Ripples of Change

Eleanor stood at the stove, stirring sinigang na baboy, her brow furrowed in concentration. The tangy scent of tamarind wafted through the small kitchen.

"Hoy, anak," Mama Yana called from behind her. "Hindi ka naman dating kusinera ah. Baka may kailangan ka?"

Eleanor turned and flashed her a quick smile. "Wala, Ma. Gusto ko lang tumulong."

Yana crossed her arms and cocked her head. "Hmm. Ikaw 'to? Eleanor Cruz? Hindi ka na alien?"

Eleanor giggled, feeling tears threaten again. I missed this teasing so much.

Alex ran into the kitchen, nearly colliding with Eleanor's leg.

"Ma! Ate! Bella won't let me play on the computer!"

Bella's voice shrieked from the living room. "Eh kasi naglalaro ako ng dress up game!"

Alex glared at Eleanor. "Ate, sabihin mo kay Bella, turn ko na!"

Eleanor leaned down. "Lex, mamaya ka na. Kain muna tayo, ha?"

Alex groaned dramatically. "Life is unfair."

Yana snorted. "Hay nako. Pare-pareho kayong drama."

Papa Gabe's POV

From the small worktable near the front window, Gabe watched the lively chaos in the kitchen.

He sipped his coffee slowly, savoring the rare moments when everything felt...normal.

Lately, he'd been feeling a strange tightness in his chest whenever he looked at Yana.

She laughed as usual, but sometimes her eyes seemed distant, shadows flickering there.

He hated that look.

And Eleanor...she was acting different. Softer. Clingier. Like she was carrying a secret.

Gabe frowned and rubbed a calloused hand over his jaw.

I hope everything's okay. My family's all I've got.

Bella's POV

Bella plopped onto the couch and flung a pillow dramatically across the room.

Bakit parang ang bait-bait bigla ni Ate?

Usually Eleanor scolded her about chores or teased her about boys.

But lately, Eleanor was hugging her out of nowhere, asking how she felt, helping her with her homework.

Bella liked it...but it was weird.

Siguro crush lang niya si Elias. Lahat ng girls weird pag in love.

She smirked, already planning to tease Eleanor later.

Alex's POV

Alex stuffed a spoonful of rice into his mouth, glancing at Eleanor suspiciously.

Bakit lagi siyang parang naiiyak?

He was eleven, but he wasn't dumb.

People thought he didn't notice things.

But he saw how Eleanor sometimes stared at Mama like she was afraid she'd disappear.

He wished he knew why.

I'll protect Ate. Even if she's weird.

___

Dinner passed with laughter, despite Bella and Alex's endless bickering.

Eleanor watched Mama Yana eat slowly, pausing sometimes to rub her chest lightly.

A chill ran through Eleanor.

Not again. Not this time.

She made a silent vow to convince her mother to get checked up earlier.

The Next Morning

Eleanor arrived at school clutching her books and trying to look casual.

She'd made a decision last night: She wasn't going to waste time anymore.

"Eleanor!" a voice called.

She turned-and nearly collided with Elias Vergara.

He grinned, pushing his hair off his forehead.

"Morning. Ang aga mo ah?"

"Yeah... wanted to review for the quiz," Eleanor stammered.

Elias laughed. "Hala. Sino ka at anong ginawa mo kay Eleanor?"

They walked toward the classroom together.

Eleanor felt herself sweating under the collar of her uniform.

"So... I heard you're singing for the intrams?" she blurted.

Elias blinked. "Ha? Paano mo nalaman?"

"Joan told me."

He looked sheepish. "Practice pa lang. Baka di ako matuloy."

"I think you should do it," Eleanor said, more firmly than she expected. "Magaling ka naman kumanta."

Elias tilted his head, looking pleasantly surprised.

"Uy, thanks." He smiled, the dimple in his cheek deepening. "Ikaw? May sasalihan ka?"

Eleanor hesitated, remembering how she'd refused every chance to perform last time.

No more hiding.

"I... might join the Cotillion."

Elias brightened. "Talaga?! Sali ka. Ang saya nun."

Their eyes met for a second longer than usual.

Something warm bloomed in Eleanor's chest.

Practice Time

That afternoon, the gym buzzed with students rehearsing dance steps and singing.

The basketball team dribbled on one half of the court while the dance team practiced on the other.

Eleanor stood by the bleachers, clutching a water bottle.

She'd volunteered to help with props-a small step toward living differently.

Elias was nearby, tuning a guitar.

Eleanor tried not to stare, but every chord he strummed made her chest tighten.

Why did I waste so much time before?

Joan grabbed Eleanor's arm. "Uy, practice ka na for Cotillion!"

"I don't even remember the steps," Eleanor protested.

Joan rolled her eyes. "That's why mag-practice ka!"

They spent the next thirty minutes laughing and stumbling through waltz steps while the teacher yelled counts over the music.

Eleanor felt lighter than she had in years.

Evening at Home

Eleanor arrived home to find Papa Gabe fixing a cabinet door, his forehead beaded with sweat.

"Pa, tulungan kita."

Papa Gabe blinked at her. "Ano bang nakain mo at gusto mo lagi tumulong?"

Eleanor gave a small shrug. "Wala lang. Gusto ko lang."

Mama Yana shuffled into the living room, wiping her hands on a dishtowel.

"Gabe, tigil ka na muna. Kain na."

Papa Gabe sighed. "Kailangan kong tapusin 'to. Baka tuluyang bumagsak 'tong pinto."

Yana gave him a look. "At baka bumagsak ka rin. Kumain ka muna."

Eleanor watched them, trying not to cry.

They're still so in love. Please God, don't let me lose them again.

Mama Yana's POV

Yana caught Eleanor staring again during dinner.

Anak ko... bakit parang ang bigat ng dinadala mo?

She could feel Eleanor's fear like a pulse between them.

Yana reached across the table and squeezed her daughter's hand.

"Anak, kahit ano pa 'yang iniisip mo... ipagdasal mo lang. Hindi tayo pababayaan ni Lord."

Eleanor smiled faintly and nodded.

Bella's POV

Later, Bella flopped down beside Eleanor on the couch.

"Ate, seryoso, anong meron? May crush ka ba? Or may sakit ka?"

Eleanor laughed, shaking her head. "Wala. Okay lang ako."

"Hmm. Basta, kung kailangan mo ng kausap... kahit annoying ako, nandito lang ako."

Eleanor pulled Bella into a hug. "Thank you, Bella."

Bella rolled her eyes but hugged her back.

Alex's POV

From his seat on the floor, Alex frowned at his sisters hugging.

Girls are weird. But I guess Ate Ellie is okay. I'll protect her, sila ni Bella. Promise.

___

That night, Eleanor curled up under her blanket, the notebook still hidden beneath her pillow.

She felt a thousand possibilities pressing on her chest.

Could she really change everything?

Would it be enough to save Mama? To keep Papa from prison?

She whispered into the darkness:

"Lord... please help me. I don't want to lose my family again."