Ralston Samadan

BS-Architecture 4
Lit 2 AF 102 MWF 1:30-2:30PM

HIDDEN TREASURE

By: Ralston Samadan

The sun was shining bright and wide awake in the mid of June. Rising with the sun are students,
preparing for their first day of school. But there's this one guy who’s still with the moon and forgot
that he have to wake up for his first day of class. Good thing his mom came to the rescue.

”SAM SANTIAGO SANTOS!!! ITS ALREADY 12 PM AND YOU ARE STILL SLEEPING!!!” his mom exclaimed.
“yes ma, im awake.” he replied. He rushed to the dining room and see its still 10 am.

Tho irritated, he was relieved and continue with his morning regime. He already accepted the fact
that he wont be able to make it to his 7:30 am class.

He arrived at school at 1 o’clock and head to the theatre for the general assembly, sadly the assembly
was over.

Suddenly, someone shouted merrily “Hi Batch Rep!!!” bewildered, Sam looked around and saw it was
his friend Diane. “hey, wait did you call me or are calling for someone else? ”

“it was you sleepyhead. Since you were the only one absent on our batch, we decided to nominate
you and to represent our batch.” said Diane with an intention of annoying Sam. “Are you for real?!”
Sam exclaimed in disbelief. But he didn’t want to argue anymore and accepted his fate. Its not like he
havent had any leadership positions before.

Two weeks had passed and everyone’s settled in the school. Group of friends have formed while Sam
still prefer to be alone. It was one boring day until in their Human Anatomy and Physiology Class, their
guidance counselor entered with another strange human. He was white and very thin. It is very visible
that he isnt from the country. “OK everyone, this is Jim Jonas. He will be your new blockmate and I
will assign him to Mr.Santos. Since he is your Batch representative.” Tho shocked, Sam did his best in
accommodating Jim. But it was awkward, he don’t talk a lot. Sam is known as the talkative one so he
just keep talking and all the replies varies from “yes”, “no”, or “maybe”, you know, those kind of
replies that doesnt lead to another topic. Batch Representative didn’t mind as much tho, since jim
was always abent and is only present 3-4 times in a week.

They went on like this for a month until they were paired for a class project. Sam asked Jim if they
could work in their house. “no, we cant. Im not from Cebu. Thats why im staying with my aunt.” Jim
shared. Sam then replied, “ok. No worries. I think we could work at my place. Its quaint, so I hope
youd understand.””its ok, I wont mind.” Jim replied.

They then went to Sams house. “Ma, Im home. And we have a visitor.” Sam shouted. His mother,
Even shocked was really accommodating to their foreigner visitor. As Sam said, the hous is smalll. Its 2
story and around 25 sqm. per story in area. Its also in a sketchy neighborhood. Theres drunkards by
Ralston Samadan

BS-Architecture 4
Lit 2 AF 102 MWF 1:30-2:30PM

the streets and bystanders everywhere. They had dinner, dried fish and corn rice (mais). Sams mother
apologize, but Jim simply said “thank you for the meal. Its a delight.”.

Sam and Jim head to the room of Sam. It was small but enough space to do thier work decently.
Theres one ceiling fan and its still hot. But jim didn’t complain. Sam is happy about this. As they
continue working, they heard shouting from below. It was Sams father, and he is wasted. He was
shouting words and he was clearly mad. “THOSE EFFIN CONTRACTORS!!! AFTER SERVING THEM FOR
THREE MONTH, THE WILL JUST LET GO OF US AND LEAVE US!!””whats wrong langga?” Sams mother
asked. “THEY FIRED ME!!! SO I RESIGN!!! I PLEADED TO STAY BUT THEY REPLIED WE HAD A
CONTRACT!!! WE CANT SEND OUR SON TO SCHOOL ANYMORE, HE WILL HAVE TO HELP HERE IN THE
HOUSE!” Sams father answered.

Devastated by what he heard, Sam just tell jim, “hey, lets continue working. Hes just drunk. He don’t
mean it.” he was teary eyed and was forcing a smile, it was because he know his father was not joking.
“ I cant say I know what you are going thru and I know how you feel. But if you need a friend to talk to,
I will be more than glad to listen and support you. Ive been cold before because I thought you would
want to hang out with others that is as famous as you. That if I will not pay you any attention, you
would leave and hang out with others. But I cant do that now, since I know you need a friend right
now. You ae kind hearted and a strong person. You will get thru this Sam.” shocked of the words
coming out of Jim, Sam burst out in tears. The feeling is not familiar to Sam, because he is always the
one that always comfort others and for once, someone comforted him. Its a mix of various emotions.
They then have a long talk and sensitive matters and started joking around. They became like
brothers in one night. There may be no progress on their school project, but there was progress in
their relationship.

They remained like this for the rest of school years. They went to small adventures that don’t cost
money. Like store hopping in malls, fitting clothes they will not buy. Going to Ukay-Ukay and buying
cheap shirts that looked expensive on them. Foodtrips in the market like kwek-kwek, tempura, balut,
proben, and isaw. It was clear this is all new for Jim. But everytime Sam look at him, Jim looked like he
is in bliss with all the things he is experiencing.

Finals came, Sam and Jim prepared for this moment the whole year. They even study out a Saturday
before the week. This is why Sam is shocked when Jim didn’t get to sheir class and was absent. He
didn’t mind the first day, since Jim was kinda known for his absenses. Wednesday came and Jim still
don’t show up. This is when Sam decided to pay him a visit. Since Jim don’t reply or return any of the
calls and texts he sent. He remembered Jims adress since they talked about it in messenger. The place
was a private village. So the security stopped Sam by the entrance, they then give a call to the house
address since they don’t know any Jim living in the village. After several minutes, they told Sam to
wait 20 minutes as the owner requested, this is so the owner may prepare for the visitor. “ok, I will
wait.” thats all Sam said. Twenty minutes had passed and the guards finally let Sam enter. Sam then
proceed to the address, its a huge house, a mansion as some would say, Sam was shocked and
overwhelemed by what he saw. He rang the doorbell of the gate and saw a thin man going out, it was
Jim. He got much thinner since the first day they met. “you look like a walking skeleton. Get faster and
open the gates!!! hahaha” he joked. Jim, looking grim, did smile and say “im on my way na po boss.
hehe”
Ralston Samadan

BS-Architecture 4
Lit 2 AF 102 MWF 1:30-2:30PM

They went inside the house, the exact moment you get in you will see heavy equipments like those
youll see in a hospital. This baffled Sam, but didn’t say anything since he was amazed and at awe with
the house. “you didn’t tell me you are rich” Sam said jokingly. “im not, Sam. didn’t I tell you why im
staying here?” Jim replied. Sam then said, “ yeah, look at your tita and titos pictures here in sala. You
are here because your tita owns this place. Right? So by extension, you are rich. Haha.” Then he saw
Jims mood change.

His face made the face he made when Sams father arrived drunk, the face that marks he is about to
say something important or serious.

Sam asked why, Jim then replied, “ she is not my real tita, I just said that to impress you. Shes my Amo.
She and her husband. They hired my mother to help them in the house or as katulong. That why I
don’t want you to come over. They are both doctors, explaining the medical equipments out there.
They also owns out school and they get me as an scholar since I showed my interest in medecine.
They are kind enough to let us live here as long as we serve them right.” At this point, Sam don’t know
how to react, so he changed the topic and asked,” its ok, I don’t mind bruh. By the way, why were you
absent? Our classmates and teachers were looking for you.” “my mom have to return to our province.
My brother died in a crossfire from our province. By boss’ were out of town for business, and they
only allow mother to go. So I could watch the house. That explained why I cant return any of your
calls or texts, im so depressed. But our employers will return tonight, and they will give me a med
certificate so I could take special tests tomorrow and on Friday.” Jim explained teary eyed. “you are all
set then, I must be going. Godbless on you exams bruh.” Sam said and went on his way home. But
before that, Jim asked, “are you not gonna say good bye? May I request for one? I might not see you
next sem.”, since Sam had taken all the exams and don’t need to return to school. He also considered
that he wont be able to return next semester because of their familys financial crisis. Tho weird, Sam
complied to the request of his friend.

“dear Jim, my dear friend. You came to my life unexpectedly, 3 rd week of classes to be exact.”, Sam
laughed, “I didn’t expect that we will be like brothers in a very short period of time. You are kind,
blissful, and a joy to be with. I never met anyone as thoughtful as you. Even though you look like a
foreigner, you have the hospitability and humility of a filipino. I will never forget you, the laughters,
the tears, the highlighters, the books, the late nights we shared. You will always have a special place
in my life bro. I love you, goodbye.” then tears fall from the eyes of Jim. “thank you. You may now go.
Take care and continue making everyone happy. Bye.” Jim replied to Sams Parting ways. “we look so
stupid right now bro. Its not like we wont see each other anymore.” sam replied, then they both
laughed then sam went home with a smile in his face.

Sembreak started, Sam took this chance to work and find ways to find extra income. So that he could
surprise his friend Jim. His father also got a job as a janitor in their school. He knows its awkward but
as long as it is a decent work, he will not be ashamed of it or his father. But sadly, the money they
have is still not enough. So he applied for scholarship, hoping that his grades are high enough and be
like his bestfriend Jim.

Weeks had passed and a mail came to their place. It was from the school. It stated there that though
his grades are just above average, they will accept his application granting that he must act as a
Ralston Samadan

BS-Architecture 4
Lit 2 AF 102 MWF 1:30-2:30PM

working student. This makes him so happy and glad, hes been dying to tell this to Jim but he wanted
to surprise him.

Second semester started. Sam is present and not late anymore. Since he will be working for the
school already. He kept his eyes peeled for Jim, but he cant find him anywhere. They were not able to
contact each other since Sam had to sell his phone and will just get another one someday. Sam then
remembered their first semester. So he didn’t mind, he was also busy learning how the school works
in the offices. But the third week came and this was when he got really worried. He then went to the
schools file that he have access to since he is working there, he was shocked seeing that Jim Jones
was not enrolled in the current semester. So he decided to come over at Jims place, he got stopped at
the guardhouse. This time he didn’t have to wait. The guards let him in immediately after calling the
home owners. He then rang the doorbell, he was shocked on who opened the gates for him.

A woman, a weeping woman. He then assumed this is Jims mother, since Jims brother recently died.
“hi, Good noon maam, Im sorry for your loss.” said sam. “how may I help you?” the woman asked still
weeping. “im Sam, Jims classmate and friend. May I ask where is he? Its been three weeks since the
class started and he was absent since day one.” Sam asked the woman.

The woman let him in, to his surprise, the medical equipments and machines are no longer there. The
woman then led him to the living room. He was baffled when they reached the living room, there
were pictures of Jim everywhere. The woman is also not the maid. Shes the owner, why else will there
be pictures of her everywhere?

“Excuse me maam, why do you suddenly have photos of Jim everywhere? He is even with you and
your husband on some.” Sam asked curiously.