Chapter 1
1852 Words
I took a deep breath before knocking on my aunt's door.
"Who's that?" she shouted from inside the house.
"It's Camilla, Auntie!" I replied.
After a few moments, the door opened.
"I told you that I don't have any money to give," Tita said seriously. It seems like my timing isn't good.
"Try to look for Amanda's relatives; maybe you can ask for help from them." I sighed. I didn't say anything else. I was just hoping that she might be able to offer some assistance.
She sighed and shook her head.
"Your mother is so foolish! I don't know what she saw in your father," she said irritably.
"I'm leaving now, Aunt," I bid goodbye because I couldn't bear to listen to what she would say next.
And it's been several years since both my mother and father passed away. I don't understand why they still need to blame someone who's already gone."
I sighed and started walking back to the hospital. It was just seven in the morning, so the sun's rays weren't too hot on the skin. It would be a waste of money to take a tricycle.
My sister Amanda is confined to the hospital. She needs to undergo surgery.
That's why I'm currently worried about where I'll get the money for her operation.
We are really helpless. We have relatives, but no one wants to help.
Their reason is that Amanda, my sister, is not really their blood relative. Amanda is my half-sister from my father's side. She is the child of my late father and another woman.
They say Amanda's mother died after giving birth to her. That's why my father had no other choice but to bring her home.
I was just two days old when Dad brought Amanda home, according to Mom. I can't understand why Mom agreed. When I think about Mom's situation back then, it's like I get a headache. But because my mother is kind and selfless, she accepted Amanda. She said Amanda did nothing wrong. She even treated her like a real child. She raised us together.
While my father continued with his womanizing ways, he remained an irresponsible father. He neglected to support Mom in raising me. And it's very unfortunate that he added to Mom's responsibilities.
I admire Mom's kindness because she accepted and loved Amanda.
To support me and Amanda, my mother left us with our neighbor so that she could go to work and earn money for our milk and diapers.
She took all the responsibility to raise me and my sister.
Until one day, our father passed away.
According to reports, the man shot the woman he was in love with. They were caught allegedly performing a miracle at the woman's house. Perhaps the husband's lover's vision darkened due to extreme anger. Without hesitation, he shot both the man and the woman.
According to Mom, she didn't find it difficult to support us siblings. She said that if you love your children, raising them isn't a burden.
Our lives became better too. We were able to eat three times a day. Mom provided for our needs. Above all, she enriched us with love. But when we reached the age of fifteen, Mom fell seriously ill.
She was afflicted with cancer. She stayed in the hospital for several months because her body had weakened. Some of the possessions saved up by my mother were sold just to pay for the hospital bills. Eventually, even our house was sold by her siblings to afford the medications he needed.
But after a few months, she passed away. Perhaps she got tired of fighting.
Losing her was extremely painful. But Amanda and I need to stay strong. We have to accept that Mom can only be there until then. That we won't be able to be with her anymore.
I witnessed how she writhed in pain. Her weight also dropped. She became so skinny. Her skin turned pale, and her lips were peeling. Perhaps it's better for her to rest completely so she won't suffer anymore.
Aunt Betsay took us in; she's Mom's youngest sibling. She's still single at the age of thirty-two. Our situation with her is okay. She didn't treat us that nicely, but I'm thankful that she didn't mistreat us like other kids taken in by relatives.
However, we need to work for every grain of rice that we eat. We need to work hard to be able to go to school.
Early in the morning, Amanda and I go to the market to sell. This used to be Mom's spot, which Tita Betsay has taken over now.
We will be the ones to sell first until Aunt Betsay arrives. In the evening, after selling at the market, she goes straight to the gambling place, which is a few blocks away from home.
She will come home at two or three in the morning. She will wake up around nine in the morning. Then she will immediately head to the market to replace us because Amanda and I have to go to school.
After our class, we will go home for a moment to change our clothes. After that, we will go straight to the market to help Aunt Betsay.
At first, we struggled, but eventually we got used to it. Somehow, my siblings and I are still lucky.
But everything changed when Amanda and I finished high school.
Aunt Betsay brought a man home, introduced as her boyfriend. And that he would be living with us as well. Everything was fine at first. The aunt's boyfriend was kind. Until one night, I was surprised when he entered the bathroom while I was taking a shower.
I was so startled that I screamed and hit him with a dipper. I yelled for help from the neighbors. Fortunately, the houses were close to one another, so they could hear even the slightest noise.
When he heard the loud noises from the approaching neighbors, he quickly ran away.
After a few hours, Aunt Betsay returned. I was shocked when she suddenly slapped me and said I was flirtatious. She accused me of flirting with her boyfriend.
I couldn't believe that she sided with her boyfriend.
After shouting at me and saying hurtful words, she went into our room with Amanda. When she came out, she was already carrying our clothes.
She kicked us out. It's frustrating that she chose her boyfriend over me, her own niece.
We went to the house of my mom's other sibling. She didn't accept us. She said that her house is already cramped, so she couldn't accommodate both Amanda and me.
She said only I could stay. They couldn't fully accept Amanda since she's the child of my father and another woman.
I can't just abandon Amanda. She's my sister. Even though she's considered a child of our father's mistake, that doesn't change the fact that we're still siblings. If my mother accepted and loved her, how much more should I, her flesh and blood?
Fortunately, my mom's friend is kind. She let us stay at their house. It's small and cramped because she has many children, but somehow we're still managing. It's better than wandering the streets with Amanda.
Since we are no longer able to attend college, we decided to sell in Divisoria to earn money. We borrowed capital from a moneylender. We pay it off daily. We sell coffee, bread, cup noodles, candies, and cigarettes.
We sell from early morning until evening. Somehow, the earnings are somewhat decent.
After a few months, we are debt free. We also managed to save a small amount of money, so we decided to just rent a small room. My siblings and I agreed to pursue our studies. We applied for a scholarship at the city hall.
We were about to enroll when something happened. Amanda suddenly fainted. I rushed her to the nearest hospital, and the doctor who examined her said she needed to undergo surgery.
I don't know where I'll get a large amount of money for his operation. I have nowhere else to turn. I tried approaching lenders, but they rejected my loan request. Perhaps they know I can't afford to repay.
I took a deep breath and wiped off the sweat. Upon arriving at the hospital, I immediately went to the ward where my sibling was. They were still asleep. I looked at them with teary eyes. Seeing them like this, I couldn't help but remember when our mother was lying in the hospital bed.
I can't bear to lose a loved one again. Amanda is the only family I have.
I took a deep breath. My throat hurt from holding back my emotions. I sniffed as a tear fell.
I sighed. I don't want Amanda to see me crying; it might make her feel even worse.
I slowly walked out of the ward. I will just take a breather outside and calm myself.
My God, please help my sibling! I know you can perform miracles. Heal her, my God.
Tears streamed down my face, and I couldn't hold back my sobbing any longer.
My knees are weak, so I almost lost my balance. I stopped walking and leaned against the wall.
I softly sobbed because of the weight of the problem I'm carrying right now. I can't bear to lose Amanda.
I was startled when someone held onto my shoulder. I wiped my tears before looking at the owner of the hand resting on my shoulder.
This is an old woman. She has a perceptive and subtle smile on her lips.
"Are you okay?" she asked, even though she knew I wasn't fine. I shook my head.
"Do you have a relative here in the hospital?" she asked. I nodded.
"My sister. She needs to undergo surgery. But I don't have money for her operation." I cried again. The elderly woman sighed.
"I know someone who can give you the money you need," she said. I was surprised by what she said, but somehow I felt hopeful even though I didn't know her.
"Let's go to the canteen so we can talk," she invited me. I nodded and went with her.
I'm nervous about this, but I'm hopeful that she might be the miracle I've been praying for.
"Have you eaten?" she asked as we entered the canteen. My stomach rumbled just as my face turned slightly embarrassed, and I shook my head.
She smiled and nodded. She ordered food for me. She told me to eat first before we discussed what she mentioned earlier. I ate quickly. After I finished eating, I felt nervous in my chest again.
"I'm Manang Myrna," she introduced herself.
"My employer is looking for a woman who can bear his child," she said, which surprised me.
I stared blankly and couldn't immediately process what she said.
They're looking for a paid woman; is that what she means?
I shook my head.
"He will pay one million in exchange for bearing the child." I gulped at what I heard. Is it true? One million?
- Writer
