Lamelight

Four

Upon arriving at the hospital, she immediately went to the ward, where her mother was. When she got there, her younger sister was tidying up her mother’s bed.

“How’s our mother doing?” she asked her sister.

“Still the same,” Melanie replied, and sounded frustrated at their mother’s condition.

“It’s a difficult situation, eh? I miss all the small talks I have with our mother every day.”

“Me also, ate, I miss hearing my mother’s voice; I just really wish that she would get better soon,” Melanie said in a sad voice.

“Nanay will wake up soon, don’t worry – we’ll get through it. We just have to pray,” she said in an attempt to make things brighter for her younger sister.

“Hopefully, God will hear our prayers,” she said to comfort her sister.

After giving her younger sister some instructions, she left and made her way to the club. She could never imagine that she would end up working in such a place. Her only comfort was that God sends us trials to test our faith.

One can’t choose one’s trials. God had chosen that she should work in a devil’s haunt as a pole dancer! If that’s what it took to show God she was a believer, and to save her mother she would do it!

In the Black Room

There were further “trials” awaiting Marga that she had never imagined. Some of the other girls had turned up in her dressing room, and were insulting and verbally abusing her.

“Hopefully, they will stop these insults soon,” she thought to herself.

“Well look if it isn’t the new recruit,” said one of the girls sarcastically, as she strutted into the dressing room with her hands on her hips accompanied by a couple of the other girls.

Marga didn’t want to jump to any conclusions, because so far she only knew Kris in the club. But it was plain the girl that had entered the dressing room together with a couple of the others was referring to her, although she didn’t use her name or address her directly. Marga thought she was being paranoid, so just carried on putting on her make up. She saw in the mirror that Kris had just come into the room. But, the girls continued, adding details to their initial comments.

“Yeah, Lalaine, and she acts as if she’s the prettiest here,” said another girl.

“And what annoyed me more is how Madam Gracia gave her a big role right away – as the star pole dancer,” the girl named Lalaine continued.

This complaint made it evident they were talking about Marga.

“And with that face, huh,” another girl said, and they all started sniggering.

Marga just carried on putting on her makeup, as if they weren’t there, hoping Kris would interrupt soon.

“Hey Lalaine, stop bothering Marga, or else I’ll tell Madam Gracia,” Kris said defending Marga.

“We didn’t mention any names, don’t get carried away!” Lalaine snapped in reply.

“Well, obviously, Marga is the new one here, so stop denying it,” Kris responded.

“Kris, let it go,” Marga said.

“Hmmpp! Let’s get going! There’s a bad smell in here,” said Lalaine as she marched out with her buddies.

“Tsk. what a face! She looks like a bull-frog,” said Kris when Lalaine had left the room.

“It’s ok. Let it go,” Marga said.

“That’s what they’re always like when a newbie comes here. They act stupid, because they think someone is going to steal their job.”

“Good thing you came along in time,” she said thankfully.

“It’s nothing. Next time they’re like that fight back. They’re only bothering you, because they can’t get any clients,” Kris continued.

“Well, I’m glad you really helped me out,” Marga said, smiling at Kris.

“Anyway, are you ready yet? Let’s finish your makeover,” Kris said.

“Yeah, I was just waiting for you to come actually,” she said.

“Ok, let’s get started then.”

After her makeover, Kris asked her to rehearse again. Like before, she still felt very nervous and lost.

“There you go! You’re good to go now, ha-ha,” Kris said happily

“I never imagined I’d end up doing this sort of work, and I really don’t know how to tell my mother about this job whenever she wakes up,” she said to Kris gloomily.

“She’ll probably understand, especially when you have no other options and no other means of income,” Kris said in support.

“You have to do whatever it takes for your family,” she added.

“I hope she’ll understand, and all these struggles will end,” Marga retorted.

“As long as you’re alive, the struggles of life will continue. When there are no more troubles, it will be done, you’ll be going home to live with god. But where there’s life, there’s hope,” Kris said trying to enlighten Marga’s mind with the realities of life.

She continued, “But let’s not get too melodramatic, we need to get ready, because your show starts in a minute,” Kris said while perfecting the last details of her costume and make up in front of the huge dressing room mirror.

“That’s right, and I know you’re not the one to get too melodramatic about everything. I’m ready to perform even if I’m still nervous,” she said to her.

“That’s okay, it’s normal, especially when you’re just new here. I used to be just like you before,” Kris said trying to reassure her.

“Of course, I still remember that you really wanted to be a teacher, so it really makes me wonder why you are here,” Marga said to Kris.

“No choice; you know I need to work for my family too. Just like you. I know you wanted to be a lawyer too. But because of the struggles and problems of life, we put aside our dreams, so we can work and put food on the table,” she explained with a cynical expression on her face.

“I don’t know why it is, but those people in need will always suffer more,” she added bitterly.

And they both fell into deep thoughts about life, and what the future held in store for them.