Chapter 1: Old life

I woke up because i heared our pots clanging. My mother and father are shouting each other again, this happens every morning.

I look at my siblings and they we're crying. I can't do anything but to hug them.

"Shhh, stop crying ate is here" i said to them while patting their head.

*"Ate" is what Filipino people call their big sisters. It's pronounced as A-te.

"Ate, mama and papa are fighting again" my younger sister said while crying

"Everything's gonna be okay" i said just to comfort them.

"You always say that,but up until now nothing change, they still argue. It's not getting better, it's getting worse." my little brother said.

"I know, but always remember that we should put our trust to God" i hope this inspires them. "Ah right, today is Sunday! Come on let's go eat breakfast and get ready."

I walk out to bedroom and my siblings followed me.

"You're up? That's great. Eat breakfast, get ready and go to church" My mama emotionless said.

"What about you you're not going to church?" I calmly ask.

"No i have a lot of things to do" she replied.

I just ate my breakfast, afterwards i take a bath, pick a decent dress and wait for my siblings to get dress also.

After a few minutes, my siblings are done.

"Are you done?" I ask them

They gave me a nod.

"You didn't forget anything? Water? Handkerchief?" I ask them again.

"No, it's all here" they said and pointed their bag.

"Okay great, now let's go" I hold their hand and we went to church.

The church is 10 minutes walk from our house.

When we get there the mass hasn't starts yet. We sat on the chair and wait for the mass to start.

While waiting a nun approaches me. "Good morning" She greets me.

"Good morning too" I replied.

She ask me if we can talk in private just for 3 minutes.

And i said of course. And when we get in a small room, where you can talk privately with someone.

She hold my hand. "Father and I talk to the rich families in our church and they are willing to sponsor your tuition fee for college."

I gasp out of happiness. "Oh my, that's nice. Thank you, thank you so much" then I hug the nun.

"Your welcome. Ah, i almost forgot to tell you, they also said that from now on you will help us here on church, in return they will be sponsoring your tuition fee." she added.

"Yeah, that's definitely okay with me. Again thank you" I replied.

"Let's go, the mass will start in a few minutes."

We went out from the room. And I go back to my seat,smiling.

"You seem happy ate what did sister told you?" my little sister ask.

*(She is referring to the nun)*

"Sister, told me that someone will sponsor my tuition fee in college." I answer.

"Oh, that's great. Knowing that mama and papa can't afford to pay your tuition fees." My little sister but in. "If mama hears that she will be happy" she added.

I hope so I said in my mind.

After a few seconds the mass starts. Then, after 2 hours the mass is done.

We did a little chat with our friends and after that we decided to go home.

When we got home I saw mama cooking lunch, so i decided to help her.

"Can you look at this? I will just take a bath" she ask.

"Of course"

Then she went inside to get her clothes and towel, after that she took a bath. A few minutes later, she's done. I' m done cooking lunch.

I called my brother to ready the table.

While eating I decided to tell mom about the nun told me. My legs are tembling and my heart is beating so fast. "Mama" as i call her my heart beats faster. I don't know why i'm nervous.

She didn't say anything,she just look at me.

"I can go to college,someone from the church will sponsor me." Agh finally I said it, it felt like a thorn in my throat has been pulled out.

With no emotion "That's great" she replied.

I can't take this anymore.

"Is there a problem, mama?" I ask her.

She took a deep breath. "We don't have any money,and I don't know if we're gonna survive this week" A escape in her eyes.

I stood up, and hug her.

"I can feel that someone will help us. Don't cry mama, everything is gonna be fine." I said while patting her back.

After we ate, our neighbor came into our house.

"Em-Em" she's talking about our other neighbor, who just got back from Japan, "Her boss is here, and she is inviting us to go in their house for a snack. Around 3 pm later"

"Really?" Mama ask make sure that she is not lying.

"Yes!" the woman exclaimed. "She told me that her boss wants to adapt a child and now they are finding one.

"Okay we will be there." My mama gave the woman a smile.

Then the woman left.

"You heard that? We should go there." Mama turned on me.

"You can go, I have to review for my exam next week" I said.

"You can review later when we got home after going to Em-Em's house"

"But–"

"Seb!" she shouts my name.

My legs starts to temble. My hearts is beating so fast.

"Yes,ma. I will go there."

"Good." Then she left.

After that i also left. Went to the bedroom and sleep.

Hours later I heard my little sister waking me up.

"—come on let's go to tita Em-Em's house"

"That's enough I'm already awake" I said.

"Sister, you should change your clothes then we can go"

"Yeah, can you please go out for a second i will change." i ask her.

She smiled "Of course" Then she left and close the door.

I get up from bed and change my clothes.

"Is your sister awake?" I heard mama ask my little sister.

"Yes,she's awake" she answers.

"Hurry up" my mama said.

"Yes, I'm almost done." Before going out I grabbed my reviewer and hid it under my t-shirt.

I open the the door and step out from the bedroom.

"Let's go" Mama said then she locks the door.

We followed her until we got to tita Em-Em's house.