Best Regards, Feli

Chapter 1

At twenty-four, most young people thought they would have achieved half of their dreams. Feli thought the same but now that she reached that age, she realized that it was just a figment of her wild imagination when she was a teenager.

In reality, it was hard to start somewhere, especially when all she thought about was how to make sure that her family had enough for bills and savings. No money meant no happiness in life. That was her truth.

"Money can't buy happiness? Bullcrap," she mumbled. "I need money to buy things that'll make me happy," Feli said with contempt.

"First of all, don't curse. The students might hear you," Josie hissed while looking around. "Second, you'll be happy to hear that tomorrow's pay day," she pointed out in a sing-song voice.

The two of them were in the Teachers' office, checking their students' assignments. Feli's eyes widened in delight as soon as the word pay day left Josie's mouth. But her shoulders fell when she thought that she had to make budget plans for her salary.

"Once I get my salary, it'll vanish in no time," she said.

"What about your pay for the tutor classes?"

"That is indeed heaven sent. If I don't have that extra income from ESL tutorials, I won't have my own savings."

It had been almost a year since Feli got a permanent job as an English teacher for Grade 8 students at the National High School; and almost a year since she started teaching online classes. Though she complained about money most of the time, she was thankful that she had these sources of income.

"Alright! That's the sound of freedom," Feli said as the five o'clock alarm blasted in the air, indicating that office hours were done.

"Just in time. I'm done checking the outputs," Josie also shared as she stretched her arms. Her best friend gathered her students' outputs in arts and put them inside the locker. Josie had been teaching MAPEH or Music, Arts, Physical Education, and Health and Feli could definitely say that Josie fitted her teaching field.

"I'm done for now, too. Is Ben fetching you?"

"Yeah. He texted that he won't work overtime today so he'll drop by," Josie replied.

"Take care. See you tomorrow!" she said as she bid her friend goodbye.

Josie's husband almost always brought and fetched her everyday. On the other hand, Feli had three high school boys who walked her home. And she knew that they might be waiting for her in the school shed.

"Hey, Ate Feli! How's your day?" Andre asked as he approached her and carried her heavy bags.

"My eyes are getting dry from reading my students' essays. How about you two?" she asked.

"My eyes are also getting dry from copying my classmate's essay," August replied which earned him a slap in the arm.

"That's cheating!" Feli exclaimed.

"Relax, Ate Feli. He's joking," Andre assured her.

Andrius and Augustin were the twins in the family and both of them were in junior high school now. They always call her Ate as a sign of respect for an older sister (or older woman in general).

"Wait, where's Aaron?" Feli asked as she looked around searching for their youngest brother.

"There he is," Andre pointed towards Aaron, who was running towards them.

"Guess what! Guess what!" Aaron exclaimed when he reached them. The 9th grader was still out of breath from his run but he was excited about something.

"I'm tired of guessing answers in exams. Just tell us already," August demanded. Feli glared at him and he smiled sheepishly.

"I am the representative for the regional science contest! This is gonna be thrilling," their youngest brother said cheerfully.

"You do realize you have to study for that contest, right?" August asked.

"Yes, I know. I have to prepare if I want to enter the National competition," Aaron replied.

"Only you could be so happy to study," August shook his head.

They all congratulated Aaron and even with August's side remarks, Feli knew that he was proud of Aaron.

They continued walking home which was only fifteen minutes away from the school. While the boys were chatting about basketball, Feli was thinking about Aaron's allowance. The school might provide funds for the lodging but she was sure that the transportation and food for this contest was not covered. And since her brother was a real genius, he had a great chance to reach the Nationals. That meant he needed more allowance.

She was overthinking again. She breathed deeply and planned on how she could fit this in their budget.

"Ate Feli. You okay back there?" Andre asked, seemingly aware of her racing thoughts.

She realized that she was walking slowly and that she fell behind. Feli forced a smile and replied one of the greatest lies of humankind, "I'm okay."

---

Once they arrived home, the three boys immediately prepared to help out in the cafeteria situated on their front porch. Their mother had hired help during lunch rush hour but the help could not stay until the dinner rush hour because, well, they could not afford to pay her a full-time salary.

Instead of joining club activities after school, the boys chose to help in the cafeteria and sari-sari store. At first, Feli wanted them to join these organizations as she did when she was in high school. But her brothers were perceptive of their financial situation, and decided on their own. They chose to help in the family business.

"Mano po, Mama," they all greeted their mother one by one, by touching the back of her hand lightly on their foreheads.

"Where's Papa?" Feli asked.

"Your father is in the kitchen washing the dishes. How are you kids?"

"We're good. I'll go help Papa," August said and went to the kitchen. Andre helped at the counter while Aaron manned the sari-sari store as he told their mother all about school.

Her mother, Fidela D. Montes was a housewife and her father, Antonio A. Montes was an Overseas Filipino Worker (OFW) who worked in construction. But that was before her father suffered from a stroke while in another country. He was laid off from work because half his body was paralyzed and their mother had to take care of him.

Now, after almost three years and with consistent therapy, her father gained most of his muscle control. He still had difficulty in speaking and had to be on a wheelchair most of the time, though.

"Mano po, Papa," she greeted her father.

"Fe-yi. How sw-ool?" Antonio asked as he slowly rinsed the dishes.

"It's fun but tiring. Especially when checking the outputs. How's your day?" She asked as she prepared her own dinner. She couldn't join them for the meal because she still had to open classes for the evening.

"Hey-ped your mo-ur in da sa-yi sa-yi store," he replied.

August also joined in their conversation about their day. Even though their father appeared enthusiastic, she knew that he was troubled. Cutting vegetables, washing dishes, and selling retail goods were not really enjoyable for him. He needed to go out there and do some field work but he hadn't fully recovered yet. But her father was still thankful for slowly healing and that he was happy to use this time with his wife and kids since he had been working abroad for years.

On the other hand, her mother had always been passionate about cooking so despite the exhausting routine, she knew that her mother enjoyed working in their cafeteria. Besides, Feli knew that her mama was happy that her papa was not several miles away from them anymore.

"Okay. I'm done eating, gotta go," she dashed out of the kitchen and went to her room. Technically, the room was occupied by three people, Feli, Fatima, and J.R.

But Fatima was in a dormitory since her university was in a different province. Fatima was taking a degree in nursing and Feli nearly gave up on her sister's dream. Good thing that Fatima worked hard for a scholarship so her tuition fee was free. But for other expenses? Not free. Ugh.

Then there was Antonio Jr. whom they call as J.R. He was also away because he entered the military academy, which thankfully did not ask for any school fees. It was the opposite, actually. The academy's policy was to give allowances to its cadets.

Since the two were away, she used their bedroom as her office, too. The only other bedroom in their tiny house was for their parents and Aaron. Andre and August could've stayed with her but they said that they don't want to disturb her while she works. So, the twins slept in the living room.

She changed from her teacher's uniform to a simple shirt and blazer. Her slacks were replaced with comfortable shorts. Her lower body would not be seen in the camera anyway.

She was 5'3" with a voluptuous body so her clothes seemed to not fit in certain areas like her butt and thighs. But her best friends often complimented her for being thicc with sizable boobs and grabbable ass. Their words, not hers.

She was a morena, the term natives used to describe someone with brown skin. She had black irises like most Asians do. Her straight black hair was cut short, only upto the point where her neck meets with her shoulders. She wanted to grow her hair out but it would entail using more shampoo and conditioner. So, she decided against it.

It was ten minutes before seven in the evening. After applying baby powder and lip tint, she looked at herself once more and smiled. She was ready to meet her students.

---

AUTHOR'S NOTES:

Vocabulary guide -

1. Ate = Pronounced as /a-te/ not /eyt/ This is used to show respect to an older female relative (sister) or older female, in general.

2. Sari-sari store = A small neighborhood store selling a variety of goods

3. Mano po = A sign of respect to elders. The person giving the greeting bows towards the offered hand of the elder and presses his or her forehead on the elder's hand.

4. Overseas Filipino Worker = Filipino who has employment in another country

5. Morena/Moreno = Description for females/males with brown skin

**For clarification of the education system in the Philippines: Kindergarten > Elementary (Grades 1-6) > High School (Grades 7-10) > Junior High School (1 yr) > Senior High School (1 yr) > College(4 or 5 yrs... maybe more if we don't graduate on time hehe)