Boarding House

"You can stop worrying, ma'am. I'll help Mira adjust here as much as I can," Arisa comforted as she looked at the middle-aged woman staring worriedly at her daughter.

"Don't worry, Ma. I'll contact you and Pa every day. And by the next semester, maybe I can transfer to the school dormitory," Mira said as she patted her Ma's back.

Her Ma nodded, but a hint of worry still escaped from her eyes.

Sigh. This is her eldest daughter.

She's actually spreading her wings and flying away from the nest. Of course, she's sad.

But she has to strengthen herself. She can't hold back her daughter from going to a prestigious university.

"Alright. Thank you for your help, ma'am Arisa. I'll entrust our family's Mira to you. Mira, behave well in school. Don't bother your teacher too much, okay?" Mira's Ma nagged as Arisa watched at the mother-daughter duo.

In the past two years, the pandemic forced everyone to cope to avoid health related issues. Education is one of those that got impacted most.

Online learning became a trend during the quarantines where everyone in society needs to keep on going despite the limitations.

This year, the bans finally minimized and school re-opened.

Still, everyone has to wear a face mask to avoid infections.

"Speaking of which, have Mira gotten a boarding house, yet, ma'am?" Arisa asked this concern.

Mira is one of the students that her friend and organization is sponsoring. They need to be attentive with her activities here in school.

"We found a nearby boarding house recommended by a friend, ma'am. We've already paid the rent for two months. There is also another boarder that goes to this university and came from our province, so our family's Mira would be comfortable socializing with them," Mira's Ma said, remembering the tall girl staying in Room #11.

"Good. Next semester, I'll try and see if I can get Mira a spot for the school dormitory. It is still safer for her to stay in the school premises," Arisa commented.

"Thank you, ma'am. We'll get going now," Mira and her Ma bid their farewell to the well-intentioned teacher. Looking at the backs of the two leaving, Arisa thought for a moment before shaking her head.

"Are you sure that you'll be fine here?" Her Ma asked as she looked around the room offered by the owner of the boarding house. Room #6 is quite big for one person.

It was originally reserved for another boarder, but that person wanted a room facing away from the street below.

Room #6 has two windows, and one is facing the street's noise and lights.

Although it is big, the boarder can't bear the smell and noise.

"I'll be fine here, Ma. I'll be studying most of the time, and I'm only staying here to sleep," Mira assured her worried mother as she also looked around her room.

Her baggage is neatly arranged by her bed as she and her mother arrived her earlier before going to the university to talk with her teacher Arisa.

"The comfort room and shower areas are downstairs. For the first few days, you'll be buying your food in restaurants in this street. Your Pa and I will order a burner for you to cook later. You know how to wash your clothes right? White first. Always clean your room. Don't leave the lights on when you go out. The water-refilling station is just next the boarding house," Her Ma nagged as she helped her daughter arrange her stuff.

She set her daughter's bed and pillows, arranged the clothes basket near the cabinet, put all her daughter's clothes in the cabinet provided by the boarding house, neatly arranged Mira's shoes and slippers by the door.

She also separated the kitchen utensils and toiletries that Mira will use. She'll be putting those downstairs where Mira can cook and wash herself.

"Make sure to call home every day, alright? Ration your monthly allowance well. Go back home monthly for your monthly dental check-ups and to get you cash allowance. If you need more money, I'll send some to you if you need them. Ask teacher Arisa for help if you struggle at school. Don't always bottle up your frustrations," Her Ma continued as she proceeded to setting the linoleum for the floor.

"Alright, alright, stop nagging. I'm already old, Ma. I can handle myself just fine," Mira agreed helplessly.

Her Ma's codling really has to stop. She's getting too spoiled.