Missing You

Chapter 1: The Poor Girl, with a Rich Heart

It is morning, you can already hear the voice of Mang Domeng, who sell "pandesal", a baked bread, screaming the word "Pandesal Kayo Jan", A 10 year old Margarette open her eyes, who is laying in the rotten web sheet called "Banig", in the house made of rags, the rope was made of rope-steel but you can see many holes which the sunlight will passed, some big holes are hooked by tin can and small pale to capture some of drops of water when rain. Walls made of plywood and kitchen covered by old rice sacks, they don't even have their own toilet.. Poor Margarette is leaving on a slum area in Tondo , Manila. Near the street with noisy neighbors.

Margarette stand up and go to the window made of flywood which she open by pushing up,

Margarette: Mang Domeng can I buy ten pandesal, she said.

Mang Domeng: : Good morning to you, She approach Margarette and gave the 10 pandesals, You seem growing up too fast as I see you every day.

Margarette: Yes, Mang Domeng I want to grow so fast so I can help my mother.

Mang Domeng: I understand, but you have to enjoy to be a child , what you can only do is be good in school, by the way How's your mother.?

Margarette: Oh she is already in the market, she's always go out in dawn to catch many buyers to sell our homemade rags.

Mang Domeng: I see, You have to fix yourself also to go in school. so I may go now.

Margarett prepare herself and go to school, he walk 1 km just to reach the "Tondo Elementary School" a public school, everyday poor Margarette walk the street and cross the road by herself, her pair of sandals already broken and she only tie-it up with straws. While her mother "Aling Bebang" was busy in the market selling rags, which she made from small fabric she get from factory and sew it with her old sewing machine.

Aling Bebang and Margarette, where leaving in the worst and poorest place in the Philippines. They both tried to live and survive in the harshest and difficult condition. Margarette didn't meet her father, her mother told her that her father was already died on a car accident. Even though without a complete family, Margarete grew up with kind and loving heart especially with her mother. She valued her mother as a treasure than anyone else, even though they don't eat three times a day , she feel secured and happy with her mother's comfort.

Margarette reach the school, she is able to study with the help of non-profit organization who sent less fortunate student in school. Everyday Maragarette was teas by her classmate because of her poor condition. However, Margarete don't consider it as a hindrance and hence she excels in school, she is always on the top and get some awards.

Every day, after school she is always excited to go home running to meet her Mom, as she arrived she will be expecting her mother prepare her favorite "sardinas" sardines with hot rice.

Aling Bebang: oh! Margarette, why you are chasing your breath, did you run again?

Margarrete: Opo Mama! I don't want the rice to get cold. Hehe

Aling Bebang: Ikaw talaga!. Ok, change your cloth and come here already.

They Both eat happily in their small dining table with they pet cat Tommy waiting below to feed him. You can hear laughing and sometimes silly story from Margareete about her experiences in school.

After meal, Margarete felt ache in her stomach, seems like she in need to vowel.

Margarette: Ma, I need to go to Lola Lita, I just need to take my poop.

Aling Bebang: Oh you must be hurry. Afterward, buy me a detergent soap so I can wash our laundry. Here's the money.

Margarette: Ok Ma.

Going Back Home, after the store ,a luxurious car was park in the road side along with others behind. Amaze by its elegant style and shine. Curious Margarette, looks every side of it , trying to touch and check around. Inside the car in the back seat a man in suit is talking through the phone, while his 12 years old son sitting beside him. A voice with authority, you can feel the importance and the value of this person. You can feel fear the person he is talking through the phone.

Mr. Roberto: I'm here in the vicinity, did you already dominate the place.  Make it quickly and let your people finish the work. The old guy said.

While Margarette staring in the window, suddenly the sliding glass open. The young boy stared at her, looking strangely where eyebrows closely to meet and he seems not happy how Margarette stairing out there.

Leon: Hey, you thief. While you're standing in front of our car. Go away or I will call a police.

Margarette: I'm not a thief my name is Margarette, Is just my first time to see this kind of car. Is beautiful.

Leon: Yes! Of course, you poor people don't know anything.

Margarette: My Mom told me to be polite with others and shows some respect.

The young boy became silent, he felt sad and frowns. Leon grew up without a mother. His father a businessman , was separated from his Mom since he is 3 years old and he was take care by nannies afterward, while his father busy with his job. Leon lives luxurious but deep inside he felt empty and alone.

Leon, close that window and don't talk to anyone. His father address.

Margarette, felt the loneliness of that boy, they look each other eyes and he felt sympathy even with his rude action. when the windows closed she left the place and start walking back home.