Chapter 210: 210
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August 27, 2013 – Tuesday, 5pm – Okuba
"Where are these two?" Liboo sighs in frustration after another failed call attempt to Tayaw and Payew.
"Are you sure Tayaw said we wait here?" Kilat asks, referring to the wide and dark grass clearing they are in.
"Yes. The lot between the neighborhood and the town, like Tayaw said." Liboo clarifies.
"A weird place to have us wait... but okay..." Kilat says.
"Well, this is where Tayaw often spent his time when he's here in Okuba." Agew says.
"Really? What does he do here? There's nothing." Kilat asks, curious.
"I don't know really. Probably writing songs in his head. He sits on that boulder over there all afternoon. He plays ugly chords until they become beautiful. He hums too. " Agew says.
"Come to think of it. It's really quiet here and the boring green flat is somewhat peaceful. Perfect for thinking." Liboo nods.
"But how come there are no bugs?" Kilat asks.
"He-" Before Agew can explain,*dudududududududududu* The three's attention is taken by a strange sound.
"What is that?" Liboo asks as he looks around.
"There it is!" Agew points at an incoming helicopter in the sky, obviously heading their way.
"Good lord." Kilat can only shake her head, already having an idea who is in the helicopter.
"Yeah… Somehow I can see Tayaw doing this." Liboo chuckles.
With that, the three watch the helicopter land while partially covering their eyes from all the blades of grass and dust flying their way.
…
"HAPPY BIRTHDAY BROTHEEEEERRRR! GET THE HELL IN HERE!" Soon the three is greeted by Tayaw and Payew, running to them.
~
30 minutes later – Nasiri Hill, Nabla
"Phew…" Agew hurriedly unfastens his seatbelt after the helicopter landed.
"Shit. That was scary." Agew sighs in relief.
"Hahaha. You rode a plane three times without a problem. How come you're so afraid riding a helicopter?" Tayaw asks.
"He was scared during the flight we took to and from America two years ago." Kilat explains, she too sighing in relief that they have finally landed.
"Huh… I didn't know… Well. I'm sorry." Tayaw says.
"Hehe. What would Agew rather do? Not hop in the chopper?" Payew chuckles, still amused by Agew's pale face.
"It's fine! That was fun though. I can't believe how short the trip was. It takes three hours of driving from home to Ouigab." Agew says, color returning to his face.
"It's the winding highway that makes the drive long." Liboo says.
The helicopter blade soon stops spinning and "Folks, you can now take off your seatbelts and leave the aircraft." The pilot commands and the family oblige.
After stepping on land again, "Where are we by the way? I saw that the city is right ahead, below this hill." Liboo asks as he looks around the glass clearing, they landed in.
There is nothing else in sight except for a huge log cabin, a water tank, Tayaw's pick-up truck, Payew's Jeep, and a cargo truck only a few tens of meters away.
"Oh. We're at Nasiri Hill. It's my private retreat. I do all my thinking here when I'm in Teungeb." Tayaw explains.
"Ahh.. I wish I can live at somewhere this isolated too…" Liboo inhales the air.
"What was that, honey?" Kilat asks.
"I said it would be nice to retire with you, with just the two of us, in an isolated place like this." Liboo says.
"Alright. Let's go over there. Before it gets dark." Tayaw says, saving Liboo.
~
"Cozy~" Kilat says as they enter the living room of the cabin.
"Wait… Do we know these people?" Liboo softly asks Payew as he sees three people already in the cabin.
"No, dad. They're from the catering service that Tayaw hired." Payew explains.
"I see... Good lord. A helicopter ride, a private dinner service…" Liboo sighs at the wasteful spending of Tayaw.
"Dad. Come on. It's Agew's birthday!" Tayaw has been listening all along.
"Yeah, yeah. It's a nice gesture. By the way, why not invite the pilot in?" Liboo asks.
"Yeah. It's rather… weird. He's sitting out in the helicopter while we stuff ourselves here." Kilat says.
"…" Tayaw is somewhat annoyed at how nice his parents are.
"Don't worry. I invited him earlier, but he said he would feel like he is intruding. Some cooks will bring him food later." Tayaw says. This removes Kilat and Liboo's discomfort.
"Everything's ready sir. You can just ring the bell here and we'll bring the food in." The employees are finally done setting the table.
"Thank you." Tayaw says, and with that, the family is left alone in the cabin.
"Alright. Let's eat. I'm starving." Agew is the first one to go the dining table.
"Yeah. You need to eat more. Something I should have done when I was your age. I would have been as tall as Tayaw." Liboo says.
~
"So. Yeah. That's what I've been doing at work." Payew reports all his achievements in his short time at Pixie.
"We're proud of you son." Liboo says.
"Yes. And you still haven't started college. Keep it up." Kilat says.
The two are moved that Payew is starting to turn from a kid into a man.
"Like I've been telling him. If he really becomes a highly skilled business manager, I just might hand him the reigns of my film studio in the future." Tayaw says.
"Heh. They say you shouldn't do business with family, but if the family can do the job, why not, right?" Liboo says.
"How about you Tayaw? What have you been doing? You haven't come and seen us since January." Kilat says.
"Marketing. I had to sell the movie. I've also been busy making music, and consulting in more projects. The details will bore you, but it's fun for me." Tayaw says.
"I see..." Kilat nods in understanding. "Will you be here next month for your birthday?" She further asks.
"Probably not." Tayaw says, disappointing his parents.
"I've just signed a deal with a record label in Nashville. I'm gonna start preparing for a tour, finally." Tayaw says.
"Really?" "That's good!" His family is happy to hear it.
"But… An American label, meaning you'll only tour in America, right?" Liboo asks.
"Yeah. My Teungebian songs aren't doing well." Tayaw says.
"Well, people still love your songs. How long will the tour last?" Kilat asks.
"It'll last from the second week of September to.. before Christmas. So only three months. Aside from that, I will produce songs for some artists. There are songs I made that just doesn't suit me." Tayaw says.
"*Sigh* And I thought that artists like you have a lot of down time." Liboo is overwhelmed listening to Tayaw's schedule.
"It's not work if I'm having fun." Tayaw says.
"Ain't that the truth. Your dad recently goes to work early and comes home late, but he doesn't complain." Kilat says to indirectly express her concern to Liboo.
"Sorry, hun. But after we're done flipping the backlog, selling them is easier." Liboo chuckles, not apologetic at all.
"Aih… Anyways. Tayaw and Payew, you two are not the only ones who are doing well." Kilat says.
"?" Tayaw and Payew get curious at that.
"Agew here… just started making porcelains for a hotel." Kilat clarifies proudly.
"Really? Already?" "Wow… Damn." Tayaw and Payew look at Agew in amazement.
Liboo and Kilat look at this scene in pride and amus.e.m.e.nt.
"It's not really a big hotel. You know that hotel for tourists in Jebung? Near dad's workshop. That's the hotel." Agew shrugs.
This does not reduce his achievement to Payew and Agew however.
"It's still a hotel…" Tayaw pulls out his phone and looks the hotel up.
"Here… dude. 4.8 stars? 739 reviews? That's not just an average hotel that hosts locals, but foreign tourists. That means this hotel is the most famous in Jebung. They must really like your work huh." Tayaw says.
"If you say so…" Agew shrugs coolly.
"Smooth asshole…" Payew says in English.
"Language…" Kilat warns.
"Sorry. That's the lingo at work." Payew shrugs.
"Hehe. By the way. Agew, you said you didn't want a gift from me and your mom. But I feel bad not giving you anything." Liboo switches topic.
"Oh… well. I consider that furnace you had built for me at home an advance gift." Agew says.
"You really don't want anything else?" Kilat asks, wanting to chip in.
"A car, maybe?" Agew asks.
"NO." "Not yet." Kilat and Liboo immediately express their refusal in quick succession.
"Then nothing." Agew chuckles.
"Is there anything I can get you?" Tayaw offers this time.
"No…" Agew begins until an idea pops up in his head. "Ah. There is something. But you already gave me a helicopter ride and food." Agew says.
"…" The family gets curious.
"Well? Just tell me. Maybe I can afford it." Tayaw jokes. *chuckles* His parents and Payew have an idea how rich Tayaw is.
"Are there some outdated cameras you have or something? I wanna try filming stuff." Agew finally says.
"Like movies?" Payew asks.
"uhhh. Yeah. Maybe." Agew says in uncertainty.
"Maybe?" Tayaw asks.
"Yeah… I don't know. Once school starts, I'll try to talk to my friends at school into shooting something cool. If they won't like the idea, then that's too bad. I'll just play football with them, AGAIN. Play volleyball, AGAIN." Agew shrugs while casually complaining.
"Hmmmmm…" Tayaw almost breaks out in a grin of excitement at Agew's interest before a small disappointment tug at him immediately.
"Ah.. that's a shame…" Tayaw mutters.
"What's a shame?" Kilat asks.
"You know Jouny? The screenwriter of 'September Ninth'? She's making a film right now, but it would have been better had she started earlier. Agew could have been there to watch how to shoot something." Tayaw says.
"You really want to leave both your dad and I alone in Okuba alone, don't you?" Kilat says in annoyance.
"That's... nah. Come on mom. It would have just taken Agew some weeks or something. It's not like he's gonna be there the entire production" Tayaw shrugs.
"Well. Three weeks or three days, Agew is busy finishing his work with the hotel." Kilat harrumphs.
"Mom… Unlike these two. I have everything I need at home." Agew, in a rare impulse, consoles Kilat.
"Ohh~.. Yeah. Unlike these two, I still have a son that loves me." Kilat says to Agew sweetly.
Tayaw and Payew roll their eyes at this.
"Anyways. Okay. I'll give you a camera." Tayaw says, getting back to the subject of Agew's gift.
"Pfff. I hear a BUT coming." Payew scoffs.
."Not a 'but', but an 'AND', buddy... Agew, I'll give you a camera AND sound equipment, AND lighting equipment. But-"
"'But' Hehe." Payew smugly cuts in.
"Okay you got me. BUT I'll only give you cheap ones." Tayaw says.
"That's fine too. It's not like I'm making something for the theaters." Agew accepts.
"Also, I'm making it an upgradeable gift." Tayaw says.
"Upgradable?" Agew and the rest is interested, never having heard of an upgradeable gift.
"How are you doing at school?" Tayaw switches the subject, however.
"Passable." Agew explains shortly.
"Mom, dad, you're fine with his grades?" Tayaw asks.
"Meh. As long as he doesn't repeat grades, I'm fine." Liboo shrugs.
"As long as he doesn't fail his subjects…" Kilat too is fine with Agew's grades.
"Okay. I'll do an experiment." Tayaw stands up and heads to his cabin's study before quickly returning, this time with two thick binders in hand.
"Take these home and read them, then shoot whatever. If I'm satisfied with whatever you shoot, I'll give you better equipment." Tayaw says.
"*huppp*" Agew takes the heavy binders, opens them, and immediately starts reading.
"Huh…" Excitement is seen growing in Agew's eyes as he reads every page.
"Comic books?" Liboo asks, wanting to read them too.
"Kind of. But they're more of a plan, a blueprint, of how I shot the scenes in my films and why I decided to shoot them that way." Tayaw says.
"It's basically… a culmination of your knowledge in film making?" Kilat says, understanding the importance of the storyboard immediately.
"Well. Not a culmination exactly, but just some of what I know. Jouny said it's like a textbook for film makers, only more fun to read." Tayaw says.
Before he can continue to explain, he notices something.
"Hey. Agew. Read that later at home." He reprimands Agew.
Agew was about to flip to another page, when he realizes it would be rude to keep on reading.
"Oh.. Sorry about that. Anyways. Thanks Tayaw. This is even better than the equipment you're gonna give me." Agew says, almost moved by the gift.
"That's good." Tayaw is satisfied with Agew's assessment.
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August 27, 2013 – Tuesday, 5pm – Okuba
"Where are these two?" Liboo sighs in frustration after another failed call attempt to Tayaw and Payew.
"Are you sure Tayaw said we wait here?" Kilat asks, referring to the wide and dark grass clearing they are in.
"Yes. The lot between the neighborhood and the town, like Tayaw said." Liboo clarifies.
"A weird place to have us wait... but okay..." Kilat says.
"Well, this is where Tayaw often spent his time when he's here in Okuba." Agew says.
"Really? What does he do here? There's nothing." Kilat asks, curious.
"I don't know really. Probably writing songs in his head. He sits on that boulder over there all afternoon. He plays ugly chords until they become beautiful. He hums too. " Agew says.
"Come to think of it. It's really quiet here and the boring green flat is somewhat peaceful. Perfect for thinking." Liboo nods.
"But how come there are no bugs?" Kilat asks.
"He-" Before Agew can explain,*dudududududududududu* The three's attention is taken by a strange sound.
"What is that?" Liboo asks as he looks around.
"There it is!" Agew points at an incoming helicopter in the sky, obviously heading their way.
"Good lord." Kilat can only shake her head, already having an idea who is in the helicopter.
"Yeah… Somehow I can see Tayaw doing this." Liboo chuckles.
With that, the three watch the helicopter land while partially covering their eyes from all the blades of grass and dust flying their way.
…
"HAPPY BIRTHDAY BROTHEEEEERRRR! GET THE HELL IN HERE!" Soon the three is greeted by Tayaw and Payew, running to them.
~
30 minutes later – Nasiri Hill, Nabla
"Phew…" Agew hurriedly unfastens his seatbelt after the helicopter landed.
"Shit. That was scary." Agew sighs in relief.
"Hahaha. You rode a plane three times without a problem. How come you're so afraid riding a helicopter?" Tayaw asks.
"He was scared during the flight we took to and from America two years ago." Kilat explains, she too sighing in relief that they have finally landed.
"Huh… I didn't know… Well. I'm sorry." Tayaw says.
"Hehe. What would Agew rather do? Not hop in the chopper?" Payew chuckles, still amused by Agew's pale face.
"It's fine! That was fun though. I can't believe how short the trip was. It takes three hours of driving from home to Ouigab." Agew says, color returning to his face.
"It's the winding highway that makes the drive long." Liboo says.
The helicopter blade soon stops spinning and "Folks, you can now take off your seatbelts and leave the aircraft." The pilot commands and the family oblige.
After stepping on land again, "Where are we by the way? I saw that the city is right ahead, below this hill." Liboo asks as he looks around the glass clearing, they landed in.
There is nothing else in sight except for a huge log cabin, a water tank, Tayaw's pick-up truck, Payew's Jeep, and a cargo truck only a few tens of meters away.
"Oh. We're at Nasiri Hill. It's my private retreat. I do all my thinking here when I'm in Teungeb." Tayaw explains.
"Ahh.. I wish I can live at somewhere this isolated too…" Liboo inhales the air.
"What was that, honey?" Kilat asks.
"I said it would be nice to retire with you, with just the two of us, in an isolated place like this." Liboo says.
"Alright. Let's go over there. Before it gets dark." Tayaw says, saving Liboo.
~
"Cozy~" Kilat says as they enter the living room of the cabin.
"Wait… Do we know these people?" Liboo softly asks Payew as he sees three people already in the cabin.
"No, dad. They're from the catering service that Tayaw hired." Payew explains.
"I see... Good lord. A helicopter ride, a private dinner service…" Liboo sighs at the wasteful spending of Tayaw.
"Dad. Come on. It's Agew's birthday!" Tayaw has been listening all along.
"Yeah, yeah. It's a nice gesture. By the way, why not invite the pilot in?" Liboo asks.
"Yeah. It's rather… weird. He's sitting out in the helicopter while we stuff ourselves here." Kilat says.
"…" Tayaw is somewhat annoyed at how nice his parents are.
"Don't worry. I invited him earlier, but he said he would feel like he is intruding. Some cooks will bring him food later." Tayaw says. This removes Kilat and Liboo's discomfort.
"Everything's ready sir. You can just ring the bell here and we'll bring the food in." The employees are finally done setting the table.
"Thank you." Tayaw says, and with that, the family is left alone in the cabin.
"Alright. Let's eat. I'm starving." Agew is the first one to go the dining table.
"Yeah. You need to eat more. Something I should have done when I was your age. I would have been as tall as Tayaw." Liboo says.
~
"So. Yeah. That's what I've been doing at work." Payew reports all his achievements in his short time at Pixie.
"We're proud of you son." Liboo says.
"Yes. And you still haven't started college. Keep it up." Kilat says.
The two are moved that Payew is starting to turn from a kid into a man.
"Like I've been telling him. If he really becomes a highly skilled business manager, I just might hand him the reigns of my film studio in the future." Tayaw says.
"Heh. They say you shouldn't do business with family, but if the family can do the job, why not, right?" Liboo says.
"How about you Tayaw? What have you been doing? You haven't come and seen us since January." Kilat says.
"Marketing. I had to sell the movie. I've also been busy making music, and consulting in more projects. The details will bore you, but it's fun for me." Tayaw says.
"I see..." Kilat nods in understanding. "Will you be here next month for your birthday?" She further asks.
"Probably not." Tayaw says, disappointing his parents.
"I've just signed a deal with a record label in Nashville. I'm gonna start preparing for a tour, finally." Tayaw says.
"Really?" "That's good!" His family is happy to hear it.
"But… An American label, meaning you'll only tour in America, right?" Liboo asks.
"Yeah. My Teungebian songs aren't doing well." Tayaw says.
"Well, people still love your songs. How long will the tour last?" Kilat asks.
"It'll last from the second week of September to.. before Christmas. So only three months. Aside from that, I will produce songs for some artists. There are songs I made that just doesn't suit me." Tayaw says.
"*Sigh* And I thought that artists like you have a lot of down time." Liboo is overwhelmed listening to Tayaw's schedule.
"It's not work if I'm having fun." Tayaw says.
"Ain't that the truth. Your dad recently goes to work early and comes home late, but he doesn't complain." Kilat says to indirectly express her concern to Liboo.
"Sorry, hun. But after we're done flipping the backlog, selling them is easier." Liboo chuckles, not apologetic at all.
"Aih… Anyways. Tayaw and Payew, you two are not the only ones who are doing well." Kilat says.
"?" Tayaw and Payew get curious at that.
"Agew here… just started making porcelains for a hotel." Kilat clarifies proudly.
"Really? Already?" "Wow… Damn." Tayaw and Payew look at Agew in amazement.
Liboo and Kilat look at this scene in pride and amus.e.m.e.nt.
"It's not really a big hotel. You know that hotel for tourists in Jebung? Near dad's workshop. That's the hotel." Agew shrugs.
This does not reduce his achievement to Payew and Agew however.
"It's still a hotel…" Tayaw pulls out his phone and looks the hotel up.
"Here… dude. 4.8 stars? 739 reviews? That's not just an average hotel that hosts locals, but foreign tourists. That means this hotel is the most famous in Jebung. They must really like your work huh." Tayaw says.
"If you say so…" Agew shrugs coolly.
"Smooth asshole…" Payew says in English.
"Language…" Kilat warns.
"Sorry. That's the lingo at work." Payew shrugs.
"Hehe. By the way. Agew, you said you didn't want a gift from me and your mom. But I feel bad not giving you anything." Liboo switches topic.
"Oh… well. I consider that furnace you had built for me at home an advance gift." Agew says.
"You really don't want anything else?" Kilat asks, wanting to chip in.
"A car, maybe?" Agew asks.
"NO." "Not yet." Kilat and Liboo immediately express their refusal in quick succession.
"Then nothing." Agew chuckles.
"Is there anything I can get you?" Tayaw offers this time.
"No…" Agew begins until an idea pops up in his head. "Ah. There is something. But you already gave me a helicopter ride and food." Agew says.
"…" The family gets curious.
"Well? Just tell me. Maybe I can afford it." Tayaw jokes. *chuckles* His parents and Payew have an idea how rich Tayaw is.
"Are there some outdated cameras you have or something? I wanna try filming stuff." Agew finally says.
"Like movies?" Payew asks.
"uhhh. Yeah. Maybe." Agew says in uncertainty.
"Maybe?" Tayaw asks.
"Yeah… I don't know. Once school starts, I'll try to talk to my friends at school into shooting something cool. If they won't like the idea, then that's too bad. I'll just play football with them, AGAIN. Play volleyball, AGAIN." Agew shrugs while casually complaining.
"Hmmmmm…" Tayaw almost breaks out in a grin of excitement at Agew's interest before a small disappointment tug at him immediately.
"Ah.. that's a shame…" Tayaw mutters.
"What's a shame?" Kilat asks.
"You know Jouny? The screenwriter of 'September Ninth'? She's making a film right now, but it would have been better had she started earlier. Agew could have been there to watch how to shoot something." Tayaw says.
"You really want to leave both your dad and I alone in Okuba alone, don't you?" Kilat says in annoyance.
"That's... nah. Come on mom. It would have just taken Agew some weeks or something. It's not like he's gonna be there the entire production" Tayaw shrugs.
"Well. Three weeks or three days, Agew is busy finishing his work with the hotel." Kilat harrumphs.
"Mom… Unlike these two. I have everything I need at home." Agew, in a rare impulse, consoles Kilat.
"Ohh~.. Yeah. Unlike these two, I still have a son that loves me." Kilat says to Agew sweetly.
Tayaw and Payew roll their eyes at this.
"Anyways. Okay. I'll give you a camera." Tayaw says, getting back to the subject of Agew's gift.
"Pfff. I hear a BUT coming." Payew scoffs.
."Not a 'but', but an 'AND', buddy... Agew, I'll give you a camera AND sound equipment, AND lighting equipment. But-"
"'But' Hehe." Payew smugly cuts in.
"Okay you got me. BUT I'll only give you cheap ones." Tayaw says.
"That's fine too. It's not like I'm making something for the theaters." Agew accepts.
"Also, I'm making it an upgradeable gift." Tayaw says.
"Upgradable?" Agew and the rest is interested, never having heard of an upgradeable gift.
"How are you doing at school?" Tayaw switches the subject, however.
"Passable." Agew explains shortly.
"Mom, dad, you're fine with his grades?" Tayaw asks.
"Meh. As long as he doesn't repeat grades, I'm fine." Liboo shrugs.
"As long as he doesn't fail his subjects…" Kilat too is fine with Agew's grades.
"Okay. I'll do an experiment." Tayaw stands up and heads to his cabin's study before quickly returning, this time with two thick binders in hand.
"Take these home and read them, then shoot whatever. If I'm satisfied with whatever you shoot, I'll give you better equipment." Tayaw says.
"*huppp*" Agew takes the heavy binders, opens them, and immediately starts reading.
"Huh…" Excitement is seen growing in Agew's eyes as he reads every page.
"Comic books?" Liboo asks, wanting to read them too.
"Kind of. But they're more of a plan, a blueprint, of how I shot the scenes in my films and why I decided to shoot them that way." Tayaw says.
"It's basically… a culmination of your knowledge in film making?" Kilat says, understanding the importance of the storyboard immediately.
"Well. Not a culmination exactly, but just some of what I know. Jouny said it's like a textbook for film makers, only more fun to read." Tayaw says.
Before he can continue to explain, he notices something.
"Hey. Agew. Read that later at home." He reprimands Agew.
Agew was about to flip to another page, when he realizes it would be rude to keep on reading.
"Oh.. Sorry about that. Anyways. Thanks Tayaw. This is even better than the equipment you're gonna give me." Agew says, almost moved by the gift.
"That's good." Tayaw is satisfied with Agew's assessment.
August 27, 2013 Tuesday, 5pm Okuba "Where are these two?" Liboo sighs in frustration after another failed call attempt to Tayaw and Payew. "Are you sure Tayaw said we wait here?" Kilat asks, referring to the wide and dark grass clearing they are in. "Yes. The lot between the neighborhood and the town, like Tayaw said." Liboo clarifies. "A weird place to have us wait... but okay..." Kilat says. "Well, this is where Tayaw often spent his time when he's here in Okuba." Agew says. "Really? What does he do here? There's nothing." Kilat asks, curious. "I don't know really. Probably writing songs in his head. He sits on that boulder over there all afternoon. He plays ugly chords until they become beautiful. He hums too. " Agew says. "Come to think of it. It's really quiet here and the boring green flat is somewhat peaceful. Perfect for thinking." Liboo nods. "But how come there are no bugs?" Kilat asks. "He-" Before Agew can explain,*dudududududududududu* The three's attention is taken by a strange sound. "What is that?" Liboo asks as he looks around. "There it is!" Agew points at an incoming helicopter in the sky, obviously heading their way. "Good lord." Kilat can only shake her head, already having an idea who is in the helicopter. "Yeah Somehow I can see Tayaw doing this." Liboo chuckles. With that, the three watch the helicopter land while partially covering their eyes from all the blades of grass and dust flying their way. "HAPPY BIRTHDAY BROTHEEEEERRRR! GET THE HELL IN HERE!" Soon the three is greeted by Tayaw and Payew, running to them. ~ 30 minutes later Nasiri Hill, Nabla "Phew" Agew hurriedly unfastens his seatbelt after the helicopter landed. "Shit. That was scary." Agew sighs in relief. "Hahaha. You rode a plane three times without a problem. How come you're so afraid riding a helicopter?" Tayaw asks. "He was scared during the flight we took to and from America two years ago." Kilat explains, she too sighing in relief that they have finally landed. "Huh I didn't know Well. I'm sorry." Tayaw says. "Hehe. What would Agew rather do? Not hop in the chopper?" Payew chuckles, still amused by Agew's pale face. "It's fine! That was fun though. I can't believe how short the trip was. It takes three hours of driving from home to Ouigab." Agew says, color returning to his face. "It's the winding highway that makes the drive long." Liboo says. The helicopter blade soon stops spinning and "Folks, you can now take off your seatbelts and leave the aircraft." The pilot commands and the family oblige. After stepping on land again, "Where are we by the way? I saw that the city is right ahead, below this hill." Liboo asks as he looks around the glass clearing, they landed in. There is nothing else in sight except for a huge log cabin, a water tank, Tayaw's pick-up truck, Payew's Jeep, and a cargo truck only a few tens of meters away. "Oh. We're at Nasiri Hill. It's my private retreat. I do all my thinking here when I'm in Teungeb." Tayaw explains. "Ahh.. I wish I can live at somewhere this isolated too" Liboo inhales the air. "What was that, honey?" Kilat asks. "I said it would be nice to retire with you, with just the two of us, in an isolated place like this." Liboo says. "Alright. Let's go over there. Before it gets dark." Tayaw says, saving Liboo. ~ "Cozy~" Kilat says as they enter the living room of the cabin. "Wait Do we know these people?" Liboo softly asks Payew as he sees three people already in the cabin. "No, dad. They're from the catering service that Tayaw hired." Payew explains. "I see... Good lord. A helicopter ride, a private dinner service" Liboo sighs at the wasteful spending of Tayaw. "Dad. Come on. It's Agew's birthday!" Tayaw has been listening all along. "Yeah, yeah. It's a nice gesture. By the way, why not invite the pilot in?" Liboo asks. "Yeah. It's rather weird. He's sitting out in the helicopter while we stuff ourselves here." Kilat says. "" Tayaw is somewhat annoyed at how nice his parents are. "Don't worry. I invited him earlier, but he said he would feel like he is intruding. Some cooks will bring him food later." Tayaw says. This removes Kilat and Liboo's discomfort. "Everything's ready sir. You can just ring the bell here and we'll bring the food in." The employees are finally done setting the table. "Thank you." Tayaw says, and with that, the family is left alone in the cabin. "Alright. Let's eat. I'm starving." Agew is the first one to go the dining table. "Yeah. You need to eat more. Something I should have done when I was your age. I would have been as tall as Tayaw." Liboo says. ~ "So. Yeah. That's what I've been doing at work." Payew reports all his achievements in his short time at Pixie. "We're proud of you son." Liboo says. "Yes. And you still haven't started college. Keep it up." Kilat says. The two are moved that Payew is starting to turn from a kid into a man. "Like I've been telling him. If he really becomes a highly skilled business manager, I just might hand him the reigns of my film studio in the future." Tayaw says. "Heh. They say you shouldn't do business with family, but if the family can do the job, why not, right?" Liboo says. "How about you Tayaw? What have you been doing? You haven't come and seen us since January." Kilat says. "Marketing. I had to sell the movie. I've also been busy making music, and consulting in more projects. The details will bore you, but it's fun for me." Tayaw says. "I see..." Kilat nods in understanding. "Will you be here next month for your birthday?" She further asks. "Probably not." Tayaw says, disappointing his parents. "I've just signed a deal with a record label in Nashville. I'm gonna start preparing for a tour, finally." Tayaw says. "Really?" "That's good!" His family is happy to hear it. "But An American label, meaning you'll only tour in America, right?" Liboo asks. "Yeah. My Teungebian songs aren't doing well." Tayaw says. "Well, people still love your songs. How long will the tour last?" Kilat asks. "It'll last from the second week of September to.. before Christmas. So only three months. Aside from that, I will produce songs for some artists. There are songs I made that just doesn't suit me." Tayaw says. "*Sigh* And I thought that artists like you have a lot of down time." Liboo is overwhelmed listening to Tayaw's schedule. "It's not work if I'm having fun." Tayaw says. "Ain't that the truth. Your dad recently goes to work early and comes home late, but he doesn't complain." Kilat says to indirectly express her concern to Liboo. "Sorry, hun. But after we're done flipping the backlog, selling them is easier." Liboo chuckles, not apologetic at all. "Aih Anyways. Tayaw and Payew, you two are not the only ones who are doing well." Kilat says. "?" Tayaw and Payew get curious at that. "Agew here just started making porcelains for a hotel." Kilat clarifies proudly. "Really? Already?" "Wow Damn." Tayaw and Payew look at Agew in amazement. Liboo and Kilat look at this scene in pride and amus.e.m.e.nt. "It's not really a big hotel. You know that hotel for tourists in Jebung? Near dad's workshop. That's the hotel." Agew shrugs. This does not reduce his achievement to Payew and Agew however. "It's still a hotel" Tayaw pulls out his phone and looks the hotel up. "Here dude. 4.8 stars? 739 reviews? That's not just an average hotel that hosts locals, but foreign tourists. That means this hotel is the most famous in Jebung. They must really like your work huh." Tayaw says. "If you say so" Agew shrugs coolly. "Smooth asshole" Payew says in English. "Language" Kilat warns. "Sorry. That's the lingo at work." Payew shrugs. "Hehe. By the way. Agew, you said you didn't want a gift from me and your mom. But I feel bad not giving you anything." Liboo switches topic. "Oh well. I consider that furnace you had built for me at home an advance gift." Agew says. "You really don't want anything else?" Kilat asks, wanting to chip in. "A car, maybe?" Agew asks. "NO." "Not yet." Kilat and Liboo immediately express their refusal in quick succession. "Then nothing." Agew chuckles. "Is there anything I can get you?" Tayaw offers this time. "No" Agew begins until an idea pops up in his head. "Ah. There is something. But you already gave me a helicopter ride and food." Agew says. "" The family gets curious. "Well? Just tell me. Maybe I can afford it." Tayaw jokes. *chuckles* His parents and Payew have an idea how rich Tayaw is. "Are there some outdated cameras you have or something? I wanna try filming stuff." Agew finally says. "Like movies?" Payew asks. "uhhh. Yeah. Maybe." Agew says in uncertainty. "Maybe?" Tayaw asks. "Yeah I don't know. Once school starts, I'll try to talk to my friends at school into shooting something cool. If they won't like the idea, then that's too bad. I'll just play football with them, AGAIN. Play volleyball, AGAIN." Agew shrugs while casually complaining. "Hmmmmm" Tayaw almost breaks out in a grin of excitement at Agew's interest before a small disappointment tug at him immediately. "Ah.. that's a shame" Tayaw mutters. "What's a shame?" Kilat asks. "You know Jouny? The screenwriter of 'September Ninth'? She's making a film right now, but it would have been better had she started earlier. Agew could have been there to watch how to shoot something." Tayaw says. "You really want to leave both your dad and I alone in Okuba alone, don't you?" Kilat says in annoyance. "That's... nah. Come on mom. It would have just taken Agew some weeks or something. It's not like he's gonna be there the entire production" Tayaw shrugs. "Well. Three weeks or three days, Agew is busy finishing his work with the hotel." Kilat harrumphs. "Mom Unlike these two. I have everything I need at home." Agew, in a rare impulse, consoles Kilat. "Ohh~.. Yeah. Unlike these two, I still have a son that loves me." Kilat says to Agew sweetly. Tayaw and Payew roll their eyes at this. "Anyways. Okay. I'll give you a camera." Tayaw says, getting back to the subject of Agew's gift. "Pfff. I hear a BUT coming." Payew scoffs. ."Not a 'but', but an 'AND', buddy... Agew, I'll give you a camera AND sound equipment, AND lighting equipment. But-" "'But' Hehe." Payew smugly cuts in. "Okay you got me. BUT I'll only give you cheap ones." Tayaw says. "That's fine too. It's not like I'm making something for the theaters." Agew accepts. "Also, I'm making it an upgradeable gift." Tayaw says. "Upgradable?" Agew and the rest is interested, never having heard of an upgradeable gift. "How are you doing at school?" Tayaw switches the subject, however. "Passable." Agew explains shortly. "Mom, dad, you're fine with his grades?" Tayaw asks. "Meh. As long as he doesn't repeat grades, I'm fine." Liboo shrugs. "As long as he doesn't fail his subjects" Kilat too is fine with Agew's grades. "Okay. I'll do an experiment." Tayaw stands up and heads to his cabin's study before quickly returning, this time with two thick binders in hand. "Take these home and read them, then shoot whatever. If I'm satisfied with whatever you shoot, I'll give you better equipment." Tayaw says. "*huppp*" Agew takes the heavy binders, opens them, and immediately starts reading. "Huh" Excitement is seen growing in Agew's eyes as he reads every page. "Comic books?" Liboo asks, wanting to read them too. "Kind of. But they're more of a plan, a blueprint, of how I shot the scenes in my films and why I decided to shoot them that way." Tayaw says. "It's basically a culmination of your knowledge in film making?" Kilat says, understanding the importance of the storyboard immediately. "Well. Not a culmination exactly, but just some of what I know. Jouny said it's like a textbook for film makers, only more fun to read." Tayaw says. Before he can continue to explain, he notices something. "Hey. Agew. Read that later at home." He reprimands Agew. Agew was about to flip to another page, when he realizes it would be rude to keep on reading. "Oh.. Sorry about that. Anyways. Thanks Tayaw. This is even better than the equipment you're gonna give me." Agew says, almost moved by the gift. "That's good." Tayaw is satisfied with Agew's assessment.
