          "Thanks..." after drinking Xandro stood up. "Okay, I've got to go, I'm still needed at the Appliance Center."

          "Okay... if we need another appliance we'll buy again at your branch. By the way, this is my calling card, you can call me anytime, if you need someone to talk to or a friend you can confide your problems with. Don't forget I'm waiting for your call..." the beautiful girl softly said looking at Xandro's eyes.

           Xandro just smiled at her and slowly walked out of the house. He climbed and rode his van. While he was driving on his way back, he passed by Chowking. He really would like to buy Pancit Canton and lumpia, but he knew he was still needed back at the appliance center so he drove a little faster. Xandro continued driving the delivery van. Later, he passed the biggest Billboards of Hanes, Levi's, and Penshoppe. He also passed by Mercury Drugstore. Carefully, Xandro drove and drove. He bent his head down slightly and looked at his Seiko Watch, he was worried that he might have spent too much time on his delivery earlier. He realized he didn't. I'm still on time, he thought and looked back at the long road. He saw a speeding big bus far ahead. Suddenly, the big bus swerved left and right uncontrollably and slightly bumped the sides of the other smaller cars along its way. Xandro realized that the driver had totally lost control of his vehicle. Xandro started hearing the passengers screaming for their lives, panicking. Even the the people around the road screamed pointing at the speeding bus. Xandro wasted no time and immediately pulled over his van to the side of the road and stopped. He looked left and right carefully checking if anyone noticed him. 

And when he realized that everyone's attention was focused on the speeding bus, Xandro shouted, "Xander!" Immediately, his short beard and mustache disappeared, his short hair grew a bit longer covering his ears slightly. After his transformation, Xander flew out of the Delivery van. Xander flew fast in the air and chased after the speeding big bus which was still swerving left and right at the highest part of the skyway. He chased and chased after it until the big bus finally hit the fence of the skyway. The big bus overshoot the skyway and fell downward going to the passing cars on the road. In panic, the passengers screamed loudly for their lives. In a blinding speed, Xander chased after the falling big bus and when he finally caught it, he lifted the big bus with his two arms from under and middle part of the vehicle. Xander was slowly flying the big bus downward when suddenly someone shouted and cried, "Mommy! Mommy! Mommy!"

          Xander turned his head towards the origin of the loud cry and saw a little boy desperately clinging on the railings of the long skyway. He cling and cling fearing for his life. Suddenly, the boy loosen his grip and fell downward going to the road. While in the air, Xander suddenly released the big bus he was carrying and flew after the falling little boy; Xander, with his arms on his sides, opened his two palms, facing forward, fast and hard. The thin golden rope went shooting out from the middle and upper part of his chest and immediately circled around the falling big bus, tying and lifting it in the air. Xander flew faster and in an instant caught the falling little boy. Flying, Xander carefully carried the crying little boy in his right arm. Xander noticed that a big crowd has gathered down the road, looking up and cheering at them. Many of them were taking videos of the whole rescue scenario with their modern cameras. The crowd was stunned at what they were seeing, they couldn't believe that at this digital age, they would see a flying man and that strong. They cheered and clapped loudly as they continued witnessing Xander's heroism right in the middle of the city. The little boy just stared at Xander while he carried and flew him downward going to the road. "Thank you... thank you for rescuing me, mister," the little boy thanked Xander looking up to him.

          "You need not thank me, it's my great pleasure and honor to help anyone who needs me," calmly, Xander answered the little boy slightly smiling at him.

          "Ah.... what's your name sir? the little asked Xander.

          "Xander, my name is Xander."

          "Standing in the air, Xander continued flying the little boy downward while the golden rope lifted and balanced the big bus above, encircling it. Slowly and carefully, Xander lowered the heavy bus until its tires finally touched the ground. Xander took a deep breath and fast the golden rope shortened and returned inside his chest. The previously panicking passengers immediately ran and jumped out of the bus. They run again on the road and waited for Xander's descent with the little boy in his right arm.

          "Son! I'm over here!" shouted one happy and thankful woman in the crowd.

          "Mommy! Mommy!" the little boy shouted back at his mother.

          Xander immediately handed the little boy to his mother.

          "Thank you so much for saving my son," the mother thanked Xander as she carried her child in her arms.

          "You're most welcome Ma'am," Xander's fast answer and instantly flew up, away from the crowd when he noticed a reporter holding a camera in her hand, followed by her cameraman, was approaching him.

          When Xander was certain that no one was noticing him, he immediately flew back in, inside the parked Delivery van. And then immediately shouted, "Xander!" His short beard and mustache reappeared and his hair returned to his usual crew cut hair style.

                                                                              X

          Xandro drove back to Veron Appliance Center. And when he finally reached it at noon, he realized Lynette still had not arrived. He sat on the long sofa and hoped Lynette would finally arrive. He waited and waited but it was Veronica who came and approached him.

          "Hey, Xandro you're back. How was your delivery,? Did they like it, huh?" she asked immediately.

          "Yes Ma'am, the girl liked it."

          "She liked only the appliances, nothing else, huh Xandro?" she teased looking and waiting for Xandro's answer.

          "Huh, I can't really tell, but the appliances she really liked it," Xandro's quick answer smiling a little.

          "Okay, if you say so," she teased again. "It's twelve o'clock noon, you can take your lunchbreak. Just find yourself a Fastfood you like and you can eat your lunch there. Take your time, don't worry about our store, okay."

          "Thanks Ma'am Veronica, I'm going out now. I'll be back by one o'clock," Xandro said looking at Lynette's table. Xandro immediately noticed Veronica was slightly laughing at him. He immediately looked away from the table and headed for the main door. "Bye Ma'am Veronica I'm going out now."

          "Yeah, you already said that earlier," she teased again.

          Xanddro walked outside and chosed to eat a small Eatery near their store. He's more used to eating at small eateries. Inside, he immediately bought fried chicken, pancit canton, lumpia and Coke. After he had received his food, he immediately looked for an empty table. He put down his food on the table and his Coke to the right. He sat and drank some water. Xandro started eating. He read on the wall that the eatery used Magnolia Chicken, coated it with Crispy Fry, and fried it with Claro Cooking Oil. He immediately tasted it and definitely liked its taste. He was in the middle of his lunch when he drank Coke Softdrink.

                                                                     XI

          Shortly after, one customer stood up and turned on the Phillips TV on one corner of the said Eatery. After the Vaseline 2 in 1 Soap commercial, a News Update from a known TV Station was suddenly aired.

          "I'm here to conduct an interview to an extremely lucky little boy who had been wonderfully rescued earlier by a new Superhero who, according to our sources and which you will see in our video, possessed an incredible strength and had the ability to fly in the air," the female reporter started. And when it was shown on TV, the customers of the said eatery saw the breathtaking video of Xander flying, chasing, and catching a little boy in the air, saving him from falling downwards to the road. His incredible strength and power was clearly demonstrated as Xander carried the little boy in his arms while his golden rope lifted and balanced the heavy bus up in the air above him. The customers stopped eating when they saw Xander in the air, easily lowered and landed the big bus on the road using his golden rope with the little boy still in his right arm. They were greatly impressed and amazed by the video that was being shown on the Phillips TV. They were so proud that a very powerful flying superhero would be first seen in their country, the Philippines. All of them clapped and cheered happily and loudly from their tables at everything that they had just witnessed on TV.

          And then the female reporter continued her interview with the little child saved by Xander. "Would you like to tell all our TV viewers everything that had happened and  how you got rescued by this flying Superhero?" the reporter asked the little boy.

          "Yes," the boy answered looking at the camera. "I was riding a big bus with my mother and many other passengers when it suddenly swerved left and right on top of the long skyway. And then the big bus suddenly hit the fence of the skyway on the side. Next thing, I was thrown out of my chair. I didn't know how, but I was able to cling on the skyway railings. And I clang as tight and strong as I can so I wouldn't fall down. I was so afraid when I saw how high I was. So I held on as long as I could. But then, I got tired, both my hands were aching for clinging too hard. And when I can no longer endure it, I accidentally loosened my grip. I immediately felt I was falling down really fast going to the road. I was so afraid, I just closed my eyes. In just a little while, I felt someone caught me. I stopped from falling. And when I opened my eyes, I saw a man beside me. I was so surprised when I noticed that he was flying in the air. I was saved by a man who could fly. I was unable to speak, I was just looking at him as he continued flying me down. And I was even more surprised when I saw, above us, that the golden rope from his chest was lifting the heavy bus we were riding earlier. I immediately realized that my mother was also safe, I was so happy. In gratitude, I immediately thanked my savior, my hero," the long narration of the little boy.

          "And what did he say to you, after you thanked him?" the lady reporter asked holding her microphone.

          "He told me that it was his great pleasure and honor to help anyone who needs him. And then I heard my mother called my name. So he immediately handed me to my mom."

          "Were you able to ask who he was?"

          "Yes, he told me his name is Xander."

          "Huh, his name is Super Xander?" the lady reporter's fast question.

          The little boy didn't know how to react to the reporter, and so he just scratched his head. "Yes, his name is Super Xander..." Shortly the mother of the little boy pulled him away from the lady reporter and the reporter's interview was cut short.

          The customers in the eatery was so amazed at what they had seen on TV. The lady reporter continued her report. "You have just heard it, the name of this icredible flying man is Super Xander. And according to some of my interviewees earlier, after the handsome flying man had handed the little boy to his mother, he immediately bid good bye to the crowd and said the line, 'Up! Up and see you soon...!' This is Jessica Mara reporting for NewsFlash," the lady reporter ended. And then the Vaseline 2 in 1 Soap Commercial was shown on TV.

                                                                  XII

          A little amused at the last part of the lady's report, Xandro just scratched his head. What I said was, my name is Xander and not Super Xander, and I said a simple good bye, and not Up! Up and see you soon..., Xander silently thought slightly shaking his head. And then the customers conversed and gave their reactions at their respective tables. Xandro immediately finished his food. He drank his Coke once more, slowly got up and started walking back towards Veron Appliance Center. When he got to the store, he heard the five Salesladies discussing among themselves. They got so excited about the new Superhero. Only, they felt a bit disappointed they weren't at the scene when it actually happened. They really wanted to see Xander up close and personal. "My... if I had only known that there was a flying man ealier, I could have ran out and watch, even if Ma'am Veronica fires me," one excited saleslady said.

          "Really... if Super Xander is again seen flying in the air, you just try running ahead of me outside and you're all getting fired," Veronica's fast joke to her five Salesladies and approached Xandro.

          "Hey Xandro, did you see the news on TV? There was an extraordinary man seen in our country, according to the news, this man possessed incredible strength, in fact he easily lifted in the air a big bus while he was flying."

          "Yes, I had also seen it while I was having lunch at the eatery nearby, I just couldn't believe it myself," Xandro's hesitant answer.

          "That was really genuine, in fact videos and videos of it have already been uploaded all over the internet and my goodness its hits are getting higher and higher as we speak. And even other countries are in frenzy reporting Super Xander's sightings at this very hour," Veronica excitedly added. "I wonder if Lynette had seen this too... Okay you just stay here, I'm calling Lynette and ask her if she had seen it too."

          When Lynette's name was mentioned Xandro couldn't help but smile and wondered if she had indeed seen it too. Several hours have passed but the news about Super Xander's sightings kept getting bigger and bigger. Xandro remained seated while he watched the constant rebroadcast of the hottest and latest news about him. Shortly, a married couple entered the store and bought a Sharp Washing Machine. Xandro immediately lifted and carried it on his arms and loaded it on the back of  their own truck. After the couple had thanked Xandro, he immediately went back inside the Appliance Center. It was almost five o'clock in the afternoon but still no sign of lynette, Xandro was already feeling a bit impatient, longing to see her immediately. Shortly, Veronica came out, she seemed to be talking to someone on her Nokia Cellphone.

          "Yes Lynette, I'm going there now, just wait a little and I'm fetching you," Veronica said to the person on the other line. "Bye..."

          "Hey all you, listen up take care of the store for me. I'm leaving to see Lynette near LBC," Veronica said her good bye to the Salesladies.  "Xandro, you just stay here. I'll just fetch Lynette, I'm accompanying her to the old train station, she's meeting up with her old friend."

          "Just go ahead Ma'am Veronica, we're all taking care of things around here," Xandro's fast answer, rejoicing deep inside him.

                                                                        XIII

          Xandro had immediately paid his previous rental balance at his old boarding house and at the moment he was busy preparing himself for his meeting or what he considered his first date with Lynette.

          "Are you going somewhere Xandro?" the question of Eric who had just came in looking at Xandro who was applying Gatsby wax on his short hair.

          "Yes Uncle Eric, I'm meeting up with Althea tonight, the one I had already told you about before," smiling, Xandro answered.

          "So you're going to meet up with your beautiful and beloved girl."

          "Yes uncle, I hope I get lucky tonight and would really see her at the old train station."

          Eric immediately said good bye to Xandro after he had given him the big can of Fibisco Biscuits that he purchased for him.

          "Xander!" softly, Xander shouted. His short beard and mustache immediately vanished and his short hair grew a bit longer. He flew fast out of the attic. He flew fast and straight going to the old train station. He wanted to reach the old train station at the fastest way possible. He wanted to arrive first at the closed old train station which was well taken cared of and still brightly lighted. When Xander reach the top of the train station, he immediately flew downwards touching the ground. He was just about to shout Xander when suddenly someone called out loud, "Xando!" from inside an old train. Xander immediately glanced at the direction of the voice. He saw Althea, looking out from the window of the old train.

          "Althea!"

          Althea immediately stood, and walked fast going to the train's exit. Xander immediately ran fast to meet Althea going down the train.

           "Xando, you came!" said the ecstatic Althea.

          "You too, you came finally!" Xander immediately took Althea's hands to assist her down. Intently, Althea looked at Xander's face while he was gentlemanly holding and assisting her down.

          "How are you?"

          "Good and very happy that you have gone back to see me," Xander's excited answer.

          A smile played on Althea's lips with what she heard from Xander. Althea could see Xander's excitement and happiness as he looked deep into her eyes. Immediately, Xander held Althea's other hand after she got down from the train. Xander couldn't help but stare at Althea's incomparable beautiful face as he held her two soft and smooth hands. Althea looked up at Xander's face, smiled at him and looked down on Xandro's hands which had been possibly holding hers. Xander just smiled when he noticed what Althea just did but instead of releasing her hands, he instead squeezed it slightly looking handsome and proud in front of her. "You've returned, finally, Althea. I've waited a long long time for this, to finally see you close to me."

          "Ah... let go of my hands first Xando..." smiling a little, Althea told Xander. Right after Xander had released her hands, she immediately stepped forward and hugged Xander. "Did you really waited for me Xando?" Althea asked softly.

          "Yes! Yes! I've waited and waited so many times!" Xander answered and immediately hugged Althea back. "And now that you have already returned, I'm not letting go of you, not anymore, you're staying her by my side!"

          "Do you still remember that bench over there Xando?" Althea's question looking at the bench.

          "Yes... of course. I could still remember the two of us sitting over there. Come let's sit on it once again," Xandro's answer as he held her gently and guided her towards it. They sat on the long bench. Contented in their silence, Xander and Althea sat on the bench holding each other's hands. In just a short while, Xander took something. "Here, do you still remember these, Althea?" Xander asked and handed it to her.

          "Huh, of course, and you really brought that, huh," a little amused Althea answered looking at it.

          "You see... I just thought we started with McDonald's Hamburgers, so I decided to start all over again with the same brand of hamburgers, just to let you know that I have never forgotten you and everything about you ever since," Xander replied smiling at her.

          Althea immediately took the hamburger from Xander and started eating. Still amused, Althea kept on eating the hamburger that Xander brought for her.

          "Hey, are you not going to eat, you seem to be just watching, go ahead and eat yours too."

          So Xander started eating the other hamburger. The two held hands as they enjoyed eating the delicious hamburgers. Xander then opened a can of Coke for Althea and for himself.

          "Okay, let's drink this can of Coke together Xando, I'm afraid you'll just watch me drink this," Althea teased Xander a little. Shortly, Xander and Althea finished drinking their cold and tasty Coke. And then they sat quietly beside each other, just enjoying each others nearness. Suddenly, Althea noticed something from Xander. "Did you bring something else for me, you seem to be hiding something at your back, what's that, huh?" teasingly, she told Xander.

          "Didn't I tell you before that if I had money I'm going to buy you something..." Xander softly said looking into Althea's beautiful face.

          "Don't tell me you brought me," a little excited, Althea said.        

           Xander immediately brought out the five red roses he was hiding at his back. "Here," Xander said giving Althea one red rose.

          "Goodness, this is so red and so pretty Xando, thanks... but why gave me only one huh, aren't those four for me too, huh Xando?" a little amused and wondering, Althea asked Xander.

          Xander just smirked and started removing the petals of the remaining roses. Xander kept pulling the petals and looked into Althea's eyes pushing her to react. Althea started giggling a little, unable to withstand Xander's stares at her. Xander kept on pulling the rose  petals, and Althea's giggling became louder and louder, getting more amused. Finally, Xander finished all the rose petals. And then, like a ceremony, he gently threw the rose petals above, falling on their laps, on the bench, and on the floor encircling them. And when he was done he looked back at Althea and waited smiling a little.

           "You, I don't know what to say to you. Normally, when the girl arrives the rose petals are already on the ground or everywhere waiting for her. But you, you pulled it right in front of me. Goodness where did you learn that," Althea just said still giggling a little. "But I must say, the old train station looks lovelier and livelier now because of what you just did."

           Xander just smiled at Althea and immediately held her other hand.

          "Did you came here often to see me Xando?" Althea asked softly.

          "Yes, I came here often just to see you. I waited and waited. And even if I failed for so many times, I never lost hope that someday we will be together once again," Xander confessed.

          "I had been wanting to go back here in the Philippines to meet up with you. But my grandmother and grandmother prevented me. I love them both dearly, I owe them a lot and I found it so hard to disappoint and disobey their  commands, their wishes for me. They took good care of me and sent me to school ever since mom and dad were both gone. But last time, they asked me to do something that I just couldn't do. I disobeyed them, for the first time.

          "They asked you to do something... what was it Althea?"

          "They asked me to marry Robert, the son of their business partner in America. I tried explaining to them that I'm already in love with someone else, but they just wouldn't listen. They ignored my pleadings,

and hurriedly scheduled my wedding with Robert. They froze all my bank accounts and even my credit cards  weren't spared. So I found it so hard to come home in the Philippines. Fortunately, Veronica, a close friend of mine, came to my rescue, she helped me escape just one day before my wedding with Robert. Veronica paid all my fares back here."

          "I'm glad that you have a kind-hearted and helpful friend because if not for here, maybe I wouldn't see you again."

          "Yeah, Veronica is a good and very dependable friend, I could count on her at everything."

          "For years, I've been longing to see you once again Althea. Even if I was still a little child, I already knew what I am feeling for you. I have never dreamed of being with any other girl but you Althea, only you... 

I love you Althea, I really really love you. Am I correct with my understanding that I was the one why you were able to disobey your beloved and respected grandmother and grandfather, huh Althea? Do you love me as much as I love you Althea?" Xander softly asked looking into Althea's eyes.

          Althea didn't answer, instead she stood and looked blankly on the old train station in front of them.

          So Xander stood and held her other hand, he pulled her and made her face him. Xander looked deep into her eyes, holding both her hands. "I love you Althea."

          "Really you love me Xando?"

          "Yes I love you Althea. I love you! I love you!" Xander answered sincerely and aloud looking at her.

          "Really you love me Xando, really?"

          "I love you! I love you. I really do!" Xander's fast and really loud answer.

          "Really?" Althea's enticing question.

          "Yes, I said! You're so... How could you be so annoying and so lovable all at the same time!"

          Althea burst into laughter looking at Xander's serious looking face. Her laughter rubbed off on Xander. Xander started laughing back. They both laughed and laughed holding each others hands and looking into each others face. They laughed and laughed. Slowly their laughters dwindled. Xander stopped laughing and looked and looked at Althea's inviting beautiful face. Althea stopped laughing too but her enticing smile remained playing on her soft lips as she looked up at Xander in front of her.

          Slowly, Xander held Althea's shoulders. "You're so beautiful Althea...  I love you... I really do," softly Xander admitted to her.

          "I love you, I love you too Xando..." so softly, Althea finally admitted to Xander.

          Xander just couldn't stop himself anymore, slowly he pulled Althea towards him. Gently, he bent his head down, his face so near to Althea's. Slightly, Althea tilted her head upwards meeting Xandro's, she could

feel what Xander wanted to do to her, she closed her eyes. Xander just couldn't avoid looking at Althea's beautiful face first, admiring it. He could see Althea wanted him to kiss her. Contented, he lowered his head to finally kiss her. Althea opened her two eyes, she was horrified with what she saw. "Vampire! Vampire!" she shouted hysterically and fainted.

                                                                   XIV

          Xander immediately held and caught the unconscious Althea. Holding her in his arms, he was so confused what just happened, until slowly he felt something strange inside his mouth. Xander caressed his lips. He was stunned with what he felt inside his mouth. "I have fangs... I now have sharp fangs...why did I grew this fangs, bewildered, he asked himself. Xander couldn't explain what he was feeling at that moment. Xander panicked, he didn't know what to do. Althea remained unconscious. Suddenly, he noticed a girl was running towards them. Xander realized that Veronica was running to his direction. So immediately, he lifted and carried the still unconscious Althea and carefully lay her on the bench. Afterwards, he immediately ran away from the said place. Thinking he had ran far enough, he flew upwards. Immediately, he held his mouth once again and instantly felt the sharp fangs that grew inside his mouth. From above, Xander saw that Veronica had already reached the unconscious Althea.

          "Lynette, Lynette what happened to you?" asked the worried and concerned Veronica trying to wake her up. "Lynette! Lynette wake up!"

          Moments later, Althea finally woke up.

          "What happened to you Lynette, why did you faint?"

          "Let's leave this place Veronica, hurry up, hurry up Veronica!" Althea was still extremely horrified with

she had seen on Xander.

          Veronica immediately held and assisted Althea as they walked towards her parked car nearby. In panic, Althea tried to reach the car as fast as she could. When they finally reached it, Veronica immediately opened her car's door for Althea. She immediately sat her on the backseat. After she had closed it, she immediately sat on the driver's seat and hurriedly drove away from the old train station.

          Flying from above, Xander continually worried about Althea. So he followed the car as it traveled on the long and lonely road. "What's happening to me, why did I turn this way, why did I grow fangs?" Xander repeatedly asked himself, bewildered. Eventually, he decided to stop following the car that Althea was riding and immediately flew back to his uncle's house. I need to talk to my uncle immediately. He better explain everything to me. Slowly, Xander felt that his fangs were gradually disappearing. Until it finally vanished, the discomfort disappearing. Xander flew faster to reach his Uncle Eric's house.

                                                                          XV

           Xander noticed that the light in the attic was still on. Slowly, he flew back in. He found Eric sitting on a chair. Eric immediately noticed that there was something bothering his nephew. He waited for Xander to talk and open up on his own. He carefully looked at him as Xander slowly approached him, but instead of sitting in front of him, he went to the small window, looked out and sighed. Xander stood, looking out on the window for a long time, deeply engrossed on his thoughts.

          "Uncle, don't you have anything else you want to tell me about, other than what you had already told me about my real identity?" Xander's soft and lonely question to his uncle.

          "So, what I didn't want to happen, happened," Eric started. "Did you try to kiss Althea, huh Xander?"

          From the window, Xander faced Eric. "Yes uncle... and... and she suddenly fainted right in front of me. But right before she fainted, I saw her great fear as she looked at me. She screamed so loud, extremely fearing my transformation, she saw my fangs... The only girl that I love is horrified by me..." at his lowest, Xander softly told his uncle.

          "You're right Xander, there is still something that you need to know about you, about your real identity. I decided not to tell you about this before, hoping that Althea would let you kiss her, so immediately you would acquire the other great powers that is destined to be yours. What I really wanted to happen was for you to experience kissing Althea, not thinking of anything other than the love that you feel for each other, just like any other couple. But because you have already discovered the truth about your fangs, maybe it is now the proper time for me to reveal everything that you need to know about you, Xander. According to , your mother and father's story, Aryanna and Henry, when you reached your twenty-first birthday, if you feel the desire to kiss the girl that you truly love, your fangs will also grow, and you won't be able to stop it. But also on your twenty-first birthday you would have the opportunity to acquire your other great powers, completing your transformation. And you could acquire these greater powers by the kiss of your twin love. This love was already seeded in your heart even if you were still in your mother's womb. At the time that she had already kissed you and all your greater powers are within you, your fangs will grow once again if you feel the desire to kiss her again or if you feel the need to use your other greater powers on times when you need to protect and defend the entire human race against extraordinarily powerful creatures, more powerful than the ones you had already beaten when you were still a little child. And because of these new powers, the growth of your fangs would be short lived. Shortly after it has grown out, it will disappear on its own and you could immediately continue doing whatever it is that your heart desires to do. You could fight powerful creatures without a fang and above all you could kiss your true love without a fang. So you should immediately find a way for Althea to kiss you on her own. And I hope that Althea is truly your twin love. I really hope so son," the long and sincere narration of Eric.

          "About that uncle, if I indeed have a twin love. I'm very sure that it is Althea, because I never loved anyone other than Althea, only her," Xander's fast answer.

          "That's great son. I'm leaving you now, so you could rest. Don't worry too much, I'm certain that one day you could find a way to settle things between you and Althea," Eric assured Xander.

          After Eric had left, Xander remained by the window looking out to the tall trees outside. He could still picture out the excessive fear that he had seen on Althea's face looking at him. Could she still accept me, the real me. Could she still love me in spite of my fangs?

                                                                       XVI

          While standing by the window, he shouted softly, "Xander!" his short mustache and beard reappeared. And his hair shortened. Slowly, he walked towards his bed. He sat on the side of his Salem Bed. The night was deep so Xandro decided to lay down on the bed. What do I need to do so Althea could  accept my real identity. What would I do to win back her love and affection. Xandro thought and thought but he just couldn't find a way. He was looking up on the ceiling thinking. He remained lying on bed and forced himself to think of ways to get Althea back...

          While he was flying, Xander kept on thinking how to get Althea's love back. Moments later, Xander saw the house of Althea. He remained floating near the top of Althea's two story wooden house. Xander flew near the window on the second floor of Althea's house. While he was standing and floating in the air, Xander saw Althea sitting, watching TV. He kept looking at her while she was seriously watching her favorite nightly soap. My love is so pretty but I'm worried that she might get scared if she sees me. Xander hesitated showing up in front of her. Suddenly Althea looked back and saw Xander standing and floating in the air right outside her window. She immediately frowned at him  and pushed on the window trying to close it on Xander.

          "My love, I'm glad that you're no longer afraid of me because you're already able to frown at me. Are you still mad at me, huh?" he asked Althea.

          "What are you doing here, you probably think I'm still afraid of you."

          "Could I at least talk to you, even for just a little while, huh Althea?"

          "And what are we going to talk about, huh?" she asked immediately. "Maybe you've run out of toothpaste so you came here to ask, you probably want to whiten and polish your fang even more," she said trying to annoy Xander.

          "Yes, you're definitely no longer afraid of me, you even have the pleasure to annoy me, I like that," Xander joyfully commented.

          "Why don't you go home so I could sleep now."

          "Please forgive me now Althea, would you like me to serenade you now just so you could forgive me huh?"

          Althea refused to answer and immediately showed her most beautiful frown at Xander.

          And from outside her window, Xander started singing to her. He sang and sang, he knew that the girls love him every time he sings. Xander was really good at singing.

          Huh, this vampire could really sing. Althea was annoyed seeing Xander smile at her as he serenaded her. She didn't want Xander to notice that she was enjoying his singing, so she immediately grabbed a big can of Pringles and threw it on him. Althea threw the can as hard as she could but Xander immediately caught it smiling at her. Immediately, he opened the can and eat the Pringles enticing Althea with it. "My this is so delicious, thanks, I'm right after all, you still find me handsome even if I already have fangs. You just can't help it, do you, you're still in love with me," Smiling, Xander  teased Althea as he continued eating the Pringles.  

          Althea then took the other bottle of Stik-O and threw it as hard as as she could on Xander. But Xander, just like what he did earlier, simply ate and chewed its contents and enticed her with it making her feel that he was enjoying everything that she was doing to him.

          Althea got more infuriated, realizing that Xander, deep inside her,  just looked too handsome as he continued chewing on the Pringles she threw at him. In reaction, she turned her back and lifted her small TV. She carried it with her and returned to the same window. Immediately and as hard as she could, she threw the small TV at Xander. Right on target, Xander was his on his body. Xander immediately pretended to be hurt. At his finest performance, Xander fell downward going straight to the ground. When he realized that Althea was looking, he again pretended to be writhing in pain after being hit by the small TV on his body. Afterwards Xander looked up the window and smiled at Althea. "You still worry about me, just like what I thought, you're still in love with me."     

          "Really... I only looked out so I could pour you all this. Hurriedly, Althea took out the Holy Water and

immediately poured it on Xander and said, "Let's see if this won't vanquish you!"

          But Xander simply laughed it off. Xander looked up and laughed hard at Althea. "If you like we'll go to church together and let's go out on a date afterwards. Where do you want me to take you my lady?"

          But Althea just laughed back at Xander. "Really, you're not vulnerable to Holy Water. Yeah, Holy Water doesn't hurt you, but how about this." and immediately poured all her Datu Puti Vinegar on Xander.

          "Ouch! Ouch! My eyes hurts, you woman, if I just don't love you, you're really getting it from me!"

          "Huh, why, are you going to bite the life out of me... good bye and good night!" and turned her back at Xander.

          "Wait just a little my love, do you have a dimsum, lumpia with you huh?" smirking, Xander asked Althea.

          "Why are you asking if I have a lumpia, are you sure you're okay?"

          "You already poured and given me your vinegar dip, all you missed was lumpia my love," teasingly, Xander answered Althea's question. "And bring me out your tomato ketchup too so it will be much tastier," Xander teased Althea some more.

          "Vampire, get out of here, I said!" the shout of the irritated Althea and left her window. She sat on her chair when she suddenly remembered something. She looked back to her window and saw Xander floating and flying right outside.

          "My love, I'm now returning these Pringles and Stik-O, I know these are your favorites, don't worry these are still half full," Xander teased her some more.

          "You can have it all, I still got tons of that, eat it all up. I hope you forget to brush and get cavities!"

          But instead Xander simply flashed her his most dashing smile and showed off his shiny and sparkling white teeth.

          "Trying to look cute as if someone here is interested in his dashing good looks..." Althea's soft whisper to herself.

          "What did you say my love, I look dashing?" Xander said winking at her.

          "No, I said you rush out of here, you conceited flying man!"

          Xander flew inside Althea's house, carrying her small TV he caught earlier."I'm returning your TV now, we shouldn't waste this, this looks too expensive and beautiful to be left outside. I'll just visit you some other time, just text me if you miss me already, okay," smirking, Xander said his good bye as he started flying out of her window. But he didn't really leave Althea's house, he remained, floating, near the top of her roof.

                                                                           XVII

          Shortly after, Althea screamed aloud. "Earthquake! Earthquake! I can barely stand, help me Xando!" Xander immediately flew, going through the window, inside.  He immediately carried Althea in his arms and flew her out of the open window. While Althea was embracing him, Xander was secretly laughing enjoying the moment. What Althea didn't know he purposely pushed and pulled her wooden house to create an artificial earthquake. Althea kept on embracing Xander hanging on for her dear life.

          "My love, I'm already here, you're safe now..."

          "I'm glad you came, I could barely stand, I thought the roof and the walls was going to fall on me."

           Althea embraced Xander once again and tighter. So Xander embraced Althea back, lovingly. Slowly, Althea recovered and started calming down. She was looking deeply into Xander's eyes. Xander, in turn, looked back into Althea's eyes smiling at her. "How about if I take you somewhere. Would you like to fly with me Althea?" Xander's soft whisper to Althea. Althea didn't answer and so Xander continued flying her up in the air. Althea was already feeling the cold wind on her skin from where they were flying. The moon was bright, Althea surveyed the whole of Manila, looking down at it. "It's really beautiful up here Xander, it's so fascinating to watch the lines of tall buildings of Manila. Even the annoying long traffic looks magnificent and fun to watch from up here," Althea said. In unison, the many cars stop in every corner and in the same manner the large group of pedestrians crosses to the other side. The rhythmic choreography of the cars and the pedestrians crossing fascinated Althea.

          "It's really fascinating to watch Manila at night from up here, that's why I thought of touring you here," Xander answered Althea. Standing, the two flew to every spot they chose to see. Shortly after, Althea saw a big carnival. "Would you please fly me near that beautiful and bright carnival," Althea asked Xander.

          "Do you like it there, come hold on tight and I'm flying you fast over there," Xander's quick response.

          Althea immediately the strong winds blowing on her beautiful and slightly long hair. When they reached the big carnival, they stopped and Althea stared at the Ferris Wheel. She watched it carefully. Xander noticed that Althea liked looking at the Ferris Wheel as it continued turning around with its colorful lights.

          "You really like looking at the Ferris Wheel Althea," Xander commented looking at Althea by his side.

          "Yes, I really like Ferris Wheels even when I was still a little girl," Althea's soft answer. "My parents used to bring me here often, Dad liked the carnivals too. And every time he thought of visiting, he always took me with him together with my mom."

          "Really."

          "Dad thought me how to ride all the rides here," Althea's confession. "But his most favorite ride was the Ferris Wheel. When we were riding here before, I was really terrified and I would close my eyes specially when we're already at the highest part of the Ferris Wheel. And dad would immediately tickle me on my side so I would be forced to open up my eyes. Then he said, 'Open up your eyes Althea, don't be afraid, be brave and face all the challenges in life.' And after I was able to open my eyes he continued saying, 

'You know Althea, life is just like a big Ferris Wheel, sometimes you're at the highest level and sometimes you're at the lowest. But whichever level you belong, remember that it has an inherent big responsibility for yourself and for your fellow men. You should learn how accept it and fulfill it with all your heart and soul.'

And then he would gently embrace me kissing me on the head. From below, mom would happily look up to us eating her cotton candy. She really liked cotton candies. I had a very happy childhood Xando, until that dreadful day came, I lost both my parents in one day. They were found dead hugging each other inside our car. The responding police reported somebody locked them up inside and gassed them.

                                                                        XVII

           Seeing that a tear forming on the corner of Althea's eyes, Xander immediately hugged Althea tightly in his arms. "You know Althea, you're a bit luckier than me, at least you had seen both your parents. While I, for myself, grow up not seeing both of them even for just once. But even then, God did not forsake me, he gave me the kindest uncle who loved me and protected me like his own child. Probably you could still remember the first time we met, I got separated from him when we were heading for Manila. And because of that, I was forced to live on my own. But because of the discipline that he had instilled in me, I was able to support myself. My uncle told me, "Son you should learn how to fight life, dream, work hard and persevere to succeed. Remember that all the success in this world starts from a dream. Reach for your dream without stepping on anyone along the way. You should be fair and respectful at all times.'."

          Shortly after, Althea saw a big cruise ship from afar. Xander noticed Althea, so he immediately flew Althea to the great ocean. While they were flying, going to the ocean, the wind blew stronger and colder. The night was still bright because of the big moon. When they reached the ocean, Xander immediately stopped not far away from the top of the luxury cruise ship. The two saw the large number of passengers who were happily conversing, eating and drinking. The luxury ship was so fascinating to watch because of  the many small lights surrounding it. Xander and Althea looked at the beautiful cruise ship for a long time. In a sort while, they heard a mellow music coming from the ship. The kind of music that lovers usually dance to. Xander noticed that Althea was smiling while she was observing the young men and women as they danced with one another inside the ship. And from above, Xander whispered on Althea, "Would you like to dance Althea?" Althea nodded and smiled at Xander. The wind became much colder, so Xander embraced Althea even closer and slowly danced with her. Xander gently danced to the tune of the mellow music coming from the ship. He gently moved and turned Althea around. He held Althea on her slender waist. Althea in turn looked up at him with her hands around his neck. The romantic music kept playing. Xander intently looked into Althea's eyes as he gently danced with her from above. As the wind grew colder in the middle of the night, the more Althea embraced Xander. The were so happy dancing with each other. They were so happy just being near each other. Looking into her eyes, Xander could see how much Althea loved him. "I... I need to tell you something..." his soft whisper to the girl he was dancing with.

          "Huh... what is it Xander?" Althea's soft question.

          "You pushed and pulled hard on my house to make an earthquake to scare me, so I would ask for your rescue..." she answered and smiled.

          "Huh..."

          "I knew you did it, and I pretended to be scared just so you'll come to my rescue. The truth is even before you finished singing to me earlier, the fear that I was feeling for you had already disappeared from my heart, I thought this man loves me deeply and he would never do anything that would hurt me. I still love you Xander," her soft confession to the young man.

          Xander couldn't help but smile at what she heard from her. So he looked into Althea's eyes. He looked for a long time. Xander was so captivated by the girl he was dancing with. Xander could smell Althea's sweet perfume. He moved his body nearer to her. Althea was so beautiful and so fragrant. Fully mesmerized, Xander asked Althea. "Can I kiss you Althea?" Xander whispered into her ears.

           Althea didn't answer, and to Xander's delight, she gracefully lifted her head upwards and smiled at him. Xander lowered his lips near Althea's reddish soft lips. He could smell Althea's fresh breath. He looked intently at her beautiful face. Xander lowered his lips some more to finally kiss her. Xander embraced Althea tighter. Their lips had almost touched when... one fell... a wooden floor made a sound... Xander opened his eyes. It was all a dream. Just a little more and I could have kissed Althea. What a waste... Xander stood up from his fall on the flloor, and approached the big mirror in the attic. He looked at his reflection from head to foot. He thought deeply. I'm like any ordinary person, I go to church, I believe and pray to God and it just happened that I have fangs. I also know how to love just like any other man. Maybe the time would come when Althea would learn to accept my true identity. I love Althea so much and I won't allow myself to loss her forever. I know Althea loves me too, I just need to give her enough time to think and understand everything.

                                                                           XIX

          The responding police men couldn't see what was going on inside the big bus. All the windows were covered with small white curtains. There were already many people looking curiously around the bus. It was also surrounded by a group of police men. "Brad, let's talk this over, tell us whatever it is that you want. What is your reason and you thought of kidnapping those innocent young students, talk to us!" out loud the negotiator of the said hostage-taking asked the lone hostage-taker. More and more curious by standers flocked around the big bus. "Hey, all of you, what are you too excited about, this is not a shooting, step aside and your all messing up with our police work!" the furious scream of the negotiator to the hard-headed curious male and female by standers. The by standers came running away from around the bus, the extremely loud scream of the lead negotiator scared them off. The by standers continued listening in curiously at the whole negotiations. But the negotiator didn't get any response from the lone hostage-taker. "Brad, come on talk to us, have mercy on those children, Brad I suppose you're a parent too, just think of what the parents of those innocent children are feeling right now. I'm sure they're now extremely worried for the safety of their children!" the lead negotiator screamed again. Suddenly, a small piece of paper fell out from the big bus. Immediately, the excited and curious by standers saw it, they even beat the police men to it, the police men were just to busy controlling the crowd to notice it.

          "Boss Chief, the hostage-taker just threw a small piece of paper. We just thought you might get interested in reading it, so we can all get updated with the latest scope!" the loud bullying of one of the curious by standers who fled in panic earlier.

          The lead negotiator turned red in utter humiliation. "Come on guys, I was just waiting for the right time, what if he suddenly shoots us. What would happen to our loved ones that will be left behind!" the quick excuse of the the now popular lead negotiator who shaved earlier with his razor, Gillette.

          "Okay fine, we will give you two hours just to get the in-demand love letter of your boyfriend!" Another loud bullying from another curious by standers in Hanes T-shirt.

          Greatly embarrased, the red-faced negotiator instantly commanded one of his police men to ran and pick the small piece of paper. The said police man made sure that he ran as manly and as handsome as he could, he wanted to impress all the ladies that were watching, he was just thankful he didn't forget to apply gel, Gatsby, on his hair before leaving his house earlier. Feeling enough beautiful ladies had already noticed and been charmed by his good looks, he got the mysterious small piece of paper finally. And immediately ran back to the lead negotiator so he could start reading it. Clapping and cheering the curious male and female by standers did, most of them drink softdrink, Coke on Lunch Breaks. Reacting to the cheers he received, the now popular police man smiled and smiled at the big crowd. Abruptly, the lead negotiator who liked chicken, Mang Inasal Lechon Manok, took the mysterious paper from the hand of the gallant police man who in turn love Magnolia Ice Cream. After he got the paper, the negotiator started reading it. In silence, the curious and excited male and female by standers waited, even the one in Islander Slippers was quiet too. Excitedly, they all anticipated what was written. In just a short while, one curious male by stander in Jag Jeans and Bench T-shirt got impatient. "Brad how about if I just read it for you, come on hurry up! I have an appointment at SM Mall and I'm still taking my wife and daughter to a park, Ocean World," the persistent and curious by stander in Levi's Jeans bullied again. From their silence earlier, the large crowd, majority was wearing Seiko Watches, burst into loud laughters.

          Immediately, the lead negotiator pulled up the megaphone, he was now carrying, to talk to the hostage-taker who liked chicken too, KFC Chicken Bucket. "Brad, come on, what are all these you wrote, why wrote all food and these are just too many. Can you eat all these, huh?" What do you think of us, a Fastfood Chain? There are hamburgers, fried chickens, pancit canton, lumpia, spaghetti, cake, softdrinks, mango shakes, french fries, chocolates, lollypops, candies, bubble gums, halo-halo, cards, rubber bands, and  even spiders. Are you fooling us and right in front of these big crowd, huh!" the angered scream of the lead negotiator, chewing Chicklet Bubble Gum, through his really new megaphone.

          "Hey Boss Chief, how about reading what is written at the back of the small paper first, before you start nagging there!" another loud bullying from another curious by stander as he opened his Jack 'n Jill Pretzel. Again, the now continually growing crowd, most used Tide Detergent in their laundry,  burst into laughter.

          "Come on, I was just practicing, what do you think of me!" another excuse of the lead negotiator who suddenly was forced to ask for Nature Spring Mineral water in extreme embarrassment. Immediately he turned the paper, so he could read what was written at the back.

          "Brad, just a little request, read aloud, maybe there's something we can do to help. I have a spider in my pocket, you can borrow if you want..." butted in by one curious by stander as he touched his Seiko Wallet fearing the pickpockets around.

          "Me, I have rubber bands here, you can borrow it too, just don't bring it to your children afterwards, okay..." butted in by the youngest of the curious by standers in Penshoppe T-shirt and Gibi Shoes. The big crowd burst into laughter once again.

          "Just one more word from any of you, and you're all getting a taste of my...!" the angered warning of the negotiator who was enviously watching the police man drinking soda, Sprite, by his side.

          "Huh, what are you going to make us taste, halo-halo? Make it Chowking please, that's my favorite!"

          The negotiator chose to ignore the last remark from the crowd. He immediately went on reading the message of the hostage-taker at the back of the small piece of paper. 'Brad, these children don't know that they are my hostages, they are under the impression that we're having  a small party and a movie shooting. Compose yourselves and don't be too obvious, just immediately buy everything that these children are asking, if not, we all now what's going to happen to them, clear!"

                                                                            XX

          "Hurry up, take this paper, buy everything that is listed in it and start calling media men. We're going to make it appear that we're just having a shooting. Hurry up whle the children are still unaware that they're hostages!" the serious command of the worried negotiator in Burlington Socks. Immediately, the two police men, who were both wearing RayBan Sunglasses and Gatsby Wax, left the place. The remaining police men who all loved Hershey's Chocolates, started calling media men on their Samsung Cellphones. The curious male and female by standers, who all drank Bear Brand Milk early in the morning, stood in silence, watching every move of the gallant policemen who all liked using UFC Ketchup at lunch. What everyone wasn't aware of, the hostage-taker didn't really have any plan to settle with the negotiator. All he wanted was to face and kill the mayor who stole his wife, who liked softdrink, Royal True Orange. His wife left him for the rich mayor who could afford to give her all the wealth and comforts in life that she wanted so much. The mayor gave her a new Toyota car and Camella CondoHomes. His wife was money-faced and she had no qualms leaving her husband and only daughter, who liked eating Oishi chips during snacks at school, behind. These bad woman hadn't been home to her house near LBC for a long time. All those times she was having the time of her life and slept with money together with her very rich mayor who liked black Pajero Cars. Since then, the hostage-taker became lonelier and lonelier. He stopped working, he no longer spoke to anyone. He refused to talk even to his own family. He stayed in their house all day crying, once in a while, and longing to see his beloved wife who at that moment was eating Selecta Ice Cream. He had even forsaken his own daughter, he didn't take her to a Fastfood, Jollibee, like he used to before. The girl, at her early age, was forced to work on her own at the street fronting Mercury Drug, just so they both could eat. One day the poor girl went home empty-handed, the two of them didn't have anything to eat. The young girl was so hungry, both of them didn't have any money to buy food. The poor girl in Islander Slippers decided to ask around their neighborhood if they are aware of her mother's whereabouts. She wanted to see her to ask money to buy food for her and her lonesome father. When a symphatetic neighbor, who bought Nido Milk, Cheez Whiz and Oreo, had told her about the current address of her mother, she immediately went there to beg for her mercy.  And when the hostage-taker learned about it, worried, he immediately followed his daughter riding a jeep. Near the big house of the mayor, which was painted using Boysen Paints, he saw his daughter being driven away by the heartless mayor.

          "I just want to see and talk to my mother sir... she hasn't been home for a long time. My father had become sickly and lonely, so please tell her to go back to us. Dad and I are really hungry, we don't have money to buy us food. Have mercy on us sir... please let me see my mother..." in tears the poor girl begged.

          But the mayor didn't listen and drove her once again. And when she refused to leave, he immediately called out his men. They immediately grabbed the poor girl and took her into their black car. The hostage taker could hear the loud scream of his daughter inside the car. He immediately ran towards them but the car was too fast for him. He chased and chased after the speeding black car until he could no longer see it. The following day he heard of a sad report about the body of a young girl. He hurried towards the bridge and saw his dying daughter inside the responding police ambulance. He ran towards her and held her in his arms. With a sorrowful eyes, she looked at her father and said. "I love you dad, I'm hungry... I'm so tired dad... I'm sleepy, I'm sleeping now dad..." The poor girl died in his arms. He even saw the mayor looking at them acting like he never did anything. Blinded with tears, he held his lifeless daughter tighter in his arms. He screamed and screamed. In just a short while, he ran like a madman away from the place. He was confined at a mental hospital for a long time. When he slightly recovered, the hospital staffs loosened their watch on him. Even if he was at the mental hospital for a long time, the memory and the manner of the death of his daughter was still clear in his recovering mind. And when the staffs weren't watching, he immediately escaped the hospital to exact his revenge on the mayor. He planned of killing the abusive mayor with his own two hands.. His heart was filled with rage and hatred. He wanted vengeance and he thought of a plan of staging a hostage to force the mayor to face him. He would kill him immediately the moment he sees him. He had no plans of negotiating with the negotiator. He would just kill an abusive mayor, that and only that was his plan.

                                                                             XXI

          The crowd of curious male and female by standers continued pouring in, some of them brought Rebisco Biscuits. Shortly, one by one a large number of media men, who used Safeguard Soap and Colgate Toothpaste that morning, arrived. Carefully, they started setting up their Sony Cameras so they could get the best video coverage. Some of them even tried to beat the other reporters in getting the best angle of the big bus. Simultaneously, they started reporting to their mother TV networks to broadcast all the developments in the said hostage-taking.

          "Hey wait, what do you think you're all doing, the hostage-taker wants a movie shooting and not a news coverage. Don't you all have any decency left. And if something bad happens to our negotiations, I'm sure all of you will race in attacking us on TV," the furious statement of the worried negotiator who was standing near an Orocan Chair. "We'll do the news coverage, let's stage the pretend movie shoot first. Who would like to lend us their Sony Cameras so we could start the shooting? Who wants to be the actors, raise your hands. Immediately several by standers raised their hands, most of them were wearing Swatch Watches. The negotiator chose three lovely young ladies, the two two were wearing Bench Perfume, and three dashing young men who used Master Facial Wash. "Okay, you're all old enough to do your own scripts, I'll trust you on this okay. Just remember the lives of the innocent children lies in our hands.

          Instantly, some of the chosen performers had second thoughts. "Really, no scripts huh, okay I'll just thicken up my face and hope for the best," said one in Guess Jeans and used Globe Tattoo every time he wanted to go online on the internet with his computer, inside or outside of his house.

          "Hey, what are you all doing there, try going nearer the bus so the children could have a closer view," commanded the negotiator as the young children started opening the small curtains that were covering the whole bus earlier. The crowd could see the excitements in their little faces, they were so eager to watch the movie shoot the hostage-taker had promised them. Immediately one of the police men,who came from KFC,

brought the Sony Camera that he borrowed near the front of the big bus, he even waved to the excited children on the bus. Consequently, the chosen performers of the movie shoot immediately followed. They weren't sure what they were going to do. They just paired up among each other and acted wooing. Three couples of young men and women were agreed upon and acted. Immediately, one the young ladies cried and said, "You're so unfaithful, you told me I am the only girl in your life and then I would see you kissing another girl. You gave me only one Hershey's always while, I heard, you give your other girl a bag full of Hershey's Chocolates. And when I ran up to her one day at the Generic Pharmacy, she even bragged in my face that you kiss her three times a day because she uses Bench Cologne everyday, while you kiss me only once a week, you're terrible, you're so unfair!"

          "Please forgive me my love, I won't do it again I promise, just wait and I'm bringing you Goldilocks Cakes and a bag full of Hershey's Chocolates in your house, I swear."

          But she didn't listen to him, continued crying spraying Bench Cologne. The young children didn't seem to like the scene, the negotiator got mad and said, "My goodness, your story is so lame, you perform acts for little children, something jolly okay!"

          In turn, the young men acted a fight scene, they punched and punched each other. They chased after one another, one even accidentally dropped the pants he was wearing and tripped falling on the ground. Slowly, the young children started clapping. Noticing the reactions, the girls followed and supported the young men's acts. They pretended to laughing loudly at the young man who dropped his pants. The said young man immediately acted embarrassed and awkwardly covered himself with the cap he was carrying. The children laughed louder. Shortly after, the crowd saw the hostage-taker signalling to stop the make believe movie shoot, he thought the children were all convinced that there was indeed a movie shoot. Gracefully, the performers vowed facing the young hostages. Consequently, the young children, one by one, started closing the small curtains of the big bus. Immediately the crowd around the bus quieted, waiting for the next developments. Once again, the media men started setting up their cameras to continue their respective news coverage. In just a short while, the food that the hostage-taker asked for the children came, even the rubber bands, cards, and spiders were brought. Immediately, the hostage-taker, from the window he was peeping, signaled to bring inside the bus all the food and drinks, so the children could start their  pretend party. Carefully, a few police men immediately neared the big bus carrying all their purchases. Gradually, the bus door opened up. The police men were unaware of the exact location, within the bus, of the hostage-taker, the door was just slightly opened. With their hands raised up, the police men behind the men bringing the food looked out. Without entering the big bus, the front men carefully placed all the food they were carrying inside the bus. Their hands went through the small opening, and carefully placed all the food inside. They were too careful not to upset the hostage-taker, fearing that he might do something crazy to the young and innocent hostages. After they were done, the big bus immediately closed. Right after the door was closed, the crowd immediately saw another piece of paper fell from the big bus. Abruptly, one of the police earlier walked back and picked the new small paper. He read it. 'We're going to start with the party, and I am partying with the children I want you to call Mayor Donato and tell him that I am asking for a small amount of money for my new business and a scholarship for my young daughter. And I'm also asking from him the ownership of the small land where my small nipa house is standing, everyone knows that he owns it. We'll party for about thirty minutes and after our party make sure that my idol mayor is already here or else I'll start killing all these innocent children.' Immediately, the negotiator asked one of his men to fetch Mayor Donato knowing the place was near them. Everyone remained in silence, sensing how the children's party with the lone hostage-taker was. /The concerned and worried parents of the young hostages started coming in. Many of them couldn't stop themselves from crying worrying on the safety of their respective children. Some were slightly mad, growing so impatient questioning their plans on how they are going to go about with the rescue of their beloved children.

          "Sir, are you really sure that the police man you asked to fetch Mayor Donato is still coming back, what if something tragic is already happening to my child inside!" the hesitant question of the mother talking to the lead negotiator.

          "Don't worry Ma'am, we are doing everything we can to ensure the safety of all the children, I'm sure my men who I ordered to fetch Mayor Donato are returning soon. Besides, I had already talked to Mayor Donato earlier on my cellphone and he promised that he would immediately come to help us with the negotiations," answered the negotiator as he tried to pacify the worried parents.

          "Just make sure that that mayor is really coming. If anything bad happens to my only child, I'm holding you all fully responsible, do you understand!" the enraged father of one of the young hostages warned the lead negotiator.

          "Yes sir, just relax, I'm definite Mayor Donato is coming over shortly, excuse me but I still have to follow up my call once more," he answered and turned his back, walking away from the angered father of one of the hostages.

                                                                             XXII

          "Children, look all the food that that you had asked me is already here, so now let's start the party!" pleasantly, the lone hostage-taker announced.

          "Yeheey it's party time!" one excited child shouted.

          "Who among you ordered Jollibee Spaghetti?" immediately the hostage-taker asked.

          "Me sir!" answered the young child at the back of the big bus.

          "Me too."

          "Me too, I had also asked for that!"

          "Yeah right, all of you asked for Jollibee fried chickens and spaghetti. Just wait on your seats and I'm giving you all," laughing a little, the hostage-taker stated.

          "Wow this is so tasty, my Jollibee Fried Chicken is so crunchy!" immediately the small boy in Hanes T-shirt said.

          "My, this is really how I want my spaghetti, a little sweet, this is so delicious!" said the young girl carrying her Hello Kitty Stuff Toy and near the hostage-taker.

          "Okay, there, I've already given you all, is it fun children?" smiling, the hostage taker asked.

          "Thank you really, Mister. You're so kind and so rich!" butted in by one of the children as he chewed the tasty Jollibee Fried Chicken.

          "Yes, I'm really rich, just eat and eat, and if you want another servings, just tell me okay. We still have lots of mango shakes here," his immediate answer looking constantly on his Swatch Watch.

          "Do you have an appointment sir, I notice you've been looking on your watch quite often?" noticed one child.

          "No, this Omega Watch I'm wearing is just new and looking at it amuses me," his fast answer.

          "I suppose your watch is really expensive sir, isn't it?"

          "Probably, the one guarding me before was rich, I borrowed it from him but I'm returning it soon; besides, I for myself have lots of expensive watches too."

          "Someone was guarding you sir?"

           "Yes, rich men like me, have many bodyguards."

          "Maybe, you're house is really big, isn't it?"

          "Yes of course, it is really big, and we have lots of rooms too, more than one hundred."

          "Wow, you just have too many rooms, to think that we have only one room in our house. I suppose, there are many of you living in that house."

          "Yes, there are so many of us in there, and we have many employees too, more than fifty and all in uniforms, even I and my companions in that big house have uniforms too," the amused answer of the hostage-taker.

          "Wow, it's just great... sir, I suddenly remember, where's my spider huh?"

          "Was it you, okay I'll just take it out," answered the hostage-taker and opened the matchbox. "This one is black, did you ask for this huh?"

          "No mister, it was I who asked for that?" butted in the one at the end of the bus.

          "I've asked for the red spider sir, do you have it, huh?"

          "Wait, yes I have it here, this spider is really red, this is probably a tough fighter."

          "Of course that is really tough, your black is in deep trouble my friend!"

          "Really, just wait and see!" butted in, immediately, by one child.

          "We'll play with your spiders later children okay, just continue eating your food. Why don't you try eating the halo-halo this time, those are really tasty and the ice cream on top is delicious too," once more, the slightly impatient hostage-taker stated.

          "This Chowking halo-halo is really tasty, this is the one that my mom and dad usually buy me every time we go out," said the boy in Converse Shoes.

          "These Jollibee French Fries is really tasty, I'll ask mom and dad to buy me once again tomorrow," said the child who drank milk mixed with Milo that morning.

          "Wow we really have Chowking Lumpia at Pancit Canton, in our house we always eat this, these are also the favorite of my brothers specially my handsome uncle," added the boy who keeps on eating Presto Ice Cream during snacks at school.

          "What a waste... we forgot to ask for Stik-O and Pringles, it's okay at least we didn't forgot to order Jollibee Hamburger, Jollibee Hamburger is really delicious specially when paired with Coke," said one child carrying a Sony PSP and had Lego Toys in their Camella Homes.

          "In our parties at home Coke is always the star," added one child in Swatch Watch.

          "Huh, even in our parties at home Coke is always the star," commented one boy whose bag was filled with Fibisco Biscuits.

          "You two really, in any parties you go Coke is always the star, why don't you two study hard so that you won't be that ignorant!" laughingly, joked the boy whose teeth was so white because of Colgate Toothpaste and had a lot of Nestle Yogurt inside their GE Refrigerator at home.

          The hostage-taker looked down on his Omega Watch. And then he turned around for a moment writing something on a small piece of paper.

          "Just keep on eating children, we still have a lot here!" stated the uneasy hostage-taker as he tried to drop the new small piece of paper.

          "Mister, by the way, where is our usual bus driver, huh?" asked one child who liked Oreo paired with Bear Brand Milk every morning and near the hostage-taker.

          "Huh, his daughter got sick, so he requested me to replace him in the mean time. And his daughter is now recuperating, he had already bought her enough medicine at Mercury Drug. He really wanted your excursion to push through, he said he like all of you because you're all nice kids," the fast answer of the now impatient hostage-taker and finally dropped the small piece of paper with his new message outside the bus.

XXIII

          "Sir, there's another piece of paper that fell from the big bus!" the loud shout of one curious by stander who had GE Electric Fan in their house. "Hurry, pick that up, the strong wind might blew that away from the Football Field."

          "Hey, what are you waiting for, run and pick that up, you're so slow!"

          Immediately, the police man who had been reprimanded ran. When he got near, and as manly as he could, he carefully looked towards the big bus trying to spot the exact location of the hostage-taker, he also looked left and right. And started bending down.

          "Hey, go ahead pick that up and come back, you make too many moves, what do you think of yourself an action star!" shouted one impatient and curious by stander carrying Quaker Oats Can.

          The said police man finally picked the small piece of paper and ran back to the lead negotiator handing it to him. Immediately, the negotiator read. 'Brad, you still have three minutes left, if not, you already know what's going to happen to these children. I'm killing them two at a time!"

          The entire Football Field turned silent. They all worried for the safety of the young hostages who ate a lot of Koko Krunch Cereals every morning. The lead negotiator kept looking around waiting for the police man he had ordered to fetch Mayor Donato earlier. Suddenly, the silence was replaced by a soft and loud mumbling from the curious male and female by standers.

          "At last, finally, Boss Chief our mayor is already here!" shouted one by stander to the lead negotiator.

          Hurriedly, the negotiator ran to meet the mayor who had just arrived.

          "It's good you have already arrived Mayor Donato, I'm worried our hostage-taker is getting more impatient and irritated by the minute," confessed the lead negotiator.

          Mayor Donato didn't answer him, instead he turned to the crowd and waved at the sea of curious male and female by standers who were looking at him. 

          "Mayor Donato show us all you got, I'm sure if you could make him surrender, you will win on the next election and by a landslide," shouted one man near him carrying a can of Ovaltine Chocolate Drink.

          "Don't worry my fellow countrymen, I'm now taking over, I assure all of you that this hostage-taker will surrender to me in no time. I am more than ready to give everything that he had asked from me. I am always ready to help anyone who needs my help, all of you knows that for a fact, don't you people..." boasted Mayor Donato smiling at the crowd.

          "Yes, of course, Mayor Donato we all believe the fact that your such a kind and helpful man specially to the poor like myself," answered the elderly man who had just bought vitamins, Revicon Forte and laughing a little. Many of the curious male and female by standers secretly laughed listening to the mayor's statement that he was a helpful man specially to the poor.

          "Mayor what's that you're carrying in your large paper bag, huh?" asked one curious by stander.

          "Huh, these, I heard the young children are having a small party. So I decided to bring in Siopao and Ketchups I'm sure they're gonna like these, these are all special, you know," the mayor's quick answer. "So again, I'm taking full responsibilities from here, the truth is I had already made a man in amok surrender to me in one of my jurisdictions. I'm so used to situations like this, so you guys just relax, leave it to me..." he boasted some more.

          "Of course, you can easily give it all to him; besides, he's just asking a little from you considering that that lives of the innocent young children are at stake," butted in by one of the curious by standers.

          "I really have a soft spot for young children. I donate a large amount to orphanages in my jurisdiction, and in fact I do these several times in a year without any media coverage," he boasted some more.

          "Yes mayor, in fact we truly believe that you indeed have a soft spot in your heart for young children, so go and save the children, please..." the fast request of a smirking man listening to the mayor.

          "Mayor, I'll order some of my police men to accompany you, maybe you'll need help, just in case," offered by the concerned negotiator.

          "I'm taking care of everything, don't you worry I can easily handle this. Okay, just stay here and wait for a short while and I'm definite, those kids will be jumping out of the bus, one by one, like nothing bad happened to them," he added and immediately walked towards the big bus. Immediately, the crowd clapped as hard as they could looking at the mayor, but laughing secretly in their hearts hearing all that the mayor had told all of them.

                                                                             XXIV

          Right after he got near the big bus, the door immediately opened. He looked back to the large crowd of curious male and female by standers and waved at them. Then he peeped slightly inside the big bus. "Brad, I'm coming in okay, let's talk. As we all know, all problems are solved through a good conversation," he started and started climbing inside the big bus. When he got in, immediately, the hostage-taker meet him in his big sombrero hat covering his face looking down the floor. The mayor immediately smiled at the hostage-taker looking at him. And immediately, the hostage-taker smiled back at the mayor who had just got in. The mayor glanced carefully first at the young children as they continued eating the tasty food that was prepared for them.

          "How may I help you, just tell me and if it is within my means, I'll immediately give it to you, just release those innocent young children..." whispering and carrying the siopao and ketchup, he told the hostage-taker, the mayor didn't want the children to know they were hostages. Abruptly, the hostage-taker removed his sombrero hat.

          "You!" uttered the extremely stunned mayor.

          "Yes, its me!" the hostage-taker really big fist flew instantly to the mayor's jaw knocking him out to the floor.

          The young children cried and screamed at the unexpected commotion right in front of them. They cried and cried looking at the unconscious mayor and at the sudden change of the hostage-taker's facial expression. They all panicked. The hostage-taker looked down carefully on the unconscious mayor with the stains of red ketchup all over him and on the floor thinking that the red stains oozed out of the mayor's unconscious body. The cries and screams of the young children became louder and louder. Suddenly, the lone hostage-taker started laughing hard. He laughed and laughed loudly looking down on the mayor. Once again, his lunacy resurfaced. He turned around and faced the crying and screaming young hostages. "Keep quiet, my daughter is sleeping, pssst... silence you might disturb my sleeping daughter..." he whispered to the crying children.

           But the young children's cries and screams continually grew louder inside the big bus. "What, didn't I tell you to keep quiet, quiet my daughter is sleeping!" he ordered and saw a baseball bat of one of the young hostages resting against the back of the driver's seat. He immediately grabbed it and started hitting hard, aimlessly, around the driver's seat damaging and disabling the door's control. The young children cried and screamed even harder.

                                                                                    XXV

          Parked, Xandro heard the news of the said hostage-taking from the radio inside his Delivery Van after he had delivered a big TV and Refrigerator. He shouted from the inside, "Xander!" immediately his short beard and mustached vanished, his short crew cut hair grew longer covering his ears slightly. He flew out of the Delivery Van. He flew high and extremely fast. In just a short while, he was already at a high part of the sky looking down on the large crowd surrounding the big bus in a big Football Field. He noticed the crowd was in chaos, even the police men earlier started feeling uneasier the minute, they didn't know what to do after they heard the loud cries and screams of the innocent hostages thinking that Mayor Donato had failed and the hostage-taker was already harming the hostages. They couldn't see what was happening inside the big bus, the small white curtains still covered the whole bus. Xander flew slightly nearer. Immediately, the crowd of curious male and female by standers saw Xander flying in the sky.

          "It's Super Xander! It's Super Xander!" abruptly, the big crowd and the police men started clapping and cheering at Xander. They felt a sudden surge of  hope as they saw Xander carefully eyeing the big bus. Immediately they raised up their cellphone and started taking pictures and videos of Xander up in the sky with their cameras.

          "Silence! Tone down your volumes, you might interfere with Super Xander's rescue plans!" the slightly loud and hard command of the now hopeful lead negotiator.

          The curious male and female by standers obeyed and stood still, as quiet as they could. They looked up anticipating his every move. Xander flew nearer and nearer the big bus. While he was floating in the sky near the bus, Xander started thinking what he was going to do after he had learned of the hostage-taking of the young children. A few moments had passed but Xander still couldn't think of a good plan. So he tried to relax himself thinking that it would help him think better. He took a deep breath, his two arms relaxed on his sides, he opened his palms, facing forward, hard and strong. But instead of the golden rope, a blue ray of light came shooting out of the middle and upper part of his chest. Surprised, Xander looked carefully at it. It moved up in the sky as if it was alive, looking like a whip. In just a short while the moving blue light straightened and headed to the back and middle part of the big bus. It instantly hit the roof of the big bus. In just a wink of time, the blue light created a small hole at the back, it didn't even smoke nor make a noise. Suddenly, the blue light vanished and the thin golden rope came shooting out from the upper and middle part of Xander's chest replacing it. The golden rope headed towards the big bus and immediately went through the small hole that the blue light created earlier. Right after the rope got inside the bus, Xander's eyes  involuntarily closed while he was floating in the sky near the big bus. He was stunned with what happened next, he could now see clearly what was happening inside the big bus. He saw the pitiful young hostages crying loudly on their seats. The thin golden rope continued moving inside the bus, and surprisingly the children and the hostage-taker didn't even notice it inside, the rope imitated the white paint of the  roof camouflaging it. Slowly, the rope inched its way going to the middle part of the roof of the big bus. From outside the bus and above the sky, Xander saw the uneasy and irritated lone hostage-taker. Xander carefully calculated his next moves, he didn't want to commit any mistakes knowing that the lives of the innocent hostages, who were crying for a long time, were in his hands. Once again the cries of the young hostages grew louder and the hostage-taker became more furious than ever. With the baseball bat in his hands, he reacted on the loud cries, he turned around from them hitting aimlessly the driver's seat and the bus walls near him. Slightly, the thin rope moved some more forward near the furious hostage-taker. Suddenly, he turned around and looked down on the unconscious mayor stained with reds. "You killed my daughter, and in revenge, I'm killing your child too!" his loud shout looking furiously  at the red stained unconscious Mayor Donato. He turned around from the mayor and walked furiously towards the crying and screaming hostages. He immediately pulled a young boy from his seat mistakenly believing that he was Mayor Donato's child. Madly, he dragged the crying and screaming boy towards the unconscious Mayor Donato. "Now, you will know how painful it was to see my beloved child died in my arms!" shouted the now in amok hostage-taker as the child tried hard to free himself from him, crying. He immediately threw the boy on top of the unconscious Mayor Donato and pullled out the baseball bat from the corner. He held it above his head ready to strike the child. Xander wasted no time, the golden rope moved forward and went around the hostage-taker's body. Tightening his grip, Xander pulled back the hostage-taker from his waist dragging him backwards. The hostage-taker landed on the middle part of the big bus losing the baseball bat. The children watched everything that was happening inside the big bus. Once again, the hostage-taker tried to reach for the baseball bat with his left hand. Seeing it from above, Xander pulled him backwards and tightened he rope's grip tying up the hostage-taker's two arms. Furiously, the hostage-taker tried to free himself from the golden rope. But the rope was just too tight around him. "Psst... quiet my daughter and I are going to sleep. Quiet... quiet..." he said looking at the young children with his sleepy tired eyes. Finally, the hostage-taker fall asleep and some of the children started cheering a little, not knowing though who just saved them.

                                                                          XXVI

          The crowd outside the big bus still wasn't aware of what just happened inside. Xander, through his thin golden rope, then tried pushing on the button controlling the door of the big bus to open it. But because the hostage-taker had damaged and disabled it with the baseball bat, Xander wasn't able to open the bus door from inside the bus. Up in the sky, as the clueless crowd continually watched, Xander took a deep breath, the golden rope shortened and returned hiding inside his chest. Afterwards, Xander immediately flew down going to the side of the big bus. Right after Xander's foot touched the ground in front of the closed door of the big bus, he immediately opened it with his hands. Finally, Xander succeeded in opening the door of the big bus. The big crowd stood still, watching Xander's every move. Xander stepped inside the big bus.

          "Children, you're all safe now, you're all free to leave," stated the pleasantly smiling Xander looking at the them. Slowly, and one by one, the young children started approaching Xander as he stood near the open bus door. Immediately, one cute little girl walked towards Xander and embraced him kissing him on his right cheek. Amused, Xander in return hugged the cute little girl and carried her in his right arm. With the little girl in his arms, Xander walked towards the open bus door. The curious male and female by standers' hearts  exploded with joy when they saw Xander stepped out of the big bus carrying the cutest and smiling little girl in his right arm. The other young children followed soon and, one by one, started jumping out of the big bus door. Immediately, the jubilant parents of the rescued young hostages ran to meet their beloved children jumped out of the bus. Extremely happy and greatful, almost in unison, they shouted their heartfelt gratitude to Xander for his quick and successful rescue of their young children.

          Suddenly one curious by stander screamed aloud, "Airplane! An airplane is going to fall on us!" The big crowd in the big Football Field was stunned, a big airplane was plunging down going to the ground where they were all standing. It was plunging down to their direction rapidly. Xander looked up and saw the rapid plunge of the big airplane. Xander wasted no time, and as fast as he could, he flew upwards meeting the big airplane and when it got near him he immediately caught it lifting from under and middle part of the big airplane. With the big airplane still on his hands in the sky, slowly and carefully Xander started flying down to land it on the ground when suddenly another horrified curious by stander shouted, "Airplane! An airplane is going to fall on us!" Xander saw the second airplane rapidly plunging down towards the big crowd. Up in the sky, Xander released the first airplane he was carrying. With his arms relaxed on his sides, he opened his palms, facing forward, hard and strong, the golden rope went shooting out of his chest and immediately chased the then falling first airplane tying it to a tight grip lifting it easily in the sky. Xander flew faster upwards and wonderfully caught the second airplane that was rapidly plunging down. Xander was lifting the second airplane with his two hands from under and middle part of it while the golden rope balanced and lifted the first airplane. The two airplanes were successively attacked by a large group of birds that came from far away countries. They migrated to the Philippines to avoid the cold winter and to find food. Carefully and slowly, Xander flew down, carrying the two extremely big and heavy airplanes, towards the big Football Field. The thin golden rope first landed the first airplane and shortly after Xander the second airplane. From their early astonishment, the large crowd amusingly stared at the big bus and the two airplanes lined up in the middle of the big Football Field. "Super Xander is just incredibly strong... It was so fortunate for all of us here that Super Xander caught the two airplanes; otherwise, we're all dead by now..." the soft whisper of one greatful by stander. Instantly, the large crowd of the jubilant male and female by standers started clapping and cheering, even the negotiator and his police men clapped and cheered too as the rescued airplane passengers, who were screaming in panic inside the two planes earlier, started climbing down the planes' stairs. They all ran to meet Xander who was slowly approaching them. Immediately the media men started covering, focusing their cameras on Xander's every move and on his face. Hurriedly, they all raced to approach him for a quick interview but the police men immediately blocked them. And so some of them hurried to the two airplanes and the big bus. Right before them was the still unconscious mayor covered with red stains and not far from him the hostage-taker. Immediately, the policemen climbed up to get the body of who they thought was already dead mayor and the sleeping lone hostage-taker. Simultaneously, the plicemen started to carry the bodies of the two on the bus floor. And simultaneously the two bodies started waking up. And simultaneously, the two stared at each others eyes. The mayor raised his right fist in fury. And the lunatic laughed hard at the mayor's appearance. The policemen then escorted the two down the big bus. On the ground the two stood near each other. Suddenly, the mayor tried to punch the lunatic. Fortunately, a quick policemen was fast enough to hold his wrist and twitching it behind him. The crowd all laughed at the scene. Suddenly three new kids arrived and approached the mayor and the lunatic. "Hey, I remember the two of you, you're the father of that poor girl who this man, together with his goons, threw down the bridge one afternoon we were scavenging near it. "What!" the crowd chorused at what they just heard.

          "You're lying!" the mayor shouted at the little boy.

          "No he's not, we saw you too!" the other two scavengers shouted in unison and staring at the furious mayor.

          Immediately, the policemen invited the mayor to their police precinct to the delight of the large crowd of curious male and female by standers. The Mental Hospital male staffs, who had just arrived, immediately fitted the hostage-taker their sturdy white clothes for lunatics, so he could no longer hurt anyone or himself. Hurriedly, they escorted him towards their vehicle. They got him inside and immediately drove him back to the Mental Hospital he had escaped from where he could be treated properly.

          The reporters continued covering, they all tried to capture in their cameras all that was happening in the big Football Field and simultaneously reported back to their respective TV Stations. And once again the large crowd of curious male and female by standers raised their cellphones and took pictures and videos of Xander as he walked magnificently in the big Football Field. Uncontrollably, the excited reporters, together with their respective cameramen, started pulling and inviting the young children and the airplane passengers for an interview. Immediately the smiling lead negotiator approached and shook the hand of Xander. He congratulated him and even before Xander could respond to him he quickly stood beside him smiling at the excited crowd. "Hurry up! I want a picture with Super Xander!" The mediamen and the big crowd of curious male and female by standers was about to take the picture of  Xander and the lead negotiator when suddenly someone shouted aloud, "Candy!" Immediately, the large crowd turned back and looked up. Everybody turned quiet. Really really quiet looking up.

          "Candy! Want some candies! Candies for sale! I have Candy Mint, Stork, Halls, and White Rabbit. Buy now, buy now while supplies last!" the loud shout of the lone vendor in the big crowd inside the big Football Field.

          "Shut up! Can't you see you're disturbing us! Okay Super Xander let's go on with the photo shoot," said the overly excited lead negotiator. Amused and laughing a little, the crowd of curious male and female by standers obliged and started making the shoot. Even the reporters gave in to the loud request or demand of the instantly popular and amusing lead negotiator. Xander just smiled at the crowd as they took their pictures and videos.

          "What a waste, I thought candies were falling and raining down the sky, I could have caught the most considering that I'm the only one with a pail of Orocan in here..." the soft whisper of the youngest curious by stander.

                                                                  XXVII

          Xander was just about to fly when suddenly Veronica came and shouted, "Super Xander! Super Xander! Can I have my pictures taken with you too? Please....!" So Xander decided to stay a little longer out of respect for Veronica. Overjoyed that Xander agreed, Veronica immediately hugged Xander. After she finally released Xander from her starstruck hug, "What are you waiting for take our pictures!" excitedly she ordered one of her Salesladies. "Wait... Super Xander I think it would be better if you elevate a little so I could have a picture with you flying beside me," Veronica excitedly told Xander.

          "Wow demanding!" commented one lady who also wanted a picture with Xander.

          Immediately Xander obliged, he levitated a little and gently placed his right arm around Veronica's shoulder. "Okay, there you are," the Saleslady said after taking the picture Veronica demanded.

          "Could I still have another picture with you Super Xander? But this time take your arm off my shoulder so my friends could clearly see that you are indeed flying beside me when the picture was taken," Veronica suggested.

          "Wow Choosy!" shouted the already impatient lady.

          And because of the impatient ladie's side comments her two pictures looked a bit ridiculous. One showed her wide-eyed staring ahead and the other one with her fist, raised and tightly closed, looking as if was just about to punch someone in the face.

          "Just one last picture super Xander, and this time with all my employees," the last request of Veronica. Once again Xander granted Veronica's request and smiled. Althea, who had just arrived, stared at the man beside Veronica. She was immediately stunned. Althea realized who Xander was. Super Xander is Xando... Super Xander is Xando... she repeated in her mind. Althea was extremely confused at everything that she was feeling at that moment. One part of her was telling her to run towards Xander and embrace him tightly. But no matter how great the love she was feeling for him, the memory of that night kept flashing back. The thought of Xander's face with the horrible fangs, made her tremble a little. And instead of approaching and hugging him, she slowly turned her back and started walking away.

          "Hey Lynette! Where are you going, come here let's have our pictures taken with Super Xander," Veronica's fast call to Althea. But she ignored her and didn't even look back. She headed back to the Appliance Center with her head bent down.

          Xander saw Althea's reactions seeing him. He couldn't hide the sadness he was feeling. With a heavy heart, Xander flew upwards and away from the crowd. He flew as fast as he could trying so hard to vanish from his mind the fear that he saw on Althea's eyes. Slowly, he flew inside the Delivery Van. He sat and shouted, "Xander!" his short beard and mustache returned and his hair shortened. He sat inside the Delivery Van and looked blankly in front still thinking about the girl he loved the most.

          When Veronica had gone back to her Appliance Center, she immediately saw and reaized how sad Althea was. Concerned, Veronica talked to her but the later just smiled a little and looked far away.

          Still concerned, Veronica immediately showed Lynette her pictures with Xander. Lynette felt happy when she saw Xando, who she already knew was Super Xander, in the picture. And she felt even happier when she saw Veronica excessively wide-eyed in one picture. While the picture of Veronica looking ready to punch someone hard made Lynette laugh a little.

          "At last you could laugh now, I was a little worried when you ignored me back at the Football Field," relieved, Veronica said.

          "Hey Xandro, where have you been, you could have joined us at our photo shoot at the Football Field if you came earlier. Wait, it's only you and Lynette who have no new pictures..." Veronica noticed.

          Xandro looked intently on Lynette's face and noticed her smiling a little.

          Xandro felt good that Lynette looked happy once again making him able to smile too.

          Immediately Veronica pulled Xandro and made him stood beside Lynette. "Hey Xandro why don't you put your right arm around Lynette's shoulder. You two look good together, you're both very beautiful and handsome."

          Suddenly Lynette and Xandro stared into each others eyes. Xandro just smiled and immediately placed his arm around Lynette. And immediately, Veronica took their pictures.

          "You really Veronica, you come up with lots of ideas, I'm feeling a little embarrassed to Xandro," laughing a little, Lynette stated.

         "No don't say that, I also wanted to have a picture with you Ma'am Lynette," smiling, Xandro admitted.

          "Okay, back to work..." Veronica ordered everyone and so everyone went back to their respective posts.

XXVII  fly with twins

XXVIII

          A few days later, Xandro was sitting on the expensive sofa and waiting for new customers. While one of the Salesladies was busy entertaining a customer, Xandro noticed Lynette stood up from her table and walked towards the water dispenser on one corner of Veron Appliance Center. He was so captivated by her beauty, helplessly he stood up and walked towards her. Her back was turned to him as she was getting Nature's Spring Mineral Water. Xandro walked some more and nearer her. In a few steps he was standing just a few inches behind her. Slowly Xandro smelled the fragrant Bench Cologne she was wearing. He immediately felt something, Xandro felt a sudden urge to kiss Lynette in her nape. Knowing what's going to happen next, hurriedly Xandro  tried to control himself. He tried and tried but still his two fangs started growing. Until they finally came out. "Hey Xandro, I didn't you're there, are you thirsty too?" smiling and looking at his face, she asked Xandro.

          Xandro couldn't bring himself to answer Lynette. And as hard as he could, he kept his mouth tightly closed worrying that she would see his two fangs.

          "Hey why aren't you answering me Xandro?" Lynette asked the nervous looking Xandro and laughed.

          Xandro stared at Lynette's beautiful face laughing at him, slowly her laughter rubbed off on him. He laughed back at her with his mouth still closed and immediately felt his fangs growing shorter until it was finally gone. 

          "Hey, are you getting water or not?" she asked once again still laughing a little.

          "Yeah, yeah, I'm feeling thirsty too..." Xandro quickly answered laughing a little. Good I laughed; otherwise I'll be in deep trouble...

          "Hey, what are you two doing over there, are you plotting against me?" teasingly, Veronica, who just arrived, asked looking at their faces.

          "Yes we were, we were plotting to coerce you into treating us with Jollibee Hamburgers, and one against two you have no choice but to bring out your money, you must buy us hamburgers now or else..." smirking, Lynette warned Veronica.

          "Huh just that, I thought you two were planning to go on a two man strike outside shouting with your lousy placards. I think I better buy now for all of us while we still don't have much customers coming in," the fast answer of Veronica as she repeatedly looked back and glanced at the main door like she was expecting someone.

          "I can buy it for you Ma'am Veronica; besides, I'm not really doing anything at the moment," offered Xandro who also started looking towards the main door because of Veronica.

          "And it would be better if we also buy Greenwich Pizza and softdrinks, Coke. Spend all these money so everyone including the Salesladies and our really quiet Guard could also eat. After Veronica had handed her money to him, Xandro immediately left. Outside, he walked fast going to Greenwich and immediately ordered. And then he continued to Jollibee and bought a lot of Jollibee Hamburgers and softdrinks, Coca-Cola. While he was on his way back to the Appliance Center, Xandro passed by National Bookstore and saw a good number of students buying books inside. He remembered buying a book on that particular branch when he was still a student himself. Xandro walked faster, he wanted to reach the Appliance Center as fast as he could. Suddenly, he thought of buying Presto Ice Cream because the change was still enough to buy some. Xandro used to buy a lot of Presto Ice Creams before because it was just cheap but tasty all the same. When he got outside the Appliance Center, he saw Lynette talking to a tall man. Xandro looked more intently and realized that the two were quareling about something. Immediately Xandro went inside and hurriedly placed on the vacant sofa all his purchases. Suddenly, the man harshly pulled Lynette's hand. Immediately Xandro rushed to help Lynette, twisting the tall man's arm behind his own back and held his other hand pinning it to his side. Immediately the tall man calmed down feeling the incomparable strength of Xandro. Sensing it, Xandro released the man.

          "We have nothing to talk about Robert, so please just leave. By the way this is Xando my boyfriend," Lynette introduced Xandro to Robert.

          Sizing him up, Robert looked Xandro from head to foot. Immediately, Xandro moved and stood beside Lynette putting his arm around her shoulder and smiling at her. Xandro stared back at Robert.

          "Ah... so this is the beggar-class Xando."

          "Hey, don't you dare acting that way in front of me. Who do you think you are to look down on anyone so easily," Veronica's quick defense of Xandro.

          "Stop meddling, this is none of your business and you're definitely not a part of  our conversation!" Furiously, Robert warned Veronica staring at her.

          "Hey what are you saying, I'm answerable to him. You, you're not my friend and you're not even a customer of my store. You better get out of here before I ask someone much much stronger than you, and you know who, drag you out!" loudly, Veronica warned and commanded Robert.

          "What do you think of your place a mall, don't you think you're place is rather small to throw out someone like me!" Robert's sarcastic remark.

          "Fine, if that's what you think. But at least this small place, this small business is listed under my name; whereas yours is under your parents', you're just too proud for a mere errand boy of your rich parents!" Veronica's quick retaliation on Robert's sarcasm and insults.

          "Please Robert just leave us, I'm about to get married with Xando and there's nothing you can do," stated Lynette.

          "That is so right and I'm the Godmother just so you know," smirking, Veronica added.

          "What did you just say, you're actually marrying this, we'll see what happens when your grandparents hear of this," Robert answered.

          "Fine, go ahead and draft your report. Why, don't you just face it, no one here likes you, not even me.

So shoo! Good bye!" Veronica butted in and laughed a little.

         "Brad, you heard it. I've already accepted Lynette's proposal to marry me. Lynette loves me and Lynette dislikes you, what can I do. Be brave, face the truth and learn how to accept defeat like a real rich man that you are," smirking, Xandro dropped his lines.

          "Get out of here Robert," Lynette's firm command.

          "We're not done yet Lynette, I'm not letting anyone have you other than myself!" Robert furiously assured Lynette, turned around and left Veron Appliance Center.

           "My goodness... he left at last," greatly relieved, Veronica simply said.

          "Ah... bye the way, thanks for helping me earlier Xandro," Lynette thanked Xandro.

          "That was nothing Ma'am Lynette," Xandro's fast answer. I simply threw him out of our way... he whispered quietly to himself.

          "Ah... Xandro, is it okay if you ride along as my boyfriend once again just in case Robert shows up the next time," Lynette requested Xandro.

          "Yes Ma'am, I'm always here if you need me... I mean if you need my help..." Xandro answered looking at her.

          "We'll, I must say you're acting, Lynette, Xandro, was quiet impressive. I was almost convinced that you two are in love with each other. Good because I really enjoyed looking at Robert's jealous face. But I guess it's kinda your fault too Lynette, you always use Ponds and men like Robert can't help themselves but follow you around," Veronica teased once again.

          "My goodness this Jollibee Hamburger is just so delicious specially with this Coke I'm drinking now," said the Saleslady who was so thrilled with the foods and drinks in front of her.

          "Wait, how long had you been eating exactly, huh?" wondering Veronica asked her five Salesladies.

          "Ah... for quiet a while Ma'am Veronica... why Ma'am Veronica," the quick answer of the other Saleslady.

          "Are you saying that, all this time,while we were arguing here earlier, all of you we're just eating all along?" Veronica asked once more.

          "It's how it is, it's really great to eat Jollibee Hamburgers and drink Coke while watching a beautiful movie," smirking the third Saleslady answered her.

          "We'll.. me too, so kindly slow down a little girls," Veronica teasingly warned her Salesladies.

          "Hey Xandro, join us eat the food you brought earlier," Lynette invited Xandro.

          "Thanks, could I sit beside you, I'm still not that comfortable with the Salesladies," Xandro answered Lynette smiling a little.

          "Right, you two sit beside each other Lynette, Xandro, so you'll get used to each others company. So when Robert shows up, he'll be more furious and jealous of the two of you. Maybe, this way Robert would realize that he really has no chance on you Lynette and just find himself another Pond's girl," Veronica added once more. "Guard, you better eat now, these Salesladies are just too fast with the Presto Ice Cream, this is just too delicious."

          "That's an excellent idea!" the loud response of the very quiet guard.

                                                                             XXX

          Lynette heard of the loud and successive knocks on her door, immediately, she walked towards it.

  

                          XXX

          Lynette heard of the loud and successive knocks on her door, immediately, she walked towards it.

Right after she opened the door, a man immediately came in and threatened her. "Come with us!" the unidentified man simply said.

          "Why would I go with you, I don't know you." Lynette refused hard.

          "Of course you don't; otherwise, they won't hire us to kidnap you," the man simply answered.

          "Kidnap, if it's just money, I'll give it to you myself. Just let me go!" she shouted at the man who started pulling her out of her house. "Let me go! Let me go!" Another man came in and helped drag Lynette towards her gate going into their get-away car.

          Veronica saw everything that was happening to Lynette from her heavily tinted car as she drove going to her house. Even before she got near Lynette's gate, the two unidentified men succeed in taking Lynette and immediately sped away from the place. Looking and tailing the speeding black car, Veronica immediately contacted the police with her cellphone. And immediately after, he called Xandro. Xandro received Veronica's call while he was driving his Delivery Van on his way to a far away customer. Veronica told him on his cellphone that he cannot report to Veron Appliance Center because of Lynette's abduction. He even heard her cry in dismay when she finally lost the black car she was following and hang up. Immediately Xander pulled over to the side of the road and parked. He shouted, "Xander!" He flew his fastest and immediately surveyed and searched the whole of Metro Manila looking for Lynette. He flew and flew, searched and searched but he just couldn't find Lynette, nor the kidnappers hideout. He decided to flew to Lynette's house hoping for anything that could help him find her. From the sky, Xander carefully watched Lynette's place. In just a short while, Xander noticed something. He flew a little nearer. He saw Lynette's expensive bag, which she had dropped while she was being dragged by her abductors, lying inside her backyard. From above, Xander immediately opened his palms, facing forward, hard and strong and the thin golden rope came shooting out heading towards the direction of the bag that Lynette had accidentally left. Xander tried to pick the bag with his golden rope, but right after it touched the ground, Xander was stunned. Xander heard noises, he was hearing so many and so much from everywhere, for a moment he thought he was going to go deaf. Until slowly, Lynette's voice surfaced from somewhere.

          "Robert, are you the one who had me kidnapped, huh?" the furious question of Lynette to the approaching Robert.

          "I'm glad you still recognize me Lynette, I was under the impression that you had totally forgotten me because of that Xando. What are you thinking Lynette, you hailed from a wealthy family but you chose a mere Delivery boy. You would really chose that beggar over me. Yes Lynette, I masterminded your abduction and it's your fault. I asked you nicely to reconcile with me, but you refused me just like that and right in front of that good for nothing Xando!" Robert furiously ended.

          "What do you mean reconcile with you, are you making me laugh? When did we become a couple, huh? I never said to you, you just don't get it when a girl says no.  I don't like you and there's nothing you can do to make me like you, you don't deserve anyone you're the most terrible person that I've ever met. You just suck-up too much on my grandparents so you could convince them to marry me to you," angrily Lynette answered.

          "You could talk all you want, but it doesn't really matter now. There's nothing you can do, the mayor who's going to marry us is on his way. It would be better if you just eat, just maybe you would realize that you would be better off with me than with that Xando of yours."

          "That's right, you better make Lynette eat all her favorite foods because this will be her last chance to taste all of it," laughing, intervened Esmeralda who had just arrived. "How are you my beautiful niece, are you surprised you see me here, huh?"

          "You're also one of those who had me abducted, Aunt Esmeralda?" in disbelief Lynette asked her aunt.

          "Yeah, I'm definitely one who had you brought here, but don't you worry because its not exactly our families money that I used to have you kidnapped. You know your excessively generous boyfriend Robert shouldered all the necessary expenses," Laughing, Esmeralda confessed to Lynette. "So if I were you, you start praying now because this is certainly your last day in this world. We are killing you right now, the truth is 

I already have a willing volunteer who will do it for us, finishing you."

          "Wait a minute, what do you mean you're killing Lynette, Aunt Esmeralda. This was not a part of our original plan!" taken aback, Robert asked. "Our agreement was, you'll just help me find hired men to take Lynette and push through with our marriage."

           "Yeah,  I told you that and because of your over excitement to marry Lynette, you immediately took my words for it," disdainfully, Esmeralda answered laughing a little. "Yes you are rich and you hold a high position in your family's business, only you're just too gullible."

          "Only, I'm not letting your hurt Lynette, don't worry Lynette, I'm going to protect you no matter what happens," the assurance of Robert to Lynette.

          "Really, and how do you expect to do that huh, okay let me hear it," Esmeralda challenged Robert.

          "You would have to walk over my dead body first, before you can harm Lynette," the statement of Robert glancing at Lynette seemingly to impress her. "Okay men, arrest this woman and her husband Waldo, now!"

          But no one obeyed. Instead they went all laughing hysterically looking at him. "Hey, why aren't you following my orders? I'm the one paying all of you, I'm the boss and you're all here just to obey, am I clear!" Robert shouted aloud.

          But then again, they just laughed at him just like they did earlier.

          "You're too loud and noisy!" said the laughing Esmeralda. "Psst... come over here, would you please just punch this noisy man, goodness my ears is beginning to hurt because of his loud roar!"

          Immediately the man Esmeralda called approached and punched Robert. Robert was hit in his face. Robert immediately fall asleep even if he wasn't feeling sleepy the whole time.

          "On the count of three, Robert will snore. One... two... three..." Esmeralda counted. And Robert snored as predicted. "See what I told you guys."

          "What now Lynette, so you're next in line," the intimidation of Esmeralda as she approached Lynette who was tied on a chair.

                                                                             XXX

          "How could you do this to me, you're my dad's sister, I'm your niece!" angrily Lynette asked Esmeralda.

          "Well, I must admit, your dad had always been good to me, even if I'm merely adopted. Only, he learned that I was stealing in our family's businesses. I begged and asked for his forgiveness. And of course, he had immediately forgiven me but at the same time he also requested, commanded me to confess to dad and ask for his forgiveness. I knew very well how your grandfather is Lynette, I was very sure that would never forgive me back then. And I was also certain that he would disown me then and threw me out back to the streets like a beggar. He never loved me, from the very start he never treated me like his real child. I don't want to experience poverty anymore Lynette, I knew how it was to live without anything to eat and shelter everyday. And because of my extreme fear of being thrown out of our house, I had your father trapped and gassed inside his car, thanks to my husband Waldo of course who was always willing to do everything that I asked of him. And if I wasn't lucky enough, it so happened that your mother was with your father in his car on that day. I didn't have to order or pay anyone to kill your mom separately. The truth was I had long despised your mom back then. She was just new in our family, but mom and dad instantly treated her like a princess. While I was looked upon as a a mere burden and another mouth to feed in their eyes. To some extent, I was also saddened by your dad's death, but with your mother, she just got what she deserved, good for her!" the long narration of Esmeralda at everything that occurred at that time.

          "So you're the one responsible for my being an orphan so early in life, you're the worst person in this world auntie! You're good for nothing, you don't deserved to be loved because your too selfish!" in tears Lynette berated Esmeralda.

          "Okay fine... I'm selfish, I'm the most selfish person in this room. What's more important now is, you'll finally be out of my way and your family's wealth will be all mine right after I kill your beloved grandfather and grandmother. Lynette, they had returned to the Philippines, do you know that, huh?" confessed the hysterically laughing Esmeralda.

          "Have mercy on them auntie, grandma and grandpa are both old, please don't hurt them. Grandma had loved and taken good care of you, I had seen that, even just for her sake, auntie, please..." Lynette begged Esmeralda in tears.

          "Please stop now Lynette, I might just cry anytime," faking a tear, Esmeralda said. Immediately, Esmeralda called on one of her goons. "Okay, just kill this woman no. I just want this done now immediately, 

this day is too exhausting, I still have other people to elliminate!"

          Immediately, the goon who was called by Esmeralda approached Lynette. "Such a waste, do we really have to kill her Ma'am, she's just too beautiful," the hesitant question of the goon.

          "I don't think so, after she's gone, we'll be rich. Okay, kill her now and we still have two others to take good care of today!" the fast command of Esmeralda.

          Suddenly, Esmeralda and Waldo, together with their goons, heard some commotion and loud noises from their other goons not far away. The group of Esmeralda immediately felt alarmed and apprehensive at what they just heard.

          Immediately Lynette felt a little relieved and hopeful, and silently thanked God deep in her heart.

          "Hurry up, find out what's happening out there, maybe the policemen had already discovered our hiding place. Run out and meet them, hurry up!" the fast and loud command of Waldo to their goons.

          Hurriedly, the men of Esmeralda and Waldo ran towards the place where the commotion and loud noises came from. Esmeralda, Waldo, and Lynette, together with the other ten goons, was left in the same area. "What are we going to do now Waldo?" the worried question of Esmeralda to her husband.

                                                                         XXXI

          It was actually Xander who the men of Esmeralda were having trouble with and not the policemen that

they had earlier thought. Earlier the beautiful ladies that the goons had partied and celebrated with ran off with all their expensive and modern weapons. And when they woke up all they got was their food, drinks and some gadgets. Xander stood, floating, before them. Hurriedly, the twenty goons grabbed anything they saw to protect themselves from Xander and lined up single file on the narrow aisle. The goon in front of the line, juggled the two large bowling balls on both his hands looking at Xander and said, "We'll see if you can handle these!" Immediately he aimed, and threw the two bowling balls on Xander. Xander just stood and waited looking at the two large balls rolling in the air towards him, but right when they were about to hit his body, the two heavy bowling balls immediately fell downward going to the ground as if there was an invisible shield protecting Xander's entire body. Xander just looked at the goon who stoned him with the two metal balls. Immediately he took some more heavy bowling balls and furiously threw all of them, one by one, towards Xander, but just like what happened earlier all the bowling balls fell on the ground.

          "You look tired treating me like a bowling pin, it's my turn to play this time around," Xander stated. Slightly floating, Xander opened his two palms, facing forward, fast and hard, immediately, the think golden rope came shooting out from the middle and upper part of his chest and caught the first goon with it, tightly encircling him on the waist. The goon struggled hard to free himself from the golden rope but Xander simply whisked him towards the left wall of the narrow aisle. Xander faced then faced the second goon on the line. Immediately, the second goon aimed at Xander with his sharp frisbee. He immediately released it towards Xander but when it was about to his Xander's body the frisbee fell on the ground, just like earlier. He threw and threw some more but it all went to the ground. Xander immediately caught him with the thin golden rope and whisked him to the right wall of the narrow aisle. Amused, Xander looked at the third goon on the line. He was holding in his two hands two unopend can of Coke. He wasted no time and simultaneously threw towards Xander the two cans of Coke but when it was about to him, the two cans dropped towards the floor. But Xander immediately caught the two delicious Cokes on top of his shoes, balancing it easily by his invisible feet inside, one on each. Immediately Xander placed the two unopened cans of Coke on the side and said, "Let's not waste Coke, these are my favorites." The third goon tried to pick more cans of Coke, but Xander didn't let him pitying the unopened cans of Coke. Immediately he caught the third goon, with the thin golden rope, around his waist and whisked him to the left wall of the narrow aisle. Immediately, the fourth goon in the line pulled from both his pockets, fifty metal marbles, twenty five on each palm. and furiously threw all of them towards Xander but just like earlier, when they were about to hit Xander, all of them fell on the floor. Immediately, Xander, standing, flew immediately towards the fourth goon in the single file and kicked him on the chest. The remaining seventeen goons in Rayban Sunglasses, Hanes T-shirts, and Levi's Jeans fell on each other like falling dominoes. The first five in the single file line fainted immediately and the remaining twelve pretended to faint in fear of Xander. Xander flew the whole stretch of the narrow aisle and when he reached an open door, he went through it to look for Lynette. Immediately, the twelve goons who pretended fainting, stood up and fled running away from the building overwhelmed by Xander's display of incredible strength and powers.

          When Xander got through the open door, the goons that Esmeralda commanded to meet him immediately scattered around encircling him. Xander was standing and levitating in the middle of goons who all lifted large metal drums above their heads. One of the goons shouted, "Attack...!" and immediately and simultaneously they all aimed and threw the large metal drums towards Xander. It was raining twenty colorful large metal drums everywhere heading towards Xander. But just like earlier, just when the large drums was about to hit Xander, immediately they all fell towards the shiny red tiled floor. Xander simply laughed at the twenty goons. He then took a deep breath, with his arms relaxed on his sides, opened his two palms, facing forward, fast and hard, immediately the thin golden rope surfaced from the middle and upper part of his chest. Immediately, Xander aimed at the goon on his left, he hit him and fell unconscious on the floor. Then Xander hit the goon in front of him and  the one on his right successively. The two fell unconscious on the red tiled floor. Overwhelmed by their great fear towards Xander, the still standing goons ran and fled away heading outside the big building and outside the large gate.

          Xander flew once more, much faster this time, and went through another open door in front of him. Right after he got in, he immediately saw Althea who was tied up sitting on a chair. Hurriedly, the twenty remaining goons met and confronted Xander. They lined up to stop Xander from rescuing Althea behind them. The ten goons blocked Xander's way forming two lines of goons in groups of ten. "Kill him, kill that trying hard wannabe hero!" the fast and loud command of Esmeralda to her goons. The goons obeyed and encircled Xander. Immediately they all shouted and ran towards Xander in the middle standing on the white tiled floor. Together they ran towards Xander and when they got near him in the middle, simultaneously they raised their right legs and kicked Xander in the

middle. In just a second the ten goons shouted and held on their right knees in pain and scampered out of the building limping on their right legs. Panicking, Esmeralda and Waldo raced against each other going to their waiting car.

          From where he was standing, Xander carefully assessed Althea's condition behind the remaining line of goons. Braver than the previous ten who fled away limping, they immediately scattered and surrounded Xander in the middle. Xander noticing Althea's miserable condition, right after the goons made their first steps to attack him, he immediately rotated levitating in the middle and hit the ten goons, one by one, with the blue light stunning them and falling unconscious on the white tiled floor. Xander was surrounded by ten unconscious goons.

                                                                     XXXII

          "I thought I'll never see you again, I'm so glad you found me Xando, Xander, if not I could have been dead by now..." Althea stated in tears looking up on Xander who was flying towards her. Xander slowly landed and embraced Althea in front of him, kneeling on the white tiled floor. "You're free now my love, stop crying... I'm here Althea..." Xander gently pacified and comforted the only girl he loves. Immediately, Xander went around the chair she was sitting and started freeing Althea from the tight brown rope that Waldo had used on her. In just a short while, Xander had successfully  untied Althea. Immediately, Althea stood up and embraced Xander once more. "Are you still scared of me my love?" the quick question of Xander at the girl who have been hugging him tightly.

          Althea looked up at Xander and smiled saying, "No, not anymore. I will never ever fear you Xander, you had already proven to me how much you love me, I love you, I love you so much Xander." Instantly Xander's face brightened up at what Althea had admitted to him. With all the love in his heart, Xander embraced Althea in his arms. Overjoyed, Xander didn't even realize that he was already levitating upwards with the beautiful Althea in his arms.

          Esmeralda and Waldo continued on their escape and after they thought they had fled far enough. They 

parked their black car on a deserted place surrounded with trees. The two stayed there for a while hugging each other. They were so worried that what's going to happen to them next. Suddenly, they noticed some smoke leaking inside their car. Immediately, Esmeralda and Waldo tried to leave the smoking car. They tried to open all the doors but they just couldn't open it. Not far away, in front of them, they saw a man who they swindled with millions a long time ago laughing at them. Esmeralda and Waldo was trapped  and died inside.

          Suddenly, Robert started opening his eyes. Immediately, he saw Xander and stood up and approached him. "I'm so happy you came so early Super Xander, if not for you I and Lynette would have been dead by now in the hands of Esmeralda, Waldo and their goons."

          "That's not true, he's lying Xander, he's the mastermind and the financier of the goons who abducted me earlier!"

          Hurriedly, Robert turned around and started running away from Xander. While he was still levitating and hugging her,  Xander lowered Althea on the floor. Immediately, Xander, with his arms on his sides, opened his palms, facing forward, fast and hard. The thin rope came shooting out and chased after the fleeing

Robert. Quickly, the golden rope went around Robert tying him on his waist. Able to control his rage towards the man who abducted Althea, he raised him a little and whisked him down on the floor. But still enough to make Robert fall asleep on the floor, but only this time he was no longer able to snore. Xander took a deep breath and immediately the golden rope shortened and hid inside his chest.

          "Let's go Xander, let's leave this place right away. I'm afraid that some goons of Aunt Esmeralda might arrive and attack us once more."

          "Huh, don't worry Althea, they're all sleeping now and the rest had long fled running away from this building," smiling, Xander answered holding Althea's two hands. "Did they hurt you my love?"

          "Not really, but my hands hurt slightly, probably because Waldo tied me up tightly making sure that I cannot escape on my own.

          And so Xander immediately caressed her two hands supposedly to ease the pain away. "There... I'm sure the pain in your hands will be gone in no time, just let me hold it some more," grinning, Xander told Althea. Althea simply smiled at Xander looking up to him. Immediately, Xander embraced Althea once more and slowly flew her outside of the building. Althea kept on looking and smiling at Xander as he continued flying her. In just a short while, they were already soaring in the sky. Xander was so happy that Althea, finally, had already accepted his true identity.

                                                                            XXXIV

          From the sky, Althea and Xander amusingly watched as the policemen started arriving to the place where Althea was hidden after her abduction from her house.

          "Hey that's Veronica down there with grandpa and grandma. Wait Xander, I'm calling Veronica to inform her that I'm already safe," stated Althea as she reached for her cellphone. "Hello, Veronica this me Lynette... I'm safe now with Xando... and we're about to go home to my house," Lynette informed Veronica while they watched, not far in the sky, the policemen started arresting the goons of Esmeralda and Waldo.

          "That's wonderful Lynette, I'm so glad you're free and your with Xando now really, huh," she teased her friend laughing a little.

          "Robert, it was Robert and Aunt Esmeralda, together with her husband, who masterminded my abduction Veronica."

          "Okay, I'm putting down my cellphone Lynette, I'll just make sure that this Robert gets apprehended right now," the quick farewell of Veronica.

          "Wait, arrest that man! Arrest Robert, it was he, Aunt Esmeralda and Waldo who had Lynette abducted by these goons!" on top of her lungs, Veronica shouted calling the immediate attention of the policemen.

          "Where's Lynette now, Veronica?" the quick question of Lynette's grandmother.

          "Lynette is free and safe now. And it seems that Xando had done it again," estimated Veronica.

          "Huh, but this is twice already..." noticed Lynette's grandmother.

          "Maybe, it's time that we give Lynette her freedom, let's allow her whoever she wants to be with, let's just be happy for her. And it seems that this Xando really loves our granddaughter Lynette. Who would have thought that we have almost entrusted our beloved granddaughter to a criminal," stated Lynette's grandfather and immediately kicked the still dizzy Robert in front of him as the police escorted him to their police car. In just a short while, Veronica, together with Lynette's grandparents, left the place.

          Xander and Althea was so happy that they were with each other once again. Smiling, Althea watched the face of her savior and hero Xander. She just couldn't believe that they're together once more, finally. Sensing her stares at him, Xander embraced Althea. "It's only the two of us up here Althea, I suppose you'll let me kiss you now..." smiling a little, Xander asked the only girl he loves. Althea didn't answer instead she just embraced him looking up to his face. So Xander slowly bent and lowered his head to kiss Althea. Allthea closed her eyes. Xander lowered his head some more to finally kiss Althea on the lips when suddenly  a lightning struck and the mood and appearance of the sky quickly changed. Suddenly, three big Flying Saucers appeared from somewhere, it was surrounded with many lights. Three big aliens were attached on top of it. The three green aliens were so huge, their ears were big and pointed, rounded eyes, and had several lines on their forehead. The three gigantic aliens who all looked alike was attached, from the waist, to the the big flying saucers. The tips of their five fingers were all rounded. These monstrous aliens had no legs nor feet. They were able to move and fly around through the big flying Saucers that was attached to their upper half bodies. At that moment, the sparkling flying saucers was attached to each other on the edges, forming a triangle. They were surrounded with red, yellow and blue lights. Slowly, they stopped near the place where Xander and Althea was flying. Althea was extremely terrified with the three monstrous aliens that she saw, making her embrace Xander tightly. Xander assessed what the three gigantic aliens wanted from this world. It stayed motionless up in the sky, seemingly assessing Xander's actions towards them.

          "What are we going to do now Xander, this is the first time that I have seen huge flying saucers with three aliens attached to it in the middle and on top. What could they want from us earthlings. I'm worried that 

they came here to conquer this world and kills us all humans," the worried statement of Althea.

          From the sky, Xander quickly started flying Althea downwards and away from the monstrous green aliens who had just arrived. Xander flew downwards faster. When they reached the ground, Xander immediately found a good hiding place for Althea and commanded her to stay there.

          "Xander, let's just escape, they look so fierce and cruel, something might happen to you..."

          "Stay here and hide, you're safe here. I'll try talking to them to find out why they came to our world," The answer of Xander to the extremely worried Althea. Althea hid and immediately Xander flew upwards.

                                                                     XXXVI

          Xander flew fast going to the three gigantic green aliens whose half bodies were sparkling silver flying saucers. Abruptly, he stopped in front of them. Xander looked too small compared to them.

          "What do you want huh Coke?" Xander's loud question to the aliens.

          "We don't want Coke, we have that too in our planet!" the furious answer of one of the three aliens.

          "Ah, I know... you want Jollibee Hamburgers?" Xander asked once again.

          "We don't want that too, we have lots of that in our planet!" the second furious answer of the same alien.

          "Right, now I know, you want Safeguard?" Xander asked loudly smiling a little and covering his nose.

          "What are we going to do with that?" furiously, the three aliens asked together.

          "Huh?" the loud question of Xander.

          "What are we going to do with that when we don't really bathe!" furiously, the three aliens responded together.

          "Pardon me sirs, but I didn't really know!" the fast apology of Xander. "What is it that you want then?"

          "We are mad at you earthlings because you waste water too much, we don't even have water to drink in our planet, and you earthlings just waste it bathing yourselves, you earthlings are the worst kind in the whole universe!"

          "You mean, we humans should not bathe, just like the three of you, huh. I'm sorry but we humans could not avoid bathing because if we don't do that we will surely get sick, medicines and doctors' fees are just too expensive nowadays. And that's why we always use Safeguard Soap to avoid diseases brought about by germs scattered in our big planet."

          "You talk too much, humans who waste and don't give importance to water should all die! And so my green brothers let the fight begins!" Abruptly a white light came out from the edge of one of the three flying saucers and immediately targeted Xander. Xander immediately moved to his right and quickly avoiding it. Another alien fired a yellow light from the edge of the flying saucer that was attached to him. Xander was almost hit. Immediately Xander flew a little nearer to the three gigantic green aliens. He took a deep breath, with his arms on his sides, he opened his two palms, facing forward, fast and hard and immediately his blue light surfaced. Xander immediately aimed at the alien nearest to him. He fired at his forehead. He immediately 

avoided it, and so the other alien got hit on the forehead. But it did not even made the slightest injury, the second alien looked like he was merely tickled. He just laughed hard at Xander. So Xander tried hitting the flying saucer nearest the place where he was flying. Instantly, the flying saucer was hit in the middle front. Abruptly, it smoked and got badly damaged. Xander was overjoyed that the silver spaceship was vulnerable to the blue light from the middle and upper part of his chest. But Xander was surprised with what he saw next, the spaceship repaired itself and was then sparkling once again as if nothing happened to it earlier. Laughing out loud, the three monstrous aliens ridiculed Xander once again. Xander tried firing at the three tremendously big flying saucers which was attached to the half bodies of the three monstrous aliens. He fired and rained on them with so many rays of blue lights. They were hit on many different parts of the flying saucers while Xander circled at the three aliens in the sky. Quickly, the parts of the three flying saucers that had been hit by the blue ray of lights were damaged severely. It started smoking simultaneously looking like it was ready to explode. But just like what occurred earlier, the three silver flying saucers repaired itself, restoring it to its original form and looked like Xander had just cleaned it for the three monstrous aliens. It even looked much shinier than the first time Xander saw them. Slowly, Xander started getting intimidated by three gigantic green aliens. The two attached flying saucers separated from the other one facing Xander and simultaneously fired two white lights towards Xander. The two attached silver flying saucers fired successive and so many white lights towards Xander. Xander was hit on many different parts of his body as he flew on different directions trying to avoid their attacks. Xander became much weaker after he had been hit all over his body but his skin was not damaged. Then the three monstrous green aliens fired at Xander once again. He tried avoiding the white lights, but he just couldn't, the attacks was just too overwhelming and he was just too weak. He could no longer move from where he was levitating in the sky. The three aliens who had reattached on the edges of their three flying saucers, saw Xander was floating almost motionless in the sky due to the punishment that they had bestowed upon him. Taking advantage of the situation, they flew nearer Xander. Suddenly, the three flying saucers detached from each other. The two separated flying saucers with the two separated monstrous aliens on top simultaneously flew towards the exhausted Xander. Xander was in between the two separated green aliens in the sky. And from the edge, quickly, each of the flying saucers released a huge and extremely hot ball of lights. Slowly, the two balls grew bigger as it continually moved towards Xander in the middle. Xander looked too small in between the two huge light balls. Xander stood up in the sky and watched carefully the two huge and extremely hot light balls. From the sky, rapidly the two light balls started rolling towards Xander in the middle. Seemingly, the two huge red light balls wanted to toast Xander in between them. Sensing their plan, Xander extended his arms sideways pushing the two huge light balls away from each other. From the sky, Xander looked like he was trying to stop two red and slightly smoking planets from pinning him in the middle. While Xander's hands was touching the surface of the big light balls, Xander an extreme hit that he had never felt his whole life. He likewise felt the powerful force coming from the two planet looking red light balls. He realized that his own strength was not enough to stop them from heating and pinning him in the middle. Xander's two palms started trembling from the extreme heat and force that was coming from them. But Xander kept on fighting, He poured all the strength left in him to stop the planet like red light balls from toasting his body in the middle. Xander continued becoming weaker and weaker, his arms trembled more. Until Xander, powerless against the planet like red light balls, dropped his arms in exhaustion. Xander was pinned in the middle of the hot planet like red light balls. The unimaginable heat that Xander was feeling made him scream in the sky. He struggled hard to free himself and flew away from them. But no matter how hard he tried, he just couldn't free himself. He stayed in the middle for some time. Xander could barely endure the punishment that they were giving him. Abruptly, the two colliding planet looking red light balls disengaged rolling to the opposite directions. Xander started plunging downward. Xander dropped on the ground. The distance and the force of Xander's fall created a huge hole and depression on the ground upon impact. Xander remained lying on the ground, he was at his weakest. With all the punishments he received, Xander's body remained undamaged, not a burn not a scratch. He was catching his breath in extreme exhaustion. From above, three monstrous green aliens watched and mocked Xander's condition on the ground. Slowly Xander's regained his full strength. He immediately stood up from where he was lying and flew towards the three green aliens whose three huge flying saucers had reattached. He flew as fast as he could formulating his next plan of attack. He flew faster and faster. Suddenly, the three green aliens released myriads of tiny fires. The heavy downpour of fleeting fires headed towards the thousands of people looking up beneath them but vanished as it neared earth. Xander saw the wide rain of tiny fires. He immediately tried to avoid them, but the rapid and heavy downpour of fires was too fast for Xander. He was caught in the middle of heavy rain of fires. Xander felt the extreme heat that no one had ever experienced in this world. Xander maneuvered his way out of the wide span of the rain of fire pouring down on him. But when he was about to escape, the span of the rain of fire expanded and expanded continually trapping Xander inside. Xander was trapped inside the heavy rain of fires.

He flew as fast as he could formulating his next plan of attack. He flew faster and faster. Suddenly, the three green aliens released myriads of tiny fires. The heavy downpour of fleeting fires headed towards the thousands of people looking up beneath them but vanished as it neared earth. Xander saw the wide rain of tiny fires. He immediately tried to avoid them, but the rapid and heavy downpour of fires was too fast for Xander. He was caught in the middle of heavy rain of fires. Xander felt the extreme heat that no one had ever experienced in this world. Xander maneuvered his way out of the wide span of the rain of fire pouring down on him. But when he was about to escape, the span of the rain of fire expanded and expanded continually trapping Xander inside. Trapped inside the heavy rain of fires, Xander became weaker and weaker once again. There was no tissue damage anywhere on Xander but he felt like he was burning and the heat intensified, the longer he stayed in the middle of the wide rain of fires. Xander screamed extremely loud enduring the great punishment that the powerful half-bodied green aliens gave him. He was no longer moving inside the heavy downpour of the rain of fires that three aliens had created. Suddenly, the rain of fire stopped.  Xander fell downwards rapidly. And once again the speed and the distance of his fall created a big 

hole and depression on the ground upon impact. Xander stayed on the ground motionless and dying. He was easily defeated by the three powerful aliens.

                                                                      XXXVII

          Lynette saw everything that happened to Xander, Xander's fall on the ground almost shattered her heart. She came out of her hiding place running towards the dying Xander on the ground. She knelt beside him, looking at the man she truly loved. Her superhero was now the weakest man on earth. Althea held Xander in her arms and her tears started dripping from her eyes. Notwithstanding the danger of the three gigantic aliens looming above them, Althea embraced the dying Xander tightly in her arms waking him up, "Xander wake up, wake up... please don't leave me. My life is in danger, wake up and protect me... If you truly love me wake up... wake up Xander..." the pityful cry of Althea. But Xander remained motionless and his eyes closed. Althea looked up and saw the three fierce gigantic aliens slowly approaching her and Xander from above. And in acceptance of her impending death with the man she truly loved, Althea embraced and slowly kissed the motionless Xander on his lips. Abruptly and instantly Xander's fangs grew, he opened his eyes and looked up at the crying Althea. He also saw the quick descent of the three gigantic and monstrous three aliens. Suddenly, one of the three monstrous aliens released a gigantic ball of fire. Quickly he embraced Althea turning her around with her back on the ground. Xander covered her body with his, giving up his back

just to protect the life of the only girl he loved. The gigantic ball of fire hit Xander. But Xander's back was invincible to the gigantic ball of fire. The ball of fire continued burning on his back and Xander stayed shielding Althea from getting burned. Slowly, the gigantic ball of fire vanished.

                                                                       XXXVIII

          Xander and Althea survived the impending disaster. He smiled at Althea. "You're alive Xander! You're alive, I'm not losing you anymore! I love you Xander! I love you!" Althea's joyful and slightly tearful statement thanking God deep in her heart and looking at Xander's face.

          "What now my love, let's just continue this later, I'll just finish these three rowdy aliens. Xander immediately stood up and turned around. He looked up and assessed the three gigantic aliens, whose waists were attached to their wide Flying Saucers, in the sky. Abruptly, Xander's fangs grew. And instantly the fangs disappeared. Althea in turn rushed back to her hiding place. Xander flew upwards fast. Really, really fast. Quickly, the three massive Flying Saucers separated from each other. The three dropped on Xander their wide and heavy rain of small fires. Xander was caught in the middle of the heavy downpour of the rain of fire. Imediately, Xander rotated like a strong whirlwind. And because of the great speed of the wind that the whirlwind rotation of Xander had created, immediately a gap between Xander's entire body and the wide downpour of the rain of fire around him was formed. It wasn't able to go near and attach on Xander's skin. The gap became wider and wider. He continued turning around rapidly like a whirlwind, until the wide rain of fire completely disappeared. And Xander was left unscratched in the middle of the sky. In just a short while, the two monstrous green aliens released once again their two red balls of light. Xander saw them slowly rolling and growing towards him from two sides trying to collide against each other. Rapidly the now big and planet looking red balls of light rolled towards Xander to pin him once again in the sky. He waited for the two gigantic red balls of lights to connect to his two palms. And when it did, Xander used his new powers to ensure that they can no longer pin him in the middle and toast him once again. But because of the strength of Xander's new found powers, the two gigantic balls of light catapulted back the two monstrous green aliens that released them. The two gigantic aliens was hit by their own planet looking balls of light. Slowly, the three separated monstrous green aliens surrounded Xander. The three attempted to release three red balls of light 

But Xander did not wait for it to happen. Xander's two fists ignited and slightly flamed. Immediately, Xander flew quickly towards one of the aliens. And with all his strength, Xander punched the alien in his wide chest. The gigantic alien ignited. Xander flew once more and headed for the second gigantic alien in the sky. When he got near, he rapidly punched him in the chest and just like earlier, the whole body of the alien ignited. Xander flew once again, heading for the third gigantic green alien. And immediately, Xander punched him in the chest making his whole body ignite. He immediately flew in the middle of the three separated gigantic aliens. He watched as their bodies continued to ignite in the sky. And in just a short while, simultaneously, whole bodies of the three aliens was blazing. The fire grew and grew until the three exploded and created an even bigger and wider ball of fire. Xander was engulfed by the great ball of blazing fire in the sky.

                                                                        XXXIX

          Althea could no longer see Xander in the sky. She ran from where she was hiding. She was running and crying for the man she loved the most. Althea stopped and searched for Xander above. And in just a short while Althea saw Xander standing magnificently in the middle of the sky. "Xander!" the loud and jubilant shout of Althea. She ran fast towards Xander. And Xander flew towards his beloved Althea on the ground. They met in the middle. Xander's feet did not touch the ground. He immediately held her waist, embraced and quickly flew her upwards with him. Althea embraced Xander in the sky as she watched the face of his beloved man. "You're alive Xander! You're alive my love!" the joyful scream of Althea up in the sky. Xander embraced Althea back. He looked at the incomparable beauty of the girl he truly loved. He embraced her once again.

          "Can I kiss you now Althea?" his soft question to Althea.

          "Yes! Yes! Yes!" the fast and the loud answer of the laughing Althea.

           Xander bent his head down to kiss Althea. His fangs grew once again. But Althea simply smiled as Xander bent nearer to kiss her. Tilting her head up slightly, Althea closed her eyes. Once again, Xander watched the beautiful face of Althea and in instantly his fangs disappeared. Xander kissed Althea with all his love. Althea received Xander's kiss with all her heart. Xander kissed and kissed Althea. He kissed her for a long long time... and suddenly, one fell, a surface made a sound, Xander opened his eyes. It was just Althea's shoe, it fell on the roof of McDonald's. "I thought it was another...." the soft whisper of Xander.

          "You thought it was what...." wondering, Althea softly asked.

          "No, nothing, just let it go..." and Xander kissed her once more, embracing Althea with all his heart and love.

          "That's enough Xander, there are too many people watching us from below..." the request of Althea.

          "Let them, they can't see that much from up here..."

          "I said, it's enough already Xander..."

          "What's wrong, huh.... just let them..." Xander's quick answer and continued kissing Althea.

          "The wind is so strong and... just a little more and I'm losing grip of my skirt, are you sure(sigi ka)..!"

          "Huh!" and because of the excessive loudness Xander's Huh, the young men and ladies, who had been 

looking up and watching them from below, panicked and ran towards McDonald's and hid inside.

                      

He flew as fast as he could formulating his next plan of attack. He flew faster and faster. Suddenly, the three green aliens released myriads of tiny fires. The heavy downpour of fleeting fires headed towards the thousands of people looking up beneath them but vanished as it neared earth. Xander saw the wide rain of tiny fires. He immediately tried to avoid them, but the rapid and heavy downpour of fires was too fast for Xander. He was caught in the middle of heavy rain of fires. Xander felt the extreme heat that no one had ever experienced in this world. Xander maneuvered his way out of the wide span of the rain of fire pouring down on him. But when he was about to escape, the span of the rain of fire expanded and expanded continually trapping Xander inside. Trapped inside the heavy rain of fires, Xander became weaker and weaker once again. There was no tissue damage anywhere on Xander but he felt like he was burning and the heat intensified, the longer he stayed in the middle of the wide rain of fires. Xander screamed extremely loud enduring the great punishment that the powerful half-bodied green aliens gave him. He was no longer moving inside the heavy downpour of the rain of fires that three aliens had created. Suddenly, the rain of fire stopped.  Xander fell downwards rapidly. And once again the speed and the distance of his fall created a big 

hole and depression on the ground upon impact. Xander stayed on the ground motionless and dying. He was easily defeated by the three powerful aliens.

                                                                      XXXVII

          Lynette saw everything that happened to Xander, Xander's fall on the ground almost shattered her heart. She came out of her hiding place running towards the dying Xander on the ground. She knelt beside him, looking at the man she truly loved. Her superhero was now the weakest man on earth. Althea held Xander in her arms and her tears started dripping from her eyes. Notwithstanding the danger of the three gigantic aliens looming above them, Althea embraced the dying Xander tightly in her arms waking him up, "Xander wake up, wake up... please don't leave me. My life is in danger, wake up and protect me... If you truly love me wake up... wake up Xander..." the pityful cry of Althea. But Xander remained motionless and his eyes closed. Althea looked up and saw the three fierce gigantic aliens slowly approaching her and Xander from above. And in acceptance of her impending death with the man she truly loved, Althea embraced and slowly kissed the motionless Xander on his lips. Abruptly and instantly Xander's fangs grew, he opened his eyes and looked up at the crying Althea. He also saw the quick descent of the three gigantic and monstrous three aliens. Suddenly, one of the three monstrous aliens released a gigantic ball of fire. Quickly he embraced Althea turning her around with her back on the ground. Xander covered her body with his, giving up his back

just to protect the life of the only girl he loved. The gigantic ball of fire hit Xander. But Xander's back was invincible to the gigantic ball of fire. The ball of fire continued burning on his back and Xander stayed shielding Althea from getting burned. Slowly, the gigantic ball of fire vanished.

                                                                       XXXVIII

          Xander and Althea survived the impending disaster. He smiled at Althea. "You're alive Xander! You're alive, I'm not losing you anymore! I love you Xander! I love you!" Althea's joyful and slightly tearful statement thanking God deep in her heart and looking at Xander's face.

          "What now my love, let's just continue this later, I'll just finish these three rowdy aliens. Xander immediately stood up and turned around. He looked up and assessed the three gigantic aliens, whose waists were attached to their wide Flying Saucers, in the sky. Abruptly, Xander's fangs grew. And instantly the fangs disappeared. Althea in turn rushed back to her hiding place. Xander flew upwards fast. Really, really fast. Quickly, the three massive Flying Saucers separated from each other. The three dropped on Xander their wide and heavy rain of small fires. Xander was caught in the middle of the heavy downpour of the rain of fire. Imediately, Xander rotated like a strong whirlwind. And because of the great speed of the wind that the whirlwind rotation of Xander had created, immediately a gap between Xander's entire body and the wide downpour of the rain of fire around him was formed. It wasn't able to go near and attach on Xander's skin. The gap became wider and wider. He continued turning around rapidly like a whirlwind, until the wide rain of fire completely disappeared. And Xander was left unscratched in the middle of the sky. In just a short while, the two monstrous green aliens released once again their two red balls of light. Xander saw them slowly rolling and growing towards him from two sides trying to collide against each other. Rapidly the now big and planet looking red balls of light rolled towards Xander to pin him once again in the sky. He waited for the two gigantic red balls of lights to connect to his two palms. And when it did, Xander used his new powers to ensure that they can no longer pin him in the middle and toast him once again. But because of the strength of Xander's new found powers, the two gigantic balls of light catapulted back the two monstrous green aliens that released them. The two gigantic aliens was hit by their own planet looking balls of light. Slowly, the three separated monstrous green aliens surrounded Xander. The three attempted to release three red balls of light

But Xander did not wait for it to happen. Xander's two fists ignited and slightly flamed. Immediately, Xander flew quickly towards one of the aliens. And with all his strength, Xander punched the alien in his wide chest. The gigantic alien ignited. Xander flew once more and headed for the second gigantic alien in the sky. When he got near, he rapidly punched him in the chest and just like earlier, the whole body of the alien ignited. Xander flew once again, heading for the third gigantic green alien. And immediately, Xander punched him in the chest making his whole body ignite. He immediately flew in the middle of the three separated gigantic aliens. He watched as their bodies continued to ignite in the sky. And in just a short while, simultaneously, whole bodies of the three aliens was blazing. The fire grew and grew until the three exploded and created an even bigger and wider ball of fire. Xander was engulfed by the great ball of blazing fire in the sky.

                                                                        XXXIX

          Althea could no longer see Xander in the sky. She ran from where she was hiding. She was running and crying for the man she loved the most. Althea stopped and searched for Xander above. And in just a short while Althea saw Xander standing magnificently in the middle of the sky. "Xander!" the loud and jubilant shout of Althea. She ran fast towards Xander. And Xander flew towards his beloved Althea on the ground. They met in the middle. Xander's feet did not touch the ground. He immediately held her waist, embraced and quickly flew her upwards with him. Althea embraced Xander in the sky as she watched the face of his beloved man. "You're alive Xander! You're alive my love!" the joyful scream of Althea up in the sky. Xander embraced Althea back. He looked at the incomparable beauty of the girl he truly loved. He embraced her once again.

          "Can I kiss you now Althea?" his soft question to Althea.

          "Yes! Yes! Yes!" the fast and the loud answer of the laughing Althea.

           Xander bent his head down to kiss Althea. His fangs grew once again. But Althea simply smiled as Xander bent nearer to kiss her. Tilting her head up slightly, Althea closed her eyes. Once again, Xander watched the beautiful face of Althea and in instantly his fangs disappeared. Xander kissed Althea with all his love. Althea received Xander's kiss with all her heart. Xander kissed and kissed Althea. He kissed her for a long long time... and suddenly, one fell, a surface made a sound, Xander opened his eyes. It was just Althea's shoe, it fell on the roof of McDonald's. "I thought it was another...." the soft whisper of Xander.

          "You thought it was what...." wondering, Althea softly asked.

          "No, nothing, just let it go..." and Xander kissed her once more, embracing Althea with all his heart and love.

          "That's enough Xander, there are too many people watching us from below..." the request of Althea.

          "Let them, they can't see that much from up here..."

          "I said, it's enough already Xander..."

          "What's wrong, huh.... just let them..." Xander's quick answer and continued kissing Althea.

          "The wind is so strong and... just a little more and I'm losing grip of my skirt, any second ..."

          "Huh!" and because of the excessive loudness Xander's Huh, the young men and ladies, who had been

looking up and watching them from below, panicked and ran towards McDonald's and hid inside.

                                                                   Chapter 40

          The following morning, "Xando, good morning! Come over here, I have something to tell you."

          "What is it Ma'am Lynette?" the quick answer of Xando who had just approached Althea.

          "I've got a good news for you, Robert is already in jail for abducting me. Xando and I have already agreed and reconciled... we no longer have to pretend as lovers. And I also want to thank you for all your help to me..." the joyful confession of Lynette to the unrecognized Xander.

          "Really... that's great news, I'm so happy for you and for that dude Xando too..." the answer of Xandro and smiling a little.

           "Okay, excuse me Xando, I've got papers to assess on to my table, and once again thank you Xando..." Lynette happily showed her gratefulness to Xando.

          Xandro simply smiled at Lynette, and then went out of Veron Appliance Center. He was going to deliver the many orders of one wealthy customer. He bought a refrigerator, TV, washing machine, DVD, aircon,oven, vacuum cleaner, and a lot others. After he had loaded all the appliances inside the Delivery Van,

Xander climbed up and sat on the driver's seat. He took a deep breath, he looked in front of him, looked to his left and glanced at the beautiful Althea while she was working with her computer. That beautiful girl is finally mine now. He opened a can of cold and refreshing softdrink, Coca-Cola. He immediately drank and emptied it completely, he smiled a little. He looked in front of him once again and drove to the address that was written in the receipt. In just a short while, he arrived at the address of his newest delivery. What Xander wasn't aware of, the big house and the parked elegant Pajero Car were gifts to them by Althea's grandparents and all the appliances were given by Veronica for her bestfriend Lynette. Xander boarded the

Delivery Van once more. He was so happy, he could now go back to Veron Appliance Center. In just a little while, I'm going to see my beloved and beautiful Althea. He drove. He drove and drove on the whole stretch of Manila. Xandro was just so overjoyed when suddenly he heard some successive explosions from afar. Immediately, Xandro parked his Delivery Van, he took a deep breath and shouted, "Xander!" His beard and mustache disappeared, his crew cut hair grew longer covering his ears slightly. Xander smiled and flew out of the Delivery Van. Once again, he flew fast and high to respond and fulfill the great responsibility that fate had bestowed upon his shoulders... to serve and protect the human kind.

                                                                           End

opened a can of cold and refreshing softdrink, Coca-Cola. He immediately drank and emptied it completely, he smiled a little. He looked in front of him once again and drove to the address that was written in the receipt. In just a short while, he arrived at the address of his newest delivery and unloaded all the appliances inside the big house. What Xander wasn't aware of, the big house and the parked elegant Pajero Car were gifts to them by Althea's grandparents and all the appliances were given by Veronica for her best friend Lynette. Xander boarded the Delivery Van once more. He sat on the front seat and looked ahead. He took a deep breath, smiled, and drove along the highways of Metro Manila with a clear mission in life, to serve and protect the human kind and to love Althea forever. 

                                                  End