Twilight. In tranquility. The office of Buenavondre sits peacefully. The curtains are swaying with the cold night winds, as the soft melody of the radio is airing throughout the room. We see a back view of a man sitting on a one sofa, shaking his red juice drink in a wine glass around while he’s watching the T.V. …Is it really a red juice?

“This is Pilar Salonga from TCWD NEWS, where quality, trust, and assurance is in full hands.” as the voice of Pilar is audible from the T.V. 's speaker.

Buenavondre takes a sip then speaks softly.

“There you are…” as he starts to click his tongue.

Later on, someone knocks the door twice. T.V. still on, audio’s seems like a murmur.

“Pasok.” Buenavondre called.

Alejandro, the best friend of Buenavondre, enters the room without hesitation. Buenavondre drops his glass of red juice on the small table at his left while watching the T.V.

“P’re, should I go to the market?” Alejandro questioned.

“I don’t know.” Buenavondre replied heatedly.

The redheaded Buenavondre stands up, sighs, approaches Alejandro, and crosses his arms. He is trying to cool down.

“I would like to have Pork Sisig, Dinuguan, and Sorbetes; any flavor will do.” Buenavondre requested.

“You’re not gonna *splook, right?” Alejandro answered absurdly.

No single comment was reacted by Buenavondre. He just let go of Alejandro’s stupid-like replies, grabbing something from his pocket. A black fashionable wallet placed on Buenavondre’s hand. He gets a thousand peso and gives it to Alejandro.

“I’m cloying on those internals. Go, buy now.” he sighed. 

“Roger, bossing!” as Alejandro salutes and exits the room.

As Alejandro leaves the room, Buenavondre is clicking his tongue, arms are still crossed. Alejandro reacts loudly and in jest, his voice echoes throughout the hallway.

“Luh, may tiktik!” he burst out.

The streets of Maysan, Valenzuela is peaceful and too dark. Only few spotlights are working well. Alejandro went outside and went to the nearby store and open karinderyas. After buying Pork Sisig, Dinuguan, and Cookies and Cream flavored Sorbetes, he saw a familiar face, Daisy. He waved at her but Daisy didn’t notice it. She is busy with phone calls.

“Blind.” he whispered to himself.

He is walking down and heading back to Buenavondre’s place, holding the goods tight and sure, as he opens the gate and enters the office. Buenavondre is still at his usual spot, the one sofa with a small table. Still drinking the remaining red juice. Alejandro is confused while putting down the goods at the kitchen counter.

“Still not finished?” Alejandro questioned.

Buenavondre looked at him with a serious face then went back to watch the news again. He is thoroughly looking at Pilar on T.V.

“Why are you locked in at Pilar? Is there a problem?” 

The questions of Alejandro are being stocked. But finally, Buenavondre answered. He nods with disagreement.

“Then, what? Since college you’ve been doing that.”

Just now, Buenavondre speaks.

“Her father, Bartolome. He made my life at stake.” his voice is almost shaking but trying to manage his pure madness.

“Pilar looks innocent. Also, I’m pretty sure that she doesn’t know anything about your case.” Alejandro replied to him in a strong match.

Both Buenavondre and Alejandro’s head start boiling, but the temperature of the room is freezing.

“Oh, really? Then why is she alive and awake?” 

“I heard that she’s independent. Her father hated her so much. Sir Mario does watch her sometimes yet she requested that she wants to do things on her own.”

“Then good for her.” Buenavondre ended their conversation with regrets on his face.

Buenavondre sighed as he went to the window, staring at the calming views. Alejandro looks at him and goes to the kitchen to prepare the food that he brought a while ago.

“Just eat and go home.” Buenavondre said.

Alejandro’s face is in confusion again while eating. Both Pork Sisig and Dinuguan and a big portion of rice were placed on his plate.

“You told me to buy then ya not gonna eat. Oh my!” Alejandro yelled.

Buenavondre looked at him, eating with bare hands, then continued to watch the night sky while the T.V. was on, hearing Pilar’s voice.

The night is still young, back to the streets where Alejandro saw his former classmate, Daisy- is still in the middle of the road. She is all alone. The street impact shines bright above her, the sound of the crickets wailing as the barking of the dogs echoed the road. Daisy is still on call.

“Why don't you guys let go of me? Never in my life have I wronged you!”

Daisy’s expression becomes even more angry. Walking around while hanging up the phone.

“Just because I don’t want to eat humans, does that mean you’ll not give me my part!?”

Her breath is catching up with her actions, controlling herself not to fully rage at the road after she heard the nonsense reasoning from the caller.

“I’m fine with it. Go, it’s all yours. I have a stable job- I CAN DO IT ON MY OWN.” Daisy yelled.

Daisy drops the phone call with a burst, sits at the road, and starts to cry.

The silhouette is watching her from far away. The man’s expression is straight-faced. It seems that it’s the caller of Daisy, Xerxes, the older brother of her.

Almost an hour later, at Buenavondre’s office, the kitchen and dining area part is spotless. The leftover foods were now placed in a platter, presentable looking. The serving spoon is placed on every meal. The Sorbetes is placed inside the refrigerator, no sign of being eaten. A small note saying “Sa’yo lang to mhie.” is placed at the covering of the Sorbetes. Buenavondre placed himself at  the center part of the table and proceeded to eat calmly.

Same time happened at Daisy’s home while Buenavondre is eating- DAISY is looking at the foods on the table, fried chicken, Sinigang na Baka, rice, and a teapot with hot tea. She closes her eyes and then eats slowly.

The next day.

The streets are filled with busy people, the sun is shining bright. Pilar is walking down the street, about to go to work, carrying her messenger bag and hugging her favorite ladybug stuffed toy. Daisy saw her then approached quickly.

“Good morning, Pilar!”

Pilar looked at her back and gasped, her toy almost fell off and then she greeted her back.

“Hey! How are you? Seems that you’re having a lack of sleep.” Pilar replied.

Pilar’s face is showing worriness, yet Daisy laughed at it and both of them continue the conversation.

“Ah, me? Sush, I’m used to it, haha!”

“You keep on reminding me that I should not stay awake at late hours but you’re the one who’s breaking it.”

“I have a lot of errands, sis.”

“Makes sense… I hope things will be better soon.”

“Fingers crossed, Pilar!” as Daisy ended the chat with a promise.

Both made pinky promises then walked down together while chatting. A man from far away is looking at them, it was Xerxes again; then he leaves.

The sun sets low, lying on the streets of Valenzuela and the vehicles start to turn on the lights. Noctilucent clouds are visible above. The TCWD News Team is preparing the set-up for tonight’s news with Pilar.

“Mic test, mic test.” she keeps on repeating until the microphone is working.

The TCWD News and the field area split screen are being displayed on several public channels and even on social media. Both Daisy (from the studio) and Pilar (from the field) are now ready to report.

“TCWD News; where quality, trust, and assurance is in full hands. I’m Daisy Alfonso.”

“And I’m Pilar Salonga. Today’s news is to bring updates and awareness on today’s political manners and the supernatural invasions.”

Both are reporting alternately, inaudible voices, everyone’s watching them and being shocked on the current state of the country. 

After two hours of reporting, the team finally finished the reporting successfully. Everyone’s all packed up except for Pilar. She told the team that she’ll go home by herself and wants to eat dinner. Now, Pilar is walking down the street and looking for a nearby karinderya. Pilar goes to an open karinderya. She ordered some of her favorites, Shanghai and Papaitan. Pilar didn’t notice that Buenavondre sits in front of her table. Buenavondre signals one of the owners of the karinderya. Ordered some food. Pilar is talking to him while she’s eating.

“It’s been a long time, huh?” Pilar snickered.

Buenavondre smiled at her and leaned himself at her front.

“How’s life?” he questioned.

“It's all fine. I’m working well. I’m making friends with everyone else.” Pilar answered.

The conversation gets even longer just like the past, their college days that they are getting along with.

“Is this your usual spot, Pilar?”

“It’s my first time here. You?”

“I have known this place for a long time.”

“Kain ka na.”

“My food is still in the kitchen.”

Later, one of the owners of the karinderya served Buenavondre’s food. Dinuguan, Papaitan, Bicol Express, and two cups of rice placed at his front.

“You’re not gonna explode, right?” as Pilar responded with concerns.

“Us aswangs can manage it.” he answered with pride.

“Just sharing?”

“Just an FYI, Pilar.”

Both are eating while chatting, now in an inaudible voice.

In the distance, a silhouette of a man standing, watching both Pilar and Buenavondre eating inside the karidenya. It’s Alejandro who stands still, quietly observing them. No emotion is shown on his face and no sign of approaching them either. Ultimately, they finished their meal, they cleaned their table and arranged the plates. They decided to take a rest, staying inside the karinderya.

“Got anything in life?” Pilar questioned.

“I’m in charge of handling ESMERALDA. And my other businesses too.” Buenavondre answered.

“I’m absolutely sure that you’re changing your book of life.” Pilar slipped her mouth.

“So you knew my secrets.” Buenavondre’s eyes went literally red while replying to her.

The winds are swaying strongly. The night gets even darker and longer. Both Pilar and Buenavondre are still inside the karinderya, having a serious talk. Pilar warned him.

“Let me tell you something, if you still think that I’m siding with my father, then you should know that he hated me for a damn long time.”

Pilar is holding back her tears. Placed her arms above the table, closes her hands together.

“I know, he claimed that you stole those meat products and those piles of cash.” she added.

Buenavondre takes a deep breath, clenches his hands above the table, then closes his eyes. He exhales- opens his eyes and looks fiercely to Pilar. The air gets even more grave.

“You sure that you’ll gain trust from me, Pilar? Feels like you’re following your father’s orders.” 

“He only wants money, that’s why he opened the meat shop so he can sell something to the aswangs. My life is almost at stake because he is trying to sell my flesh outta it.”

Buenavondre sighed after hearing Pilar’s sincere answer, but it never caught his heart.

Later that night, a soothing bar setting highlights the golden lights and relaxing couch and table. The counter displays several kinds of drinks. Buenavondre is sitting at the sofa, in front of the counter. Suddenly, Alejandro, surprisingly with Daisy, went inside.

“You eat with Pilar?” Alejandro asked.

“Yes.” Buenavondre answered quickly.

“What happened?” Alejandro asks again.

Buenavondre breathes again with much hesitation, recalling what happened a while ago. Daisy placed herself at the front of the counter, sitting.

“Pilar’s already at home. She told me a while ago to thank you, Buenavondre.” Daisy said.

Buenavondre didn’t smile nor reply back at Daisy. As Alejandro and Daisy noticed it, they looked at each other with confusion.

“‘Think you can take care of yourself, you’re no more a kid.” Alejandro mentioned.

Alejandro and Daisy exit the bar, leaving Buenavondre all alone. He stands up to get a drink from the counter. He poured a red juice in his glass then took a sip.

In the alley, the night sky is still strong, the residence is peaceful, the usual sound of the crickets can be heard, along with the barking of dogs. Daisy walks alone, heading back home. Daisy stops for a bit and looks everywhere around her, having a feeling that someone is approaching her in the late night. An even darker part of the road, Xerxes’ silhouette is standing from far away, observing Daisy. She alarmed herself, grabbing her phone in her purse. A street lamp flashes at Daisy. She is struggling to step forward while she’s on call.

“Jandro, where are you?”

The phone call responds with no answer. She ends the call immediately while shaking. Daisy tried to contact Pilar. She hurries, pressing her phone hard. Trying to reach a call response.

“Pilar, please respond.” she cried.

Still ringing, no response.

Xerxes disappears. Daisy looked back and forth, everything in her surroundings; quickly ran into the gate of her home. She quickly sits on the couch, covering her face, crying. On the other side of the road, Pilar sits on the asphalt, with sadness on her face. A man from afar, Alejandro, observes her quietly, and calls Buenavondre.

Minutes later, Buenavondre arrived and tried to talk again to Pilar when Alejandro left.

“Let’s talk,” he insisted.

“ABOUT WHAT!?” she screamed at the top of her lungs.

“That thing.”

“LOOK, VONDRE, WE CANNOT STOP HIM!”

Buenavondre inhales then exhales, trying not to rage just like Pilar.

“I’m tired of you human beings. I don’t even know what to say anymore. But I just wanna let you know that I need you on a lil’ something.”

“YOU’RE DERANGED.”

“Let’s end MABAYA once and for all. It’s the only reason why more aswangs reside in the city.”

Pilar’s still crying but her rage fades slowly.

“Look, Pilar. I know you ain’t give a damn about us… creatures. Even to us you all don’t mean crap, as long as BOTH of US don’t do anything stupid.”

Pilar stops herself, as Buenavondre stops himself too.

Another scene happened at the same time while Buenavondre is talking to Pilar– at the 24/7 convenience store, Maya, sitting at the chair outside the store, having a conversation through the phone, the food above the table is now cold.

“THE HELL YOU MEAN YOU STILL WANT TO WORK AT MABAYA!?"