20B Maunawain St., Pinyahan, QC.

A two-floored house converted to apartments. Barred window looking into a dirty eskinita. Curtain pulled aside.  Desk and chair facing the wall. Dead dry plants on the sill.

New walls. Tiled floor. Galley kitchen. Bed, bookcase, stereo, study table, refrigerator, washing machine. Teddy bears on the floor, death note posters on the wall.

Mop, bucket, rags, solvents under sink.

Closet. Box of cosmetics, jewelry. Sweaters, pop art shirts, skinny jeans, white long-sleeved polo shirts, black pencil skirts, black leggings, summer tube-top dresses and flat sandals in brown and black.

Kitchen. Salt, pepper, oil and vinegar, soy sauce, coffee, instant noodles, tomatoes, onions and garlic. I don't cook much. I make plates of scrambled eggs and rice. Bathroom. One bar of soap. Hairfall control shampoo and conditioner, a pack of napkin and Dove facial wash.

Linen, towels, handkerchiefs. A heart full of hope.