4

I look at Melanie and Kris who are now laughing as they arranged their stuff, Kris was holding the broom while Melanie was sitting on Kris's bed collecting and piling Kris's stuff.

"Lily?" I heard Kris called me, I turn my head to look at them and back to what I was doing. "Yes?" I answered, I heard her hummed which made me look at her again. "I think we need a little storage for some stuff," She said, I look around and furrowed my brows.

"Why? We just have little stuff for now," I said, I stood up and put my hands in my hips as I scan the room. We have bought the basic needs and groceries as I look for a job to at least help us sustain our lives and we decided to just suspend their school this year until we can recover, I already explained to them what happened and we cried, but of course, they're both smart and I assure to keep them safe.

I sigh and look at the stuff we need to arrange, I take a look at my wristwatch. It's five in the afternoon. I should probably prepare dinner. I walk near Kris's room and leaned on the door frame. "Continue piling your stuff, I'll just make us dinner," I said and walk to the mini kitchen, I look around to look for the box of the rice cooker we bought, it's a medium size rice cooker enough for us three.

I heard footsteps approaching the kitchen, then followed by Melanie's voice. "What are you making?" She asks, I turn my head to face her. "What do you want?" I ask her and smiled. 

"Pasta!" She beamed after thinking for a few moments, I smiled and pat her head. "Okay, pasta it is," I said cheerfully, I then prepared the stove and the ingredients needed. 

I boiled the water, put a pinch of salt and a little oil in the water. I waited for minutes for the water to boil then bring the pasta and break it into half before putting them in the water. I then prepared the pasta's sauce, ingredients and look for the pan. 

"Lily, is your room done?" Kris asked me, I shake my head while chopping a cooked ham and bacon. "Not yet, why?" I turn my head to ask her while preparing the onion and garlic together chopping them into tiny pieces. "Okay, I'll just help you in your room," She said which made me look at her, I smiled and nodded my head. "Thank you," I said.

"Don't mention it, just make the pasta good," She jokingly said, I chuckled and shook my head. I continue chopping the ingredients needed and turn to the stove after to check the pasta. It's good to go, I grab the kitchen's potholder before draining the pasta, I grab the drainer and poured the pasta and water in the drainer that I placed on the sink.

"Oh, I can see the pasta now I guess it's good," Melanie said, she was now sitting on the table's chair reading a book. I turn my head and nodded, "You bet!" I challenged her, she grinned and raised her thumb finger at me before nodding, I laugh and continue to what I was doing, I then made the pasta's sauce. 

I put a small amount of butter in the heated pan and poured the garlic and onion together the aroma of the onion and garlic combined soothed the kitchen room. I then pour sliced bacon and cooked ham letting the bacon turn into a light shade of brown, a sign of cook and ready for other ingredients next pour heavy cream, along with the pinch of ground black pepper and pinch of salt, I then turn to the sink to get the drained pasta and mix it to the pan along with the sauce. 

"Dinner's ready!" I said as I put a little amount of parsley on top of the pasta.

"Plates and fork please, Melanie," I said to Melanie, she nodded her head and prepared the table, this apartment has a medium size fridge which was convenient for us because we don't have to spend money buying one, as well as the built-in stove which was Miss. Santiago told his staff to ready for every room that was occupied. 

"Nice," Kris said, walking near the table. She then grabs the glass for the water and the pitcher and placed them on the table. I transferred the pasta to a bowl and carried it to the table, I then sat in front of Melanie, we whispered our prayer thanking God for the food and we then eat in peace.

We finished the day just by arranging for our things, we didn't buy enough dresses and shirts because we got busy with the necessary needs in the house. I arch my back and heavily sighed when I finished arranging the sala.

Good, it's all fixed

I thought, I then walk to my room getting ready for a shower. I sighed when I closed the door of my room, Kris and Melanie were still in Kris's room talking and giggling. I grab my clothes and walk to the bathroom letting the cold water relax my body. I sighed and closed my eyes. 

This was all unexpected, it was like a never-ending nightmare. I gasp for air as I wash off the bubbles of shampoo on my hair. I leaned on the wall as I thought of what to do, after all, tomorrow and next. I sighed as I remembered the text message, I never bothered to think of it until now. I sighed as I reach for the shower switch and turned the shower off, I stayed in the bathroom a little longer letting all my thought cleared up.

I bite my lips, as I frustratedly palmed my hair and slowly squat on the floor, closing my eyes letting my tears fall. "What now?" I asked myself, gasping for air not letting them hear me cry. I need to be strong, for them. Convincing myself that everything will be okay I turned the shower on again as I let myself cry in pain, doubts, and fear in everything, in myself. 

I look up, letting my face get wet by the cold water. I also think of the message, I don't want to get afraid of the message but I can't help it, what if it's true? I want to go back to St. Alamida to see Papa and give him a proper grave but I can't do that now. I decided to meet the person who sent me the text message. 

I turned the shower off and wipe my face with my hands, and breathed heavily for a few times to calm myself. I wrap the towel on my body and opened the bathroom door and walk to my room. I saw Melanie sitting on the bed reading her favorite book that she brings every time with her. 

"You'll not gonna take a shower?"I ask her, I then opened the cabinet's door and stood behind it wearing my clothes. "Kris said she'll go shower first after you," She answered. I closed the cabinet when I finished wearing my clothes and sat in front of the little vanity table's chair and brushed my hair.

"You tired?" I ask her, trying to make a conversation. "A little, but it's fine," She answered, She then closes her book her attention was on me now, she then fixed her glasses and look at me seriously. "It's okay Lily, I know you don't want to leave Papa behind," She said, like a serious ladylike tone on me, I turn the chair around to face her and leaned on the chair, still holding the hairbrush in my hand. 

"I don't have a choice, he said he's sorry Melanie in everything, and from that moment I knew that he did something unforgivable," I said, looking straight into her eyes. I sighed and continue to brush my hair.

I keep on asking why and I need answers, maybe talking to that person is the answer.

After we finished talking, she said that maybe we should or I should forgive ourselves she's only nine years old but talks like she's my age, the smart and wise words of her always make us realize things, and I hope that she will never change.