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Natasha Abuelo Pov.
I silently watched the closing of the bakery on the side of the road, just a few weeks after my mother kicked me out of the house, my job was going to close.
My boss said that someone has already bought the place here, that is a large amount so that they can move there to Rizal. But I can't be there anymore, it's too far away and I can't look at my father.
”I'm sorry and this is all I can give, how about it. Helda took all of your salary from me.." I nodded to my female boss, she is kind. He's the type who will really help you as much as he can.
"Thank you.." he smiled at me, that was the last smile I saw before they completely left the place where I had my first job.
I sighed, It was only ten o'clock in the morning and it was already very hot. Add to that the unpleasant smell in the surroundings that I passed.
I tried to walk and thought of looking for something to go to again, On the other side there was the newly opened supermarket. I walked there and immediately went to the cashier.
"Did you catch it?" The woman with thin eyebrows looked up, she stroked my body before stopping again with her eyes.
"Your resume?"
"W-I don't have a resume.."
"Are you a high school graduate?" I was stunned, I couldn't answer right away because I didn't finish high school. I want to graduate as much as my brothers, so I study with them.
I shook my head. "N-no.."
"Then you can't come here, and then I guess you're not of the right age yet.." I looked down, I'm only fifteen and tomorrow I'll be sixteen, but here I am looking for a job instead of studying .
I should have graduated by now, but when I was fourteen I stopped studying because my father was unable to work due to an accident.
I let out a violent breath on my way out, took the hot road again and resumed my job search.
But in my few hours of searching it seems that my day was unlucky, I was not hired because like my first attempt they were looking for my resume.
"Please buy it.." I was at the side of the market where I bought ice buko, the man smiled at me before giving me five pesos buko.
"Did the bakery close?" I nodded while drinking, he often buys there every morning. We have made him a customer at pandesal, but it's just sad that I won't be able to enter the bakery again.
”Are you looking for a job?” I put down the empty glass.
"Yes, I wish.."
"I know something, just in case. The pay is low..”
"Really, where?"
”Over there at the cellphone store, he's looking for a salesperson..” he easily got my interest, so I almost agreed and let him help me that day.
We went to a cell phone store, it was small but my new boss said that the food is free but the salary is only one thousand per week, it depends on the sales every day.
"How old are you?" My boss asked a girl, that same day I started because they needed a babysitter.
"Fifteen.."
"You're still young, aren't you studying?"
I shook my head. "No, I need to work."
He sighed, I noticed his soft gaze on me causing me to look away.
"My son is almost the same age as you, he will graduate from high school in Fatima.."
I didn't say anything anymore, I knew it was a good school but there was no chance for me to get into it. Besides, I'm more focused on work now and how to earn money just so I can give something to my mother.
Especially with dad's diabetes medications.
"This is your only salary.." you can hear the displeasure in the mother's voice, I nodded. It's been a week since I got a job, and even though the shop's income was low, my boss still gave me a thousand.
"The salary is low there because the food and snacks are free.."
"It's good that you're having a snack, while we're not here!" I held my breath, I wanted to scold him for gambling. Instead of buying a snack, why didn't he just gamble?
But I can't answer him, I don't want to be kicked out again just because of that. And then I have respect for him even though he treats me like this.
"Change your job, go to Dahlia's!"
"Yes!" My eyes rolled. "I don't want to!"
"What don't you want?" mom's voice is high. "Look abby, your daughter of Juliana, the salary is high and she has already built a house!"
"But mother, I don't want to!"
”No, follow me because I know you will earn a lot, a thousand is not enough for medicine and expenses here at home!”
My heart was bad, my mother turned away from me while the tears gradually formed in her eyes.
From the curtain, the father removed it as he was leaving the room, I came closer so that it would not be difficult for him to roll the wheels of his wheelchair.
"Why are you still awake?" I pushed his wheel chair in our small living room, our barong baro house seems like it's going to fall down because it's been too long. Since my father lost his job, there was no chance to build this house.
"I'm sorry, son.." I sat on the wooden chair and smiled at my father.
"Where are you asking for forgiveness?"
"Because you scrubbed for me, I'm sorry because I can't help you.."
I smiled. "It's okay, don't think about that. This is really what the eldest does.."
Father sighed. "Your daughter is very kind, Natasha. Forgive your mother if she often scolds you.."
I looked down. ”W-that's nothing..” I was still upset even though I said that, I was doing everything but for him it was nothing.
"I will never get tired of working, father. Just like what you used to do with this family, I will save money so that you can walk again.."
"Don't stop, son.."
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