Chapter 22

It's not yet seven in the morning, but the volunteers for the outreach program in Brgy. Loria are already complete. The medical staff in-charge of the medical and dental mission are all present, as well as Carlo Reyes' team who are in-charge with the documentation. Mayor Jovie's staff who will assist in the said event are also complete, as well as her classmates who volunteered to join them today. Except for one person. 'So Madame can't really make it, huh?" Joshua looked at Jovie. They were standing side by side in front of one of the vans used to transport the volunteers to the venue of the outreach program. 'She really hasn't changed," Jovie added. Joshua knows that Jovie is talking about Ria. 'Why do you call Ria Madame?" 'Because she really is a madame." Jovie turned to face him. 'All of us who became her classmate in college call her as such." 'There's no block section in CPRU college department, right?" Joshua asked. 'Yes," Jovie answered. 'So, all those who became her classmate, even for only one subject, that's what they call her." Joshua smiled. 'It's true, you know. She's just someone who gets whatever she wants. I think that time, she was the extension of not only her father's credit card, but also her mother's. Imagine, for sure her parents' credit limit is not just a hundred thousand, and she has not only one but both." Joshua became silent. So, since then her parents are already separated financially. That's one proof that even before they really separated, they were not together anymore. 'Then she always goes to school on her own car with her own driver, and she doesn't go home unless the driver picks her up. And, take note, she always rides in the back seat. She never takes the passenger seat. See how madame she really is?" If only Jovie knows the reason behind that, will she still call her ‘Madame?' But Joshua kept quiet and did not reveal the truth to his classmate. 'Let's go ahead," Jovie said after looking at her wristwatch. 'Madame can catch up later." Jovie got in the van service, and Joshua went back to his car. Mark is with him and is conveniently sitting at the passenger seat. 'We're leaving?" Mark asked. Joshua nodded. 'Hmn." 'Ria has come?" Joshua looked at him. 'Don't worry about her. I'm sure she'll be able to follow safely." They proceeded to Brgy. Loria. It's located at the farthest end of Tarlac City. The road is dusty and obviously it would be muddy when it rains. On the left side, the elevation of the land is quite high, though it's not considered a mountain or even a hill. The barangay is just lower than it's surrounding elevation, as shown by the downward slope that the outreach program team are passing. On the right side of the road, the elevation is lower, and it looks like a cliff. It's not too steep, though, and the angle is gradual, but the grasses make it look like a location of movies and series where the characters are being thrown or assassinated by the bad guys. When they arrived at the place, they were greeted by huge tents with the logo of the Tarlac local government. The residents are also waiting for them under the canvas. Mayor Jovie was the first to approach the residents, followed by the doctors and the medical staff. Joshua noticed that aside from Mayor Jovie, the residents excitedly approached Carla, particularly the kids. He smiled as he saw her pleasantly talking to the children. He suddenly remembered that photo he purchased from Carlo's exhibit. Carla has the same smile that she had in that photo. 'Looks like Carla is quite popular here." Joshua looked at the person who spoke. It was James. He was quite surprised at his sudden appearance beside him. Is it because he was so engrossed into watching Carla interacting with the kids? His reaction made James smile. 'You look like you've seen a ghost." 'I-I was just surprised… I didn't notice you." 'Because your eyes are fixated on someone," James said, though he did not elaborate further. He then left Joshua and joined the others. Joshua came with him as well. That time, Mayor Jovie is announcing to the residents the feeding program and the gifts that they will be giving to them, consequently letting the residents know that she was joined by friends who donated the things they will be distributing later. The people were happy with the announcement, especially on that part where Jovie mentioned the groceries and rice. And the people became more cheerful when they saw Joshua Socorro. Joshua was also pleased with the warm welcome of the residents, not only to him but to everyone on the team. 'You can take pictures with Joshua," Mayor Jovie said. 'But in return, your groceries and rice will be forfeited." Everyone laughed at what the mayor said. 'That was a joke," Jovie said. 'Of course, you can have pictures with him. Joshua will assist in the registration. You need to register for you to get the stub that will be collected during the distribution of the groceries and rice." All the volunteers took their places as the outreach program started. Because almost all residents wanted to have a picture with Joshua, he wasn't able to help in the registration. Rather, he just entertained the people. 'You are really very handsome, Josua!" Joshua winced at the woman's pronounciation of his name. 'You know, I watch all your teleserye. It's a pity you are not on TV anymore. My daughter said that you have a Youtube channel, but I'm not very much into the internet. And the signal here is weak, especially after the storm last year. We cannot use any internet whatsoever." Joshua smiled. 'So, how are things going for your family?" he asked the woman. 'By God's grace, we are pulling through," the woman answered. 'It's a good thing that my husband has work that's why it was easier for us compared to our neighbors. Most of them are farmers and their crops were ruined by the flood. Then the land is close to unplantable because of the mud. I don't know how the mayor can help them. She said she'll look for a way." Joshua felt sympathy for the woman. Why would they even think of using the internet, when they have a bigger problem than that? They need to take care of their family and whole livelihood first. The damage to the place was so severe. Joshua needn't hear the stories of the others to be sympathetic with the residents. He can tell by the way they were excited with the relief goods that it is obvious they really needed the additional supplies and free medical and dental check-up. He suddenly caught a glimpse of Carla who is checking up a little boy. It seems that the kid is afraid of the injection containing vaccine. The mother is trying to soothe him, and even Carla and the nurse is also helping her, but it is still no use. He suddenly remembered what Carla told him before. 'You know what? All my patients are fans of yours. Especially the kids.' Maybe the kid is also one of his fans? Joshua decided to help soothe the crying boy. The mother was surprised when he saw Joshua appear in front of her. She was holding his boy, who stopped crying when he saw the actor's smiling face. 'Hello…" Joshua said to the kid. He's probably three or four years old. 'Do you know me?" The boy did not answer, but Joshua thinks he knows him because his eyes remained on him. That, or the kid is just curious upon seeing his handsome face. 'You watched him before, right?" the mother asked his son. 'He is Masked Rider Black." Joshua smiled at what the mother said. He was the lead actor in the remake of the 90s hit Kamen Rider Black. That's why the kids love him. 'I'm Robert," he said, pertaining to the role he had as the Masked Rider. The boy suddenly seems embarrassed as he pressed his face to his mother's bossom. 'Do you remember the monsters that I defeated? They're a lot, right?" Joshua asked the kid. The boy shyly nodded. 'But you know, if you let Dr. Carla inject the vaccine on your arm, those monsters will move away. They won't bother you." Carla looked at the kid and smiled. 'So, don't be scared," Joshua said. 'This won't take long, and it won't be that painful. Just a little." The kid looked at Carla. 'This won't take long, Baby," said the smiling Carla. 'So that you will be strong against the virus." After a little more persuading from Carla and Joshua, together with his mother, the kid agreed to be vaccinated. 'Thanks," Carla said to Joshua. 'I guess it's good to be a superhero, even just on TV," Joshua said. 'I should have brought my costume." Carla smiled. 'You should be there whenever I vaccinate a child." 'You'll always see me, then." Carla was surprised at what Joshua said. Even Joshua was not able to react. Why did he say that? He wants to hit himself for being stupid. Fortunately, a huge truck of rice arrived, and Joshua realized it was Ria because of the Audi RS3 that accompanied the ten-wheeler truck. It was just the excuse he needs to leave Carla. 'I think that's Ria. I'll… just go talk to her." He didn't wait for Carla to say anything as he left instantly. He went to Ria who has now gone out of her car. 'Hi Josh!" Ria greeted him. 'It's already 9AM," Joshua said. 'I tried," Ria said. 'You know, I actually woke up at 7AM." 'That's our call time," Joshua said. 'I usually wake up at 8AM," Ria said. Joshua chuckled. 'Anyway, I brought the rice." Ria pointed at the truck. 'All 253 of them." Jovie approached the two. 'Thought you won't come, Madame," she said to Ria. Ria winced. 'I won't do that. I just… overslept? No, I actually under slept. You know, I don't usually wake up this early." 'She's a vampire," Joshua told Jovie. 'Oh well, I'll ask for the rice to be unloaded so that we could arrange them with the other supplies we will give to the people," Jovie said before leaving. 'So, how's it been so far?" Ria asked Joshua. 'So far, so good," Joshua said. 'I did a lot of photo shoot." Ria giggled. 'So much for being famous, eh?" 'Coming from someone who is a known novelist," Joshua countered. 'Joshua, I'm not like you who appears on TV commercials every minute, every second of the day." Joshua wasn't able to refute. 'Oh! There's Carla," Ria said. 'Come! Let's go to her." Joshua looked at Carla, who is busy taking care of the patients. 'Ahm… She's busy. Why don't we just go to James and help them prepare food for the feeding program? Come, so that you can be of use." Joshua didn't wait for Ria's answer as he dragged her to their other classmates.