Bills
My forehead furrowed in the envelope that had been trampled on the floor. I looked around. I didn’t just step on it alone. Others are still scattered on the floor.
“Three thousand four hundred thirty two in electricity.”
“Three thousand?” Aunty said.
“Three thousand four hundred thirty two, Ma.”
“Why is it big?”
“I’ll take care of the electricity. The older brother will take care of the water bill.”
I sat with them on the floor. I picked up an envelope.
Power disconnection.
I sighed.
“Isn’t it now also to pay the rent for this house?” This is our other bill.
“Of course! Wait …” Tyang stood up and took his wallet.
I stopped him from opening his wallet.
“I don’t have to pay the rent anymore.”
“You? Isn’t your salary next week?”
“I hid something in last month’s long salary Carolina.”
I took the money out of the wallet. I counted that a few more times, just in case the number increased.
“Maybe your wallet will be punctured by a coin that doesn’t exist, Leigh.”
I sighed.
I turned Tyang to my side.
“I’m sorry Tyang can’t reach.” There were as many expenses at home, in my desire to make up for what I lost. I couldn’t control the money coming out of my wallet.
He opened a wallet with a few hundred there. “Even if I add the income to the cafeteria it’s still not enough.”
“Why are we short now? We used to be able to pay ah? There’s even more!”
“The cafeteria is weak, Carolina. We also have a cafeteria near the construction. They already eat there because they don’t have to go far.” We invested a lot in the cafeteria, that’s where we used to pay the bills. It’s just a case of not making a profit now because of the new cafeteria we built near the construction site.
“But your cooking is better, Ma!”
“Carolina, you can’t dictate to them where they want to eat.”
Carolina blushed. I know even Tyang is sad. He just doesn’t make it obvious. Carl and Carolina and I have been in Tyang’s cafeteria since we were kids. That’s what brought the four of us to life. Because their father didn’t show up anymore, Aunty had to take care of him. Now the income is not enough because there is competition.
How do we do this?
My gaze remained on the money on the table. Damn ir! My money is not enough. How can we pay its rent? Bobby is still waiting to get paid. I even went to work!
“It can be the first electricity bill we pay for rent.”
“We’ll be cut off if we don’t pay tomorrow.”
“I’d rather wear a fan than sleep on the road Mom!”
“Jusmiyo! Where’s Carl? Maybe there’s more we can take.”
“Ma is still in Valenzuela. Isn’t that their job? She’s still there until Monday.”
“There’s still a way for us not to lose power and be evicted from the house,” Carolina said with a smile.
I don’t like the tone of Carolina’s voice. I glared at him.
He smiled now.
“What’s on your mind Carolina?”
“Leigh will ask Bobby first. We know he likes you! He’ll definitely withdraw the payment if you ask.”
I sighed. Damn! I knew it.
“Carolina can’t. I told you earlier that we’ll pay the rent now.”
His forehead furrowed.
“Huh?!” Is that so?
“He went to the coffee shop to remind me to pay the rent today. I even had coffee when he suddenly appeared.”
“Did you really go to work? Seriously? Are they in a hurry too?”
“I don’t know Carolina.”
He smirked and then said, “It’s impossible they’re in trouble! I saw Sandra with a new cell phone, iPhone! She even parked it outside earlier! I’m praying to steal and grab her!”
Sandra is Bobby’s younger sister who is only two years younger than Carolina and me.
“Carolina! That’s bad!” Aunty said.
“Oh my Mom! If you’re really in my position! Annoying!”
Tyang and I were right. My chest felt heavy. Why is this happening to us? Ever since I met Theron and Thander, my life has been a mess!
This is another Bobby! Porket I went with Chona to the party last time I thought we were friends!
I’m sure Bobby was just harassing us. Letse! What does he need?
“Carolina you’re the one to beg for more than Marites.”
“Ha? Why me? I don’t want to! I’ll still see Sandra’s face! Then Aling Marites Ma will just shout!”
He turned to me, I already knew that stare of Carolina’s.
“Leigh, please ask Bobby. Even if it’s a bad habit, it’s kind when it comes to you!” Letse! Kind? Is that nice? I’d rather they face Theron and Thander --- condensed milk! No! I don’t want to encounter them either! I don’t want to see anything in them!
“You’re just Carolina.”
“Am I the non type? Oh Leigh! If I’m the non type we won’t have a problem with rent!” he laughed at the promise.
“Carolina!”
I know going to Bobby’s apartment is dangerous and I know what he does to those people who are asking for their help. But they are the only one who can give that help. I came back to my family just now and I can’t afford to see them sufferm I didn’t help them for the past monthsm I was not able to be there for them so now I will do my best to help them even if it means I need to beg Bobby.
“This is Mama! You don’t want that?”
“Shut up Carolina. I’ll just go to Marites. Just pray that she doesn’t have anything to do now.”
“What if there is? You’re just going to fight! We’ll definitely be fired!”
I closed my eyes tightly and took a deep breath.
“It’s me, I’ll just beg Bobby.”
“Yun! You’re the best cousin! You’re fine! You’ll have to pay the rent next year!” she chuckled.
“I can’t, that’s not possible.”
“You know!”
Tyang turned to me. “You’re not comfortable with that man, are you?”
“It’s okay, he’s not aggressive at all.” Just waiting.
Then we talked. They have already folded the scattered envelopes. I also helped clean up.
I didn’t fix it. I wore simple jeans and a red t-shirt.
“Be careful, there are a lot of people hanging out out there.”
I smiled at it. “Yes, Aunty.”
I’m going straight to Bobby. There wasn’t much to hang out after I left so I got to their house safely. I stopped outside. Their house is much more beautiful and big than ours.
I hugged his arm tightly as the shivering wind touched my skin. I took a deep breath before knocking.
