CHAPTER 3 – Her Humility with Decision

As God’s creation are you being a responsible human being in our society?

Did you give all your best that you can do?

Are being a good daughter, son friend, siblings, and commoner in the community?

These are just a few questions you heard from other people.

But they don’t know the problem you convey, they easily judge you, and yet they don’t know the burden and the struggles you have been carrying on your shoulders alone.

“We have fresh fish here! Come see yourself, fresh from the ocean, just newly fished!” Bawling a young woman’s voice trying to attract more customers as she already had that are surrounding her in the fish stand.

“Hey, Glaiza you are early again today? You are ahead of us in importing fresh fish again.” Notice the person who sells fish as well to the young lady.

“Glai, can you not be early every day, we will be out of business because of you.” Another woman replied with a smile daubed on her face ……..you can see that she is just kidding.

“My deepest apology for doing so. I just need a big amount to cover my siblings’ school expenses this year.” Apologetically explained to the beautiful woman while rubbing her nape a sign that she is anxious.

“Hey Glaiza we are just messing with you around, you are still not used to our shenanigans huh?” Intervened the first woman who commented earlier, whose name is Hilda

“I know you are……but I also know, you need an income to suffice your families’ need that’s why I’m sorry again.” Probing forgiveness to her two friends.

“Glai, we understand you, it is really a joke what we said earlier. We know as well that you have too many adopted siblings and we care.” Truthfully acknowledge her other friend Ningning.

“Yes I agree to what Ningning says and speaking of your adopted siblings, how many they are now….they are getting more, I lost count already.” Agreed Hilda, with so much admiration of their friend.

Yes her friends are right, she has too many poster siblings, six it may seem.

Glaiza is also an orphan, her parents died in a car accident unexpectedly, that’s why she is determined to poster the children in her care because she knows the feeling.

Their delivery truck collided with a passenger bus…….they were going to the city at that time to deliver the ordered fresh fruits and vegetables on their farm but unfortunately, accidents happened and that’s the last time she saw her parents.

Glaiza was just sixteen years old at that time a tragic event that she would never forget as long as she lives.

That’s why here she is now alone, trying to survive the daily struggle she encounters every day, she has no one and she doesn’t even know if she still has relatives.

From what she knows her both parents were also orphans, that’s why she didn’t ask if they have any other kin when her parents were still alive.

Even at her young age, she manages their farm successfully, with the help of people living there who also become their workers and her family.

Glaiza is in debt and grateful to the people on their farm, because even once they didn’t take advantage of her situation knowing she lives alone and she has a big field owned, to think they can easily manipulate her because she was still young then.

Especially to the old couples who take care of her, they become her guide on how to manage her farm and to develop it successfully.

They even open a savings account for the young lady and teaching her how her money will grow in the bank.

Come to think of it the young lady is so rich, but you can’t see a luxurious life she’s breathing in……she’s living with simplicity.

FLASHBACK

“Dearie, are you sure you’re going to Manila? Is this your final decision? Can you just stay here with us?” Asked the old woman who adopted her.

She is now eighteen years old, she decided to pursue her college education in the city.

Even if she wanted to continue studying in their town but knowing it is more advantageous for her to enroll in a prestigious University in Manila to enhance more her knowledge about farming, especially Manila is more advance than her home town.

It will be a great help to her farm if she studied Agriculture and being a scientist in the field of growing a healthy variety of plants, may it be fruits, vegetables, or herbal medicines.

Other than that she will make her farm richer and plentiful than before.

She will help their farmers more greatly, who serves her truthfully and faithfully without asking anything.

“And why is it that you don’t want to bring your passbook of your savings account dearie, it will be a great help for you there, especially if you have an emergency….I’m worried for you.” A sad face is evident on the old man’s face, he treated the young lady as her own daughter, that’s why he is kind of hesitant to let her go on her own.

“Grandpa, Grandma……the money I have here is enough and I already have a place to stay there, so don’t worry so much I’ll be okay.” Assured her to her grand parents.

The old couple has a house in Manila when they were living there before, their children were the ones occupying it when they move back to their province.

But when their children had their own families they went abroad and stayed there for good, that's why it is abandoned now.

And that’s the reason why they suggested and insisted it to Glaiza to stay there.

The house is huge, knowing the old couples are wealthy.

They are the business partners of Glaiza’s parents, when they know the tragedy happened, without hesitation, they immediately adopted the orphan girl.

“But dearie, the way of living in Manila is very expensive.” Convince her grandfather.

“Grandpa, I will find a job there, don’t worry about me. I can take care of myself, the money in the bank is for the farm. I don’t want to use it, as long I can manage I won’t touch that money.” Explained the young lady to her poster grandparents who she loves so much and vice versa.

“But darling, you don’t need to work there, we are well enough to support you and all of these we have right now are all for you when our time is come.” Insist the old woman to her granddaughter.

“Grandma thank you for the offer but I can’t accept it. I want to prove to myself that I can stand alone, please grandma…grandpa, I really need your support and understanding on this one. I promise, if I can’t handle my situation there, right away I will ask your help.” Convincing her grandparents.

“Oh well what we can do if your decision is final, but dearie please call us as soon as possible if you need help there, I’m not really comfortable with your choices darling but for your happiness, your grandpa and I, will understand you.” Sentimentally expressed the old woman.

“Hey grandma please don’t be so mushy, it breaks my heart seeing you like this. I really need this for myself and especially for the people working on the farm their whole life. I want us to be the number one supplier of fruits and vegetables that being imported abroad…….that’s my vision and making my parents pleased as well, where ever they are now.” Proudly stated the young woman.

“Okay, darling we surrender you win…….God may lead you the way. What ever that makes you happy, we will support you as long as we can and darling always remember this we are here to guide and help you.” Heartily spoken by the old man, who is so proud of their granddaughter.

End of Flashback

“Hey Glai here you are again you’re mind is elsewhere.” Waking up the young woman’s musing.

“Oh my god….I’m sorry I just have many things on my plate right now, what was you were asking me, Hilda?" The young woman apologizes to her friends.

She just missed her grandparents, who she left in the province.

They communicated but they never see each other in person.

She was not able to visit them there for five years.

The young woman wants to see them and hug them so much.

“I said, how many poster kids you are having now, they are getting many. Are you planning to build an orphanage Glai, tell me the truth?” Her friend seriously uttered.

“If I can why not, many children need love and support……I only have six actually, but I will not close my door if there will be more to come.

I will be so glad to welcome them with open arms.” Smiling widely to her friends with mouth agape.

“We are so proud of you Glai, you have a big heart.” Admired Hilda and Ningning to their friend…..Glaiza is really beautiful inside and out.

She’s happy knowing her two supportive friends who are cousins, they are actually the only friends she has.

Since she is so aloft to people……….especially she has a big secret to hide.