Episode 2: A Time to Weep

And so they went last Saturday, October 28, 2006 and they could hardly move the front door. I heard a bell from our gates and found them thanking me for the notice. I could tell the exasperation from their face upon seeing the 4-inch thick mud on the floor and the dirt that enveloped the first floor. I did not help them clean as I thought investing in a house does not mean you have the money to buy it but to some extent emotionally attached yourself to your belongings more particularly your house. This is my principle of investment.

My kids got so curious and they rushed out of our house to take a look at my neighbor's. My Danielle even blurted, "I want to see this!" I don't exactly know what she meant. I am assuming she wanted to see the inside of the house although at the back of my mind and the way she said it with a hint of naughthiness, the kid would probably want to see their reactions rather than the condition of the house. Julia even wanted to climb the foyer but I just carried her.

I volunteered my shovel, and the botas.


In the morning, I saw a pile of mud outside together with all their personal effects covered with dirt. They even throw their nice satin curtain probably because it's too dirty and maybe the irritated father thought it would be beyond washing and bleaching. They left around 7 pm still not finished with the cleaning.

As they left, I suddenly remember the soiled curtain as I bore holes on my Jumanji (native bamboo lamp)! A scavenger (read as criminal) myself, I thought, who on earth would throw a nice curtain like that! It only needs some serious washing and voila! Good as new.

The events following this is intentionally omitted to avoid self-incrimination.