Chapter 5

Chapt 6

The next morning, I went home to change clothes.

“Lyrica? Can we talk?” Dad asked me. I nodded and followed him outside the house.

“I'm sorry about last night, Dad. I just really felt upset.”

“I understand, child. And I’m sorry too for your siblings. You know how they are,” he said with a sigh.

“Yes, Dad. By the way, I might finally push through with leaving.”

“Oh... Is that so? Are you sure about your plan?”

“Yes, Dad. I’ve been saving up for this for a long time. I can help out more if I work in Manila,” I replied with a smile.

“You really take after your mom, Lyrica. I know you won’t let anyone stop you. Just take care of yourself there, okay?”

“I will, Dad.”

And that was how our conversation ended. It was always the same advice from Dad—to be patient with my siblings or just try to understand them.

I left the house and went to the terminal.

When I arrived at the store, I got straight to work.

“Dear, can I get a bag of onions? Also, two bundles of string beans and water spinach.”

“Here you go, ma’am. That’ll be 60 pesos,” I said with a smile.

“Oh, are you Evelyn and Mario’s daughter?”

“Ah, yes, ma’am.”

“My, you’ve grown so much, dear. I’m Liza, a friend of your parents. I just got back from Manila. Are you Cynthia?”

“No, ma’am. I’m Lyrica. You work in Manila?” I asked.

“Yes, dear, I’m a housemaid there.”

“Is that so? I’m also planning to move to Manila.”

“Oh yes, life here is tough. Do you have a husband?”

“No, ma’am. That’s not on my mind right now,” I said with a smile.

“Well, that’s good. You wouldn’t want to end up like your mother when she got to Manila,” she said meaningfully, then laughed.

I was puzzled but just smiled back. After paying, she left.

I was the only one in the store since Nanay Lucing said her knees hurt. Around lunchtime, Marco arrived.

“Hey, you’re early today.”

“Our professors for the last two classes weren’t around, so I decided to help out here,” he said with a smile.

“Oh, I see.”

“Are you still thinking about what happened last night?”

“Not really. Someone came by earlier and said she’s a friend of Dad’s. I told her I’m planning to move to Manila. She asked if I have a husband, and when I said no, she said it’s a good thing because I might end up like Mom.”

“Hmm, just ignore it, Lyrica. You’re overthinking again. I wouldn’t be surprised if you go crazy one day,” he said, shaking his head before flicking my forehead.

“Ow! I might actually go crazy because you keep flicking my forehead!” I snapped at him.

He just laughed.

By afternoon, Marco and I closed the store. We headed to Krisha’s house because Mildred texted me, saying she needed to talk to me in person.

“Lyrica! Good news! Hurry up!” Mildred practically dragged me to Krisha’s hut.

“What’s this about, Mil?”

When we got there, she quickly made me sit.

“So, here’s the thing. My sister Jessie called this morning. She said you can stay at their rented place while looking for a job. The catch is, to avoid paying rent, you’ll need to do their laundry. There are only three of them in the house, all single women. You’d only have to worry about your food and daily expenses. What do you think?”

“That’s great! It’ll help me save money,” I said, smiling.

“See? I knew you’d be okay with it. She wants to talk to you. Wait, let’s do a video call,” she said excitedly. Krisha gave me a thumbs-up.

“Hi, Ate Jessie. Lyrica is here with me,” Mildred said.

“Good. I know a few places where she can apply,” Ate Jessie replied.

Mildred handed me her phone, and I was greeted by Ate Jessie. She had a sharp nose, thin red lips, fair skin, and short red hair.

“So, you’re Lyrica? Mildred didn’t tell me her friend is this beautiful. It’s a good thing she befriended you,” Ate Jessie teased, clearly poking fun at Mildred.

“Excuse me, Ate. I’m beautiful too, which is why we’re friends! Also, Lyrica really is the prettiest among her siblings,” Mildred boasted.

I shyly bowed my head.

“Don’t be shy, Lyrica. Shyness won’t get you far in Manila. You’ll need to toughen up.”

“I’m not shy, really. I’m just not used to being complimented.”

“Well, get used to it! So, are you okay with what Mildred told you? We’re often working overtime, so we hardly have time to tidy up the house.”

“Yes, Ate Jessie. That’ll help me save money too.”

“Great. When do you plan to move?”

“Well…”

“Lyrica is moving this Sunday, Ate Jessie. Perfect timing since you’re off work then, right?”

“Oh yes… Alright. Do you have a cellphone? Just give me your number so I can call you.”

“Sure, Ate. Thank you so much,” I said with a smile.

“Alright, I’ll end the call now. Keep me updated,” she said before hanging up.

“There you go, Lyrica. Marco and I pitched in for your travel money. Don’t argue; it’s just a loan,” Mildred said, shaking her head.

“Thank you so much… I promise to pay you back as soon as I get a job,” I said, tearing up.

“Oh, come on. Don’t cry, Lyrica, or you’ll make me cry too,” Krisha said, wiping her eyes.

“Just don’t forget us, okay?” Mildred said as she hugged me.

“How could I forget you guys when I owe you money?” I joked, making Wren and Marco burst out laughing.