C3 Antarteces

ANTARTECES

8:00 AM

AMERA APARTMENT

The sun is shining and the birds are chirping suddenly I feel like I am Cinderella waiting for a prince but no I am not waiting for any. All I want is a stable income and more jobs for me to sustain my studies. I want to mourn my situation, how pity of me to look at. I feel like I have to struggle everyday for me to live and survive for a day. To survive for a day is to work of at least three jobs in a day after my studies. Not to mention that I still have to do the homework's and activities that are task to us. I am thankful that I have my friends in the apartment and they help me even though I didn't asked them to do so. Everyday I always told to myself that I have to fight just for me to survive for a day. I have to go study and to graduate. Get a better job with enough salary for me to live. I just want a simple life without me struggling til I am old.

I sighed and look at myself in the mirror as I splash warm water in my face. It's time for to work. It's Saturday and it is a market day. I have to double my work. I consider this day as a blessing. I smiled in front of the mirror and it didn't even reach my eyes. The round eye bags in my eyes just tell me that I lack in sleep.

"Hey! Anta! Aren't you gonna work today? Come here, I cook us a breakfast. I cook your favorite dish," Milena shouted at the small kitchen. I kind of feeling shy because my meal here is always free and I didn't even have the money to pay or even just contribute money for groceries. I am always short of money.

"Hey, I know that look," she rolled her eyes and gestured me to come near her which I did immediately. she pat my head and gestured me to sit.

"Don't you worry little head. You haven't eaten in a right time look at you. You are so skinny and being the older one here. I should watch you guys. So no but's and if's just eat there and have a day after this huh," she said which put me in tears again which she immediately wipes it away and rolled her eyes.

"And here we go again. Why so emotional everyday you little head. Ugh! Don't be like that your making me live like in a Korean drama that I am still watching," she said and I can't help but to smile.

"I am just touched and at the same time I am happy because I have you guys. Even though I rarely contribute money for our food for everyday. I promise that one day it is on my treat and I will not forget this," I said and she just smiled and that is when the other two came in. It is Lisa and Cathy. They are older than me too.

Milena is currently working in a call center. She didn't finish her studies instead she worked and now sending money to her parents. I want to be like her, she is so determined and have this guts that I don't have. Lisa and Cathy are twins and also in a senior year of college. They are all kind to me and always have their hands to reach for me tat I am thankful as always.

Lisa pulled a chair and place a money in front of me which cause me to frown. "Here go and buy yourself a new shoes. the shoes that you are wearing right now can absorb wet when it rain. You are working in that body built of yours. Could please take care of yourself first huh Anta," Lisa said and I look at them both.

I want to be in tears and be melted into my seat. She was right I can't even afford to buy a new shoes of mine. What can I say, I am always short of fund. I always put my money in my savings account and still not even getting higher because I always have to withdraw it to pay for my tuition.

"T-thank you, b-but I can't take this and-" I was cut off by Cathy when she suddenly speaks up. The fours of us, Cathy is the silent one and when she talks she is serious.

"Antarteces, my dear, you are worth it. Consider this as an advance gift because your birthday is near now. You don't have to be so emotional all the time. And Lisa is right. If you are working please take care of yourself also. Do you want to be sick and just lay your butt here in apartment doing nothing? We know you, you will be gone crazy if you don't do chores or work your ass off just for the sake of money. We get it because you want to sustain it to your studies but please just don't forget yourself and your heath because that is your wealth dear, Antarteces," she said and all of us are looking at her in silence. Even Milena's mouth was hang open and also Lisa.

"Sorry for keeping you worry. I promise to take care of myself then," I smiled and Cathy smiled back and nodded.

"Okay! Enough of the drama and let's dig in!" Milena said and all of us laugh and eat.

Even though I lack of having a parents to support me. I am blessed of having them. I am happy but there is also a room inside of me longing for my parents touch but I know that I shouldn't bother them. I have to work and then one day maybe there will be a time that I got to pay them a visit even though they don't want too. I just want them to show that I am fine.