Part _3
1115 Words
THIRD: WHITE VAN
I left home early in the morning. I was wearing a blue dress and black pants because this is all I have. Since I packed my stuff last night, I didn't put too much stuff away today. After finishing the things to do and checking the things to bring, I looked at Chael, who was sleeping soundly.
My heart ached while looking at his gentle face. I couldn't stop the tears from flowing down my cheeks as I sat down next to him. I slowly sat next to him and hugged him slowly. I cried and hugged him unconsciously.
"B-bye, I'll get back to you. Be nice to Auntie here first..." I whispered.
Auntie woke up before I could leave. We met in the kitchen. He looked down at the things I was holding before looking at me.
He smiled at me and walked closer.
"Be careful there, huh?" There was sadness in his tone. "I don't want to kick you out of here, but I don't hold your decision."
I can't stop crying anymore.
He touched my cheek.
"Don't hesitate to call me if something bad happens to you in Manila, huh?" His voice broke.
I nodded one after the other.
"I love you so much, Rhea." He hugged me. "I treat you like a child, you and Chael. Don't neglect yourself there, okay?"
I nodded again while still crying.
"Thank you so much for everything, Auntie..." I whispered while crying. "Thank you so much for what you have done for my brother and me. I will look into this debt of gratitude, Auntie."
He removed his hug from me.
"We've already discussed this, haven't we?" He said. "Don't think that I let you stay here so that you owe me a favor, okay? You are my family so it is only right that I help you."
I nodded again.
"We are very lucky to have you, Auntie. Thank you very much." I whispered.
He smiled.
I asked Chael to her again before I completely left their house.
"Oh, hey, the drama is over." He separated from me and wiped his own tears. "Leave now and you might not be able to leave yet."
I also wiped my tears and looked at him smiling.
"I-I'm leaving, Auntie..."
He smiled but tears rolled down his cheeks again.
"Be careful there, Rhea..."
I left the house crying. It hurts me to leave but it's necessary. I don't want to add to Auntie's problem. That's why I will sacrifice in Manila.
I ride a tricycle out of town. When we reached the town, I saw a lot of people shopping. I walked towards the bus station.
This place is refreshing: noisier, with more people, lots of houses, and huge buildings. Is this what the town looks like? It's been a long time since I came here. What it looked like when I last visited was that there were still coconut trees around and only a few vendors. But now there is almost no space, only shops, and the coconut trees are also gone.
The big change.
I stopped watching when the bus conductor shouted. I didn't realize that I had reached the bus station. I was very interested in watching.
"Oh, one more to go!" the conductor shouted.
I approached and asked, "Boss, where is that going?"
He looked at me and said, "To Manila, hija, will you ride?"
I nodded. "Yes."
"Oh, all right, get in. The empty seat is in the back," he said before talking to the driver.
I entered the bus and immediately felt embarrassed because everyone was looking at me. I shyly walked towards the back. When I saw the empty seat that the conductor was talking about, I immediately sat down. Next to me was Lola, who is quite old.
She smiled at me before pointing to the seat next to her.
I also smiled and sat next to her.
"Good morning, Grandma," I greeted her.
"Good morning too, hija," she answered. "Where are you going?"
"To Manila."
"To venture too?"
I nodded.
"Yes, it's necessary, eh." I want to give Chael a luxurious life. I don't want us to be like this forever. My promise to Mom is that I will do everything to get us out of trouble. Even if I have to work all day and all night, I will do it just to give them a good life. But now that they are gone, I will fulfill my dreams only with Chael. This is for me and my brother.
He smiled at me worriedly. "Be careful, hija. There are many pretentious people in Manila. Especially if you're alone and you're a woman. People like you are often rude, so it's a good idea to watch the people you meet."
I smiled.
"I'm going to my Aunt's." I answered.
He didn't speak anymore and just looked outside when the bus started to leave.
This is it. It's been my life since. Father, Mother, guide me. Whatever happens, I hope the outcome will be good. I don't want to disappoint you. I don't want to disappoint Chael. I don't want to disappoint Auntie Jenna.
Because the trip was so long, I fell asleep. If Lola next to me hadn't woken me up, I wouldn't have woken up. I saw that there were only a few people on the bus.
"Where is your chin, hija?" Grandma asked.
"A-Ah, I forgot to ask my Auntie."
I took Mom's phone from the pocket of the bag I was carrying and saw that Auntie had a text on it. I also didn't know the place written in Auntie's message, so I put the phone back in the bag in shame. She told me to wait for the conductor to call the place where I will get off.
I looked at the huge buildings. As the car moves, the buildings become more and more large and the surrounding trees and grass disappear. It is replaced by flat roads and clusters of stone houses.
The difference of the province in the way it looks is magnified as I see it.
Am I in Manila yet?
Hours passed without the conductor mentioning the place where I would get off. I felt a little sleepy so I fell asleep again. I was just distracted when I felt the person next to me move. Grandma was smiling at me and I noticed that she was leaving. She said goodbye to me before leaving.
I couldn't do anything but follow her.
Where are we?
Lola got off before me so I was a bit nervous when there were almost none of the ten of us left.
- Writer
