CHAPTER 1: THE ARRIVAL IN THE PROVINCE The City returned to its province in Batangas. With every turn of the road, it was as if memories of the road, it was as if memories of the past were slowly greeting them. The mango trees are in full bloom every April, and the rice fields lining the roadside, and the small huts with nipa roofs that seemed to bow in respect as they passed by. Inside the car, along with the wheels turning, was Layla's sweet voice, the eight-year-old daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Mendoza. She sat in the middle of the back seat, holding a small pink backpack filled with coloring books, crayons, and a few toys. They got into the car no sooner than she began singing her favorite song. Layla raised her hands in pure joy as she sang, playing with the wind outside the car window, her face glowing with excitement for the journey ahead. "Sweetheart, you might get tired quickly if you keep that up,. We still have a long way to go," said Mrs. Mendoza with a smile, watching her daughter throw the rearview mirror from the passenger seat." I won't get tired, Mommy! I'm excited! I also want to play under the mango trees." Layla replied while peeking out the window. Her eyes were light, filled with innocence and pure anticipation. Mr. Mendoza, who was driving their SUV, remained silent. He was already used to long drives to the province, especially during the summer. From Manila to Batangas, the trip usually took around three hours when traffic wasn't heavy. But during moments like this, time seemed to pass more quickly when spent with the whole family. While they were traveling along the South Luzon Expressway (SLEX), Layla watched the vehicles following behind them. There were motorcycles, buses full of passengers, and trucks carrying all sorts of things. Sometimes, she would ask her parents questions. Layla's eyes sparkled with uncontrollable curiosity as a massive truck rumbled past their old, blue sedan. "Mommy, what's the load of that truck? she asked, her voice barely audible above the hum of the engine and the rush of wind. Her mother, a practical woman with a warm smile, adjusted her glasses at the behemoth. "I don't know dear. Maybe vegetables or maybe boxes of milk," her mother replied while adjusting her glasses. "Maybe toys!" Layla replied cheerfully, then laughed loudly." After almost an hour's drive, they stopped at a gasoline station in Calamba to rest and buy Layla a sandwich and juice. While eating inside the car, Layla stared quietly into the distance. She suddenly fell silent. Her mother noticed. "What are you thinking about, sweetheart? Mrs. Mendoza asked while gently wiping Layla's lips. "I just remember Grand Pa Ben, weren't we before? Before he was hospitalized? Layla asked while chewing slowly. After about half an hour, the car started again. As they exited the expressway and entered the narrow, quiet roads, time seemed to slow down. The houses they passed had hammocks in front, children playing patintero in the street, and bold people sitting on wooden benches. "Tomorrow, can I swim in the river?" Layla asked. "Oh, of course! As long as Kuya Andoy goes with you. You can't go alone." Kuya Andoy is a young man who is the son of their housekeeper in the province. He has been with the family for a long time and is like a real sibling to Mr. Mendoza. Layla is also close to him because he always gives her guavas, and he also teaches her how to pick santol using a long pole. At twelve noon, they saw the gaze of the old house in Barrio San Isidro. The yard was spacious, with two large mango trees in front and a small nipa hut in the back where Lolo Ben used to live during the summer. "Yehey", Layla shouted, jumping from her seat. After they got out of the car, their pet greeted them-Bantay, an old brown dog, and Muning, the gray cat, who immediately went to the window of the house. Layla hugged Bantay. " Did you miss me, Bantay? I missed you so much too? "Oh my, you two are really like country girls, Layla," Mrs. Mendoza joked as she carried the things into the house. In the kitchen, Layla immediately smelled the pork sinigang being cooked. Aling Nene, their housemaid in the promise, happily greeted them. "My Layla! You've grown so big, Child! You're so tall, you look like you have foreign blood!" she exclaimed. Layla smiled broodily as she sat on the old wooden bench in the kitchen. Observing every detail of the house. The old cabinet the cuckoo clock that no longer runs, and the pictures on the altar. Everything was familiar, everything warmed her heart. CHAPTER 2: THEIR PLAYTIME AT THE TOWN CENTER The next day, while Mrs. Mendoza was busy doing laundry at the back of the house and Mr. Mendoza was watering the plants, a high-pitched and lively voice flowed through the air, along with a gust of wind from the open window. "Laylaaaaa! Laylaaaaa! A little girl shouted from the front of the house, holding a small umbrella and wearing green slippers. Layla quickly peeked out the window of t