Chapter 2

I rode in the car without saying anything. I knew that Mang Kiko noticed my mood that morning, but he didn't ask. I knew that when he saw my mom earlier, that was explanation enough. No need for a verbal one.

My mom left early, and she didn't even wait for me in the morning. That's better for me, though. Because I don't want to be with her and receive another sermon. I don't want to get slapped again.

When we arrived at school, I got out of the car. I was about to enter when Mang Kiko stopped me. I faced him.

"Take this." I looked at the lunchbox he handed me, along with a small box. "My wife prepared this for you to bring. The other box has medicine for the wound on your lip."

I slowly took it and looked away. "Thank you."

He gave me a tight smile before letting me go. I sighed when I reached the room and looked at what he gave me. Instead of being happy and grateful for the small gesture from the couple, I couldn't help but pity myself instead.

This is how they've been treating me all along. Every time my mom hurts me, they give me medicine to heal myself. Sometimes, Cassady herself treats me, especially when I can barely move due to the pain.

I wonder what they think of me now. Maybe they see me as utterly miserable. Years have passed, but I still can't escape what my mom does. But what can I do? I'm just a child.

I've wanted to leave for a long time. But who am I to do that? Even if I want to leave her custody, I can't take care of myself yet. And she'll surely find me quickly using her money.

I stood up with what Mang Kiko gave me. I approached the trash can and without hesitation, threw the boxes there. When I sat back down, I thought my feelings would lighten. But as time passed, my chest just felt heavier. My head is starting to boil too.

When our teacher arrived, I listened carefully to get the lunchbox off my mind. I don't know what the big deal is. It's just a lunchbox. We have many of those. They can always prepare another one for me. But here I am, worrying about the box and how it fell inside with the other trash.

After our classes for the whole day, I quickly left the room. I almost ran to get away quickly. When I reached the parking lot, I breathed a sigh of relief. But it didn't last long because I saw Mang Kiko.

He greeted me with a sweet smile, but I couldn't bring myself to smile back at him. I still feel guilty about throwing that lunchbox. I can't understand myself sometimes.

While inside the car, I remembered our project for the end of the year. "I need to go to my classmate's house tomorrow," I said. "I should leave by eight."

"Sure. I'll wait for you in the parking lot at eight tomorrow." I didn't look at him and decided to stare outside the car.

I slumped down and watched the cars outside. I was lost in thought until we reached home.

I took a deep breath as I entered, expecting my mom to greet me again. But Zenith Cordova didn't appear in front of me until I reached my room.

She must be at her office. Or maybe she has another business trip abroad. It's not like she's telling me what she's doing. I don't even know where she goes while I'm stuck at home.

After I showered, I sat at my study table to study. But before I could start, I heard a faint knock on my door.

"Your dinner is ready, Bivianne." Cassady's voice.

"I'm not hungry. You guys can eat," I replied before continuing to flip through my notebooks.

After just a few minutes of studying, there was another knock on my door. I closed my eyes to calm myself, but I wasn't successful. "I'm not hungry!" I exclaimed.

"I prepared a snack, Bivianne. You can't study well on an empty stomach."

I slammed my notebook shut and marched to the door. My nose twitched as I met Cassady's gaze. "I'll eat if I want to. You don't have to bring it here."

Even though my voice was getting louder, she managed to smile. "I'll just leave the food here in case you get hungry. I'll take the container back tomorrow."

I closed the door without looking back and took a deep breath. I started counting down from ten. Instead of answering, I just opened the door to let her in and place the tray near my study table.

She left my room still smiling while I closed the door without looking back.

I continued studying. I spent hours at my desk. When I finished studying all the subjects for the night, I just slumped in my chair. It was already four in the morning when I finished.

When I stood up, that's when I felt my stomach rumble. I haven't had dinner or a snack since earlier. It was already lunchtime when I last ate. So, I quickly glanced at the snack Cassady brought earlier.

The guilt crept back into my system. I remembered how I shouted at Cassady even though she just wanted to bring me food. So, even though it was cold, I ate what she made. I even drank the lukewarm juice she brought. Although I didn't finish it because she had a pitcher.

After eating, I brushed my teeth before lying down on my bed to sleep. When I woke up at seven, the tray was already gone, and Cassady must have taken it.

I sighed before getting up and preparing to go to Yeshua's house. Actually, we're not going to her house but to her cousin's house with a farm. That's the place we chose for our project.

We need to document everything happening on the farm. From taking care of plants to poultry animals. We're a group of seven, so we divided the tasks fairly. But as the leader, I still need to monitor everything they do because I can't afford to fail just because of these groupings.

When we reached the address Yeshua gave us, I furrowed my brows. There were so many children on the street. Many houses around, but they seemed old. Not to mention, the surroundings were dirty.

Some children were naked and sitting on the side. They were so dirty, and they were sitting on the filthy cement. Meanwhile, their mothers seemed to be busy on one side. I think it's called Bingo.

Some kids were playing and slowed down our car. Some of them looked at us and stopped playing. Luckily, none of them approached or tried to touch our car. They just watched as if they had never seen a Mercedes-Benz before.

But then again, if it's not a motorcycle, all I see around are old tricycles. Others are rusty bikes. I can't believe Yeshua lives near this place. How can she even study in this kind of environment?

When the car stopped, Mang Kiko spoke. "This is the location Waze is pointing to, ma'am."

I nodded and slung my bag over my shoulder. Mang Kiko quickly got out of the car to open the door for me before surveying the surroundings. He'll wait for me until I'm done and then join us on the farm where we'll do our project.

I took out my phone to let Yeshua know I'm here. She quickly came out of an old house that seemed patched together. What if it rains? A slight breeze could probably blow their entire house away.

"You're early!" Yeshua greeted me with a wide smile. "Some of our group members are still on their way. Come inside and wait."

I hesitated to enter, especially since I saw that their doorknob was rusty. The floor inside was just dirt, no tiles or even cement. I didn't know how to react.

"Is there a problem?" she asked. When she saw where I was looking, she scratched her nape. "I'm sorry if our house is like this. But don't worry; it's okay in Oxem's house. That's where we'll stay, not here."

I just nodded in response and didn't say anything. I didn't want to offend her any longer. I know she was somewhat hurt by my reaction. But I can't help it. I get sick quickly if my environment is dirty.

"We'll just wait outside. Wait! Let me get a chair from inside." She didn't finish her sentence before running inside their house.

I took the opportunity to observe the surroundings. I can't believe there's such a community near our house. It's so dirty. There are many rusty things that could cause illness to the children. I know this is not my business, but I can't help but think about the kids I saw earlier.

"Here. Sit here for a while. The chair is clean." She forced a laugh as if what she said was funny.

I just sat there and waited for our group members. She quickly typed on her cheap phone and smiled at me again.

"Sorry if they're making you wait. They didn't expect you to come early."

I nodded, and the energy returned to tita Kelly's face. In a few moments, I could mistake them for mother and daughter. They emit the same energy, and it's making me exhausted.

Before we could enter their house, the door opened on its own. A tall guy with a serious face greeted us. Our eyes met, and I immediately recognized him.

"Hi there, cousin!" Yeshua greeted him, interrupting our eye contact.

"What is this noisy person doing here?" His forehead creased, but I heard the teasing tone in his voice.

"Oxembourg!" tita scolded, giving him a playful punch on the arm. "We have other visitors, so behave."

"Yes, ma'am," he replied with a grin before turning his gaze back to me. For some unknown reason, I avoided his gaze.

"Hi, Ms. Milk Tea." I furrowed my brow and parted my lips, looking at him. "Remember me?"

I can't believe it. He remembers me. So, his name is Oxembourg. What a weird name.