Chapter 1: Lyka


    "Are you sure that you''ll just be fine there, my daughter?" My mom''s voice quivered with concern,


    her worry etched on her face. I could see the lines of anxiety that had formed on her forehead from


    countless sleepless nights.


    I couldn''t help but let out a heartfeltugh, hoping to lighten the heavy atmosphere that enveloped


    us. My mom''s eyes narrowed at me, her worry refusing to fade. "Oh, mother! Yes, I''ll be just fine


    there! You have to believe in me, okay?"


    A heavy sigh escaped her lips, and I knew that her worry ran deep. Despite my attempts to


    reassure her, the weight of her concern was palpable in the air. It was at that moment that I realized


    how much she truly cared.


    "Mom, it''s me, Lyka Montefranca—your daughter. I''m going to work as a housekeeper in Gustavo''s


    mansion, alright? I understand you worry about me but I''m not a child anymore; I can handle


    myself," I reassured her by a tender smile gracing my lips.


    I was excited about starting my new job as a maid in Gustavo''s mansion. Today was the day I would


    travel there, and I hoped the ce would live up to its "humble" description. I had to take three


    buses to reach there. I know it will be tiring but I was grateful that my job application had been


    epted. I thanked God for this opportunity.


    My mother''s face lit up as she absorbed my words, a gentle smile spreading across her lips. She


    stepped closer to me, and I anticipated a warm embrace, but instead, she yfully pinched my


    cheeks.


    Ouch!


    The slight pain only served as a reminder of her love.


    "I am your mother, Lyka, and it''s only natural for me to worry about you, my dear. I will undoubtedly


    miss you, my mischievous daughter! Promise me that you''ll take good care of yourself there," she


    reminded me earnestly, and I nodded in response.


    Ah, a mother''s love truly knew no bounds.


    As I turned to resume packing my belongings, a loud shout echoed from the other side of the room.


    I immediately recognized the voice—it belonged to my father. His deteriorating health had confined


    him to his bed, leaving him with nothing but frustration.


    "Lucia!" His angry roar reverberated through the house.


    "Lucia! Where are you?! You have toe here! I despise this wretched existence!" His tantrums


    had started again. My mother''s expression changed in an instant; she grasped my hands firmly,


    locking her gaze with mine.


    "Ahm, Lyka.… Promise me that you''ll take care of yourself, alright? I won''t be there to protect you.


    You made a promise, remember? I''ll go to your father," she said hurriedly before rushing toward


    their room.


    With a heavy heart, I continued to pack my belongings. Folding each shirt and item with care, I


    ced them inside my worn-out bag. This bag held sentimental value—it was the first thing I bought


    with my hard-earned money.


    Just as I was about to zip up the bag and prepare myself to leave, a small hand grasped mine,


    pulling me back. It was my little brother, Dodong.


    "S-sis?" His voice quivered, revealing his hunger and desperation. "Sis, do we have anything to


    eat? I-I''m so hungry, I need to eat," he pleaded.


    Malnourished andcking vital nutrients, his eyes bore the unmistakable signs of hunger. My heart


    nearly shattered, contemting the life we were trapped in. I pitied him, I pitied myself, and I pitied


    our family. Dodong was a reminder of our poor circumstances. This was our reality—a life where we


    were among the "poorest of the poor." Basic necessities, like food, were luxuries we oftencked.


    We were fortunate enough to have a roof over our heads, but it did little to alleviate the hardships


    that burdened our existence.


    "D-Dodong, hold on," I stammered and searched the pocket of my small bag. I had kept a piece of


    Rebeco biscuit there, nning to have it as a snack during mymute. But now, I knew my


    brother needed it more.


    “Here, Dong, it''s just one. I''m sorry. I''m sure it''ll still satisfy your little stomach, right?" I teased, and


    he managed a weakugh in response.


    Now, happiness sparkled in his eyes. I loved how his facial expression changed because of such


    small things.


    "Thank you, sis! I haven''t eaten since yesterday. I just gave the food I found in the trash can to Ate


    Datdat," he eximed between bites of the biscuit, devouring it like a hungry monster.


    "...But Ate Datdat won''t get sick because of the food I gave her, right? When I found it in the trash,


    the owner had just thrown it away in a split second. I guess bacteria won''t spread that fast, right?"


    he innocently asked.


    Suddenly, a pang of pain struck my chest, burdened by what I heard. My determination to work


    increased even more so that I could at least feed my siblings with edible food.


    Ate Datdat. He referred to our other sibling. We were only three siblings, but even with that small


    number, our parents struggled to provide us with three meals a day. I was the oldest among the


    three of us, and Dodong was the youngest.


    "Hmmm, yeah, I think it should be fine. By the way, Dong, where is Ate Datdat?" I inquired,


    scanning our humble dwelling. I adjusted my mini bag, ready to go.


    "In our room, sis," he replied. I nodded and walked towards our room. I could see a silhouette of a


    figure lying down. At first nce, it was clear that she was suffering, her emaciated frame revealing


    her bones. She was our priority in this household. It was alright if we couldn''t eat three times a day


    as long as she could eat.


    "Datdat... Have you eaten yet, my dear?" I asked softly, aware of her fragility inside and out. She


    responded with a weak smile.


    "Is it time for you to leave... for work, sis?" she asked, deflecting my concern with another question.


    Sighing, I smiled and answered, "Yes, I''m heading to that mansion now. I''ll buy food and medicine


    when I get paid, alright? You''ll recover soon, okay?" I said, rubbing her hair gently.


    She nodded and said, "I will, sis. You take care, okay?" She reminded me. I smiled and nted soft


    kisses on her forehead.


    After our brief conversation, I exited the room. ncing at my watch, I noticed it was already past


    seven in the morning.


    The first bus was scheduled for eight o''clock, so I decided to say goodbye to Papa before leaving. I


    was always apprehensive about Papa''s attitude—he seemed burdened by the weight of the world,


    constantly consumed by anger.


    "Pa..." I called out, hoping for some acknowledgement. But he simply replied with a single "Oh,"


    without even ncing in my direction. Papa sat in a chair by the window, lost in his own thoughts.


    "Papa, I''m just here to bid goodbye. I''m leaving for work," I began, my voice trembling.


    "Bullshit!" he interjected, cutting off my words with a profanityced outburst.


    I bit my lip, tears welling up in my eyes. Papa''s mockery stung deeply. I couldn''t help but cry—I


    despised my vulnerability in moments like these.


    "What''s with being a housekeeper? You''re degrading yourself by serving others for money! Stay


    here and serve your family, you stupid girl!" he shouted, his voice dripping with scorn. A single tear


    escaped my eyes. I couldn''t help it—I was crying. I hated how vulnerable I felt in front of my father.


    "Huh! What''s wrong with being ‘a maid’? Can''t you at least be happy that your daughter wants to


    help? Look at you—what can you do? You''re just sitting there…”


    “I''m not ming you or your condition, but please, Papa, be grateful that I care for you, Mama,


    Dodong, and Datdat! I just want to help. What''s wrong with that?" I poured out my emotions, my


    voice cracking.


    I was still sobbing, wiping away my tears. Papa continued to sit there, staring at me as if I were a


    stranger. His angry gaze pierced through me. He had changed so much. Gone were the days when


    he would hug me and pinch my cheeks, calling me "princess" when I was little. People really do


    change.


    I took a deep breath,posing myself. Even as tears still streaked my face, I mustered the


    strength to speak. "Whether you like it or not, Papa, I will work as a maid. I just want to help. I hope


    you can appreciate that. Goodbye," I bid my farewell and headed towards the door. Upon reaching


    the hallway, I noticed Mother and Dodong standing in front of Papa''s room. They had been listening


    to our exchange.


    A weak smile formed on my face as Mother tapped my back gently. "Mother... Dodong, I''m leaving


    now..." I spoke, my voice filled with determination and a hint of sadness.


    I took a deep breath,posing myself. Even as tears still streaked my face, I mustered the


    strength to speak. "Whether you like it or not, Papa, I will work as a maid. I just want to help. I hope


    you can appreciate that. Goodbye," I bid my farewell and headed towards the door.


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    Upon reaching the hallway, I noticed Mother and Dodong standing in front of Papa''s room. They


    had been listening to our conversation.


    A weak smile formed on my face as Mother tapped my back gently. "Mom... Dodong, I''m leaving


    now..." I spoke, my voice filled with determination and a hint of sadness.