1 The other side

Chapter 1: The other side

I woke up early to pack my things.

"Lai? Are you done there?" Mom asked me.

Actually, she's not my actual mother, she is just my grandmother. I nodded as an answer.

"Mom, won't you go with me?" my chest tightens whenever I think it will separate me from them.

She sat down next to me and took a deep breath. She held my two hands.

"I can't. You know the situation, don't you?" I could see the sadness in her eyes.

The door of my room opened, and sister Mary entered. "Laila's grandmother is already there."

Mama's grip on me tightened. Shit. I regret my decision, but there is no delay. They helped me carry my belongings.

When I saw my grandmother, I put the back of her palm to my forehead — it was a sign of respect here in the Philippines.

"Are you ready?" grandma Aleysha asked me.

"Yes." I looked at the family I grew up with, one by one. I will make sure we meet again.

We were leaving when mama called me. It made me cry as she hugged me tightly.

"Be careful, okay? Here, hide it. Always remember that we love you so much. "She kissed me on the forehead just as my papa did, or should I call Grandpa.

I pocketed my mother's money and cellphone.

"Inform us when you get there, alright?" said papa.

"Yes. I really love you too. Goodbye." I said and turned away.

We took a tricycle to the bus station. When we arrived, we waited for the bus first.

I hope my second meeting with my actual mother will be successful because I have sacrificed a lot just to see her.

One of them is that I can't climb onto the stage wearing the gown. My second graduation was as an elementary completer.

***

Finally, we arrived.

We are here in Dipolog City. We have to ride a tricycle again to my grandmother's house.

"You'll love it there, honey." Grandma broke the silence. I just smiled at her.

"Why are we here?"

"Let's stay here for a few days first." Oh, I thought we were in Manila now.

We got off from the tricycle when we got to my grandmother's house. We entered the small passage.

"Come in." grandma said.

"Tashia! Help us here." grandma calls Tashia. I guess that's my cousin.

Their house here is simple, unlike our mansion house.

The Tashia came and helped us. We went to their living room. Even TV they do not have.

"Let's sleep together, Laila." said the grandmother. I nodded in response.

We put my suitcase in grandma's room; it was very crowded, and it seemed like no sun was entering her room. I was about to leave when something touched my foot. I looked at what it was. There are some things in the bottle. There are also oils.

I'm worried for myself because there were rumors that Dipolog knew witch-crafting. I quickly put the bottle back under her bed and went to their kitchen to eat.

"Don't wash your hands, honey, because we came from a trip." I know. Good heavens! I don't want to get my hands paralyze.

It was as if we had died while eating, so silent. I'm not used to it because in our house we have so many stories to chit-chat. My family is so happy with it unlike here.

After eating, I got dressed to rest as well.

***

Time flies. I have been here for two weeks and we will leave for Manila next week.

Grandma Aleysha woke me up early to fetch water and clean their yard. I am currently collecting water here in the well.

I cried as I spelled out what they had asked me to do in the past few days. I did not come here to be a slave. I'm so skinny to do heavy tasks and I'm their guest.

"Laila, clean the yard!" I heard Tashia shout. I rolled my eyes in annoyance.

"Yes! Dear princess." I whispered the last thing I said because I might get hit in no time.

Just a little patience Laila and your suffering will end.

When I arrived, I put the bottles on the side of the comfort room. I will start cleaning so that I can rest.

After I cleaned the yard and the inside of the house, I cooked.

"Sister" I knocked several times before she opened her room.

"What do you need?" At noon she still thought of going to sleep? Shameless!

"Time to eat señorita" She raised an eyebrow at me. I'm dead! I said it out loud.

"Are you mocking me?" Just as I thought. Is it not obvious?

"No. I said we will eat." Oh, Laila, what did you do?!

She rolled her eyes at me before leaving me in front of her room. I peeked inside. Her room is so beautiful...

As usual, they are better than me. Fried chicken is their dish, while mine is sardines. I didn't expect my role here to be like Cinderella. Only at night can I rest properly. That is my routine. Nothing more, nothing less.

***

April 6, 2015. Today is the day of our flight to Luzon. I envy my cousin because we were really waiting for her graduation day, unlike me, I didn't even show up on my baccalaureate.

We are now at the airport. We waited a few hours in the lobby before boarding the airplane.

"So lucky are we? What is the feeling of your first ride on the plane?" Tashia said in a very...very sarcastic way. She even raised an eyebrow at me.

I just ignored her so that my day would not be ruined. I don't know what she is up to and why she is just so angry with me.

I adjusted my seat because the plane was about to fly. I just turned my attention outside to avoid trouble with this grandmother and granddaughter.

The beauty of the world is so breathtaking. I didn't know that it would be nice to take a plane if you plan to see its unique hidden beauty.

I guess I need to look forward to what is waiting for me in Manila, the new chapter of my life.