I also had some close friends: Jeric, Bugsy, and Bryan. The four of us were tight, and they were also my neighbors. There was even a time when we collected toys from other kids and played with them. We used to skip classes, especially during our last subject, English, because we didn’t like it. We would go to Talavera Play Kingdom and play when the guard wasn’t around so we could get in for free since we only had 20 pesos as allowance. We would only go home when the school day ended so it would look like we attended class.

My mom came home again when I was 10 years old. That’s when she found out I was often scolded and punished because of my mischief. She defended me, and I was so happy she was back because I finally had someone on my side. However, she soon had to leave again, and this time something unexpected happened—it would be a long time before she came back. That’s when my dad started seeing someone else. He got another woman pregnant, and my mom found out. She immediately came home to confirm if it was true. After all, my dad could barely take care of me, and now he had gotten someone else pregnant even though he was still married to my mom. They eventually separated, and from then on, I lived with my mom.

My mom returned abroad to work and provide for me. She sent my allowance through my aunts until she saved enough and decided to come home for good so we could be together. My mom bought us our own house, but it wasn’t too far from my dad’s place because, when my younger sibling was born, she didn’t want us to grow apart. My younger siblings followed after me—Sean Lucas, Niña Lucas, and Liah Lucas.

Things were okay between me and my dad. I’m happy that, in the end, my family is still whole, thanks to the decisions of my parents, especially my mom. One reason why my parents get along now is because of my siblings—they’re so cute, haha! My mom even said she wants me to have a child soon. I told her I’m not ready yet. Despite everything that happened between my mom and dad, I’m still grateful that they get along because I know they made those decisions for me and my siblings.