CHAPTER 1: THE JOURNEY
The sun blazed down on Metro Manila as two families finalized the last of their bags, coolers, and containers of food. It was finally happening—the much-awaited beach trip to Batangas. Joe, the designated driver and all-around family man, was packing the last beach chairs into the van. His wife, Gayle, checked the checklist for the third time. Their children, Nathan, Jaden, and little Third, buzzed with excitement.
Charo, Joe’s younger sister, arrived the night before with her husband Janjan, their teenage daughter CJ, and their two shi tzus, Happy and Tisay. Charo, ever the cook, brought a feast of dishes she had prepared especially for this getaway. “I brought golden apple snails in coconut milk, spicy adobo, and my special buttered shrimp!” she declared proudly. Janjan, already eyeing the beer cooler, carried bags to the van in between sips of soda. CJ, took selfies with their two Shih Tzus, Happy and Tisay, whose tails wagged anxiously.
Nate, Joe and Gayle’s eldest, slouched against the side of the van with his headphones in, scrolling his phone. His younger brother, Jaden, bobbed his head to his own music. Third, the youngest at 7, was happily engrossed in a Roblox game.
They were a loud, loving, chaotic mix—but one thing was sure: this trip was going to be unforgettable.
They are using Joe’s van to save gas and ride together. Everything is going smooth: food packed, dogs leashed, playlist ready. CJ had the dogs in her lap, and Janjan was already talking about cracking open a beer at sunset.
The drive was mostly uneventful. A few pit stops at gas stations, restroom breaks, snacks from convenience stores. Laughter filled the van, until they entered a long stretch of zigzagging road through a dense forest. The canopy of trees blocked out the sun.
It was nearly 4:00 PM when the mood shifted.
Then—BANG. BANG. BANG.
The van screeched as three tires blew almost simultaneously...
The van lurched, veering off the road and narrowly missing a thick tree trunk. Inside, panic erupted.
Janjan and Nathan woke in a daze, CJ and Jaden yanked off their earbuds and screamed. Third clutched his device, trembling. Gayle hit the dashboard hard, while Joe checked frantically on everyone.
All passengers spilled out of the van to inspect the damage. Their hearts sank. They only had one spare.
Signal was almost nonexistent. With no way to call for help, the kids grabbed snacks and water and retreated back into the van. Joe and Janjan wandered down the road, hoping to find a better signal and clues as to what caused the blowout. Gayle stood near the van, arms on her waist, scanning the woods.
Joe and Janjan walked slowly along the stretch of road they’d come from, eyes scanning the gravel and overgrown shoulder.
“How the hell did all three tires blow?” Janjan muttered, flicking the ash from his cigarette.
Joe sipped from his energy drink and shook his head. “No clue. Unless we ran over a bed of nails.”
A few steps later, Janjan bent down and picked something up. “Well, would you look at that?!”It was a large, rusted nail.
“That could do some damage,” he said. “But three flats?”
Joe frowned. “Doesn’t add up.”
They kept walking—and then saw another nail, then another. Janjan squatted again, this time scooping up a handful. “What the hell is this?”
Joe looked around uneasily. “Let’s head back. Maybe we’ll get a signal along the way.”
Near the van, Gayle stood outside with arms crossed, eyes scanning the trees beyond the clearing. CJ and Jaden were laughing, posing for selfies with Third in the background munching on chips.
Meanwhile, Charo, holding the dogs’ leashes, stepped off to let them relieve themselves. A few paces down the path, she noticed a small wooden house nestled under some trees. Two children sat by the doorway—one around eleven, the other maybe four. She smiled and raised a hand.
“Hello there,” Charo called gently.
The kids smiled back. The older one stood up slightly. “Hi. What are you doing here? We don’t have neighbors on this side. You’re not from here, are you?”
Charo laughed softly. “No, we’re not. Our van broke down. Three flat tires.”
The boy’s eyes widened. “Three?” He ran into the house, yelling, “’Mama! We have visitors! Their car broke!”
Charo stayed with the younger boy, who stared at her with curious eyes.
“Hi there,” she said, crouching down and offering him a biscuit. “Want this?”
He took it with both hands, grinning wide. “Thank you po!”
A moment later, a woman stepped out of the house, wiping her hands on a stained apron. The scent of garlic and simmering stew wafted through the air.“Good afternoon,” she greeted, her gaze falling on the dogs, who had begun to growl lowly. “Do you need help?”
“Yes, actually,” Charo said. “Our car broke down on the road. We were looking for a place with a signal.”
The woman nodded. “I’m Anita. Come, I’ll walk you back to your group. The kids can stay inside—their tatay’s about to come home.”
She turned to the porch. “Ronron, Digong, inside. Now.”
Charo led the way back, the dogs still uneasy, casting low growls at Anita, who gave them a wide berth.
“Oh!” Anita said as they approached the van. “You’re a bigger group than I thought. Is everyone alright? Anyone need medical attention?”
Nathan looked up from where he was squatting near the back tire. “We’re all okay, thanks. Just shaken. No signal either.”
CJ and Jaden were still laughing, posing beside the van. Third gave a lazy wave, his mouth full of chips.
Gayle stepped forward from the side of the van, placing herself between Anita and the open door. “Hi,” she said, her tone flat.
Anita tilted her head slightly. “Were you the one driving?”
Gayle didn’t answer—just stared.
Charo cleared her throat. “No, my brother Joe was driving.”
Anita’s eyes scanned the van and the surrounding area. “Where is he?”
“He went for a walk. Probably to pee somewhere,” Charo said casually.
Anita nodded. “Well, if anyone needs to use the restroom or get water, our house is just there. You’re welcome.”
Gayle offered a tight smile. “Thanks, but we’re okay.”
Farther down the road, Joe and Janjan turned back toward the van, now holding several rusted nails. As they emerged from the brush, Joe spotted Anita immediately.
“Who’s that?” he whispered.
Janjan noticed the apron. “Looks like she came straight out of the kitchen. And Gayle looks pissed.”
They quickened their pace. Anita spotted them and her eyes widened slightly—whether in surprise or interest, it was hard to tell.
She approached as they neared. “You must be the driver?”
Janjan pointed a thumb at Joe. “Him.”
They said nothing about the nails.
Anita smiled again. “You’re all welcome to use the house. It’s just up the path.”
Janjan raised a hand quickly. “Yes please. I really need to use the bathroom.”
Charo smirked. “Wow, such a thick-face! Didn’t even hesitate.”
Janjan shrugged. “Emergency’s an emergency.”
Anita laughed softly. “Come, I’ll show you the way.”
As the group gathered near the van, talk began about what would happen next.
“We can just stay in the van,” CJ suggested, looking at the others. “It’s cramped, but we’ll manage.”
“Yeah,” Jaden added. “No need to go anywhere if we’re just waiting for help.”
But Gayle shook her head. “No. Joe and I will stay here with you guys. It’s better if at least a couple of us go check the place out.”
Charo handed the dogs’ leashes to CJ. “You good with them?”
CJ nodded. “Yeah. They like me better than dad anyway.”
“Fact,” Janjan muttered.
Charo and Janjan followed Anita back toward the house. Inside, the warmth of the kitchen greeted them, the air thick with the scent of stew and spices.
“Mmm,” Charo said, breathing in deeply. “You’re cooking something really nice. Smells amazing. I love to cook, too. Is that… caldereta?”
Anita smiled proudly. “Yes, with a bit of liver spread and cheese. You know your stews.”
“Oh, I grew up in the kitchen,” Charo replied, easing into a seat. “My Lola used to make it with bay leaves and a splash of coconut milk. Just the smell brings back memories.”
Anita’s eyes lit up. “That’s exactly how my mother made it. You should give me your Lola’s version.”
They exchanged notes on spices and simmering times, bonding quickly over shared recipes. The moment was interrupted by a sudden shout from the front door.
“Papa’s here!” Ronron called out.
The sound of sandals crunching gravel came just before Digong rushed past the doorway. “Papa! We have visitors!”
Pepe, tall and broad-shouldered, stepped inside and paused. His eyes flicked to Charo, then to Janjan who had just come out of the restroom.
Anita stepped in. “This is Charo and Janjan. Their van broke down on the road—three flat tires.”
Pepe nodded, wiping sweat from his brow. “Ah. That road eats tires during the rainy season. You’re lucky you didn’t hit a tree.”
He offered a hand. “I’m Pepe. You’re welcome here.”
“Thanks,” Charo said. “We really appreciate it.”
“It’s almost six,” Pepe said, glancing out the window. “It’ll be dark soon. I’ll walk with you back and meet the others.”
Back at the van, Joe stood with arms crossed as they saw Pepe approaching with Janjan and Charo.
Pepe greeted the group warmly. “I’d like to offer you all some dinner. It’s nothing fancy, but there’s plenty of rice and stew.”
“Thank you,” Joe said. “But we’re supposed to be at a resort tonight. Someone’s waiting for us.”
Pepe raised a brow. “With three flat tires and only one spare? That’s not happening tonight. Not out here.”
He looked at the van, then back at the group. “There’s another house—Nanay Daria’s place. It’s just down the path, bigger than ours and unused. You can rest there. First thing in the morning, I’ll get help from town and we’ll fix the van together.”
The group was quiet for a beat.
CJ broke the silence. “I’m starving.”
“Same,” Third muttered.
Jaden raised a hand. “I vote food and rest.”
Charo nodded. “I’ll help with dinner. I brought food with us anyway—Janjan, help me carry it over? We’re too many for one pot.”
“You got it,” Janjan said, already walking to the van.
Joe finally sighed. “Alright. We’ll take the offer. Just for the night.”
He reached into the cooler. “Brought some beer and a bottle, too. Might as well share, right?”
At the house, dinner was spread on the table—Anita’s caldereta, Charo’s golden apple snail in coconut milk, spicy adobo, and my special buttered shrimp, rice, and whatever else they could gather. Plates were filled, conversations started, and tension began to fade under the glow of a single overhead bulb.
“This is amazing,” Anita said, chewing thoughtfully. “Your adobo’s got that nice spicy kick. Vinegar first before garlic?”
Charo beamed. “Always. And yours? That caldereta sauce? Perfect.”
They clinked their glasses of water in a quiet toast.
For a moment, everything felt safe.
