When Alondra noticed her sister sitting alone at the table in their kitchen, she was almost heartbroken. Mathilde eats rice as if it only reaches her throat and not her stomach. She wished to cry because of the hardship they had endured. They had insufficient food. Because of their situation, she didn't gain weight even though she was in her twenties.
Her father didn't have a steady job, and her mother worked as a laundress for anyone who needed it, allowing them to buy rice and a dish every day, but it wasn't enough. She also tried to find work to help her parents, but no one would hire her because she hadn't even finished high school.
She was swayed by her senses as she leaned against their bamboo wall. Her stomach ached from traveling around the city on an empty stomach earlier. She now goes home to see her sister, who is eating, so she knew there was no rice left for her. She sometimes falls asleep without any food digesting in her stomach, but she doesn't complain because she can't do anything about it. After a few minutes, her sister noticed her.
"How long have you been there, sister?" Mathilde asked.
"I just arrived," she explained.
And Alondra noticed Mathilde clutching her stomach.
"What's wrong, Mathilde?" she asked, concerned.
"I'm still hungry, sister, and the rice is running low, and mom will be home later; I'm not sure where we're going to find something to cook now," Mathilde responded.
How about she? Her stomach had been churning for some time as she toured the city looking for work. However, she chose to remain silent.
"Where is the father?" she asked.
"He left a while ago, saying he was going to look for work," Mathilde explained.
Alondra simply nodded, thinking that if her father could find work, it would almost certainly be a heavy one. They have no right to complain, however. The only thing that matters now is that they eat something.
"Drink some water first, Mathilde. Your done eating a little rice earlier. And get more water because I'm thirsty too." she said.
Mathilde nodded and took water from their old and small jar. Alondra took a deep breath. She didn't know why the one above was punishing them. It would be okay if they have a farm and land that somehow provides them with a source of living, but even on the land where their small house where built was, they need to pay it monthly to the owner.
Mathilde approached her carrying an old glass with only water in it. She took it and drink it. Alondra breathed a sigh of relief because somehow the pain in her stomach went away when the water she drank came near. She noticed that Mathilde had been looking at her for a while.
“Why, Mathilde? Do you want to tell me something? " Alondra asked.
Alondra looked at Mathilde's face. Her sister is beautiful but she doesn't have sensible clothes to wear. Not just like other teenagers in their place that has many things to use. That's why she prefers it at home rather than taking her out for a walk somewhere. Mathilde is very vulnerable that needs to be taken care of a lot. Sometimes she felt pity for her when this thing like this that she wants to eat more food but nothing they provide.
"I'm tired of whatever situation we have now, sister. I don't know when we'll be able to get out of the hardships of life, but I've chosen to remain silent. No matter how much I complain, our parents can't give us the life we want." Mathilde said.
Alondra did not become blind and deaf. He knew that Mathilde was struggling even with her parents. Alondra hears Mathilde crying when she thinks she is asleep. But even if they cry blood, the course of their lives will not change if she does nothing and waits for a miracle. She held Mathilde's face.
"Let's be patient for now, Mathilde. The time will come when we too will be able to get out of poverty and find a good job." she said in a hopeful voice
"In what way, Sister? We didn't finish school." Mathilde said.
"I will make a way, Mathilde, so just trust me," she replied.
"Yes. You are brave. I never heard or saw you cry and get discouraged."
Alondra forced a smile. If only Mathilde knew, she would give up little by little.
"God is merciful, Mathilde; he will not let us suffer. There are many more opportunities for us to study,” she said.
“Since when? Even food daily is difficult for us to see," she lamented.
"I want you to always think that there is hope in life. Our suffering has come to an end, all we have to do is pray and ask for grace, okay?”