CHAPTER 2: VERSION 2.0

We visited Mrs. Myles the next day after that incident. It’s really weird because the supposed “witch” of my life turned out to be the gentlest creature alive. Well, I never expected I’d save her life because I didn’t even realize what had happened until most of the people there were cheering as they came rushing towards me.

“Oh dear, oh dear! How can I even thank you?” She pulled me close to her as tears swelled from her eyes. I can see the sincerity of her tone as soon as I see her in that kind of state. This is the kind of miracle that I am waiting for so long.

I can hear Lea, my co-worker giggled softly beside me. I gently nudge her with my elbows to stop her from being silly. See? She also can’t believe Mrs. Myles would act like this.

“Oh, it’s nothing, Mrs. Myles.” I smiled as I answered her.

“She didn’t even realize she had saved y--” I was able to prevent Lea from what she’s going to say by covering her mouth with my palm. She’s having fun not noticing it annoys me already.

“What did she say?” said Mrs. Myles, looking puzzled as she shifts her glance from me to Lea. She’s now wiping her tears with her hands. I handed her my handkerchief and I am surprised that she blew through it. I bit my lower lip to prevent myself from smiling. I also pinch Lea because she might laugh at the scene.

“Oh, she said she’s hungry, Mrs. Myles,” I responded right away. She smiled amidst tears but showed us quite a relief now. “Okay, please tell Karen to give you money to treat yourselves outside for lunch.”

“Wow! Really?” I can see Lea’s eyes sparkled as soon as she heard what Mrs. Myles said.

“Thank you, Mrs. Myles.” I politely held her hand once more but pinched Lea’s arm secretly because her excitement is so obvious she almost jumped for joy because of the idea of food.

“Thank you, Mrs. Myles! You’re the best! We’ll grab this opportunity because you’re still happy. I think we can’t have this tomorrow.”

“Lea!”

Mrs. Myles was able to laugh at what Lea said as she shook her head. Maybe she realized that she’s been harsh these days to all of us that she also forgot we have feelings, too.

“I will try my best to be happy now that I have my second life. Thanks to you again, Delina.” We both smiled at each other as I looked into Mrs. Myles’s smile. For the first time in my whole six months of working for her as one of her helpers, that’s the most fulfilling and the best kind of sincerity that I’ve ever received from her. It warms my heart to see someone so bad that will just eventually turn out to be good. I hope it will be a great start for all of us who are working for her as well.

We called Karen who was outside waiting for us to finish our short conversation with Mrs. Myles. She was able to hand us a hundred dollar bill. We were so happy that we’re able to buy some pasta and sandwiches that we liked at the nearest food stall across the hospital.

“You know what, I still can’t believe Mrs. Myles will be that good. Imagine? She gave us a hundred-dollar bill. It’s not usual for her to do that.” Lea said as she munches her burger. I just smile as I look at her enjoying her food.

“Yeah. I hope she will be good for us starting today. I can’t stand her voice that’s louder than the bleat of a goat when hungry.” I said and Lea responded with a hearty laugh.

“I agree with that. I also don’t get her being angry without any reason at all, sometimes.”

“Well, she’s becoming old. You know, some people when they start to age, they become Humpty grumpy.” I said as I moved my eyebrows up and down. Lea was grinning from ear to ear as she nodded, laughed a little.

“I loved that “Humpty grumpy” name for her.”

“I always wish that’s not her anymore. I can’t stand it.” I added. We ate more and after an hour and a half, we agreed to part ways. I need to also go home earlier because my mom is not feeling well. I have to do the laundry and wash the dishes for her.

As soon as I got home, I was greeted by my 1-year old chicken named “Cutie”. He was able to run towards me as he flapped his wings, showing how happy he is because I am finally here.

“Hi, Cutie.” I seductively greeted him as I got him with both of my hands and raised him in the air. He clucked nonstop as if enjoying the whole thing.

“You know what? You’re becoming fat. Hmmm…” I said as I kissed his feathers. He was able to run away as soon as I said that. What happened to him? I didn’t know that chickens also have their mood swings. Gosh!

Our house is just small. It’s a ten-year-old house made of bamboo and a flat piece of wood. Every time I go inside, the sound of the bamboo creaking that might break any time would greet me. This might sound insane but I’ve always wished for a new house for my family. Our house is located between the rice fields forty minutes from my workplace. Our address is the boundary of a big city and a small town where you can see a lot of rice fields and trees as you go along a big, dusty road.

“Mom?” I called her as soon as I stepped inside our house. I can hear her coughing from what we consider a room, with a large cloth spread wide in the middle of our small, “kitchen” that served as the partition. I moved the cloth sidewards and I can see my mother helplessly lying down.

Seeing her frail, thin body that’s thin is crushing my heart.

Now that she’s sick again, I just can’t stand it. As soon as she heard me, she tried getting up by putting both of her hands on her side to balance herself.

“Mom, please don’t move. It’s okay. I will go there. I’ll just get some water for you.” A little terrified, I hurriedly put down all the food that I took out for her to eat and got a mug that’s cracked already because it’s a bit old, and at least it’s usable because we can’t buy a new set as of the moment.

The moment she’s coughing non stop, I can’t help but worry a lot. She’s been in that condition for three days in a row now.

“Mom, have you taken the medicine that I bought for you?”

“Yes, dear. I never forget to take it.” She tried to smile but it’s a weak one. I closed my eyes a bit to stop myself from being so emotional. It’s like my tears are about to fall on my cheeks.

“How are you feeling now?”

There was silence and in a few minutes, her coughing answered my question. I can’t help but sit on one of the wooden chairs that I improvised days ago. I was able to find at least six small nails and stone to put some of the bamboo pieces that I have sneaked upon at the nearest lumber store a few trees away from our small, humble house.

I was able to boil some water for my mom and let her sip hot water from a cup. I put a small, thinly sliced ginger on it. Thankfully, it made all the cough gone and I can see her eventually closing her eyes. No matter how I tried telling her to eat something, she will just refuse and tell me she will eat whatever I have for later because she’s not hungry. Hours came like a swift moment because I am not letting my eyes off her until I can be so sure she'd fallen asleep now.

I was able to lay down on the bamboo floor just beside my mom’s bamboo bed. How can I even sleep when I can’t help but to think about her so much? Above all, the question that would always echo in my mind is that, when all of these problems will be gone? Why can’t we have an amount of money we need to at least enjoy our life? Am I still living what they call life? Why is it that some people think of life as beautiful but not in my case?

Why?