Chapter Fifty [She possesses the illusive look]The following morning, just before the sun rose in the east, Ericka attempted to follow her mother's example of getting everything ready on the table before the sun rose. She just covers it with a screen and dashes into the bathroom to change into brand-new, clean underpants after giving herself a short wash.When her parents enter the kitchen and see that Ericka made everything, she beams. Despite her physical anguish, Ericka didn't mind them, as she had to go to school early that morning.They have to wear the school uniform—a pink skirt and white blouse—that day.As per usual, Ericka feels comfortable and confident despite her monthly period because she rarely has large blood clots and doesn't worry about discomforting herself with embarrassing stains.The instructors and staff of the school are required to leave their students with a caregiver until the conclusion of the general staff meeting on that particular day.Given that Ericka
Chapter Fifty-one [ Healthy Habits]That afternoon, after eating, she wanders around the yard to see if anything needs to be put in order. She grabs some guava fruits and loves the fresh air blowing through the atmosphere as she quickly climbs the tree's branches and sits down on one limb to ponder, chewing on the brittle, semi-ripe guava fruits.She feels as if she is regaining her strength after suffering from her monthly period sickness when she suddenly spots the small green snakes slithering on one limb again. She trembles with fear as she quickly jumps over the top of the guava tree branch down the ground.“That's quite pleasant!"Ericka yelled as she walked curiously toward her parents' piggery and chicken flock, questioning each species as she saw it move and their eyes on her,“Dear roosters, chicks, and chickens, how is life treating you as our tamed fowlers, and how about you chubby, fat hogs? You appear to be growing quickly now. As soon as the buyers chose to take you for
Chapter Fifty-two [An ally or foe]Around midnight, Ericka stayed in the freshly constructed comfort room by the water pump and heard laughter coming from there. She looked out across the rugged landscape and saw a great number of army guys on horseback.The lower part of her tummy still hurts.Even though she is already exhausted, she allows her imagination to run wild before shutting her eyes because the pain has become intolerable for her. Convincingly, she closed her eyes and shook her head as if the back of her brain instructing, "My imagination creates fantasy, and what I heard is not fact. All of these things are the result of my imagination, and my emotions have deceived me. ""I am a beautiful young woman becoming a real woman who was created by God with a complete female gender and a woman nature capable of acting, thinking, feeling, and sensing what a female gender develops."Ericka says, concentrating intently."I accept and love myself completely, including my body parts,
Chapter Fifty-three [The discipline taken by the parents]John, who is walking behind her mother, simply listens as Elaine delivers a stern lecture that may cause her to cry in private.She is well aware of her mother's concern for her and her willingness to pay for her college education. However, her cherished mother is unable to comprehend her behaviour when her happy moments occur, and she is unable to make informed decisions because she does not yet possess sufficient knowledge to weigh the pros and cons for both herself and others as long as the event will bring her joy.During that particular event, for all the students and teachers who aim higher to receive an award, she excused herself to her mother by having her uncle replace her in fastening the ribbon and medal to her neck. She also blamed her mother for being late, even though she was aware that Ericka needed her at those critical times.”Because you came late and the speaker was pushing me to step down after calling my na
Chapter Fifty-four [The difficulties faced by the younger generations]To relieve their stress and exhaustion after work, Ernest speaks that evening in front of Elaine and other female farmworkers gathered at their dark dining table to sip coconut saps.He draws parallels between Ericka and her slothful female cousins, who prefer to laze around doing nothing while their parents are at work on the farm and refuse to do any housekeeping."Because her mother, who often gripes about Ericka's diligence at home, has benefited greatly from her assistance." Before others, Ernest showed Ericka affection, compliments, and favorable feedback.But Elaine often complains about Ericka's cleaning techniques, saying,”She doesn't adequately clean the underside. I can still picture dust on the floor and the odor of the clothing she washed. How could she think that I would benefit greatly from it?"Thus, Elaine concludes that Ericka's work is unsatisfactory since her cleaning technique is still not ele
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 Seventy-three [ The tiny seeds that grow into new plants ]Together with the guests, Ericka and her team sing Christian songs over and over again. Because no one ministers to them, the church workers sing other Christian songs that touch everyone's heart with their captivating, fantastic voice quality and lyrics, reawakening their spirits and souls that have been dormant for a long time.The Ericka group continues to sing a Christian, upbeat song nonstop, countering the opponents' strength and overwhelming the people's tumultuous emotions and desperate thoughts at the time.The upbeat songs of the youngsters, led by Ericka and the young church workers, revive even the inebriated laborers, defeating the power and effect of alcohol in their wretched lives.Together with the band, they sing a variety of upbeat tunes about God's goodness to His people till the sun rises in the east.Each line of the songs that Ericka and the group of church employees sing awakens and touches every
Chapter Seventy-two [ The Heart's music]Darwin recalls the horror that occurred when the government invaded the insurgents' camp.“The person in the Fox face mask uses a tiny spotlight in her lighter to target anyone at the campsite who is using drugs or having sex in an unethical manner.” Including“The tiger-faced female teacher, who seemed rebellious, almost sniffed every stick in the pouches, which caused her to develop a sex addiction. In contrast, I was still mentally sound at the time since he only sampled one stick. She has lost her sense of good and wrong since she is under the influence of illegal and prohibited narcotics used by syndicates, who convince her to rebel against the corrupted authorities that refuse to provide her a position for which she is qualified due to her teaching profession. "Darwin further recalls,"I was able to sneak away and run to the secret route walk to follow the river as it led down to the lowlands, and it worked out well."With a heavy sigh
Chapter Seventy-one [ The shift in viewpoints for a fresh start]John and Ericka lead the group saying, "Dear friends, this is also one of the best strategies to fight laziness and kill the boring time during this time," John concluded by mentioning the morning they spent on holiday in the countryside on a farm.After sharing the fruit juice and boiled bananas that day, the young men cheerfully left the backyard as the meeting came to an end.The group finds out something went wrong after that weekend. Because the opposing parents of the impoverished young boys and girls insisted that they stay at home and assist with everyday household chores while they were conversing and mingling with the nearby parents who shared their lifestyles over the holidays, the strategic plan didn't work out as planned. “It doesn't matter, Ate Ericka, because we young teenagers are eager to study and achieve unattainable goals. In our spare time at home, we covertly make sure to put in the effort to pract
Chapter Seventy [Using literacy to combat poverty]]Using a hanging string that they were using to move from one tree to another to get to their destination, Ericka, John, and the other senior students who are Ericka's classmates also jump abruptly from the huge trees in an effort to stop the filthy, immoral activities of the rebel leaders and to seize their illegal firearms, which they then throw and burn in the fire. They deliberately dump a big log as well.Even when the group members made a concerted effort to disrupt their activities, Horsey and his female partner didn't care what they did and kept manipulating one another in the center. At that point, Ericka and Alona learn that the gang's leaders are using illegal narcotics, while other members are already involved and addicted. Most of them are high on illegal drugs and don’t care anymore what’s going on around them as long as they can satisfy each other’s fleshly desires. To make it difficult for people under the influence
Chapter Sixty-nine [ The group known as Young Rebel] That day, Ericka is aware that her teacher might view her absences as an excuse, and she was unable to participate in group activities, quizzes, and daily recitations.She is already disappointed and wanted to congratulate Alona, her biggest rival for the highest honor student award for that school year's graduating class.“Since the school administration employs me to flaunt my beauty at school and fiesta parade activities as well as evening parties, I am aware that people in this town view me as the brightest star in the universe. They all knew who I was, but I missed class performances because of all those things.Her eyes turn gloomy,Ericka went on to say, "It makes a difference," "I would rather join the group of young rebels and help them change their perspective so that everyone is motivated to return and have faith in the government because nothing in this universe is perfect. “Adding,"The entire class was making fun of
Chapter Sixty-eight [The brightest star ]As they continue their conversation, Ericka and John had already left the school grounds."My darling younger brother, that would be fantastic. If you can achieve what you tell me now, I will be proud of you. I'll help you in my small ways, too. Do not be afraid to ask for my assistance if you are having trouble with your subjects. "Even though her written test was extremely difficult, Ericka is content as they stroll home in the late afternoon.When Ericka and John arrive at the large river close to the agricultural plantation, it is already dusk. Darwin and his family are inside the car, watching them settle in and rest while taking off their shoes and socks and still hoping to see the brightest stars above the vast, unclouded heavens.“Ericka started to sing,”Twinkle, twinkle little stars,How I wonder where you are,High and up above the sky,Shining as the brightest star.” John laughs as he remarks on her song's lyrics."Hey Ericka, ar
Chapter Sixty-seven [ The challenges faced by the students]Due to Ericka and John’s important written test that afternoon, Ericka is in a condition of rapid thinking and is fast to get out of the car, which has been gradually drying out due to the sunny days. Darwin also laughs at John's amusement at Ericka's attempts to dissuade him from joining the gang.As soon as the two students arrive at school, they still feel full and they take their seats. They just sat down after eating lunch with the workers, so their hands are clean. But the two students have the attitude to ask blessings every time they arrive home and before they leave their parents by getting their parents' right hand and placing it on each of their foreheads as signs of respect and considering their parents as God’s representative on Earth.When Ericka and John stealthily retrieve the plates and a spoon to fill with rice and green beans cooked with coconut milk and combined with green leafy vegetables and dried fis
Chapter Sixty-six [The Campground's Secret Group]Despite the group's awareness, Horsey the Chieftain is likewise not staying there. He left behind his other pals, who were popular with outsiders despite not seeming to be Filipino.He leaves the hidden site on black horses with a solitary female companion, and she led him to the waterfalls, where he silently navigates the lowlands in a boat.Sometimes he changes his facial camouflage, and when he reaches his car, he shows everyone who he is, hiding all of his camouflage in the plastic boxes buried in a secure place.A person may easily recognize him as a friend of the farmers in the area where Ericka and John live and go to school if they know the color of his car.However, because he is concealing his true identity, no one realizes that the tall, dark, gorgeous, and good-looking foreigner is one of the most formidable adversaries of corrupt government officials who might eventually jeopardize the peace and order of the democratic gov
Chapter Sixty-five [ The Lion and the fox]While she is already doing her housework in the bedroom, Ericka responds to her cousin's letter of invitation and asks her mother to send it to him in case he comes.When her two male cousins show up, Erica hides and gives her mother a covert signal regarding the letter. She can see her two male cousins' dejected and frowning faces as they leave the bedroom through the hidden openings.Elaine asks them in a loud voice, feeling curious,"Hold on, my two nephews. Are you no longer attending school? Since your third significant written test is tomorrow, as far as I can tell, you should begin reviewing your lessons right away. “"Don't worry about it, Auntie. We have control over our written exam. We are confident that we can still graduate from secondary school even if we don't review our lessons because our teachers can assist us in all of our topics.After high school, working on farms is undoubtedly our fate. Unless a new opportunity to work