CHAPTER 2—Opportunity has been granted

I am happy to go straight home. Somehow, our house saw the light I brought back, not just a bundle of frustrations and disappointments.

I sniffed as I saw my sibling feeding Mama, struggling to open her mouth.

Every time I see them like that, it’s as if my heart is a coconut, cracking.

“Sis, it’s you. Are you hungry? I borrowed an egg from the store. I told them you were looking for a job,” Francis greeted me when he noticed me watching them. “I know you’ll find a job, Sis, and we’ll be able to pay off our debts,” he added determinedly.

“Is that so? How much do we owe now? Last I checked, it was already long,” I replied.

I continued feeding Mama porridge when Francis handed me the food. I thanked him and ate as well. I was very hungry, I haven’t eaten much since last night. Just small bites of rice.

I have too many things on my mind, so even my food is affected. That’s just how I am, I lose my appetite when troubled.

I also think that when I eat, it’s like running out of food. It’s okay for me to go hungry, as long as they don’t. I love them so much and I can sacrifice everything for them. That’s the only thing I can give back to Mama.

Another night passed and our stomachs were somehow filled.

I furrowed my brow as I couldn’t feel sleepy. I sat down and took a deep breath. I’m always like this every night.

If it’s not Rome that I’m thinking of, it’s Benjamin.

I took a deep breath before lying down next to Francis. I wrapped my arms around a pillow and closed my eyes.

A quarter that was very dark, dirty, smelly, and full of insects inside. The door suddenly opened, revealing the shadow of a big man carrying a whip. He suddenly struck it on the floor, startling me.

I stepped back as he walked towards me. He then threw the whip and removed his black belt.

All my fears from the two days of rest returned when he left the house.

“I don’t want to!” I shook my head, “my body still hurts from your beating the other day! Have mercy on me!” I pleaded, tears welling up on my cheeks out of fear even though he hadn’t done anything or touched me yet.

I know what he will do to me once he removes the belt wrapped around him.

“I’ll play with you, so why would I stop?” He whipped his belt on his palm. I continued to step back, my eyes unable to stop looking back and forth between the belt and his face.

“Have mercy!” I begged and hugged myself. “Please don’t hurt me now. I might die from all the bruises and wounds I got from you.” I couldn’t even bear to look at my body covered in bruises and wounds from him.

“A toy doesn’t break easily when played with. I won’t stop playing with my favorite Barbie. A living Barbie.” He suddenly laughed demonically.

My eyes widened. “AHH!” I screamed as the metal from the belt dug into my skin.

I saw blood dripping from my arm, causing me to lose consciousness immediately…

“Sister! Sister!”

I quickly stood up, panting heavily. I sat there with my mouth agape, my eyes wide open.

“Sister? Are you okay? Sister?” Francis cried as he held my face. I hugged him tightly.

“I-I saw him again, Francis. He’s still hurting me…” I sobbed uncontrollably.

“Sorry, sister…” he joined me crying.

“I’m scared, Francis.” I took a deep breath and held onto him tighter.

“Don’t be scared, sister. He won’t come back ever. I won’t allow anyone else to hurt you. I’m grown up now, I can defend you. I can throw punches. Don’t be scared. I feel sorry for you when you cry, it’s like I’m the one getting hurt too. I love you so much. You don’t need to fear people with bad attitudes because they will get their karma.”

I suddenly felt relieved by Francis’ words. He always lightens my heart when I have painful dreams. He’s the one who hugs me and comforts me when I remember my dark past.

“Let’s go back to sleep, it’s only two in the morning.” He rubbed his eyes suddenly.

“I always wake you up,” I said with a pout.

“It’s okay. I’d feel guilty if I didn’t wake up when you cry in your dreams,” she replied.

“Thank you so much, huh? My sister is really kind,” I said as I kissed her cheek. “We’re so lucky to have you.”

“Hug me tight so you won’t have bad dreams. It’s effective, I read it on social media.”

I nodded and smiled faintly as I hugged Francis tightly. I took a deep breath before closing my eyes. I nestled into his neck to feel more comfortable.

I hope my hug will be effective for my brother.

I woke up early and beat my alarm. I smiled when I realized I didn’t have any bad dreams. Francis’ hug really worked for me. I didn’t wake Francis up so he could catch up on sleep since he stayed up late because of me.

I still had some money left from yesterday, so I used it to pay off his debt and bought eggs again. At least I managed to reduce our debt.

I also cooked a simple porridge for Mama. I knew she was hungry because porridge doesn’t last long in the stomach. She eats imperfectly cooked porridge every day.

I feel sorry for her, but I always promise to make it up to her once I get a job. She won’t just eat porridge but delicious pasta and I’ll buy her a soft bed so she has a comfortable place to lie down.

While frying dried fish and eggplant, which I just picked outside, my cellphone rang. This is the cellphone Rome and I saved up for.

It’s been with me for seven years. It’s slow and, of course, full storage, but it’s still good for calls and texts. I’ll make do with what we have.

I have the nerve to take even this with me when I leave him. I really needed a cellphone back then, but it became useless because Benjamin hid my phone from me so I couldn’t contact my family.

Luckily, I found it on top of the cabinet, so I took it with me when I escaped from his clutches.

Excitement surged through me as I answered the call, multitasking while cooking. The unfamiliar number didn’t deter my heart from racing, not out of nervousness, but out of eagerness.

“Faye Reagon?” Miss Regina’s voice rang through the phone. Setting down the ladle, I wiped my hands on my clothes before switching the phone to my other ear.

“It’s me, Miss Regina,” I happily replied. The excitement was evident on my face as she called promptly, unlike other applications that took days to respond, only to end in rejection.

That was truly disappointing.

I hoped that this time, I would be approved.

“Glad you recognize my number. Anyway, congratulations! You are the chosen one to join us! You are so fortunate. Out of 50 applicants, you were selected by Sir, the company owner. I believe he was impressed by your credentials. Not only that, he didn’t hesitate to accept you immediately. Do you know how many dreams of the position that landed in your hands? If I were you, I wouldn’t waste this significant opportunity,” she said.

“Oh my! Really?” I covered my mouth in shock. I quickly caught the ladle as it almost fell. I also adjusted the wood on the stove.

We didn’t use the stove as we couldn’t afford gas. We were used to this in the province, so it was fine for me to cook using firewood.

It's more satisfying to cook with firewood, and it’s also part of our culture. We even use clay pots passed down from my grandparents.

“Yes. You can start tomorrow. Do you have a white shirt and pants?” she asked. There was a sudden thud. “Sorry, the pen case just fell off from the table,” she apologized.

“It’s okay, and yes, I have a white shirt and pants,” I replied as I prepared the food on the table.

Francis suddenly arrived, looking pleased with my reaction. He woke up early, huh? It was only five o’clock.

“For now, that’s what you’ll wear. You and Arlo will meet tomorrow at the same meeting place. He will pick you up. You will also have a personal interview with our boss, so be prepared. Do your best. Impress him. The opportunity is all yours!” Miss Regina said on the other line. “Just relax and keep the excitement for tomorrow. Your opportunity has been granted!”

Even though I couldn’t see Miss Regina, I knew she was happy for me. I almost wanted to cry because of this stroke of luck.

“Thank you very much!”

“My very much pleasure. Anyway, I’ll end the call. See you tomorrow!” she concluded.

“Thank you,” she ended the call. “Francis, I have a job now!” I happily shared the news and we embraced each other.

“I’m happy for you, sister,” he said.

All day, I joyfully took care of my mother, waiting for tomorrow to come.

I really need money and I will do my best in my job to stay there.

But I still don’t know what my job will be. Will it be difficult? Maybe it’s okay, as long as I earn and provide food for my remaining two family members with me.

“Oh, oh, anyone can paint your face, Faye,” noticed Manang Laida, one of our neighbors who once gave us food.

“Maybe luck has touched me. I have a job now and I will start tomorrow,” I shared happily.

“It’s good that after searching for a job for so long, you finally found one. So you can also pay Tina. She keeps talking about not receiving payments. Oh, she just doesn’t understand the hardships of life,” she remarked.

“Yes, indeed. I won’t waste this opportunity and I will pay them too,” I said with a smile.

“Does your mother still have medicine?”

I paused sweeping for a moment.

“She still has some. It’s running out soon. I hope her medicine lasts until my payday.”

“Alright. My child is calling me,” she bid goodbye. I nodded in response and went inside.

I knelt down to talk to Mama. I held her hands. “Mama, please stay strong as long as you can, okay? I’m here for you, for you and Francis.”

She nodded slowly, so I quickly stood up to hug her. It’s good that Mama still has the chance to be with us. I hope her life lasts long. I want to show her what I can do.

“I’ll be at the table, Mama.”

I went straight to the table and placed my clenched fists on my lap.

“You know, Rome? If you could see me now? I would proudly show off this small achievement of mine. Are you angry with me? Do you still love me? Where are you? How are you, my love?”

I bit my lip as tears welled up.

I went to the room to get the flowers from when Rome and I got married. It’s already withered and completely dry. If I take it out of his box, it will surely get ruined immediately.

Even though it’s withered, I can still smell his scent. When I smell this flower, I remember how Rome and I responded when we got married.

I also have the clothes that he wore on our wedding day. I collected every item of Rome’s left with me. I will never throw these away even if we never see each other again. Rome might be the only man I will love, no one else.

“Wherever you are, Rome, I hope you still think of me. I know I have a lot of shortcomings. If I come back to you, would you still accept me? Would you still recognize me? You know, Rome, even if it’s embarrassing to face you? If I ever have a chance to talk to you? I will talk to you and beg. You will always remain in my heart, my love.”

I kissed his clothes and hugged them tightly. I wish it was him I was embracing. I hope a miracle happens and the person I hold becomes human.