A/N:
This chapter is dedicated to AngelikaDiane17 . Thank you for letting me use your nickname!🥰

***

I adjusted the rim of my eyeglasses after I had washed and dried my face with a towel. Brushing my teeth, I threw a glance at the door when it opened and saw Ate Sam entering our condo unit.

I checked the pink wall clock only to see that she arrived past ten in the evening today.

After what happened in our house, Mom and Dad ordered us to stay at the unit they have bought for us. According to Mom, dapat pagka-graduate ko sa college ko pa siya makukuha but due to the unfortunate thing that happened, they gave me the key to it as well as Ate Sam.

As soon as I was done, I sat beside Ate Sam and tapped her cheek to wake her up.

"Ate. Sa kwarto ka na dumiretso para makahiga ka ng maayos." I said and looked at her weary appearance on the couch.

Her blouse was untidy as there were creases on it. Her hair was in disarray underneath her ponytail.

Being a nurse must have wore her out.

I removed her shoes and socks gently and place it on the rack and laundry bin, respectively.

She didn't answer and was already snoring when I was finished with her feet. I sighed and went to her room across mine to get her a blanket and draped it over her body.

I was tempted to work and help our family too but Ate Sam will kill me for it once she found out about it.

I went back to what I was doing and sat on the chair where my study table is at. There on top of it are my drawings of what I envisioned my future home looks like.

It was a smaller house compared to what we have before it was burned down. It was enough to fit the four of us there: Mom, Dad, Ate Sam and me.

Then, I remembered about Aling Wenna, our second mother, who drops by our house every weekend to clean it.

I erased a line leading to our laundry area and extended the blueprint of our house to give her a room where she wants to stay.

If you are thinking about my major, it definitely isn't architecture nor engineering. I am poor at those things.

I am actually taking up Social Work in Stradborgh University and am currently on my Second Year there.

Sabihin na lang natin na frustrated architect ako.

I continued reading my book on The Fields of Social Work and didn't realize that it is already morning when I woke up with my head bent down on my table.

A blanket was draped over me and I found out that it was almost ten in the morning.

Thankfully, I don't have classes this semester during Saturdays and I was allowed to sleep much longer. I removed my blanket and place it on my bed. Stretching my arms, I yawned and was contemplating whether to have a proper sleep again or not but my stomach growled in response.

I went to the small dining area that I have and saw my favorite foods on the table. The delicious aroma of sinangag filled my nostrils and I eagerly pulled out a plate and my utensils. I poured a generous amount of water on my glass and scooped a heft of the sinangag on my plate. Soon, I am enjoying my tapsilog paired with my favorite catsup sauce.

I made sure to send a text message to Ate Sam after I ate. I immediately washed the dishes and when finished, went to my room to fix my things.

As I was about to gather my books and put them inside my bag, five messages popped on my notifications and I went to check them up. All came from different persons: Dad, Mom, Ate Sam, Tonette and Gelay.

Ate Sam had replied and I went next to Dad's message telling me to visit them in our other house. Mom texted me the same thing, probably to make sure that I have received it.

By the time I was about to check Gelay's message, her name invaded my phone telling me she's calling.

"Oy, best?" I acknowledged her as I sat on my bed. "Ano ganap?"

"Nakakaloka ka naman, girl! Kanina pa kita chinachat!" Gelay shrieked that I have to put my phone off my ear. I decided to put her on speaker and let her talk.

"Ano ba kasi meron? Busy ako." I said and I can just imagine her rolling her eyes at me.

"As always kahit puro tulog ka lang naman." She mimicked my voice and I giggled.

"Hoy! Nag-advance reading ako, wag ka!" I protested and rested my back on the cushioned headboard of my bed.

"Naol, genius." She remarked and it was my turn to sigh inwardly at her palaban attitude. "Anyways, before I totally forget what my chika is all about, you have to come to my party this evening!"

"Alam mo namang wala—" I began but she cut me off, "—ka sa mood pumarty. But, please! Pa-birthday gift mo na sa akin to! Debut ko to, best! Please!"

"Wala akong maisusuot. Alam mo naman nangyari, dba?" I said in a small voice and silence was heard for a moment between us.

"It doesn't matter what you wear, best. You look great in everything! Wait, I have my extra dress here. Dapat susuotin ko yun sa party ng pinsan ko. Yun na lang gamitin mo!" She exclaimed as if she got a bright idea for my small dilemma.

"Fine, fine." I said giving up. "Sasaglit lang ako ha. Manggagaling pa kasi ako sa bahay. Uwi ako sa amin."

"Sure thing, best! See you later!" Gelay chirped and we hung up.

Before I totally get lazy to go to our house, I went to the bathroom to shower and prepare for a long day ahead of me.