CHAPTER 2

　　Alondra felt happy because somehow they can also taste delicious food. After she ate, she took the glass and plate to the sink to wash. She has already started washing. She just made it slowly because it was so slippery and she might break all the dishes. The woman is also busy wiping the ones she has washed. Alondra's back hurt because she washed too much and then she helped the woman wipe the glasses and dishes.

　　“Thank you, daughter. I didn't have too much trouble because you helped me. I don’t have any companions here because my boss is too stingy, " she said to her in a low voice.

　　Alondra nodded in response.

　　"We don't have anything to do, so you can go home since it's getting late. Maybe they're looking for you. What's your fee for washing things here." She said once, handing her $100.

　　She accepts it with a happy heart. Alondra is happy because they have a few more days to use the money the woman gave her.

　　"It's too big, ma'am?" she asked.

　　"It’s okay, accept that. And besides, bring to for your parents. That's not dirty. I cooked that for you. " She told her, smiling.

　　"Thank you."

　　Simultaneously, the woman carried three paper bags and handed them to her. And Alondra knows that food is inside.

　　"Be careful!" is what the woman said to her when she go out of the gate.

　　Alondra waved at her. And smiled at the guard and walked away from the big house. The surroundings are so bright. And she would also walk a few kilometers to get home. It's okay because she knows it's safe to walk around their place at this hour. There were lots of kids chasing each other in the middle of the bright moon. People talking in the middle of the street. Alondra looked up at the sky. Many stars twinkle as if to tell her not to give up on life because there is still hope to wait for her. They hope to rise above the hardships of life they have experienced. Alondra was about to enter the alley behind their house when she saw her father looking at her. She knew he would be angry at her because she came home late at night.

　　He intends to close his account so that that scumbag of a woman never withdraws money again.

　　Alondra approached her father and kissed him on the cheek.

　　"Where have you been, Alondra? Is it still reasonable for a rational woman to return home at this hour?" her father asked.

　　She just remained silent. When she is guilty like this she will not speak. As they walked home together, Alondra bit her lower lip.

　　"I'm sorry, Father, I walked across the street from the large mansion and went in to wash dishes because there was a party going on."

　　Her father's fist was clenched and walked inside the house without saying anything, and she found Mathilde seated on their wooden shorts stairs.

　　"It's getting late, are you still out here, Mathilde?" Alondra asked, carrying three paper bags.

　　"I waited for you here because I knew you brought a lot of food," answered Mathilde.

　　Alondra's tears suddenly flowed at Mathilde's words so she immediately wiped them away. After she gave Mathilde the paper bags he brought.

　　"Are these food, sister? Why are there so many?"

　　"Yes. And all of that is delicious," she replied.

　　"Really?"

　　Mathilde was about to look through the contents when she was stopped.

　　"You check that inside because it's cold at night, and you add more mosquitoes here."

　　When they entered the house, Alondra discovered her mother sleeping in the living room on a bamboo bed. She noticed her mother's exhausted expression. She moved her head. Alondra is currently considering what she can do because she can no longer work to the point where her mother becomes ill.

　　"Do you have any rice, Mathilde?"

　　" she asked her sister on the way to the kitchen, knowing Mathilde would be preparing food and following her.

　　“Mother brought only a little rice, sister, and then they fought because Dad was fired from the job he got,” Mathilde said.

　　"Why?"

　　"I do not know. I can only hear them answering and throwing hurtful words. I think father is very angry that he lost his job and mother is the one he blames." Mathilde replied in a low voice.

　　Alondra shook her head and sat down. It's not the right case of losing your job to turn your frustration on your wife. Not once did she get angry with her father who, after all, as one of the pillars of the home, has a great right to raise them because he is the man.

　　Later on, Mathilde had already put all the food on the table. The woman gave her different dishes earlier, and there are different kinds of desserts. Mathilde's eyes widened, and Alondra could see the joy on her face.

　　"Call Mom and Dad so we can eat,"

　　Her mother and father entered the kitchen without saying a word. They took a chair to sit down. Her mother looked at her with a shy smile.

　　"That's a lot of food." My mother said,

　　"Yes, mom. I came to the party in the big house on the other side. I washed the dishes, so food was sent to me. That’s not dirty, it's freshly cooked. " she replied.

　　Her father and Mathilde were silent during the meal.

　　"Next time don't come home at night. We were worried about you, we don't know where to find you." her mother said.

　　"Yes, Mother. I'm sorry," she replied.

　　After they ate, Dad entered the room first. Alondra just didn't ask her father what happened because she knew he wasn't in the mood. She saw her mother sitting in the living room. Alondra approached her and gave her the money she earned from washing the dishes.

　　"What is this, daughter? " her mother said in a shocked voice upon seeing the money she lend to her.

　　"I will give it to you to use for expenses here at home. Tomorrow morning Mathilde will go with you to buy rice in the city. It's a good thing that the woman paid me too much for that earlier when I washed the dishes in the big house so that you stop doing laundry for a while, Mother." she said.

　　“You don’t have to do this, Alondra, this money is yours. You will use it to buy your things. I will find the money for our expenses here at home." her mother replied.

　　“Mom, stop complaining. You better took a rest for a while here at home. Look at you, the tiredness was so evident in your pretty face.” she said.

　　Her mother nodded. She stared at Alondra for a brief moment and said,

　　“I’m sorry, we did everything we could to give you and Mathilde a better life, but it’s so hard.” her mother said as if about to cry.

　　“Mother, that’s enough. We’re not complaining about things that we don’t have. So don’t be sad. Everything will be fine. Trust me.” she said.

　　“Thank you, Alondra. I love you.” her mother said.

　　And then she stood up and went to her room. Later, Alondra checks on their parents in the room. They're sleeping well because their tiredness is visible on their faces. She sighed and entered the bathroom to take a bath. She felt sorry for them because they had struggled for years to provide a good life for their children. However, this is insufficient. She did not experience drowsiness in her senses. She went into their room after washing her hands. Mathilde was eating dessert when Alondra noticed her. She laughed and cried because Mathilde had never eaten this type of food before.

　　"Sister, do you want to eat?" Mathilde asked.

　　"I'm full, Mathilde," she said.

　　Alondra is looking for pajamas that she can wear. She shook her head when she saw a piece of wood that they used to put clothes in that was already damaged. And she felt Mathilde hug her from behind afterward.

　　"Thank you, Sister. I am happy because you have become my sister. " Mathilde told her.

　　"You're welcome. I am also thankful you also became my sister. " Alondra replied.