Painted Sky

1

"You're fired!"

I silently gathered my things and immediately went out of her office. What do I do now? I'm fired from my sixth part time job and to be honest, paubos na rin yung laman ng wallet ko.

Hay, it wasn't even my fault kung bakit ako pinaalis sa pinagpapart time-an ko. Di ko naman kasalanan na naiinggit sakin yung mga regular employees dahil mabait sa akin yung manager kaya ayun siniraan nila ako and I can't do something about that na since the damage has been done.

I checked my watch and it says it's already eight thirty in the evening. I'm so hungry and so tired kaya pumunta na lang ako sa isang convinience store at bumili ng cup noodles at dun na ako kumain. It was not healthy but it was the only thing I can afford.

Right after I filled my rumbling stomach, I went home. I pressed my code and entered my unit. Wala man laman yung wallet ko at least may disenteng tirahan ako. I'm living all alone here in Manila kasi yung Dad ko ay nasa Tagaytay with my half sister and his wife. The environment there was best for my half sister's health condition. Besides, I'm not really part of that family.

I checked my phone and there's a message from my dad. Siguro magpapadala na siya ng allowance bukas kasi sagad na sagad na yung laman ng wallet ko.

From: Daddy
I don't think I can give your full allowance for this month. I hope you understand our situation. Take care Kai.

Lagi naman ganto eh but I have to understand everything. I have to give up and sacrifice a lot of things for the sake of helping our situation. Kailangan kong intindihin kasi hindi naman ako yung priority niya.

I'm tired but I can't dwell on the past for too long. I slowly shut my eyes as I drift off to the world where everything feels fine.

The next day, I did my morning rituals and head off to school. No breakfast since I don't have budget for that. Mamayang lunch na lang siguro ako kakain para minsanan na lang. I do hope that my stomach would cooperate.

"Good Morning Kai!"

"Morning Celine"

"Why are you so gloomy? Did something bad happened ba?"

"Nothing happened. I'm just hungry."

"Ano ba yan Kai. I told you not to skip breakfast since it is the most important meal of the day."

"Ano magagawa ko? Eh wala na akong pera."

"Come on, let's go to the canteen. I will buy you breakfast. Late naman papasok yang si Ma'am eh."

Hinila na ako ni Celine papuntang canteen sa eight floor. She ordered for me and we went back to our room at dun na niya ako pinakain nung binili niya. Pwede naman kasi kaming kumain sa loob ng room and besides, marami rami rin yung tao sa canteen kaya wala na rin kaming mauupuan dun. Marami rami kasi dito na pumapasok na hindi kumakain ng breakfast tapos sa canteen na lang kakain.

"Are you free after our class?"

"I'm sorry Celine. Kailangan ko kasi maghanap ng bagong part time job mamaya so pass muna."

"Don't tell me you got fired."

"I was fired."

"You have to come with me later. I'll give you a part time job."

Celine smiled and she went back to her seat. Our prof arrived in no time and our classes started. Another 5 hour class to endure kahit naman sanay na ako sa straight 5 hour class na yan. 3 hours kasi pinakamabilis na class ko. Well, that's normal na lalo pa at art related ang program ko.