Dumb Found 10

         Fatima slept early at 8 because of disappointment. She got no reply from Pepe. Her questions were left unanswered including why he is here, pretending to be a mute man.
         Pepe wanted to confide with her but he opted not to do it now. He also was afraid that she might tell it to their boss and to Mang Jack. So, he went to her room and knock. Three, not-so-loud knocks seemed useless. Fatima neither say a word nor get up  to open the door. He thought, she's already asleep.
         As he decided to go back to the living room, he passed by at Gabby's room. The door was left ajar. He closed it. But, after a while, he opened it again, wider and he entered the room. He knew it's wrong but he has no bad intention in there. He just felt there's something he should know about his benefactor.
         His feet brought him to the closet. He slowly opened its doors and the pictures of women struck him. He took the photo of a familiar woman. He singled it out. He knew him. It's the woman he often see on the beach when he's still in his barangay.
         Hesitantly, he kept the picture on his pocket. His knees were shivering. Her parents did not teach him to steal. It's for the name of admiration. Then, he immediately went outside after closing the closet.
         "Why did you do that?" Fatima asked. She's standing parallel to the wall, with her head's down.          Pepe was startled yet he merely passed over. His heart was trembling.
         "Pepe, what are you doing?" She grabbed his arm. "Don't ruin Sir Gabby's trust to you."
         When he heard of the word 'trust', he froze. Fatima wrapped her arms around his body.
         "Friend, it's not yet late..."
         Their position lasted for a minute before a weird voice was heard.
         "Pepe? What did you say?" She was slightly delighted to see Pepe trying to utter a worry.
         "S-sorry..."
         Fatima embraced him more tightly. "It's alright, Pepe. It's alright. Thanks, God! Thanks!" Then, she looked at his wet eyes. She wiped it out.
         "Thank you!" And he smiled.
         That night, they talked a lot of things. Pepe confided why he took the picture.
         "I just couldn't read what written on it." He handed down the photograph to Fatima, while laughing. He started to gain confidence and trust with Fatima.
          Looking at the back of the photo, she read it aloud. "My Dearest Gab, Take care of this simple remembrance as you take care of me and our relationship. I love you very much! Regina."
          "Regina?" The smile on his face was distorted. Knowing that the the woman he admire the most, for a long time, is already committed to Gabby, whom he owes a lot.
          "Yeah, she's Regina. Forget about her," Fatima solicited. "You can find someone for you. When you leave this island... and if you study hard, it is likely that you'll be a chick magnet. You can have someone better than Regina." She smiled at him. "I'll return this there, huh?"
           Pepe did not shake his head. He even did not make a sign of yes. For him, Regina is one of a kind. His love to her is immeasurable.