Chapter 21

Alondra burst out crying. She was overjoyed to finally see the money she had worked so hard for. She looked at Daisy, her eyes welling up with tears.
"Why are you crying?" Daisy asked, wiping her tears with her hand.
"I'm so happy Daisy because I got a good job and I'm going to give something to my parents and sister," Alondra replied.
"Yes, because you are so hardworking. When do you plan to return home?" Daisy asked. "I just told Yohan that you will be absent for two days. He said it was okay, and he will also tell Mrs. Abra. You can pack your things now. I will take care of it, so you won't be late when you return."
"Really?" Alondra asked. "Thank you very much, Daisy; you are very kind."
"Go ahead, but be careful."
She removed her apron and exited the kitchen after giving Daisy a bear hug. Even if she is only gone for two days, she will miss her.  She is now making her way toward their house. She dashed inside and took all the clothes she'd washed. She folded everything and placed it in a large plastic bag. She had left her uniform at home and had only brought the items Daisy had given her. Perhaps she'll go to town first and look for a cheap phone for Mathilde. She also dressed up and put on the doll shoes Daisy had given her, as well as the slippers and sandals she had given her.
She left the gate with a large plastic bag and a sling bag given to her by Daisy. She had to purchase auto-load max later so that she could call Daisy. She was already waiting outside the coffee shop for a taxi to take her to the city.

Before getting into the car, she took a look around the coffee shop. She first went to the city for a while and simply waited for the driver. Fortunately, the driver was very understanding. The first place she went was to the gadget store. She looked for a low-cost phone that would fit within her budget. She found one after a few minutes of looking. She was pleased with the result, and Mathilde was certain to like it. She also went shopping before getting back into the taxi. Finally, the driver drops her off at the terminal. She immediately boarded the bus that was about to depart after paying. Alondra was tired and sweaty, but she didn't pay attention because she was more concerned with seeing her parents and Mathilde.

The bus is departing from the terminal. She planned to take Mathilde to their town to get school supplies and to enroll for the upcoming school year. So she can begin studying without having to wait years or even months.

Because staying at home and doing nothing is a waste of time. The bus arrived at its destination two hours later. She gathered her belongings and stepped off the bus slowly. Fortunately, she quickly found a tricycle to ride. They first went to the rice store for a while, where she purchased two sacks. She and Mathilde will go grocery shopping tomorrow. They are now on their way to their barangay.

As the cold air touched her skin, Alondra smiled when she arrived at their place after a half-hour wait. Then she directed the driver to load the rice she had purchased.


She was walking now, and nothing had changed in their location. She was about to enter them when she told the driver to leave the rice on the side before paying. She noticed her parents and Mathilde sitting on a bamboo chair outside the house. They are completely silent as if staring into nothingness. She took a look at them. She has only been gone a month, but she believes they have lost weight. Alondra had no idea her tears had begun to fall. She misses them terribly. And it's good to be back at their house, where she learned how to make a living on the side.

"Mother! Father! Mathilde! I'm home!" she exclaimed, sprinting towards them and hugging them tightly as they all sobbed together.


"I miss you all, and I think about you all every day, and now we're seeing each other again after a month," Alondra said.

They let go of her, and her mother held her face. While her father was silently sobbing and holding her back. While Mathilde was crying like a baby behind her.

"Is this you, Alondra? We didn't recognize you. You look better. You looked different when you left here, and you look different when you come home. Your true beauty comes out naturally," her mother said, her eyes welling up with tears.

"Of course, mom. I'm your eldest daughter. How are you?" Alondra asked, touching her mother's face. "I've only been gone for a month, but it feels like a year. You've lost weight."

"It's still the same as before; we still have a difficult life here," his father replied.

"That's why I came home to give you money and rice here; please take the two sacks of rice over there, father," Alondra pleaded.

Her father took it and she turned to face Mathilde, who was still crying behind her. Her mother carried her belongings into the house.

"Stop crying. You haven't changed, you're still crying all the time; remember, you're no longer a baby," she laughed to Mathilde.

"You made me upset because you even left without informing me," Mathilde responded, still crying.


"The important thing is I'm here in front of you. Aren't you glad I'm home?" she asked.
"I'm so happy because I saw you again. Do you know that every day I feel sad and cry every time I think of you?" Mathilde answered as she hugged her.
"Don't think about that. The important thing is that I got home and we met again. Let's go inside the house." Alondra said.
And she and Mathilde went inside together. In the living room, she saw her father and mother sitting. Their faces are so glowing. It's not as sad as earlier.
"Eat now. I have some food there. And there is also a dish." Alondra said while smiling.
"You look beautiful, daughter. It's a long way from what you used to look like. How was your job in the city?" asked his father as he began to eat the food she had brought.
"It's okay. I'm working at a coffee shop. The salary is okay." answered Alondra.
"It's good. I'm glad to see you."
"Me too."
Alondra sat next to her mother. While carrying her sling bag.
"Your bag is beautiful, sister? Is it expensive?" Mathilde asked.
"My roommate Daisy just gave it to me. She's very kind," answered Alondra.
As she saw her mother looking at her teary-eyed. She took out her wallet. And took some money and gave it to his father.
Her father frowned as he looked at the money she gave.
"What is it, Alondra?" her father asked.

"That's for you, father. What I want is for you not to look for a job anywhere. Use that money in business. Even if it's a small investment, it will surely grow." answered Alondra.
"Thank you." said his father and seemed to cry after receiving the money.
"And Mathilde and I will go to town tomorrow so I can buy her school supplies. As far as I know, the enrollment period is approaching." Alondra said.
"I'm going to school, sister?" Alondra asked in a happy voice.
"Yes. I promised you that, didn't I? So I will fulfill it now. And then I will give you something." Alondra said and took out of her bag the cell phone she bought.
"Oh my. It's mine?" Mathilde asked while hugging her cell phone. She suddenly hugged her and kissed her on the cheek while tears were falling.
Alondra's heart seemed to be pierced by a big needle when she witnessed the joy on the faces of her parents and her sister. So she will try her best to work hard when she returns to the city.
"Thank you so much, sister. I am very lucky to have you as my sister. Mother, father. Sister Alondra bought me a cellphone." Mathilde said.
"You're very lucky because you had a kind sister. So be kind and study hard. That's something we can't do to you." said her father.
"Yes. I will study hard for all of you. I promise." answered Mathilde.
And the last one she gave was her mother.
"Just keep it, Alondra, so you'll have money when you return to the city." said his mother and did not accept the money but he insisted on it.
"This is your share. I still have money for my fare back to the city. It's up to you what you do with this. You and father can do business together." answered Alondra.
"Thank you." her mom said smiling.
At nine in the evening, Alondra decided to go to sleep because she was too tired from the travel. She was already folding the clothes she had brought. And she took out her phone to see if Daisy had a message for her. She smiled because there was. And very long messages. It stated that she will always be careful. Daisy was always a concern to her.
"Do you have a phone too, sister?" Alondra asked.
"Daisy gave it to me. She's kind and that's her dress. Take it. So when you go to school you'll have something new to wear anyway." Alondra said.
"Really? It's all mine?"
"Of course," Alondra answered as she lay down on the bed. She felt relief as she lay her back on the bed.
"I like all the designs of these clothes. She's very kind since she gave you too much." Mathilde said.
"Very kind and very generous. She gave me all a woman like me needed. Make-up kit and lipstick and everything. Where's your phone? Open it so you can use it. I'll teach you how to do it." Alondra said.
Mathilde gave her the phone that was still inside the cartoon. She took it and opened it and inserted a sim card. Then she saw Mathilde looking at her.
"Why are you so nice to me?" Mathilde asked out of nowhere.
"Do you have to ask that, Mathilde? That's normal because we're both sisters." Alondra answered as she continued what she was doing.
"Not all sisters are generous towards their siblings. I am very lucky to have you. I don't know what I would do if I didn't have you as my sister. I didn't expect that right now the things I want will come true. You bought me a phone even though you needed more money. You will let me study knowing you want to study too. So thank you very much." Mathilde said emotionally.
"You cry too much. Maybe when you study and they bully you and then you will cry easily." Alondra said and wiped Mathilde's face.
"Not at all. My heart has only become soft for you. Your kindness makes me cry even more. And one more thing. You are very beautiful now the old Alondra who are struggling for life is being removed from your system." answered Mathilde.
"I'm always your sister that you used to know whatever happen. I want you to experience this transformation also. And you will become more beautiful than me. And by the way, did you like this phone I bought you? Check it out." Alondra said.
"Yes. I like it. It's nice." Mathilde replied while holding the phone and using it.
"Let's both go to sleep so we can leave early tomorrow. We had many things to do. We go to the town first and go to the school after for enrollment." Alondra said and turned her back to her sister.
Alondra has a peaceful mind. She was relieved that she had somehow given something to her family even if it was a small amount. I hope her luck in the city continues. It's as if their lives are even more comfortable.
Alondra woke up because of thirst. She got up and saw Mathilde sleeping with a smile on her face. Her phone was close to her head. And she left the room to drink water. When she entered the kitchen, she saw her mother eating. Her mother didn't notice that she was behind her. Alondra smiled bitterly. If she didn't dare to work in the city, she wouldn't have seen her parents so happy.
"You haven't gone to sleep yet, mother?" she asked.
Her mother turned to her and smiled. This was the first time she saw her mom smile sweetly.

"I felt hungry so I eat. Why are you still awake? Aren't you tired from your trip?" her mom asked and just continued eating.

"I fell asleep and I just woke up because I felt thirsty," answered Alondra.

Her mom gave her a glass of water. She accepted it and drank it. Alondra was about to return to her room when her mother stopped her hand.

"Sit here first, Alondra. I missed talking to you," she said.

"All right."

Alondra sat down.

"How are you? Aren't you having a hard time with your work there?" her mother asked.

"Not really. I was happy even though I miss you all the time," answered Alondra.

"It's good. We always wonder when you'll come home because we don't have money and food every day. And Mathilde is always crying because she's hungry. Because if you didn't work in the city, you'd be the one to find a way for us to have food on the table. We did feel ashamed because we were counting on you, but after all, we are responsible for you because we are your parents. But thank you because you came home for us." her mom said emotionally.

"I'm going home because I know your situation here," answered Alondra.

"That's why we thank you for your kindness to us. We didn't give a good life for you. I'm ashamed of myself because my children are beautiful but I didn't even make a way for them to be better than others."

"We won't think about that right now, the important thing is that we were happy and we got out of poverty little by little," answered Alondra.