With the help of Fr. Jowie, we were able to convince Mrs. Rowena Garcia of the Social Welfare to temporarily take care of us and allow us to stay in the church convent. I was almost jumping for joy when I heard the wonderful news from her after Mrs. Verna woke me up to go to Mrs. Rowena Garcia's office and speak to her on the phone. I know Oteph will also be happy with what Fr. Jowie told me because he has also become closer to the priest. Fr. Jowie and our mother, Luisa, were close friends when they were still in high school. My mom often tells the story that if Fr. Jowie hadn't become a priest, he and my mom might have ended up together instead of my dad, Rudy.
Fr. Jowie said that he might bring us to the convent the day after tomorrow because there are still some documents that need to be processed for us to be officially under the care of the Social Welfare. I'm already excited to leave the social welfare facility because I miss what I used to do before. It has been almost a week since they took us from our father's house, and we haven't been able to go to school either.
Daddy Rudy and Aunt Alma are not allowed to come near us because the Social Welfare has obtained a restraining order against them. Because of the agency's actions, I feel like a thorn has been removed. Not just for myself but especially for my younger brother, Oteph, who was deeply traumatized by what happened. I try to make my brother feel that he has nothing to fear, especially now that we are no longer under our father's control. No one will hurt us or mistreat us anymore. My brother and I are finally free from the cruel hands of our father and Aunt Alma.
It turns out, it has been several days since Oteph and I last went to school. I also miss being a student. Before, we used to leave my brother's house together to go to school. Before going to my own school, I would first take Oteph to his classroom, which is just beside the barangay hall, to make sure he is safe and in good hands. Then I would entrust him to the school guard, whom I would pick up when my class ends at twelve noon. We would have lunch together, and then I would leave him with Grandma Rosa.
After school, I would immediately join Gem Ver to do extra work at their car wash, which is owned by his parents. There, I earn extra money for our allowance and daily meals.
Speaking of the car wash business, I suddenly miss my best friend, Gem Ver. Our parting that night wasn't so good. I know he got mad at me because he suddenly went silent before I got out of Sir Omar's car. Gem Ver and I haven't talked since that night, and I haven't been able to go to school, so we haven't seen each other for almost a week. I also miss that guy, even though he can be annoying at times. I also miss the frequent treats he would give me for snacks during recess and our food trips to the totobits corner.
I sat on the cot that I use for sleeping and looked for the small, round mirror on top of the small drawer. When I saw the mirror, I gasped at the sight of the big bruise on my face. It's not as dark and swollen as before, but the discoloration is still noticeable, standing out from the color of my skin. Mrs. Paula Ilagan, our counselor at the center, said that in a few more days, it won't be noticeable anymore, so I just have to endure it for now. She said it will eventually fade away, and I'll be able to go back to school. She said that what happened was too traumatic for both me and my brother. That's why we have regular stress debriefing sessions with her. But as for me, I'm okay now. I'm okay because Oteph and I have already left the custody of our father and our witch stepmother. That's all that matters to me. Maybe for Oteph, it's not that easy for him to recover from what happened because he's still young to experience all the hardships that Aunt Alma and Father Rudy put us through. Even if I were his age, it would probably have the same effect on me. I decided not to wake up Oteph and let him continue his peaceful sleep on our bed.
I neatly arranged my blanket and pillow before heading to the mess hall, where the three mothers who volunteered at the Social Welfare office were already preparing breakfast for all the children under the care of the Social Welfare Service Center, that's includes us. I glanced at the wooden wall clock as I walked down the hallway towards the mess hall. It was already past 6:30 in the morning, so the three volunteer mothers were already there, busy cooking breakfast in the kitchen. There are only a few minors in the social welfare center. In the few days that we've been staying here, there are three girls and twenty-five boys who are older than Oteph. Twenty-five of us are currently here. I am the oldest among all the children here. I'm not considered a child anymore, that's why I'm not with them. I'm only here because I'm still considered a minor, that's what Mrs. Garcia said, and to accompany Oteph here in the center. We were also not allowed to go to Lola Gloria in Bicol because she is unable to take care of us anymore. Lola Gloria is just living with her cousin, so we can't go with her.
I entered the mess hall and immediately noticed Mrs. Verna Delfin, Ms. Teresa Gomez, and Mrs. Florinda De Veyra or Mama Flora, diligently working on breakfast preparations. I made my way over to Mama Flora, who was seated at a table carefully slicing red onions. On the table, there were various fresh vegetables and groceries, still wrapped in plastic, while a neatly stacked pile of canned goods awaited in the cabinet. Nearby, shrimp, fish, and chicken were ready to be cleaned at the sink. It crossed my mind whether there was a special occasion prompting the abundance of food, or if it was simply an effort to stock up for the week, considering that all three of them at the center.
"Good morning, Mama Flora!" I greeted her warmly as she skillfully handled the onions. Then I turned to Ms. Teresa, who was busy cooking fried eggs. "...good morning to you as well, Ms. Teresa." Finally, I glanced at Mrs. Verna, diligently washing the dirty dishes by the sink. "...good morning to you, Mrs. Verna." They all met my gaze and returned my smile.
"How are you and your brother, Andrea?" Mama Flora inquired, her eyes and nose slightly red from the onion cutting.
"We're doing alright, Mama Flora. Being here has made things better for both of us," I replied, grateful for their kindness.
I reached for a cutting knife from the table, spotting a bright red tomato in the nearby basin. Carefully, I halved the tomato, removed the small seeds, and proceeded to slice it into smaller pieces.
"It seems like the bruise on your face has lessened, Andrea. That means you'll be able to go to school on Monday," Mama Flora mentioned.
"I really hope so. I've fallen behind on my lessons and I miss the routine of attending school," I responded with a hopeful smile.
"You're absolutely right, Andrea. Don't give up on your studies. Don't become one of those young people nowadays who are fortunate to receive an education but choose not to make the most of it. They have the privilege of someone supporting their education, and the least they can do is focus on their studies, yet they fail even at that. Meanwhile, there are others who long for an education but face obstacles like poverty or lack of support from their parents. Some have to work before they can even think of studying. Don't let go of your dreams, Andrea. I believe that both you and your brother will have a better life," Mama Flora advised earnestly.
"Oh, Thank you, I hope what you're saying will come true, Mama Flora." I sincerely replied, appreciating her wise words. Aling Flora's encouragement resonated deeply within me. I refuse to give up on my dreams, not only for myself but also for my brother. These dreams are shared between us.
"What grade is your brother in?" Mama Flora asked, her tears flowing freely now, as she wiped them away with a tissue.
"He's still in grade one, but his height often leads others to mistake him for a grade three student," I shared as I continued slicing the tomato. Mama Flora's tears puzzled me, so I asked, "Is there a special occasion, Mama Flora?"
Mama Flora hesitated before responding to my inquiry about the occasion. Just as I was about to answer her, Ms. Teresa joined our conversation.
"Andrea, that's enough food to last us a week here at the center," Ms. Teresa suddenly chimed in, drawing my attention to the thin mother standing nearby.
I glanced back at the still-piled groceries on the table, realizing the necessity of stocking up since there were many of us at the center. "That's great, by the way, why are you guys doing this?" I asked, genuinely curious.
"What do you mean, Andrea?" Mrs. Verna inquired.
"I mean your selfless dedication here, especially considering you also have your own families to take care of," I replied.
Mrs. Verna continued cleaning fish at the sink as she explained, "Oh, well, I don't have much to do at home, and my children have grown up and started their own families. I've been a widow for five years now, so I live alone. Helping out at the center is my way of giving back."
Then Ms. Teresa shared her story while we were busy serving the cooked food on another table. "As for me, Andrea, I used to be a nun, even though you didn't ask. But when my mother fell ill, I made the decision to leave the convent and care for her. After she passed away, I never returned to being a nun and never got married. When my only sibling died from cancer, I became the mother to my two nieces. Now, I devote my time here to helping these children," she explained.
Ms. Teresa's past as a nun and her compassionate nature made sense now. During our stay at the center with Oteph over the past few days, she had become a mother figure to him. Among the three women, Ms. Teresa spent the most time at the center and even taught us catechism. It all made sense now.
It was Mama Flora's turn to share her story. Still, she sobbed softly as she chopped onions. "As for me..." She forced a smile and took a deep breath. "Both of them already know my life story," she added, gesturing towards Mrs. Verna and Ms. Teresa. I noticed her discomfort in discussing her past. There was something in her eyes as she looked at me, and this time it wasn't the onions making her cry. "...I killed my...husband. But I've paid the price."
Her words left me shocked. Her voice trembled as she clenched her fists.
"...my husband abused and hurt me every day. He openly cheated on me and had a child with our neighbor. That child was left behind, and I ended up taking care of them. I don't know why, but all I knew was that the child was innocent, and despite everything, I loved my husband. They consider me foolish, a martyr. I loved my family, my children, and my husband. I didn't want my family to be torn apart, so I endured it all, even though it left me shattered, not just as a woman, but as a human being. But what I couldn't bear any longer was seeing my husband sexually assaulting our eldest child, his own child...I snapped, and in that moment, my vision went dark. So I grabbed a knife from the kitchen and I killed him. I killed my husband," Mama Flora's story broke through her sobs.
Tears streamed down my face uncontrollably. I felt a profound sadness for Mama Flora, and I couldn't help but embrace her, reminding me of my own mother, Luisa. I held her tightly, trying to share some of her burden, while feeling her pain and warm tears on my shoulder. Mrs. Verna and Ms. Teresa joined in, offering their sympathies and shared emotions.
"I'm sorry. I didn't know. I wish I hadn't asked," I said, consumed by guilt for bringing up such a painful topic.
"Shh...it's alright, Andrea. Letting out these emotions will help your Mama Flora in the long run," Mrs. Verna comforted, gently patting my back.
I released my embrace from Mama Flora and wiped away my tears with the back of my hand. As I looked at her, I felt an overwhelming desire to hug her again.
"For now, Oteph and I will be your children here at the center. If you'd like, you can be our mother," I said, embracing her tightly.
I could sense her holding back tears as she caressed my head and looked at me.
"Really? Of course, why wouldn't I be? You two are such beautiful children," Mama Flora's voice quivered, her tears threatening to spill over.
"Well then, Flora, you now have two children here at the center - a fair-skinned young lady and a cute little boy," Ms. Teresa cheerfully declared.
"Yes, indeed. Let's not waste any more time. We should hurry and prepare breakfast for the children. They'll be waking up soon," Mrs. Verna reminded us.
"Alright, let's go," Mama Flora replied with a smile. I looked at her again, making sure she was alright.
The three mothers returned to their tasks, and I resumed helping Mrs. Verna with serving breakfast on another long table near the kitchen door. My hands trembled as I held the plates when a loud scream erupted from the bedroom.
"Ateeehhh!" The familiar voice of a young boy echoed through the room.
I hastily placed the plates in the sink and rushed to the bedroom.
"Oteph..." I muttered, my heart sinking as I saw him trembling and screaming in distress.