Chapter Fifty-five [ Identifying the three cross pathways]In the back of her tired mind, Ericka thought sarcastically that those interesting boys were trying to get rid of her till she left the school grounds for a semester break.But Ericka also lacks peace because her parents are focused on staying in the rice fields all week long, and her female classmates are idle and bother her while she is thinking in the farmhouse. They cheerfully invited Ericka to join them for a gang visit to swim in a remote waterfall with her male classmates, and she couldn't say no. Ericka is aware that she will face new difficulties as the gang will undoubtedly watch to see which of the girls will draw the boys to the swimming competition.“No! Since nobody will be left to watch over our residence here, I am unable to go to such a swimming party!”As one friend responded, Ericka's eyes widened and turned round.“Because you have amazing dogs that faithfully bark occasionally when something moves around
Chapter Fifty-six [Granted prayer request]"Sister, come with me! Since the sun is still waiting to set and allow the shadows of darkness to engulf the entire area, let's attempt to follow this path right now. Let's seize this chance. It's Thursday today and Friday tomorrow. One more day is available for us to explore and learn about the hidden areas close to our neighborhood and what awaits us at the end of this path trek.”When John says this, Ericka becomes intrigued and holds his hand as they eagerly go along the weedy trail. “Is it safe to bring this back to our residence, in your opinion? We could get lost in the process.”Adding,“It appears that only cars have been using this pathway for a very long time. John, which vehicle is coming in and using this path?"Since they never bring a weapon against silent intruders, John declines to respond and tells Ericka to keep quiet so as not to disturb any other living beings that may be there. He coiled a stiff vine after noticing it. Hi
Chapter Fifty-seven [ The water falls]Ericka speaks softly, saying“God heard your plea and granted you a younger sister or brother, my dear Teddy. It is your responsibility to look after Mom and her child.” Darwin finds what Ericka mentions surprisingly.“I had no idea that my son wanted a brother or sister. He longs for a large family, which is why they view you both as his brothers and sisters.Darwin chuckles as he gives him a big hug and invites him to go home to prepare for tomorrow's event.“We shall be leaving her before eight in the morning, Kuya. It would be wise to exercise caution, advise Ate Natalia to get enough sleep, and offer our congratulations on the new life she has inside her womb. May God bless you!"Ericka says this before Darwin and Teddy cheerfully depart.They were all restless and anxious about the upcoming events tomorrow, so they were unable to get a good night's sleep that night. Teddy constantly asks her mother how she is feeling and kisses her while c
Chapter Fifty-eight [The Challengers ]Darwin and Teddy, as well as John, are so amazed and feel awesome at how they warmly welcome them and provide all their needs.Thinking about what they brought as part of their share of the birthday treats, Ericka looks at John.“When everything we need is readily available and free, do we still need the ripe bananas and charcoal that we attempted to carry? All we have to do is write down what we want, and they will deliver it right away!"Darwin and Teddy concurred with delight, and Ericka laughed quietly."And observe! It appears that this waterfall tourist destination still has something intriguing to offer. It appears to be a centre of worship for our beloved God over there.The image of our Lord Jesus Christ is located in a man-made garden that is comparable to the Garden of Gethsemane, and the sky is open and glistening with lights as bright as the sun.”Ericka demonstrates as Alona and Neste approach them and join her, who appears to have
Chapter Fifty-nine [Diving Sharply and Nose Dive]It's a steep diving challenge for Ericka. She is currently focusing on how it operates while on the air. She is further able to recall her trainer's instructions:“When diving, you lift your two straight arms over your head and let gravity carry your body freely until you reach the water's surface.When you tilt your body upside down and concentrate on diving straight to the water's surface, with your fingertips touching the water's surface first, it can protect your head. Your hands should firmly focus with straight arms until your head, shoulders, and entire body reach and submerge the water.To reach the target underwater, your two powerful, firm hands extend overhead until your entire body flips over, shielding your head with your two long, powerful arms.Like a bird that is about to nosedive and swoop straight to the water's surface, Ericka doesn't care about anything else anymore and maintains the same body posture while doing so
Chapter One [ Returning home gives new hope and strength]After going through all of her strange, arduous, and heartbreaking romantic encounters, she is dressed nicely for travel.She is returning to the place where she was born and raised as a quirky, unusual pussycat who was also incredibly intelligent, vocal, and a little fighter.The torrential rainstorms that destroyed all the family's plants and animals caused the farm plantation to collapse.She left the city on a massive ship that had to travel a wide ocean in order to manage and settle the abandoned countryside, where she ran into her former ridiculed classmates.At first, she was once-bullied, young girl who feels that love is a paradise of temptation. She believed that she was already properly attired as she entered the funeral service for her distant relatives who had perished due to misfortune, which was held at the end of the road leading to the school, market, and business district of the barrio, which was two kilometer
Chapter two [[Early childhood memories resurface: Many shocks]That early afternoon of December,Ericka thinks with her eyes wide open that her ex-boyfriend who she considers her husband would show up with his family and surprise them. She asserts," What? We have nothing to offer because everything has fallen apart. Here, even mineral-infused filtered water is useless. I still need to get clean water out of the running water, and I need to boil it first to kill any bacteria that could cause amoebiasis or other gastrointestinal disorders.”As her gaze shifts to her Ate Lorie, who has begun to feed her elder brother's pet carabao with a bunch of green bananas, she takes pleasure in watching the animal masticate the food while tilting its head. She didn't say anything; she just looked and talked about the problems.Until they both made the decision to embrace their lack of everything and whatever negative emotions that go along with it, Ericka continued.“They must be fatigued, thirsty,
Chapter Three[The early childhood days: The Favorites]Ericka finds herself in a difficult situation as she recalls a stage of her youth when, on a summer morning spent on a farm, she anxiously searched through her mother's clothing box for what seemed like an emergency while muttering,"for my double-lined dress, which is the only one I currently own but is now old, worn out, and full of scratches. I have another sort that is brown but has already been used as rags. It has thin, transparent woven fabric linings and is constructed of silky fabric in the color sky blue.”Little Ericka intently peered down at the family's wooden old box before tilting her weary neck and gazing upward in distaste.She gradually became weary of gazing at the long mirror that was affixed to their drawers and hurried over to her shrewd cousins.She is grateful that they got to meet her during her lonely, uninteresting, and pointless childhood.“The Community Center, which was next to the school's border on