Chapter 1

“Ouch.” I winced and held my back where I hit the cold cement. I bit my lip while grimacing, massaging the part of my back that hit the hard floor. Out of all the ways to start my morning, I really had to fall out of bed.

What an unfortunate morning indeed.

There were three knocks on my room door as I slowly got up from my fall. “Cath, dear, what was that noise?” my grandma asked from the other side. She probably heard the thud when I fell from my sleep. I tend to move around a lot while sleeping, so I often fall out of bed.

“Ah, nothing, I just fell out of bed while sleeping,” I replied, scratching my head. I stretched my back and massaged it with my hand. It was already around six o'clock when I checked the clock in my room.

My attention turned to the door as Grandma opened it and asked, “Are you okay?” She looked worried, raising her eyebrows.

“Yes, I’m fine,” I responded with a slight laugh, even though my fall really did hurt. I just wanted to ease Grandma’s worries. I was okay; it just hurt a bit because I landed on cement, but it would go away soon.

“Okay, I’ll head out now, I still have work. You take care of the house. There’s food in the kitchen; eat something, and there’s hot water there too, just make yourself some coffee,” Grandma said, and I nodded.

“Yes, Grandma, be careful. Don’t overwork yourself,” I reminded her before she left. I truly admired my grandma’s determination and hard work. Even at her age, she still strives to work for both of us. I promised myself that one day, I would take Grandma away from where we are now.

I had a job, but Grandma continued to work due to the many expenses. School was starting soon, so both of us were working hard to fund my education.

Grandma was the one supporting my studies and keeping us alive, even though she was older. She still had the strength to work so we could eat, and for my school expenses, we shared the burden of our bills.

My mom and dad died when I was five years old. My mom died in a car accident along with Dad. So, Grandma is my only remaining family; I don’t have siblings. I want to finish my studies to repay all of Grandma's sacrifices for me.

I left my room and headed to the kitchen for breakfast. I made myself a cup of coffee before eating. After I ate, I began cleaning the house. One of my habits is to clean the entire house before leaving for work. Our house isn’t very big; it’s just right for the two of us.

There was only a week left before classes started, so I was working as a waitress in a restaurant to save money for the supplies I needed. I couldn’t just rely on Grandma.

I was in the middle of cleaning when my phone rang. I quickly picked it up and answered the call.

“Do you have plans later, Cath?” Shiela asked as I answered the phone. Shiela is one of my best friends.

“I have work later. Why?”

“Such a waste! We should hang out later; there’s a new place near the market that we should check out.”

“Ahh, I can’t; I have to go to work later.”

“Come on!” Even though I couldn’t see Shiela’s face, I knew she was pouting.

“Sorry, I promise I’ll make it up to you next time.”

“Okay,” Shiela replied. I knew my friend was sulking because I couldn’t join her. I wanted to go, but I had no time for that. Work is more important right now.

“Okay, bye! I’m still cleaning the house,” I said to Shiela and ended the call. I continued cleaning before heading to work.

“You’re early!” exclaimed Kuya Ray, the owner of the restaurant where I work.

I smiled at him. “Good morning!” I replied, and we nodded at each other.

I entered the restaurant. Many customers greeted me. Kuya Ray’s restaurant was very busy because it attracted a lot of people. Plus, the food we served was delicious and unique.

“Just in time, Cath! Come help me deliver these orders. This one is for table 5, and this one is for table 8,” said Ate Feit, my coworker at the restaurant. I smiled at Ate Feit, took the orders, and brought them to the customers.

After delivering the orders, I returned to the counter, put down my bag, and went back to deliver more orders.

“You’re so stupid; this isn’t our order!” one customer yelled at me because I delivered the wrong order. I took a step back in fear, my gaze fixed on the floor.

I couldn’t bring myself to look straight at the man. Besides, many people were staring at us, which only added to my embarrassment.

“I’m sorry; I thought this was your order,” I apologized while bowing my head, with nothing else to say but to ask for forgiveness.

“Be quicker, you idiot! If I owned this restaurant, I’d fire you,” he said. I wanted to cry because of the hurtful things he said, but I held back my tears. I wanted to get angry at this man for yelling at me, but I couldn’t because I might lose my job.

To end the chaos, I took back the wrong order I delivered. As I turned away from them, my tears fell. I returned to the counter and got their correct order. I dried my tears before going back to them.

“Here’s your order,” I said politely as I placed their food down, showing that I wasn’t affected by what they said earlier, as if nothing had happened.

“There! You’re so stupid,” they replied. I didn’t say anything but smiled at them and returned to the counter. I let out a deep breath and steeled myself.

“Are you okay?” asked Ate Feit, patting my back. “Just ignore them. Don’t mind those people.” I smiled at her for her kind words; they may be simple, but I really appreciated them.

“Okay, I’ll get back to work,” I said, cleaning the tables that had just been used. It was a mess with food scraps everywhere. They didn’t even think about the many people who were starving and struggling in life, just to waste food.

“That’s enough, take a break, Cath. You’ve been working for a while; aren’t you tired?” Ate Feit asked while helping me clean a table. “You’ve been on break since earlier, but you’re still working.”

“I’m not tired, Ate Feit; there’s nothing exhausting about what I’m doing. I have nothing else to do during my break, so I might as well spend it working,” I replied.

“Suit yourself, but don’t overdo it.” I smiled at Ate Feit and thanked her.

Suddenly, my attention was drawn when a high-pitched voice echoed inside the restaurant. “Cath!” Shiela shouted as she entered the restaurant.

What? What is this girl doing here?

“Wait, what are you doing here?” I asked as I approached her. I received a tight hug from her as we got close, as if we hadn’t seen each other in a year because of our overacting.

“Nothing, I couldn’t convince you to come with me, so I came here to help you at the restaurant,” Shiela said, leaving me stunned. This girl really has nothing else to do in her life.

“You don’t need to do that. Just sit there,” I said, disagreeing with what Shiela wanted.

“I want to help, what are you talking about?” she replied, tapping my arm and pulling me to help.

I got back to work as more customers started to arrive. Shiela helped me deliver the orders. I had already told Kuya Ray that she would help, and thankfully, Kuya Ray allowed Shiela to help at the restaurant, but she wouldn’t receive any pay.