[Shout out to Ricky F and NLArcher!]

RDD 55

Midnight came and it was different than usual.

The dark night was filled with the lights of fireworks. The sounds of the firecrackers rang in my ears.

This night was alive as hell! So much so that my adrenaline was pumping.

I looked around and saw my two kids jumping. Just like I said last time, if you jump in the New Year, you will grow taller.

I don't know where this superstition came from, but people try it. Now that I think about it... Why don't I jump too?

I think I'm already tall, 5'11". But another inch would not be bad.

So in the end I decided to jump as well.

My wife saw me jump and giggled. She watched us jump like crazy as the fireworks went off.

Now you're probably wondering why the village can light fireworks. The answer is no, the village didn't have enough money to buy fireworks...

But the city next to us can. The fireworks we just saw were from that city... So yes, we're going to join their fun.

Because the kids had slept well earlier, they were still lively and awake.

Minutes passed and the sounds gradually faded. Even our house became much quieter. Of course, before we take a rest, Alberto and Corazon invited us to dinner.

The food was delicious as usual. Life in the province was simple and full.

I remember what my friends told me--it is impossible to be hungry in the province, unless you're a picky eater.

I tell you, we have an endless supply of green vegetables! Hell, you can even find malunggay leaves on the side of the road! Enough to make soup.

However, the food in the province is not usually delicious. They eat mostly vegetables.

Even a can of sardines was a delicacy in the early 60s. Nobody had it better. I even heard a rumor that people would kill for a can of sardines. Thank God I wasn't reborn in that era. I'm fine with 1999.

The author's narrative has been misappropriated; report any instances of this story on Amazon.

"Honey."

I turned to my wife who was calling me. She smiled and gave me a peck on the cheek.

"Happy New Year."

"Happy New Year to you too! I love you."

"I love you too."

It was a good thing the dining room was lively and everyone was busy with their lives, otherwise our quick flirting would have been awkward.

"Dajjy, I want cwake!"

"Honey, eat what's in your mouth first."

"Yesh!"

Sophia was sure to enjoy the cake this time. Unlike last time, when the cake easily disappeared, this time Corazon had specifically ordered two large cakes.

The children were like piranhas, slowly devouring the cakes.

After a sumptuous meal, we returned to our room and fell asleep. The first hour of New Year's was hype, but then the next hours would be boring and tiring. So, of course, sleep was the best answer.

Even though we slept after the New Year's celebration, we were still tired when we woke up.

Sophia was sleepy and did not wake up until after noon.

"Mommy, I want milk... Haaam..." She yawned and wiped her face adorably.

"Aww, how's my sweet little princess?"

"Mommy, I don't want to stay up all night again."

"Fufu," Penelope giggled when she heard her answer and kissed her forehead.

"I'll give you one."

While Penelope went downstairs, I was left with my two children.

"How's the new year? It's great, right?" I asked them to lighten the mood.

"Dad, we look like a chimpanzees jumping for food."

Roman shook his head and frowned. There were distinct dark circles around his eyes.

"Roman, I advise you to go back to sleep. You really do look like a monkey right now."

"..."

He didn't bother to talk to me again and solved his Rubik's cube instead. Maybe my son saw me as a nuisance.

Of all of us, I was the only one who was better off. Because of the energy pill I took yesterday, I was not affected by the lack of sleep.

We will leave the province on January 3rd. Roman has to return to school on Monday, so we won't be able to stay in the province much longer. Fortunately, the children had enough days to spend with their relatives.

When Penelope returned, I noticed that she looked discouraged.

"What's wrong, honey?"

I frowned and asked her. Penelope shook her head and didn't know what to say.

"It's nothing... I just saw Billy outside crying about something. I tried to approach him, but Señorita was next to him."

"Waaahhh--! Waaahhh--! Mama! I don't want it! Don't hit me! I promise I'll be a good boy-! Waaahhh--!"

Speak of the devil.

The voice was Billy's, screaming hysterically as if he was being beaten.

My wife and I looked at each other. Should we stop what Señorita was doing?

"You bastard! Who told you to touch those things? They are dirty! They came from that prodigal aunt of yours! The one who spread her legs just to get a rich man! Hah! Look what happened then!"

Señorita snorted and kicked her child.

"The rich man was disowned by his family and became poor! I tell you! Don't ever go near them again! They are bad luck! Don't ever accept their gifts! They are bad luck! Look what happened to me because your aunt did not graduate from college? Hah!"

"Waaahhh--!"

That bitch! I can't believe she would say such a horrible thing.

Suddenly I looked at my wife and she was angry. Her red eyes glowed deeper and more dangerous.

I unconsciously swallowed.

Penelope gave Sophia the milk and went downstairs. Her footsteps were slow but heavy.

"Oh God, I have to go after her! Roman, take care of Sophia while I'm gone!"