Two days have passed since my aunt and I bonded. The kids have resumed playing outside as if nothing happened. Their squeals are loud and clear from my bedroom. I could hear them through the walls, so I went out to the patio.
There they were playing cards on the ground, laughing like there was no care in the world. Nathan's mother had just returned. An eco bag hung from her left shoulder, and a brown basket was clutched tightly in her right arm. She looked tired but content, watching the children from a short distance. I stood there watching quietly.
“Good morning.” I greeted her, drinking my morning coffee. “What are those?”
“Savory bites and sweets, for breakfast and afternoon snacks.” Maria answered.
“Now, you’re selling these. I always thought you cook yummy food after I tasted your Nathan’s birthday food. There are times I could smell your cooking from the patio.”
This was the first time I saw and knew she was now selling snacks by walking around the barangay.
“Can I have one of each, please?”
She gave me what I ordered and handed her cash with the exact amount.
“Oh, wait,” I brought out a plastic bag and handed it to her. “Ravael asked me to give this to you.”
She received the plastic bag.
“Is Nathan alright? I heard Ravael, those are medicines for him.”
Ravael went early for his work, so he requested that I hand out the plastic bag to Maria for Nathan’s medication. But he didn’t explain what those are specifically for.
“He’s not. He got a stomachache and has been weak for 6 days.”
I gasped. “How did that happen to him?”
“I don’t know.”
“Is it because of the desserts Ravael gave him?”
“I’ve eaten that as well, nothing happened to me, so no.”
“What else does he experience?”
“He’s dizzy, vomits, has diarrhea, and a hot body. It’s getting worse, so maybe it alarmed Rafael, that’s why he gave us these.”
“That calls for hospital help. Have you had him checked by the doctor?”
“We got no money for that.”
“Is that why you’re now selling these?” I glanced at the food inside the basket that was half-filled.
“Apparently. I cannot sell full-time because I have to attend to my son.”
Being a single mother is indeed rigorous work. She is self-employed, working herself out to nurture and support her only child in her own ways.
“How much is the remaining?” I pointed at the basket.
She counted it “410 pesos.”
I went to my bedroom, grabbed some cash, and gave it to her. “I’ll have everything.”
“Really?” she asked, looking confused.
“Have this,” I handed her more cash. “It’s best if you could see a doctor for him.”
She looked at the money. “I can’t pay you within a week with this amount-”
“No, it’s all yours. I want to hear Nathan chuckle again. Please take good care of him. I would love to play with him again. I hope he can go back to school immediately.”
“T-Thank you…Tell Rafael my thanks for his kind gesture.”
“Maria,” I called her, which made her glance back at me before opening the gate of their house. “It’s Ravael.” I smiled and went back to working on my laptop in the living room.
I put the snacks I bought from Maria on the dining table.
Sir Lorenzo: How’s your therapy going? Have you taken care of your enrolment papers? My staff will accommodate your tuition fee.
Me: Gathering my documents, Sir. I will go to school tomorrow for my enrolment. Thank you for your assistance.
Sir Lorenzo: Good job
This couple made sure I was getting the right treatment so I could recover faster. They helped me so much with everything, including my therapy, my medicines, my studies, and with the suspect. They even check in on me. Now, it's my turn to pay it forward. I've been so blessed. I have to share that with others, too.
I filed my resignation from my online job. Today is my first day of working through my one-month notice period. It feels a little bittersweet, saying goodbye to my co-workers.
My boss opened his camera. “What’s with this sudden resignation?”
“I’m so sorry, Sir. I wanted to finish my studies and be full-time on it.”
“Yes, you told me about that. I am not against your goals. But it saddens me that one of my best assistants will leave.”
“I’ll continue working with your company after my graduation, if that would allow me, Sir.”
He laughed. “Sure, sure. I’ll accept your offer on that. Good luck on your journey. We all wish you well.”
That was such a heartwarming send-off from my boss. Even though I still have one more month to render, he spoke as if today were already my last day at work. I also told my co-workers about my decision, and they were all proud of me. They said they'd keep their arms open in case I ever want to come back and work with them again, which meant a lot to me.
My therapy is going well. I can now slowly walk on my own without using my crutches. I still bring them with me sometimes to be safe, so I don't fall or hurt myself again. But it feels so good to move freely, even just a little.
During my lunch break, I went out of the house alone and walked to the nearby park. I bought some street food for lunch for warmth and comfort. I sat on one of the benches, facing a small group of kids playing nearby. Their laughter filled the air, and for a while, I watched them run around without a care in the world. The food was warm and delicious, and I felt full and satisfied.
After eating, I tried calling Auntie. Surprisingly, she answered instantly. It made me smile. I wasn't expecting her to pick up so quickly.
“Hello?”
“You had your phone repaired?”
"Yes. The rate here is cheaper, so I decided to wait until I got back to the province to have it repaired. How are you doing? Why did you call me?"
“Are you working or something? I might have disturbed you.”
“Not at all. I’m managing a store here, and you can give me a call anytime. Is there something wrong?”
“…I want to live with you, too.”
“Great! Great news! Have you told your housemate that you’re moving out soon?”
“I haven’t, but will tell him.”
“Yes, and I want to meet him before we move in. I will settle my rent here before moving in with you.”
“I’ll be studying again in less than 2 months, so I quit my job. Sir Lorenzo will fund my 1-year education. And another piece of good news is I can walk slowly without crutches anymore.”
“That’s nice… free schooling and healthcare.”
“Uh-huh,” I smiled, thinking how blessed I am. Besides, I get to be reunited with my Auntie after many years. My grandmother died, but my Aunt showed herself at the perfect time when I needed someone closely related to me.
“Ah, about your work. You’ll be a full-time student, right?”
“Yes”
"To be honest, I'm not really sure if I can find a job quickly once I move there. I have a stable job here, and that's something I worked hard for. But maybe… it would take me weeks or even months to adjust to the city, and start submitting my resume to employers. Don't want to end up with nothing, you know? But I'll try."
“There are more opportunities here than there.”
“Yeah. But give me some time to adjust. I will ready my files and stuff to move out.”
“I understand.”
“And… you have extra savings from your job, right? It would be better for us to be secured since I cannot guarantee having a job in the city instantly.”
“… I have”
"Nice! I'll go back to work now. Oh, wait. It might take me at least two months before I can go back to the city. I'm planning to ask for a resignation, too. Then maybe borrow some extra money from my friends so I can throw a little goodbye party for them before I leave. After that, I'll settle things with my boyfriend."
“You have a boyfriend?”
“Didn’t I tell you that?”
I never heard her mention having a boyfriend when we met and bonded.
"Well, this is a little embarrassing to admit… Yeah, we're going to be in a long-distance relationship soon. He's short-tempered, so I have to handle him carefully. I'll probably spend at least a month calming him down, giving him a little money here and there to keep his nerves steady before and after I tell him about my plan to live with you.
I actually tried convincing him to visit you with me last time, so you could meet him, too. But he didn't want to." She let out a small chuckle. "He sounds stubborn, I know. But he's shy, really. He refused to live in the city. He wants to retire in the province instead. So… I think it's best if you tell your housemate about me moving in. The earlier, the better. No use delaying it."
I didn’t comment for a few seconds.
“If you convinced him to live with us in the city, would you let him?”
“Hmm…” she hummed. “Yes! We would be like a complete family, wouldn’t we? I’m the mother, he’s your father, and you are our daughter!”
My eyes twitched.
“You lost your parents, your grandmother, and your friends at school. So here we are, your new family!” she’s excited. “I cannot wait for that to happen! Oh, my fiery boss’s here. See you again soon.”
She disconnected the call.
How soon is your soon? Living with an auntie who sprouted out of nowhere, and I barely know her, and she plans to bring her blockhead boyfriend.
“If you’re not going to stop being pathetic, we’ll never get to meet again, Auntie. Or else you’ll die, and we will meet again at your funeral instead.”
“Hey”
My gaze turned to someone who had approached me. He was tall, with tanned skin, wearing white shorts and a yellow printed T-shirt.
“You’re doing well. You can now walk on your own without someone pulling you.”
He's the one who told Ravael I was acting crazy. He's our age, maybe a year older or younger, and he also lives within our compound. I've seen him around so many times, walking back and forth, leaning on walls, or sitting by the street with nothing much to do. The fact that he's hanging around everywhere in the barangay makes me conclude he's unemployed. Yes, I am judging him.
I pulled my own wheelchair.
It seems he always hangs in this place.
I smiled. “Hi”
“You’re not with Ravael?”
“He’s still at work.”
“Are you two…” he squinted. “A thing?”
“Were you asking if we have a romantic relationship?”
"That's right." He chuckled, shoving his hands into his pockets. "Ravael's been living alone for a long time now. Heck, I rarely even saw his parents come visit him. He's kind of a loner, sure, but he's a decent neighbor. He keeps everything to himself and doesn't cause trouble. I'll give him that." He scratched the back of his neck and smirked a little. "But yeah, he's never brought a girl to his house until you showed up. And not only did you go there for a visit, but you're living together now. For months!" He raised his eyebrows as he’d said something scandalous. "I mean, that's pretty serious, don't you think?"
“And is that entertaining for you?”
His presence makes me a little uneasy, especially since I know he's been talking about me behind my back with Ravael. Still, I try not to assume the worst.
"I'm not saying it's a bad thing or anything. But come on, you two must be a couple already. I've been nagging Ravael to spill the beans, but every time I ask, he denies it. But your actions? They say otherwise." He threw his hands up a little, like he was being misunderstood. "Look, everyone in the compound thinks you're a thing. And there's nothing wrong with it! Seriously. I'm not here to spread rumors or stir drama. I seek confirmation.” He shrugged his shoulders. “That's all."
Instead of calling it seeking confirmation, he should call it gossiping about other people’s lives instead of minding his own. Living in a cramped compound like ours, it is inevitable to be involved with people like this.
His hairstyle was a bit messy, and he had worn-out slippers that looked like they'd been through a lot. There was something simple and unguarded about him. He does not care much about what people think.
“We’re not a thing. We’re classmates, friends, and housemates who are taking good care of each other. Like what normal opposite sex siblings would do. Is it that strange for you?”
“But you’re not siblings,” he whispered.
“What?”
“Ah, nothing,” he laughed. “I’d make a move on you, but you look great together despite him being below average for you.”
“What?”
“I mean, you’re too good for him…” He winked. “You know what I mean?”
“I don’t. Please elaborate.”
He scratched his left ear lazily. "I mean, he's had many girls in the barangay with crushes on him before. To be blunt? He’s average because all Ravael ever does is study and work. No hobbies, boring interests, no hanging out, no nothing." He shrugged. "And he's not smart either. He doesn't excel in academics or anything. And… he's small." He paused, looking me up and down. "Now that I see you standing and walking on your own… he's probably only three inches taller than you." He scoffed lightly, like he found it amusing. "Yeah."
I stared at him.
“One more thing, do you know what his previous job was?”
“Does that matter?”
“If you’re his girlfriend, yes, it does!” he walked closely towards me. “He entertained various women before for big money-”
“You’re his friend, but you’re mocking him like you’re not.”
“C’mon, don’t be a crybaby. Ravael’s not so it’s okay.”
“I am not a crybaby.”
“Since he’s a good bud of mine, I made way for him,” he scoffed, sounding proud of himself.
“You never did.”
“Huh?”
“You never made a way for him because in the first place. My feelings towards you didn’t even reach friendship.”
The only attribute that appealed to me is his height. But that thing alone didn’t make up for what he lacked.
"W-Wha-You think so highly of yourself just because you're pretty?! What can your good looks even do when you're limping around and talking to yourself like some visionary witch, cursing people to die?! Sucks to be you!" He scowled, threw the plastic bottle onto the grassy ground, and walked away.
“What was that, bro?” A friend of his walked towards him when he saw him walk away madly.
“Get a hold of that witch!” he pointed at me, frowning.
“What? That was your crush, bro!”
He left with his friend.
He called me a witch…
My breath became heavy. My hands started twitching on their own. I tried to steady myself, but the panic was already crawling up my chest. I forced myself to keep walking, using only my crutches to support me. As someone who's currently a PWD, I never paid much attention to how terrible the sidewalks here are until now. Cracks everywhere, uneven pavement, and ramps that lead nowhere. The motorcycles and cars don't care about pedestrians at all. They zoom past like they own the road. And the kids from school? They run and play right in the middle of the street, as if it's their personal playground. Nobody seems to care.
Going home while having a panic attack without Ravael beside me was harder than I ever imagined. I've gotten so used to depending on him most of the time. It is strange when he's not around, especially when I need him the most.
My chest felt tight. My vision blurred. But I kept moving. I hurried home until I finally reached the gate. My fingers fumbled with the lock, but I managed to open it. I rushed to the dinner table, and there they were, my medicines, lying on the table, left there in case of an emergency. Drank my prescription. Slowly, my heart began to race normally again. I leaned against the table and let out a shaky breath.
I walked to the patio to get some fresh air, gripping my crutches tightly. The cool breeze touched my face, and I closed my eyes. That was a close call. I don't want to go through that alone again.
“My mother witch is going to die.”