Us?

Miles only understood what her stepmother was talking about when she saw a group of people sitting around the round table as she peeked out the window into the backyard. That's why her stepmother wasn't napping at the time of her siesta. She had a session that afternoon with her friends. They often played mahjong or cards in their house.

"Can you make it faster? And carry on with the clothes I was ironing in the bedroom a while ago. And you should also have cooked the rice and the dishes before Hannah and Andrew arrive," she mentioned her children. Hannah is her daughter with her first husband, while Andrew is her son with her second, who's Miles' father. Therefore, Andrew is Miles' half-brother. 

"Auntie, can I talk to you for a minute?"

Aunt Sylvia raised an eyebrow at Miles. The middle-aged woman threw a glance in the direction of her friends, who were busy gambling. Aunt Sylvia looked so anxious, like she could not wait to join them. "What is it? Hurry up or I will lose my luck. I'm winning consecutive games and you just have to ruin my momentum."

Even though her stepmother looked so irritated, Miles didn't lose her courage. "Auntie, I'm applying to a university next school year. I want to go to college."

Aunt Sylvia furrowed her brows distressfully. "Hah! Do you know what you're talking about, Miles? You? Entering college? Where do you plan to get the money for the tuition fee? I can't support you even now that Hannah's school fees are getting higher and higher."

"I'll take care of it myself, Auntie. I'll take an exam for a scholarship. Even if I pay miscellaneous fees, you don't need to worry about it because I have my own savings. Even if it's not that much, I'll do something about it."

"Then, how about your job?"

"I will resign from the flower shop if my class is scheduled in the morning. But I will not leave the convenience store and the pet shop." 

Aunt Sylvia exhaled sharply. She put her hand on her waist and looked at Miles with annoyance. "Miles, can you just bring up that topic again when Hannah finishes her studies? My daughter has only two years left in journalism. Why can't you wait for god's sake?!"

Miles couldn't utter a word when she heard those words. The tone of her stepmother was reproaching, as if she were a selfish and ungrateful child. She worked so hard for the past three years. Half of their expenses in the house were on her shoulders, and because of that, her savings are small.

She's also the one who buys her personal necessities, and when her stepmother bought a scooter, she paid its remaining installment when her stepmother stopped paying for it.

Oftentimes, she would buy school supplies for Andrew, and her half brother asked for an allowance from her too. She didn't ask anything or complain about those things. Even if Aunt Sylvia entered Hannah at a private university, Miles didn't say a word. She was envious, but she didn't show it because they were her family.

"You know what? Let's just talk about it some other time because you're only getting on my nerves , Miles." Aunt Sylvia swayed her hands to shoo her away. "Go and do the things I told you to do! "You're only doing house chores when it's your day off anyway." She turned her back on Miles while shaking her head. "One more thing!" She looked at Miles again. "Don't forget our coffee! My friends are already complaining about the lack of hospitality in this house," Aunt Sylvia reminded her before she walked towards the backyard of their home.  

With depressed shoulders, Miles went to the kitchen. She made a few cups of coffee and served them outside for her stepmother and her visitors. Afterwards, she walked to the sink and carefully removed her jacket. She turned the faucet on and cleaned the scrapes on her arms.

Biting her lip, Miles endured the burning pain from the wound. But it's not the reason why her tears are flowing down her cheeks. She hit her chest repeatedly with her fist to get a hold of her emotions.

What's with you, Miles? Don't cry because of those small things. She talked to herself while she whimpered. You're strong, aren't you? You're not going to give up even if you face difficulties in life. Even if large waves force you into the water, you are determined to go back to the shore. Your dad isn't here, but he taught you how to be responsible and how to stand on your own feet if you fall. Even if you lack support from the people around you, you can definitely achieve your dreams because you have a strong heart and those problems can't defeat you.

Miles inhaled slowly after she dried her tears. At least the negative thoughts went away when she encouraged herself like that. 
She disinfected her wounds when she entered her room. She massaged her ankle with baby oil. After she changed her clothes, she continued to iron the clothes her stepmother left. It was already past four when she finished the whole basket. Miles tidied up the messy living area, then watered the vegetable plants outside afterwards. She also swept the front yard before she washed the dishes in the sink and cooked the rice. Later on, she made an adobo dish because it was Andrew's favorite when she found a whole chicken inside the refrigerator. 

It's already five in the afternoon, and it looks like the session in the backyard won't stop yet. It's possible that it will continue until later in the evening.

A few minutes later, the gate opened and Hannah and Andrew came together. Hannah came from university and Andrew came from an outing with his teacher and classmates.

"Miles!" An eight-year-old child pounced on Miles excitedly when he saw her across the living area. Andrew hugged her waist adorably and rubbed his cheeks against her torso. "Help me with my project please!"

Miles pinched his cheeks, then rustled his hair. "You, lazy boy. You really put swimming first before your homework. I'm going to punish you." She tickled the child on his stomach.

Andrew giggled happily before he escaped her clutch and went to hide in his room. 

- to be continued -