Beginning....

ELIZABETH VILLATORTE POV:)

Carrying a basket while picking eggplants that can be picked. I am with my colleagues who also grow different vegetables.

Yes, we are a farmer. We live in a farm far from the city or Manila. If it is called a province.

It's nice to live here. The air is clean, quiet and all the people here, I know everyone. It is said that compared to Manila, the noise, the mess and the people there have problems. I'm still fine, I'm happy here and my mom is with me.

I grew up without knowing a father. Mama said Papa left us because he was already married. Mama used to be rich, but she lost everything because of my Papa's stepmother wife. It did everything to make Mama suffer until Mama suffered and went back to live in the Province.

Before Mama settled here in our town, she discovered that she was pregnant and that Papa was the father. I am the result of both of them. Even so, I didn't hold a grudge against my Dad. Even though he left us and exchanged it with someone else, he is still my father. Turn the world upside down, he's still my father.

But I am thankful because I had a very kind and caring mother. I love that Mama even though she always tells me. But I am fed up with his preaching.

I put the eggplant in the big basket on the track that is quite old. Putting it on, I was almost out of breath from the weight. My colleagues also put the fruits in the basket. It will be brought to Manila.

"Mang Trino, be careful on the flight! Don't neglect our fruits and vegetables! Our family's life depends on it!" I said to it as it got on the Track. He is also a farmer. He delivers in Manila. When someone buys fruits and vegetables, when he comes home we have money.

"Yes, Mang Trino! It doesn't matter, when it's all gone, I'll have another drink!" Mang Josefino said that he is also my fellow farmer. He is also quite old. Maybe its age is 40+ and above.

"Woaahhh! We want that!!!" said our fellow farmers.

"Don't worry my friends! I will come home with our money." Mang Trino shouted with a smile while just glancing at us, he almost went out of the track window again.

"Alright! Be careful!" said Mang Josefino.

"Bye!" we all say goodbye to Mang Trino.

He just waved and sat down. It left with our vegetables and fruits. When Mang Trino was far away, my colleagues went back to their respective homes.

Before I could continue walking to go home, Mang Josefino spoke.

"Beth, thank you for the dish you brought us last night. My husband liked your Eggplant Adobo." it thanked me with a smile.

"Gosh! That's ok, Mang Trino. As long as I'll be the Godmother of your future child with Aling Loreta." I said here.

"Of course. You are the first Godmother of our daughter and Loreta. We will make it happen as well as you are wise and diligent." this smiling praise.

Because his wife Mang Loreta is pregnant. Five months pregnant. She will give birth soon and I will be a godmother to her.

"Hahaha, go ahead. I'm going home with you. Maybe Mama is waiting." I'm saying goodbye here.

"Okay. Thanks again, Beth."

I already walked to go home. I can't lose the smile on my lips because I know next week, Mama and I will have money again when all the vegetables we planted are sold.

I can buy Mama new clothes. It hurts me when I see holes in Mama's clothes. Even Mama's panties have holes. Little by little, the connection of what seems like that will be broken. I want to buy her but she doesn't want to because she always tells me...

"No son. Let's save this money of ours for your future. I don't want you to be like me. You need to finish High School now. We will prepare for your college." That's what Mom always bought me.

Mom is right. We need to save. Next year, I'm in 1st year college. I want to take Business Management course. I also want to build my business like those who are successful now. They have companies like in Manila, they have their own building. Many people work there and you are the boss. I like that.

"Mom, I'm here!" I said when I was home.

Mama and I's house is just a simple hut. Not big and not small. It was a nice and comfortable place to live.

I put my old bag on the wooden table and immediately went to the kitchen to eat.

"Mom? What do you want me to cook? Do you want me to cook the banana heart?" I said. I know Mom heard it in the room. I will do it every day.

Mama didn't answer for a long time. I thought he was sleeping. I once caught him sleeping in our room.

I was washing our small pot when I heard something fall. I went to the room in a panic. I was so scared that I ran towards it.

Maybe Mama is having a heart attack again. Mama has a heart disease. When he was young, Mama's heart was really sick. He didn't want to get checked up so he endured the pain he was feeling.

I saw Mama, already lying on the floor and seeming to have trouble breathing.

"Mom!" I immediately went to Mama and picked her up and hugged her even though I was kneeling on the floor."Mom! Don't leave me! Mom! Fight it!" I cried.

He could no longer speak, almost as if he was suffocating.

I'm crying! It seems like I will lose hope to live when Mama is gone.

Mama held my hand and struggled to look me in the eye.

"Ahhkk a-aaanak...aakhh m-you will find your p-pa...akhhh K-ku-kkkun the p-for you. T-help your P-papa in bad n-nakapali ...bot to him..." Mama told me with difficulty.

"Mom! Don't leave me. We'll find Papa together." I cried when I said.

"Y-you'll remember me son... You won't let anyone step on you. L-fight, son. Fight..." Mama continued to tell me." The p-pa... Aghhh your papa's name aghhh Leandro Yu. I-I love you so much, a-son..."

It was like a glass broke in my heart when Mama's hand fell. That's when I started crying. Constantly shouting Mama's name. I don't know where and how I will live. I don't know where to pick it now.

I hope people become immortal. No one will die and no one will leave you.

* / / /

I got off the jeep and looked at the big, beautiful and gigantic buildings in Manila.

I'm here. I'm here in Manila to find my real dad...

"Mama, I will find Papa. Whatever you mean, I will protect myself as well as Papa. I love you so much..." inside me.