A new start with a new lifestyle

KRIZZIA's POV

"Are you going to your work now, baby?" mama asked when she saw me bringing my shoes which I picked from the shoe rack.

My hair is in a clean bun, with some light make up to enlighten my face. For today's outfit, I just wear a simple white sleeve polo tucked under a square jeans. Looking decently as always.

It's nice to hear that she did not change any from us, even her endearment to me. I like it. Despite our situation right now, things still stayed as it is. We may lose wealth, money, and power. Still, My family remained who they are, and what they are. I love them. I treasure them, and they're also the reason why I keep on dreaming. Fighting for the circumstances of life. I became mature and knowledgeable towards the movements of the world.

"Yes, mama," I said and settle down on our wooden sofa in order to wear my shoes properly.

She followed me, "Did you bring lunch with you?" She asked. Always worried about my health.

I smiled at her and nod after. Telling her that I'm done taking breakfast. "I do, mama." But even though I tried everything for her not to worry about me, still made her worried. Sometimes, I don't know what to do just to make her unbothered towards me. I'm afraid that her illness will gone worst. Just because she worry. Her illness is sensitive and that she might get weak or collapsed anytime. It's called cancer in a nearly stage one.

It was so hard to accept right back when the doctor informed us with her condition. I remembered how heartbreaking it was. But one day, I just woke up with courage to do something with it. Mom will not heal if I keep myself down. We weren't rich anymore, that's why I urge myself to work. Even if I had no experience.

And because we can't afford to admit her on a hospital, we just took the responsibility of providing her meds and it cost thousands of peso. But that's fine. We can still survived.

"Mama, don't be sad. Do you see? I'm doing just fine." I made her look at my body and how confident and strong I am.

"There's nothing for you to worry about me, okay?" Assuring her and gladly she understands me. Making me feel grateful.

It's been almost three years since that tragedy happened to our family. But, we're now fine and alright. Living a simple life is far better than getting exposed to society. Like, what I was before. I don't feel like going back to that kind of life state again. Now, that I am contented with our life, Mama and Papa are with me. There are no more things for me to worry about rather than money to support our daily needs and also money for our li'l business. I may be sad about quitting school, but you know life matters the most. Life should be prioritized over dreams.

"Mama can't just help it, baby. I'm sorry" I embraced her lovingly to ease her worries. Brushing the side of my head with hers while caressing her back.

Mommy is strong and a kind-hearted woman. The person who I can't just lose. To win her, I have to take the damn challenge.

"I'm strong mama, you can rest assured that. And please take care of yourself while I'm not at home." I convinced her.

"Drink your meds on time. Eat on time, don't skip meals too. I'll ask papa to remind you that." Actually, there's no need to remind papa, papa knows how to take care of mama well. He loves mama and I know he won't leave her alone, especially that she has an illness.

I give my mother a goodbye kiss on the cheeks before getting my bag and the materials I need to use for the morning session I have with my student. I am no student, but I am a teacher. A tutor to be exact. This is my second student this year. He's kind of stubborn and a pain. But because I need money, I told myself to increase my patience towards Brent. After all, the salary is not bad. The family is good to me too. It is just the student itself, who's stubborn and does not want to study.

"Good morning, ladies" It was Papa. He just woke up and is on his way down by the stairs.

"Good morning, papa!" I greeted.

"Good morning, darling!" Mama greeted too.

"Oh? You're going already?" He asked when he saw me dressed for work already.

I nod at him, "Yes, papa. I have to be early" it's six in the morning and the time of the tutor session is eight. The remaining hour is my time to travel. It's not that far, their house is in the city and usually it takes thirty minutes before I could get there. They live in a village. A village which is owned by a famous business man, and a model.

"Wait, I'll escort you--" papa was about to go upstairs again, to get the keys... when I stopped him from going.

"It's okay, papa. I can manage, you should stay here and keep an eye on mama." I advised.

"You sure, Krizzia?" he ensured me if it's really fine for me. He's a bit sleepy. Squeezing his eyes.

I nodded thrice, telling him that I am. "Yes, papa. I can." I then faced my mother "Mama, I will go now. Pa, take care of mama for me" I reminded papa and went out from the house and search for motorcycle riders to ride with. Before I could reach the sitio's waiting shed nearby the highway, I need to ride a motorcycle to get there.

"Krizzia, Good morning!" Aunt Sylvia greeted. She's the mother of Zach and yes, we are living in one community. They are our neighbors. She was once the trusted helper we have back then. "Good morning too, auntie" I greeted back with a genuine smile on my lips. Which I always show to the people who are good to us. We're lucky that here in this community... They accept us for who we are, and not our popularity with the false accusations came from my family's rivals.

"Going to work already?" she asked and approach me at the same time.

"Yes, auntie" I showed her my respect by asking her hand and brought it to my forehead. That is how we Filipinos showed hospitality and respect to the adults or to the people who are older than us.

"Come by the house at lunch, I'm making some food," she informed me, with great expectations drawn to her face.

I shook my head displeased. Looking disappointed for I cannot grant her li'l request. "I'm sorry auntie. But I won't be home until tonight. After my tutor session, I will still have another work to attend for." So sad, aunt Sylvia's cooking was one of my favorite. I want to come, but I can't lose my job.

I saw the disappointment come across from her face, but in the end... she smiled. "It's okay, I understand. I will just spare some for you, and deliver it to your house later. So, you could taste it." gladly, she understand. I was also disappointed, but work is my priority at the moment. Spending a day without income is a loss of opportunity to me. Besides, time is gold that we shouldn't waste.

I hugged her, "Thank you so much Auntie!" aunt Sylvia is like my second mother too. Whenever I was alone at home, she was there and the other maids to entertain me. Sometimes, her son Zach will visit and spend time with me. Even though the world turned so cruel to us, I wasn't alone and loved by them. And it is the most memorable moment that I will cherish in my heart.

In this fight, I am not alone. I might be exhausted. But they are there to boost me up and went back to fight again. So yeah, I don't lose and I always win over the circumstances. Yes, I stumbled at some of my wrong decisions... But I don't give up. I don't even know acknowledge that statement.

School? I will be back soon, I don't know when. Though I believe that time will come, things will be just fine and alright to resume study again.

"You're always welcome, my dear. You should get going. You might be late for work." I pulled out from the embrace and walked a distance before waving back at her. "See ya, later! Aunt Sylvia" she then waves back too before I turned my back and walk ahead to the station of vehicles.

When I got there, riders greeted me and asked me after if where I am opt. "To the waiting shed please" the waiting shed is kinda far. The reason why I have to take a ride on a motorcycle is to arrive there quickly. When I got there, I paid him twenty pesos and look for another vehicle. This time, it's a jeep which will take me towards the Municipality.

Twenty-five minutes after, I arrived here. This area is kinda big. For this is the province's central. You can see here the crowded market, the gym, the church, the small mall and especially, the municipality building itself. As expected, there are many people here, busy with buying goods for today's feast, people who went off by vehicles, the people who went to the church for prayer, and many more reasons why people are so busy with specific things. It's still early but already lively.

I looked at my wristwatch and it is only seven-twenty in the morning. So, I still have enough time. I passed by the rider's station and even asked me if I want a ride. I declined. I'm saving money. So, thirty pesos for a ride to the subdivision is kinda big for a poor lady like me, and it's not that far tho. I'll just waste my money if I had a ride when I still have the time to walk and be there on time.

With our new life, it helps me to appreciate a li'l penny being wasted. I realized, money is hard to earn. It needs much effort to gain it.

"Good morning, Krizzia! You look beautiful!" One of the passersby who knew me, greeted. Waving his hand to me.

"A good morning for a sunshine like you, Krizzia!" His wife greeted to me too. They looked lovely. Hiking along the street.

"You're early again, Krizzia." Brother Sandro, the biker who I always saw every morning during weekdays went to biking, greeted.

I smiled. "Good morning! Have a blessed wednesday to all!"

Many do know me, for I take tutor services in this area for almost a month already. I just smiled at them in return. A simple reply to a nice citizen. This day is good. But, kinda hot. Compared to the other countries that have great climate and season. Still, I like it here. The Philippines are way better when it comes to hospitality, natural sight-seeing, and cuisines that each place served and promotes. Well, every country has these... but for me, I like it here more.

As soon as I've reached the subdivisions' gate, "Good morning, teacher" the guard greeted me.

"Good morning, guard" I replied and went through the gate. I am now on my way towards the biggest house in this subdivision. This subdivision is private and the house is not joint together but has its distance. The houses you can see here are, screams with unique designs and house structures. I think, there are only ten houses built in this subdivision. I'm not sure if the owner is related to the home occupiers.

Of course, the most good-looking house is the house of my student. It reminds you of your childhood for it appears almost like a castle but with different materials used, not stones. In short, they are combined with a unique shape, position, and design. From gates, so long and thick. With empiric design on top also above the walls. I punch the doorbell button and it automatically opened! High-tech! They don't have any guards here. Because technology is there guards itself.

I went in and the surroundings welcomes me with their natural and neat place. The flowers, the fountains, the ponds, the bermudagrasses that enlighten the surface, and lastly the benches. It appears as a park but, definitely not a park. If you are thinking of a Hacienda type of home... Then, you are right! By the time you entered the gate, there is still a long path before you reached the house.

There is a cart but, I like walking here so, I don't use it. Besides, walking is the best exercise that our body could benefit from. "Enjoying the view?" I was walking and almost reached the mansion when a man spoke behind me. From that voice, I know who it was.

"Good morning, Mr. Reid" he's the father of my student. Every morning, he likes to do golfs with his wife supporting him. Even if he aged in numbers but, not on his appearance. He still looks handsome and strong. "Yes, I was. The scenery is indeed beautiful that, I couldn't help but be amazed by." that moment his husband appeared. I bow at her and greet her. "Good morning, Mrs. Reid. How are you doing?" like my mother, she has also an illness and is in the progress of recovery.

"Good morning, Krizzia. I'm doing great" she said with a wide smile on her face. As always, she's so jolly and I like it.

"Brent is still asleep, let's have some coffee while waiting. What do you think?" Mr. Reid offers.

I nod, "It'll be my pleasure sir"

"Now, I feel cringe" he joked me and his wife chuckled. The reason why he said that was, he doesn't want me to call him sir. Because he felt so old.

"Let's go." I then join them towards the mansion. Talking while we are on the way.