Outrun The World

Chapter 34

"Lola didn't want to lose her land, He Tian. You knew her. She loved this place."

He Tian remembered the old woman back when they were younger. She was the kind of old person who always had coins inside her equally ancient purse and children would flock around to mano whenever they met her because she would never fail to give you some loose change for pocket money.

"If only I, or my parents, had the money, I would never ask a Chinese man. You know that," Rica said, looking down to hide her face. She's already sniffing. Whenever she cried she would suffer from a runny nose until it developed into a bad cold so He Tian sighed. She hated crying, especially in front of a man, and a Chinese man at that.

"You really hate China huh."

"And everyone who lives in it," Rica grumbled and stared at him with pleading eyes. "But I trust you, you know that. And trust me when I tell you that someday, this move is gonna secure your place in this part of the world. Protecting him, this is the least you could do."

"Now you resort to threats," he grinned wider so Rica raised an eyebrow and kicked him under the table.

"All I'm saying---"

"I know, I know, let me check my wallet. Might have some loose change there, enough to buy a cheap piece of land," he answered wryly, cutting her off.

And that improved Rica's mood after bawling so hard on her relative's death.

*

"Hmm. What if they get smashed by a falling coconut?" Mo Guan Shan' question snapped He Tian out of his reverie. "Or if a coconut hits a roof?"

He Tian had the same thoughts the first time, a falling coconut falling right through the nipa roof and hitting someone inside.

"Rarely happens. I guess part of their skill is to determine the direction where a bunch might fall."

They greeted the people milling around, each carrying a sharp bolo to gather the coconuts. Instead of repeatedly bending down, they would instead poke the coconuts with the sharp instruments and fling each one to the basket. He Tian greeted the coconut picker and he answered back with a wide grin in a sweat covered face.

Their destination was the smoking hut-like building that was surrounded by hundreds of coconuts ready for husking, or breaking, depending on what the owner would choose. He Tian chose to husk, because the coconut shell would also fetch a good price when turned to charcoal. More work for people but additional income too.

"Smells good right?" He Tian asked.

"Yeah, what was that?"

He Tian winked but didn't answer, pulling him by the wrist to walk faster until he spotted a bukag, or a weaved bamboo basket filled with coconuts. He Tian asked one of the workers if it was okay for them to bring it along and got a cheery affirmative.

"Now help me with this, big guy," He Tian smirked and held the other side of the wide basket.

"Huh, don't be so cocky," Mo Guan Shan answered and held the other side before they heaved and carried the basket between the two of them. It was so fucking heavy and the bamboo strips bit on his palm but he endured, hoping for thick calluses to boost his self-confidence.

"Kuya Shan, Kuya Ian, let me help you guys!" Lira exclaimed and ran up to catch them. She's the chubby teenager they first met at a funeral and was the first young girl to strike up a conversation with them. Most were a bunch of giggling heads huddled together and talking in hushed voices.

He Tian's face darkened when he remembered those girls fighting over Mo Guan Shan's attention while he was busily discussing real estate. He would definitely not lose to those young girls!

"Oh, sure. Here you go," Mo Guan Shan, oblivious to the burning determination on He Tian's end, handed the cooler to the girl. She happily accepted her load and tagged along with a wide smile on her face. "Good mood, huh."

"Young people should take you as an example, Lira, wearing a silly smile wherever you go," He Tian commented. 

"Silly? I don't know if you're praising me or making fun of me, Kuya Ian. But you're handsome so I'll pretend I didn't hear that part," the girl said and laughed. She's lagging behind, struggling to keep up with the heavy box, when Nato came to the rescue and grabbed the other end of the handle. "Oi, Nat-Nat, didn't see you there. I thought it was a walking bamboo pole."

"Shut up, Buddha," Nato countered in his usual cool manner before rolling his eyes. That had been their usual greeting. At first both men thought they hated each other and there was bullying going on but after witnessing their interaction several times, they understood that it was their way of being friends.

"Are you helping too, Lira?" Mo Guan Shan couldn't help but ask the girl. Most workers were men. The women must be busily preparing lunch in their own homes.

"She's in for the free Coke," Nato said.

"Hey, I could pry 'em faster than you can!" Lira said, nose flaring. She's referring to the process of removing hard coconut flesh from the shell.

"Husking is my specialty so naturally."

"I could husk too, just so you know!"

"But you can't climb," Nato said with a triumphant grin. 

"Of course! Have you seen Buddhas climb trees? Stupid monkey!"

Mo Guan Shan smiled. That scene might have been a normal one, a common occurrence for the people surrounding them but for him, it was the next step to being accepted in the community. These kids were comfortable enough to bicker in front of them. It meant something way more precious than just being welcome.

"Ugh, good thing we can't have kids, right?" He Tian asked him with a smirk and Mo Guan Shan laughed.

"Don't you guys want to have a baby?" Lira asked.

"Hmm," Mo Guan Shan turned to He Tian and was mirrored by the same pondering look. The taller guy shrugged, meaning he should take care of the answer. "If we manage to find a baby inside one of these coconuts, I'll have it."

He Tian drew in a deep breath and felt his eyes begin to water. He found himself an amazing man.