Chapter 4

"I’ll call Ate Jessie. Do you want to talk to her? I’ve mentioned your plans to her before. She told me there might be openings at her office, although that was some time ago. But there are plenty of other companies in Manila, Lyrica," Mildred offered.

"Are you sure it’s okay? Won’t your cousin find it bothersome?" I asked hesitantly.

"Of course not. Don’t worry about it; Ate is really kind," Mildred assured me.

"Great! This way, we’ll have a ninang who’s a Manila girl!" Krisha teased, lightening the mood.

"Okay, I suppose it won’t hurt to try," I said, smiling faintly.

Mildred dialed her cousin Ate Jessie’s number. The phone rang several times before she answered, her background noisy.

"Hello, Mildred? Why are you calling? Is something wrong?" Ate Jessie asked.

"Nothing’s wrong, Ate. Are you busy? I just have a quick question," Mildred replied sweetly.

"Not really. I’m just hanging out at a bar after work—chilling, you know," her cousin said with a laugh.

"What’s your question?"

"It’s about my friend Lyrica—the one I mentioned before. She’s determined to move to Manila. Do you think you can help her get a job?" Mildred asked politely.

"Oh, about that. Unfortunately, my company isn’t hiring anymore," Ate Jessie said apologetically. My heart sank at her words.

"I see... That’s too bad. But she’s really serious about moving there, Ate. Could I ask a favor? Maybe she could stay with you temporarily while she job-hunts?"

"Hmm, that could work, as long as she chips in for rent. Just make sure she’s trustworthy, Mildred. It’s tough out here, and I can’t deal with unreliable people. She also has to be resilient—job interviews can be brutal here, you know," Ate Jessie teased with a laugh.

"Of course, Ate. I promise, Lyrica is great. She just needs an opportunity," Mildred assured her.

"Alright, have her call me tomorrow. It’s my day off, so we can talk then. I need to go now; my friends are calling me," Ate Jessie said.

"Thank you so much, Ate!" Mildred said excitedly.

"There you go, girl! You have a chance now!" Krisha cheered, clapping her hands. Even I couldn’t help but feel a glimmer of hope.

"We’ll help with your lost savings," Marco said with a sigh, rubbing his temple.

"See? That’s what friends are for. Support, Marco!" Mildred teased.

"Of course, but it’ll still be a loan. Lyrica doesn’t like free handouts. She always insists on paying things back," Wren laughed.

"That’s true! I remember treating her to lunch once, and the next Saturday, she showed up early at my house to help with my laundry," Krisha recalled, laughing.

Our small hut echoed with laughter, and by 10 p.m., our drinking session ended on a happy note. I felt a bit dizzy but was still in control. Marco, who hadn’t drunk much since he’d be driving, offered to take me home.

"We’re heading out. Take care on your way home, alright?" Wren said as he got on his father’s tricycle.

"You too, drive safely—it’s a bumpy road ahead," Marco replied.

"Goodbye, girls. Take care, okay? And hey, take care of these two," Krisha said, hugging me and Mildred.

"Of course! It’s not like we’re abandoning you, Krisha," Mildred said, laughing.

"We’ll still keep in touch. Make sure you load up your phones for calls, Lyrica!" Krisha added, laughing as she pointed at my outdated phone.

"Don’t worry; I’ll get a better phone someday," I joked, holding up my old keypad phone.

We all laughed, but tears welled up in my eyes.

"You’re all so kind to me. I’m truly thankful to have friends like you," I said, wiping away my tears.

"Of course! We’re friends because we’re all good people," Krisha replied dramatically.

Mildred burst into laughter. "When did you become good, Krisha?"

We continued laughing until Marco interrupted, "Alright, it’s getting late. Let’s go."

As Marco and I rode off on his motorcycle, we stopped by a small store near the rice fields. It was a spot we often hung out at.

After sitting down, Marco looked at me with a solemn expression. "Are you really sure about leaving?"

"I am. It’s for my family," I replied with a faint smile.

Marco sighed deeply. "Lyrica, can’t you just stay? Once I graduate, I’ll take care of you and your family. Please, don’t go."

"Marco, we’ve talked about this. It’s not your responsibility," I said softly.

"I know, but I’m willing to take it on. Just don’t leave," he pleaded.

I sighed. "Let’s not argue about this again, Marco."

"I’m sorry," he muttered, lowering his head.

Trying to lighten the mood, I teased, "Hey, you’ll be working in Manila too. We’ll see each other there."

"Would you consider letting me court you then?" Marco asked.

"Marco, I still have so many responsibilities. That’s not on my mind right now," I answered.

"It’s always the same answer," he said with a faint laugh.

I chuckled but stopped abruptly when Marco cupped my face and gently kissed me on the lips.

I pushed him away instinctively. "I… I think we should head home now, Marco," I said, avoiding his gaze.

When I arrived home, I immediately excused myself from Marco. I didn’t even wait for him to say anything.

“Oh, coming home late, Lyrica?” Kuya Roy said sarcastically.

I was surprised to see him sitting in the living room with his wife and child.

“Just this once, Kuya. I was out with Krisha,” I replied calmly.

“You chose to hang out instead of helping out here at home. We got here, and there was no food prepared. My family hasn’t eaten yet. There are so many of you here, and no one thought to make dinner!” he angrily retorted.

“That’s not true, Kuya. I came home earlier after work and brought ingredients for cooking. Annika? Didn’t I ask you to cook it?”

Annika just shook her head at me. Of course, she was scared of Ate Cynthia and Kuya Roy.

“Don’t deny it! Ate told me you never contribute! You only work for yourself, huh? Don’t forget you have nieces here drinking milk and siblings in school. You better not end up coming home pregnant one day, expecting Dad to take care of your child. You’re shameless! Coming home drunk at this hour. Selfish and irresponsible! And Ate said you’ve been gone for hours!”

I felt my anger rise at his words.

“So Ate had the nerve to complain about me? And what if I went out? I spent my own money!” I let out a bitter laugh. Dad stood up and approached me.

“Enough, Lyrica. Let it go. Let your siblings be,” he said in a calming voice.

I wasn’t sure if it was the alcohol or my pent-up frustrations, but I couldn’t hold back.

“No, Dad, I’m sorry, but this has gone too far.” I sighed deeply, tears streaming down my face.

“Cynthia, you’ve crossed the line. And you, Kuya? Did Ate tell you she’s been stealing the money I’ve been saving for my move to Manila? That she spent it all on her vices? I’ve already taken on the role of father to her kids, yet she still says these things about me? And you, Kuya? What about the times you’ve come home just to ask Dad and me for money? When I can’t give you anything, you hurl hurtful words at me. But when you have money, you don’t even think of giving any to Dad! You know we still have siblings in school!” I cried harder, my voice breaking.

“I know you don’t see me as your sibling anymore, but could you at least treat me as a person? Whatever wrongs Mom may have done to you, I don’t know. Don’t take it out on me because you chose to ruin your own lives instead of fixing them. I’m tired too, Ate, Kuya…” I sobbed. Everyone in the room fell silent.

I walked out of the house, leaving them behind. As I walked, I called Marco.

“Hello, Lyrica? Are you angry? I’m sorry about earlier. I was just—” I cut him off.

“Marco…” I said, my voice trembling as I cried.

“Where are you?” he asked, sounding frantic.

“I’m walking to your place.”

“I’ll come get you.” He ended the call.

I stopped by the roadside, waiting.

“Lyrica…” I saw Marco quickly getting off his motorbike and running toward me. He took off his jacket and put it around me.

I clung to him, needing someone on my side. I felt so alone. Even Dad, who I thought would stand up for me, never did. His loyalty was always with Ate and Kuya.

“What happened to you, child? Come inside and sit down,” Nanay Lucing said with concern as Marco led me into their house. His parents were there too.

“I’m sorry for the trouble…” I murmured, looking down and holding onto Marco’s jacket.

“Oh no, child, you’re not a bother. Sit down. I’ll make you some coffee,” said Mama Shiela, Marco’s mom.

Despite feeling embarrassed, I sat down.

“What happened to you, child? I saw you looking fine at the market earlier! Did someone harass you? Come, let’s go to the barangay hall,” Tatay Isko said firmly.

“N-no, it’s nothing.”

“She had some problems at home, Tatay. Let’s not ask her about it now,” Marco said with a sigh. Tatay Isko calmed down.

Mama Shiela came out of the kitchen with a cup of coffee for me. She must’ve heard Marco’s explanation.

“Alright, you can stay here tonight. Marco, prepare your room for Lyrica. You’ll sleep here in the living room,” she instructed. Marco nodded and went to his room.

“I’ll get you some clothes to change into, child,” Nanay Lucing said gently, tapping my shoulder.

“Thank you so much,” I said, wiping my tears. I felt embarrassed, but I had nowhere else to go. I couldn’t stay at Mildred’s house because her family disapproved of me. Krisha’s house wasn’t an option either since they were staying with her in-laws.

Marco’s family had always treated me like one of their own. Whenever I had problems, they were quick to take me in.

I remembered the first time I stayed here. I was in high school when I came home to find Kuya Roy drunk and raging. He blamed me for all his bad luck in life. Dad sided with him and told me to leave. With nowhere else to go, Marco’s parents welcomed me.

A vibration in my pocket snapped me out of my thoughts. It was a text from Annika.

From: Annika

Ate, Dad said not to come home for now. Kuya Roy is furious and argued with Dad. He’s worried Kuya might do something to you.

I didn’t reply. It was always the same whenever Ate and Kuya fought with me. I was the one Dad told to leave. Tonight was the first time I ever talked back to Kuya. Usually, I just kept quiet, letting their harsh words wash over me. But in the end, I was always the one at fault.

I was pulled back to reality when Mama Shiela held my hand.

“You’ll get through this, child. Just don’t do anything that will hurt you, okay? You can always talk to me and your Tatay Isko,” she said softly.

“Yes, Mama. I’m sorry for always running here when I have problems. I just don’t know where else to go,” I said, wiping my tears.

“That’s okay, child. Our home is always open for you. Do you understand?” she said, smiling and wiping my tears away.

“Yes, Mama,” I replied, nodding.

Mama Shiela was a friend of my mom’s. I only found out about it when Marco brought me here. She met Tatay Isko in another town, but they moved back here to be with Nanay Lucing. Marco transferred here in time for our first year of high school.

“The room’s ready, Lyrica. Do you want to rest now?” Marco asked as he returned.

“Yes, child. It’s been a long day for you. Get some rest,” Tatay Isko said, and Mama Shiela nodded.

“Here are the clothes. Go ahead and change, Lyrica,” Nanay Lucing said, returning with some garments.

“Thank you so much, everyone. Thank you so much…” I said, still crying. It was embarrassing, but I truly didn’t know what else to do.