I cautiously entered the room where I had left Oteph sleeping earlier. Instantly, Oteph sprang out of bed and tearfully embraced me as I opened the door.
"You said...you said you wouldn't leave me," my younger brother sobbed.
I sat down in front of him, gently stroking his sweat-soaked hair. "But I didn't leave, did I? I'm right here with you."
"But you were gone, you weren't there when I woke up," he continued, accusingly.
"I was just helping in the kitchen to prepare breakfast. I would never leave you. You know how much I love you; I would never abandon you," I explained, wiping his tears away.
"Promise me, Ate, promise me you won't leave, okay?" he said, his crying starting to subside.
"Of course, your the only one that I have. So calm down. Breakfast is delicious today, now go wash up and get ready in the mess hall," I reassured him, hoping to divert his attention.
Oteph relaxed his tight grip on me and hurriedly entered the small bathroom adjacent to our room. He left the bathroom door open, afraid he wouldn't see me in the room. Oftentimes, he still dreamt about the abuse we suffered from Aunt Alma and Daddy Rudy. It saddened me each time Oteph woke up in the middle of the night from those nightmares, he was screaming and trembling in fear. I didn't know how to ease the trauma he experienced from our parents. Mrs. Garcia from the social welfare often provided support and counseling, recognizing that Oteph was experiencing Post Traumatic Stress Disorder.
"Ate, I'm done washing up," Oteph said, now smiling, as he hung the used towel on the laundry line.
"Come over here, let me check if my little sibling smells nice!" I said with a smile, reaching out my hand. He eagerly came closer and hugged me tightly.
I playfully sniffed his hair and neck. "Hmm... you smell good. What about your armpits? Are they pleasant too?" I teased, about to tickle his underarms, but he giggled and tried to push my hand away.
"No, Ate, stop it!" Oteph said, laughing.
"Why not? I just want to see if they're nice too," I playfully insisted, preparing to make another attempt.
"No, Ate, I'm ticklish," he replied, still laughing.
"You're already ticklish, but I haven't done anything yet?"
"Well, I am ticklish," he happily responded, pulling his hand away from mine and running towards the door. "Chase me, Ate!"
"Oh, is that so?" I replied, quickly standing up to chase him out of the room. "Alright, here I come. If I catch you, I'll give those stinky armpits of yours a big kiss!" I playfully exclaimed, joining in the game.
Oteph's laughter filled the air, sounding like music to my ears. During the time we were under the control of our father, I rarely heard those joyful, hearty laughs from him. That's why I was so happy that even for just this moment, my sibling could forget about the painful past.
Oteph loved playing as a child, but he weren't fond of interacting with the other children at the center. I often encouraged them to join and play with kids their age, but they preferred to stay alone in our room. They never wanted me to leave his side.
As I chased Oteph towards the mess hall, other children from the center were beginning to gather for breakfast, I noticed the smile on Mama Flora's face when she saw us. Oteph and I settled near her, and I helped Ms. Teresa in preparing the meal. I observed Oteph how he took Mama Flora's hand and placed it on his forehead. Then he sat beside her and engage in conversation with her.
"Is Oteph doing okay now, Andrea?" Mrs. Verna asked, still frying some dried fish. I could see the worry on her face regarding my sibling's well-being.
"Oteph is fine, don't worry. He woke up and didn't find me by his side, he thought I had left him here at the center. That's why he was crying when he couldn't see me," I reassured Mrs. Verna.
"Oh, it would be good if that's all that happened. He needs to get used to it here and start playing with kids his age," Mrs. Verna said, her worry disappearing from her face.
"They won't be staying here for long, Verna. I heard that Fr. Jowie is taking them to live in the convent," Ms. Teresa said.
"So, that means you're leaving us too? Will this handsome guy be leaving right away?" Mama Flora asked, sounding saddened by what Ms. Teresa said.
"Just because Oteph and I can leave here soon doesn't mean we won't see each other anymore, especially since you've been like a mother to us, ever since Mrs. Garcia brought us to this center," I emotionally explained to the three of them. "Especially you, Mama Flora, as I said, you've been our main mother figure here at the center."
"You're making Flora cry again, Andrea. You know she's sensitive when it comes to this stuff," Mrs. Verna jokingly said.
"No, no, I won't cry anymore. I'll be happy because I will now be considered the mother of these two children," Mama Flora defended herself, her eyes welling up with tears. I could see the sadness in her teary eyes. "And they'll be fine with Fr. Jowie," Aling Flora added, trying to smile but her eyes betraying the tears. She looked at my brother. "Oteph, kiss your Mama Flor here." She ordered, pointing to her left cheek.
"Huh? Why? You're not my mom, right?" Oteph asked, surprised, backing away from his seat.
I approached my brother to explain it to him.
"Oteph, they will become our mothers because, like mama, they are also mothers. They take care of us here and give us love, just like Mama Luisa," I explained it to him. I didn't know what to say or how to explain to him that they won't replace Mother Luisa in our lives even though she is no longer with us.
"Mama Luisa is my only mom. They're just like Aunt Alma, they'll hurt us too!" Oteph exclaimed, almost shouting, causing the other children to look at us, still sleepy even though they were already at the breakfast table.
"Don't you want to have more mothers?" Mrs. Verna jokingly asked Oteph.
"No!"
"Oteph, they are good people, just like Mama Luisa. They won't hurt us, especially you, and of course me." I said, insisting to my brother.
"They will hurt us. Especially you, Ate. I don't want them to hurt you." Oteph said almost shouting.
"We won't hurt you, nor your sister. We don't harm children because we love children here, just like you," Mama Flora stood up, she approached me, then hugged me. "...see, here, I truly love your sister Andrea." Mama Flora added, as I reciprocated the hug to show Oteph that he shouldn't have any worries or fears about them. He needed to learn to trust other people.
Oteph just stood there, seemingly lost in thought. I understood why he felt that way. At such a young age, he also needed to learn to protect himself because of what we had experienced. But I knew Oteph, his heart was soft.
"So, what now? Do you believe that Ate and I are loved by Mama Flora and that she won't hurt us?" I asked Oteph.
He continued to stare at us, as if pondering the situation or making sure of the genuine kindness shown to us by Mama Flora. Then he looked at the floor and let out a sigh.
"Let's not force the child for now. You know how traumatic his experiences have been, so it's difficult for him to trust others," Ms. Teresa reminded Mama Flora and me.
I let go of my embrace with Mama Flora and held Oteph's cheeks.
"Alright, I won't force you to consider Mama Flora, Mrs. Verna, and Ms. Teresa as our mothers. But I hope you believe me," I took a deep breath and smiled, knowing that a part of Mama Flora was hurt by my brother's reaction. I also knew that she understood what Oteph was going through now, and it wasn't easy.
"Do you trust me, Oteph?" I asked him. He looked at me and nodded.
"Yes, Ate," he answered almost a whispher. Then he quickly embraced the kind woman beside me.
Mama Flora was not expecting that and found herself touching her cheek, tears forming as a smile spread across her face. She hugged Oteph and repeatedly kissed his fore head. My heart almost broke witnessing that scene. I could see Mama Flora's yearning for her long-lost children. The embrace she had longed for with her children, which she hadn't felt for a long time.
"Alright, that's enough. I'm starting to smell onions," Oteph jokingly said while hugging Mama Flora.
I saw Mrs. Verna and Ms. Teresa burst into laughter upon hearing Oteph's comment.
Mama Flora also chuckled as she sniffed herself, realizing that she had been peeling and chopping onions since earlier.
"Sorry, my child, mama got too happy when you kissed me on my cheek. I forgot that I already smell like onions," she explained, still laughing.
"It's okay, even if you smell like onions, you're still beautiful," Oteph quickly replied to her.
I saw the reactions of Mrs. Verna and Ms. Teresa to what they heard from my brother.
"See, the child said it. Remember, children don't lie," Mama Flora joyfully said to her two companions.
"Oh no, we can't let that happen. What about us?" Mrs. Verna said.
"Yeah, does that mean we're ugly?" Aling Teresa joined in the banter.
Oteph scratched his head.
"It's not like that, you are all nice and beautiful," Oteph tried to explain to the two of them.
"Whatever, I'm already happy with what I heard, even if I smell like onions," Mama Flora said to her companions.
"That hurts..." Aling Verna jokingly said as if crying.
"Alright, alright! All the kids are here now. They will start having breakfast," Ms. Teresa said, now serious.
Just as breakfast was about to begin, Mrs. Edna Toribio, the center supervisor, arrived. Mrs. Toribio was a small and plump woman. Among all the staff at the center, she was the most dedicated to her work, which was why it wasn't surprising that she was entrusted with managing the center.
Mrs. Toribio, with her short, curly hair and radiant morena skin, exudes grace and confidence in her fashionable pink blouse and grey skirt. Her laughter is infectious, causing her eyes to almost disappear. 
"Children, what must we do before we eat?" she asked with a strong yet gentle voice.
"Pray!" the children chorused, eagerly making their way towards the front of the mess hall.
"In that case, let us offer our prayers," she said, her energy shining through. "Who would like to lead the prayer?" Her enthusiasm was contagious.
Despite the silence that hung in the air, one young boy named Ben stepped forward with unwavering determination. Every day at mealtime, he willingly took it upon himself to lead the prayer.
"Surely someone else would like to have a turn?" Mrs. Toribio encouraged, hoping to spur the other children into action.
I, being the oldest among them, still felt too shy to lead the prayer. But therein lay a deeper reason. I harbored feelings of resentment towards God for taking away Mama Luisa, leaving me and my brother to navigate the complexities of life without our beloved mother. Our father had changed, remarrying and altering the dynamics of our family. Speaking of Aunt Alma stirred up a wave of anger and frustration within me. However, these thoughts were not appropriate during a prayer.
Even without being officially called upon, Ben took the lead once again, standing confidently before everyone.
"In the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit..." Ben's voice resonated, capturing our attention.
Watching Ben recite the prayer filled me with joy. At such a tender age, he possessed a courage and determination that I wished for my younger sibling. Although I loved Oteph dearly, I couldn't always be by his side, constantly watching over him. There were times when I had to leave him to pursue my own ambitions and dreams. Given the circumstances we had endured, if it was challenging for me, it must have been even more so for him.
"Alright, children, you may begin enjoying your meal," Mrs. Toribio announced with a warm smile, and the hall filled with the sounds of children happily indulging in breakfast.
Instead of joining the children at the table, I decided to lend a helping hand in feeding those with disabilities, such as Jee Ann, who used a wheelchair due to cerebral palsy. Mrs. Verna lovingly cared for her. Kevin, who had Down syndrome, was entrusted to Mama Flora's attentive care. And Daisy, born without hands, found solace under Ms. Teresa's nurturing guidance.
I took charge of serving rice to those who desired more, delighting in their joyous expressions as they savored the simple yet delicious meals prepared by our dedicated volunteer mothers. The generous donations from private companies, compassionate individuals, and the support of Fr. Jowie ensured that the children's needs were met, including my own.
"Andrea, why don't you join the children in eating? I will take over your duties. Other volunteers will be arriving shortly," Mrs. Toribio noticed me still serving rice and expressed concern.
"I'm alright, ma'am. I have nothing else to do at the moment, so I'll continue helping," I replied with a warm smile.
"Are you certain?" she inquired, seeking reassurance.
"Yes, I am ma'am."
"Very well, as you wish. Just remember to take care of yourself and eat when you're ready."
I nodded in acknowledgement, feeling a twinge of embarrassment for not actively participating in other center activities. Life here primarily revolved around eating, sleeping, and studying. Yet, even in my seemingly small role, I found solace in supporting and nurturing the children.
Glancing over, I noticed Mama Flora whispering something mischievously to Oteph, the two of them exchanging smiles. It warmed my heart to witness the growing kindness between them.
"Oh, before I forget, Fr. Jowie has requested to speak with you," Mrs. Toribio reminded me, her words drawing my attention away from my brother and Mama Flora.
"M-Me?" I stammered, my voice barely audible.
"Yes, he would like you to visit him at the church after you have rested from breakfast. It appears he has something important to discuss with you," the center supervisor explained.
"Alright. Oteph, let's go to the church after breakfast," I proposed.
"No need to worry about Oteph. I'll take care of her here," Ms. Teresa interjected with a warm smile, understanding brother's need for companionship in my absence.
"But..." I hesitated, preparing to voice my concerns, only to be interrupted by Oteph himself.
"It's okay, Ate. I have three moms looking after me here. You don't need to worry," Oteph reassured me, beaming while raising his right hand with a thumbs-up.
It felt surreal, as if I were in a dream. Ms. Teresa was the last person I expected to hear such words from. Perhaps Oteph had come to recognize the importance of independence. And in that moment, watching the harmony unfold, I couldn't help but feel an overwhelming sense of joy for my brother's growth and self-assurance.