Chapter Fifteen [The poison of snakes]Ericka was the second-youngest child of farmers Elaine and Ernest when she was born. In the unfortunate circumstances brought on by Ericka's snake bites within the gloomy, shadowy banana and coconut plantation near the river bank, their ten already-adult children returned home to assist their parents. It's 12 o'clock. Rainy days in the month of July, following the oppressive heat of the summer, make it difficult for people in the southwest of the island to go to work and school."Ericka has been uncomfortably bedridden in the provincial hospital for two months now, Mama, Papa. We should find a solution how to change our dangerous situation that has caused our farm to be mortgaged by the bank because we must pay Ericka's rising medical expenses and additional prescription medication."The eldest of the 10 adult children, who are currently employed abroad, said after examining their expenses.“Arnold, you better withdraw your savings first. We are
Chapter Sixteen [ The new encounter with strangers]Ericka is aware that large sacks of rice grains have been kept in their barns, which were built at the foot of the mountain.” It is safe there because it is covered by big branches of Catmon trees anyway. They will not steal it. If they ask for provision, they should ask my father. He is not stingy not to give them what they need. I know they are mountain people who go down here when full moon is bright.”Ericka speculates as she is moving her bowels inside the separated comfort room down stairs.She had already done her bowel movements after five minutes and wash her bottom as she slowly turn to the faucet to take a bath. The faucet is situated few meters from the stairwaysShe removes all her clothes and hide behind the shadows and quickly pour down a small handy pail of water to her naked body until she is done scrubbing and soaping then cleansing and she quickly wrap her body with big bath towel.She ran upstairs forgetting her
Chapter Seventeen [ Recuperation]Ericka goes to the farm with her quick-moving, hard-working parents in the early morning before breakfast.“This is just amazing. It caused me to reanimate as a brand-new being, Ma, Pa.”She exclaimed joyfully as her tiny, slender feet with rubber slippers passed through the early morning scent of fresh, light dew of the grass.Ericka's thin, white, and silky legs are pierced by the cogon grasses that are growing in profusion on both sides of the trail as they slowly climb the mountain in the early morning. Her mother notes that Ericka is neglecting the irritants because she is so excited.Look, my dear Ericka, from now on, I would advise that you swiftly grab long pants, a long-sleeved blouse, and a wider hat whenever you walk to the rice field with us so that irritants won't hinder your joy. “Mother stated adding,"When you enter the plantation to gather edible ferns and mushrooms following a downpour and thunder and lightning, do the same added wit
Chapter Eighteen [Leaving amazed]On that particular Sunday morning, Ericka Mendel is wearing a white dress with a straight cut above the knee, long, pony-tailed brown hair, black doll shoes, and white fishnet stockings. Her two brothers also look well-groomed in their white, long-sleeved blouses, black long pants, black shoes, and hair that has been gel-applied to make it look neat and clean. Papa Ernest and Mama Elaine wear the same styles but are a little out of date because they no longer purchase new clothing in order to save money for other essentials for the farm and home.Even though they hail from lower-income families and cannot afford to build a new concrete home like their neighbors who share the same farmland, people nevertheless view them as a nice family.Ernest appeared older due to the already aging and wrinkling complexion, haggard face, skinny build, and untrimmed hair and beard, while Elaine appeared stressed and preoccupied due to her constant concern about how t
Chapter Nineteen: [ Sacrificial offerings to save others life]Ericka has been recovering from paralysis for a long time, and she has stopped her secondary school course. Her two brothers, John and Randy, are busy with weekday schooling already when Ericka is in terrible muscle pain on her legs, arms, and body. Her parents are currently busy checking the farmlands that Monday morning when it happens.She was feeding the fattened hogs and the poultry flocks when the pain stopped her. She collapsed while standing in front of the plucking hen and her newly hatched chicks, falling to the ground unintentionally. She didn't know that skipping maintenance may have a serious negative impact on her health and cause her nervous system to lose vital nutrients, which is why she hasn't yet found out what caused her muscles to go excruciatingly numb. "Mama, Papa, where are you?”She says nothing more before collapsing, her gloomy eyes going fuzzy and her vision spinning about the surface until she
[Chapter Twenty: Giving generously brings benefits]Ernest opens up about the most recent problems on the farm, and John looks at Ericka, who is still unconscious and lying flat on her hard wooden bed with a soft, flat pillow on her head. Ernest mentions, frightened,“Because one of our neighbors borrowed money from our funds to pay for Ericka's emergency—a sick baby—we were unaware that Ericka had previously been suffering from a lack of maintenance.Now, my two older sons, you had better lend me all of your savings if you have any in your piggy bank so Ericka can stabilize and regain her lost strength. She already had epilepsy and experienced numbness and stiffness in her muscles.While tending to our flocks, Teddy mentioned that she trembled and quivered, covered in feed. The hens and chicks helped to awaken her senses by making their unique noises, which attracted others to help her. The hogs continued to bump their noses against her unconscious body, making her smell bad and filt
Chapter Twenty-one [Dreamlining involuntarily]Because Mother Elaine had taken Matilda and Teddy to the parking lot where their car was, Ericka was left alone in the private ward, still asleep.As they went along, they had a nice relationship as neighbors, and Teddy felt better since, despite his youth, he still loved Ericka. This was thanks to the Christian sisters. Their mother found Teddy's treatment of Ericka to be amusing.“Teddy is the only child I have with my European-born spouse. He enjoys integrating with people because he gets lonely living by himself in our home. Although I was scared every time I saw him away from home due to the ongoing problems with those snakes that produce medical ailments that prevent Ericka from studying for school, I am very happy that he found her close to our farm. However, I'm glad my son already has a friend here.” As Teddy listens intently and silently to every kind comment that her devoted and kind mother makes to Ericka's mother, Matilda ex
Chapter Twenty-two [Have fun with the suffering]Ericka Mendel suffered an epileptic seizure while tending to the family's sheep in the farmhouse, which caused her to wake up early in the morning after a protracted soul voyage in fantasy land."You're okay now, my baby. We thank God that He spared your life for us, and we pledge to serve Him for the rest of our lives, along with our home.”As Ericka remembers her soul voyage and the man in the white robe who offered her to join Him in His realm, she simply nods merrily. She just said,"Mama, I already know what He wants us to do. He showed up on my voyage into deep sleep, but because he has given me a new lease on life, I should cherish it.”Ericka said, closing her eyes once more to resume her slumber. The doctor abruptly shows up and tells them that Ericka can leave the hospital as long as they pay the cost. As Ericka stands up, they have already verified that her health is okay and are handing her a prescription for health mainten
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