C4 Chapter 4

Esang wakes up early to start her routine — that is to wash the dirty clothes of those she knows who have money outside.

She first fried three eggs and made fried rice that they had more than last night. That is what her two siblings eat as a snack at school. Their lunch is not a problem because the two classes are only in the morning. Cardoy is still in grade one and Macky is in sixth grade. Next year, Macky is in high school. She had to work hard to support her two brothers in their studies. Her laundry will no longer be enough for their daily expenses. Her Grandma Sarah's income from selling vegetables in the market is also just right for their electricity payment. Luckily if someone buys non-fresh vegetables from her Grandma Sarah. No one even buys from her grandmother because she only sells on the sidewalk. Sometimes other people hate her grandmother and even drive her to the market or by the side of the road. According to some people they sell dirty and smelly vegetables.

Esang took a deep breath at that thought. She does not despise the fact that her neighbor is the one who insults and tramples on her neighbor. When she was first born, she was glad because the world was so beautiful. Everything was like magic — when she was young; everything seems fantasy. But all those views she had changed when she grew up. It was then that she realized that the world was evil and so deceitful. Some are rich, some are poor. There are ugly, there are handsome and beautiful. There is a deceiver, and there is an undeceived. Some are kind, some are bad.

Someone like them who is poor seems to live in a deep pit — they cry out for help, pleading for them to be heard and rescued. But more deaf people remained above and they were still being trampled on. That’s maybe when someone is downstairs, and some are upstairs. They have no space in this world but as one ant.

Esang shook her head for a moment. She would never think of that again. She can no longer change other people's views because they are not in her situation. Maybe when this is also their situation they will understand how difficult it is to live; how diligent they are to eat only for one day; how to fight in the chaotic world and how to socialize with the people above.

“Sis! Cardoy and I are leaving! ” Macky greeted her as he put his little bag on his back.

She smiled as she put the two siblings' luggage into the Tupperware.

“Oh, sit down and eat first. Where is Cardoy? ” she asked when she noticed that the youngest brother was not yet on the small table.

Macky scratched his head. “Maybe he is still in the room, sister. He is getting dressed. He is too slow!”

She laughed at Macky's behavior. Earlier when she woke up her two brothers are not on the bed. She knew they had taken a bath, so she decided to cook for their breakfast.

“You are no longer used to your brother. You know he takes a long time to bathe, ” she said while laughing.

She wrapped the two pieces of Tupperware and put them in Macky and Cardoy's bag.

“You are right, sister. He also takes time to get dressed. I will be late for school because of him, ” Macky complained.

“Your school is near, so don't worry about it. You will make it on time,” she said while ruffled his hair. “Eat now. I will call Grandma. ”

She even woke up Grandma Sarah and they both left the room with Cardoy dressed in his uniform. Esang was happy as she watched the two brothers wearing uniforms. She cries because of the happiness she feels. Even if she is not educated and only up to grade 6 that is okay. She had nothing to expect because her Grandma Sarah— who was then sending her to school was weak. She can read and write, and she knew little in English. She will do everything she can until Macky and Cardoy will graduate. She did not want her siblings to be like her— uneducated and only an elementary graduate.

They enjoyed eating breakfast together. She still can't forget her mother Salvi. She then looked at the painting — where their beautiful Mother Salvi was. She smiled bitterly.

Macky and Cardoy said goodbye to her when the two are time to go to school. She filled them with a reminder to be careful at school and not to fight.

Before she went to her laundry racket she first took her Grandma Sarah to the market. She was the one who brought the basket with vegetables.

“Grandma, I will leave you here, okay? Please be careful. . . we will meet this afternoon. ”

“Ah, all right granddaughter. You also have to be careful, ” her grandmother Sarah reminded her.

She kissed the old woman on the forehead before turning away.

She went to Lolita's house where she was a keen customer for laundry. She is also close to Lolita and even her children. Lolita has been a laundress for almost two years now.

When she arrived at Lolita's house, she called from outside the gate. One of Lolita's children opened the door. The young lady looks like she's going to school as well. Lolita's youngest is as old as Macky. Grace smiled at her when she saw her.

“Sarah, it is you. Come in. . . Mom is there waiting in the backyard. I will leave you first, sister, I will go to school, ” Grace greeted and said goodbye to her.

She nodded and smiled. "Okay, Grace. Thank you. Take care."

When Grace left, she entered the gate and went to the back of Lolita's house.

She met the woman in the mid-'50s. She smiled when she saw Lolita. In return, Lolita smiled back.

“You are already there, Esang. Is it good that you arrived today? How is your Mother Salvi?” Lolita welcomed her.

She took a deep breath as she prepared the soap bar and powder she would use for laundry.

"The police told us that our mother was dead. We went to the morgue, but Mom's body was not there. So there is a big possibility that she is still alive and the police just made fun of us,” she said with big hope.

“Then if that's the case, maybe Haven can help you. The problem is. . . he's assigned in the other headquarter, but I know my son can help you. Don't worry, I will tell him tonight. You didn't catch up with him earlier because he left the house early. ”

“Thank you, Ma'am Lolita. That was a big help to us. ”

“It's nothing, Esang. I'll leave you here, okay? I will deliver my goods to the market. ”

“All right, Ma'am Lolita. I will take care of it. Please be careful, ” she said while smiling.

The woman nodded and smiled. She turned her back on her and left her alone.

Esang stared at the two piles of laundry on the tray. She almost wanted to lose her body as soon as she saw it but she couldn't. She needs to be strong for the money she will earn from it.

She sat down on the small bench and started doing the laundry. For her brothers and grandmother, for their food, and the future. She can do it!