Life of a farmer
*Living a life in the province is very simple yet abundant. The cool fresh air and the ambiance that it gives are so refreshing. Since I was born, we are introduced to the life of a farmer. Young as I am I was able to experience different jobs that a farmer could have.*
**Have gardens**
Garden is our first source of income and food since I was young up until now. This is the life that my parents emphasize because the land is so wide and the soil is so fertile that if you are hard-working you can eat whatever you like. Whenever we harvest our fruits and vegetables I and my siblings use to sell them in the neighborhood. We roam around with a basin above the head filled with harvest and shout that we have fruit and vegetables to sell.
**Planting rice**
Planting rice is very essential for the economy of a country to continue. A lot of farmers are being looked down on because of the job. Others may underestimate a farmer but they did not know the hardships behind planting rice. We plant rice two times a year to regain the abundance of the soil. June and December. Before planting, we need to make a plot to have the seedlings grow. While the seedlings of the rice are being grown we plow the field and clean it. After 15-18 days the seedlings are ready and need to be uprooted. The uprooted seedlings will now be ready to transfer to the clean field. It needs patience and effort to arrange it with the straight line that is intended to become easy for the farmers to clean and harvest. After planting the seedling, 12-15 days is now ready to be clean from the weeds because if not the weeds will grow and accommodate the field causing the rice to die. After cleaning, the fertilizer is now ready to spray for the rice to grow healthy and for the pest not to eat the plant. After 3 months the rice is ready to be harvested. Harvesting is the most fulfilling time but needs a lot of patients because we need to cut it in its trunk and take the rice from its stem using our feet. As time pass by the inventions paved their way to easier harvesting. Now the machine will separate the rice from its stem, leaving its fruits nice and clean and ready to be placed in the sacks.
**Cornfield**
This job is not easy and not so hard. The sad part is that how the owner gets their part without having to sweat it. It is because the land we cultivate is not ours. Planting corn is enjoyable, you just need to plow the field with the help of the carabao and use your feet to dig a hole and put at least 3 seeds of corn and use the feet again to cover the seeds. After 10-15 days the corn is ready to be clean so that the weeds will not grow and the corn will not die. After cleaning, fertilizer is necessary for the corn to grow healthy and fast. After 3 months the corn is now ready to be harvest. In harvesting the corn we need to cut it from its stem and get its covering to be clean.
**Coconut harvest**
This job is the hardest. We need to go to the mountain because our land of coconuts is there. We need to journey long hours just to get there, 2 hours or so. When we get there, My father will climb all the coconut trees and harvest the mature coconut. Meanwhile, we are assigned to gather all the coconut together in one place and my brother will get its husk. After getting its husk, I and my sisters will cut it in half. Now it is ready to be cooked, but for this to happen, we will carry it to the place where it is intended to be cooked. We need to climb the hill going to the top because the fireplace is there. My sisters and I are no exemption to this task. We need to help my father and brother to do it to finish the job earlier. Cooking starts in mostly our 3rd or 4th days of stay and finishes within 2 days. After cooking we need to get it from it's shell and slice it before putting it in the sack. On the 7th day, the horse will carry it to the town.
**Charcoal making**
After having the coconut get from its shell, the shell will become a source of income too. It just needed to be converted into charcoal. It will be put into the fire and then when it is burned into the exact desired texture, the fire will be put out with some water. Let it cool before putting it in the sack.
**Clothes fiber Making**
Abaka is one of the famous source of clothes fiber here in our country thus making it one of the sources of income of farmers. It is the same family and kinds as the Banana tree. Manual creation of clothes fiber is one of my father's jobs that we also try to experience. Since the father invests so much time in the mountain, the family is also exposed to life in the mountain. We always spend weekend and summer breaks in the mountain before, just to manually create clothes fiber. To do that, first father collects Abaka and then we get the layer of its skin up until the less matured layers using the sharp edge of the metal called "ti-om", along with the metal design to have teeth just like a chainsaw. It is tied up in a tree in a horizontal manner facing the teeth towards the ground and inserting a wood opposite in its teeth. The skin of the Abaka will be put between the metal "ti-om" and the wood and put the rope intended to hold the "ti-om and the wood together when we drag the Abaka skin, causing it to be slice into thin pieces and repeat the process until it is very thin and is as tiny as the thread in your clothes. After producing tiny pieces they will be placed in the clothesline to dry and be ready to be sell.
*These jobs are not easy and must never be underestimated because it is a very crucial job. It maybe looks very low because the job requires touching the ground and earn very low. This job is very important for the country and we must respect the people behind this every job because the country needed people like them. I am never ashamed that I am one of those people because it is a decent job. I am maybe a farmer but I am happy with this life with my family. We are abundant in resources and never fail to meet our daily needs. It is a wrong mindset that being a farmer is an unhappy and unsuccessful life. I am thankful for because of the life I have grown, I can say I am a strong and wise person. I am hardworking and full of dreams because we live a life that is not easy. I am proud and happy living a life of a farmer.*
Thank you so much for reaching here.
I would like to extend my deepest gratitude to my new found friends here in this flatform for upvoting my previous story @CryptoMax @Zhyne06 @Eunoia @Rhoma @bitloca I am more than happy and I appreciate it. It makes me even more motivated to write more articles.
And I want to encourage @shamrye17 to continue to write.
And to all who read this visit also to my friends writing. Thank you so much.
Fixed marriage: asking her hand
*Continuation*....
"I want you to ask her hand 4 weeks from now"
Roy couldn't believe what he heard from the old lady. It plays back and forth in his mind. He couldn't believe either that he will marry a stranger that he never dreamed of marrying, 6 months from now.
It was dawn but he couldn't sleep, he thinks it was the foolish decision he ever made in his entire life. He couldn't refuse. It was a so-called culture and it shouts of his dignity and pride. How would he face the reality of turning back and be mocked by the people around him? But how would he face a marriage with a woman he never knows even her name.
Looking back at the woman in his front earlier. Her eyes were full of madness and pain. It was a sign of pure rebellion of what is about to come. And it screams for help when she asks him what he would say but failed when he speaks.
Eugene is in her room and no plan of coming out. She is locking herself since earlier.
"Can I excused myself?" That's the only word she could say before she explodes in front of her family and the stranger visitors, the mixed emotions and the firing anger.
She needs to excuse herself and ran to her room. Lock it and screams all her frustrations. How could her mother do this to her? How could she easily give her to a stranger? She doesn't even know the man, even his name. She is regretful of why she allows her cousin to tell her mother of what had happened that day. She is mad and feels betrayed. She wants to escape but she couldn't. This calls for a family shame if she does. She thinks she might go insane from the thought. Why does he easily agree with the mother's blatant attack and proposal to the small issue? Is he mad? No, he is insane. Culture couldn't just be the excuse for all this. She feels helpless and couldn't help but cry. She cried for almost 5 hours now and she has no idea how she could face the outside world again. Her heart is so full of hatred for the unfair culture the society has. She hears a knock on the door and it's not the first time hearing it. It was maybe the fifth or six times but she has no plan of answering. She is tired of all the tears that run down her cheeks. All her energy is gone now and all she wants to do is sleep to escape the brutal reality of the faith she has.
4 weeks later
Roy is outside the old house. He is never sure of what could happen. He could see from afar the reason for his visit. She wears a warm smile but cold eyes. She could see the sadness and the fake smile she wears she gives to the visitors. She is beautiful, despite the sadness her eyes wear. She just let her shiny hair flow at her back. Her dress suited her skinny and petite figure. It is his first time to look at her, and he could appreciate her beauty. The way she handles the situation right now without including her emotions makes him appreciate her more. She is such a strong woman and he sees her strength and the future woman beside her. "She will be a good wife", he thought.
Eugene is tired of the mask she is wearing. How much more she needs to endure? She greeted everybody with a warm smile just to please her Mother and all would be happy. But she isn't. She is dying inside and tired of all the facade she is putting. After few weeks she manages to put herself together once more and face this crowd today. Later will be the announcement of her marriage with the stranger, and later will be the start of her suffering and agony altogether.
Everyone was settled and gathered in one place. They enjoyed the food and the drinks that were prepared. Roy already introduced himself to all the family members of his soon-to-be wife. He also introduced his Aunt that was the only relative with him at the moment.
After all, was done eating their meal. The old lady Eva raises from her seat and begins to clear her throat.
"Good evening everyone, thank you all for coming for tonight's event and that is to formally ask my daughter's hand by Roy Gloria, please raise, son. He originally comes from Mahaplag."
The old lady continues, and formally announces Roy as her daughter's fiancee. The crowd applause and congratulate them.
Thank you for reading. If you did not read the first part of the story feel free to click here https://read.cash/@Maymay20/fixed-marriage-12-years-gap-54b25698
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Broken Family
They say family is everything, your fortress, and your stronghold. What if the family is broken? How will the kids be doing? Where should be their place? Who will be their fortress? There stronghold? If the family they believe to be is already broken?
Realyn is my student and Reniel her brother is my godson. She is a neighbor of mine too. She is a grade 1 student right now of the modular type of learning of the department of education due to the pandemic we are facing today. She is with her grandmother while her brother is with her Aunt, a sister of her father.
**Before her family got separated**
They live very simply in their small hut. Life is so much difficult for them for her father has no stable job and her mother is a full-time housewife. Sometimes they ask to borrow rice from us for them to have something to cook for the day. The poverty continues up until Realyn had her brother who become my godson and made me and her mother, Lourdes close with each other since we are already "kumare". Lourdes always shares with me how hard life is for them and how she wants her partner to be wed in the church, but his partner refuses and money is so difficult for them.
**How they got separated**
Until the time comes that, Sidro, Lourdes' partner, Realyn's father asks Lourdes to go abroad for their life to become better. At first, Lourdes refuses because she doesn't want her kids to be left behind while she will be in far off place, taking care of someone else. Because of Lourdes' refusal they always fight with Sidro. Sidro constantly drinks with his friends while leaving his family without something to eat. Lourdes realizes how will her kids be in the future if this is the life they will grow. When the time comes that they are needed to be sent to school what would be her resources to do so. That's why Lourdes decided to go abroad even it is painful for her to leave her kids behind. She does this not because Sidro pushes her to do it or because she is tired of the life she is leaving but because she wants a better life for her kids.
At first, the kids with their father stays in the house but later on stays with their grandmother because Sidro, their father, could not take care of them.
In the first few months of Lourdes' stay abroad, it was perfectly fine. Not until they fought with Sidro's family. I heard it was about Lourdes having a new lover abroad and because of that, she wasn't able to send enough amount for the kids. It was chaotic and brought to a very tragic decision of breaking the family apart. I don't know if it is a good thing that the kids can't understand fully what had happened or it is worst.
I don't want to gossip but I am truly sad for the kids, so I ask Lourdes about the problem and she told me it was not true. It was a misunderstanding. She shares with me how hard her situation abroad. Her employer maltreated her and she could not withstand it that she needs to quit the job immediately and find a new employer. But she needs to wait few months for her to be able to find a new one that is why she couldn't earn for few months and was the reason she wasn't able to send money to the family. Sidro's family turn blind to the truth and accused her of having a new lover. She couldn't manage to accept the accusations she never done. The issue had gone on and on and Sidro turned deaf to her explanation. She can't force herself to people who are narrow-minded and fool. She was devastated that all her effort will be put in vain, the very reason why she went to work abroad even though it would mean not having her kids beside her. And it is not what she wants in the first place.
After our long chat, I could not hear from her. I could still see her on her social media posts. But we did not reach each other anymore.
Due to the chaos, the situation had made. Realyn and Reniel got separated from each other because their grandmother couldn't raise them both. So, they decided that Realyn would stay with her grandmother and Reniel would stay with her Aunt. And because of the separation the father left home and went to Manila to work for him to still sent the kids to school.
When pandemic hits us, everything has been more difficult for them, especially for the kids. Luckily, Lourdes reach out to the kids, that ag first Sidro's family refuses but Lourdes insisted. She explains that what she does is for her kids and nothing more.
Right now whenever I ask Realyn if she misses her parents she always says she is off course. But if I ask her if she understands what happened to her family, she would tell me that her parents are working to have money. That is why they are separated.
**How did I become Realyns teacher**
A few days ago Realyn's grandmother approaches me to ask if I could teach her granddaughter because Realyn doesn't know how to read even a single alphabet. I feel pity for her and I said yes. Was supposed to know basic reading if she had her parents around. She is so skinny and small for a 6 years old kid. She would have been bigger if she had her mom to take care of her. Poor kid. She needs much more love than I do, thus I am giving her mine. She needs to be ready and strong for the future to face the reality that her family is facing.
*To all couples out there married or not you need to think carefully before jumping to a decision of separation because the kids will be the ones to suffer.*
*And to all the kids who have complete family out there, you should be grateful and appreciate what you have because others don't have it.*
Thank you so much for reaching here
Special mention to my friend @Crypto.Maniac @CryptoMax @bitloca
You can visit them too they published good and informative articles
Fixed marriage: 12 Years Gap
**They say falling in love is the best feeling*****.*** **But what if the love you will have is fixed and is not what you've planned?**
Walking in a dark street Roy walks as fast as he could. He will have no time to waste for his house is far from where he is now. He doesn't familiar with the place yet because he's new there. There is almost no house that he passes by.
It was a month ago when he went to the place to work as a carpenter of the new furniture shop in the small town of Hilongos. Even though he was just 19 years old he was able to master the skills of being a carpenter from his uncle's shop way back in his hometown.
Few more steps and he will get to pass the big old house that would be the sign that he is almost there in his Aunt house. With his month of stay in the place he always passed by the old house and notice the old woman standing on the terrace, but this time he did not see her there. Instead, he sees a woman. It is his first time seeing her there. He sees a long hair, woman in her late 20's, not so skinny and petite figure.
He continues to walk fast and passed the old house, leaving the thought of who is the woman on the terrace behind.
**In the old house**
Eugene who just arrives from Manila is so tired and wanted to get some sleep but she can't because of the crowded and noisy people around the house. She's annoyed by all the presence of the people give just because she and her cousins arrive. She decided to went to the terrace to breathe some air. As she stands there she saw a figure of a man just passed by. She's curious because the figure is not familiar to her. She thought about who it is for a while but she couldn't think of someone. Maybe she doesn't remember because it is quite a while now since she leaves her hometown. She left when she was just 17 years old to work and it was 13 years had passed from now. It was quite a long period and a lot had changed in her hometown. She almost couldn't recognize people and the place now. Her mother made her go back home saying she misses her and needed her there more than the money she sent monthly.
**A few weeks later**
Roy is having a good time with his workmate outside their favorite store near the shop. He drinks a couple of glasses of beer and a bit of tipsy. It's quite dark now and he needs to go. He bid his workmates goodbye and excused himself. Now, he is walking home.
Anxious of the time he asks the two women that are about to pass by him.
"Hey, may I know what time is it?"
But there was no response. He feels offended because there is no bad intention of asking about the time. He grabs the wrist of the woman who had a watch and looks at the time. The two women feel nervous and Roy could feel it. He instantly loosens his grip and apologizes. He is a bit drunk and not careful of his actions. Now he feels sorry about it.
"I'm sorry."
"I'll tell aunt of what you have done."
Puzzled by what the other woman had said, Roy was left with confusion. He continues to walk as straight as he could and couldn't remember what had happened the next morning.
Roy is in the kitchen preparing for his breakfast at his small table when someone had arrived.
His Aunt is the one who entertains the visitors but later calls him to get outside the small hut.
He was being summoned by the old lady in the old house and it is urgent.
Without hesitation, Roy went to the old house with her Aunt. He arrived there with confusion as he sees few individuals inside. The old lady in his rocking chair, the two other ladies on the couch, and a man on the opposite side, offering them to sit down.
He has no idea of what's going on. He sits as requested with his Aunt on his side. The woman on the right is so familiar to him. She is the girl on the terrace the last week. The old lady in the rocking chair started the conversation.
"Is he the guy you told me last night?"
She asks her daughter, Eugene but she did not respond. She remains silent and bowed head. Instead the woman beside her, Anne answered.
"Yes, Aunt he is the one who grabs Eugene's hands last night."
Hearing the words, Roy got the idea that it was about the last night scenario. That the woman he messes up last night was the same woman he saw on the terrace.
"What's your name son?"
"Roy, my name is Roy."
He responded. He is nervous but he just hides it. He knows it was not a that big issue and won't get him into big trouble. But looking at the serious face of the old lady in front of him makes his heart beat fast.
"I see. I am Eva, this is my husband Eli, my daughter Eugene whom you insulted and beside her, her cousin Anne."
"Nice meeting you." Hesitant but he still manages to be polite.
"To begin with, I'm calling you here to inform you that I want you to be responsible for what you have done by marrying my daughter."
Shocked was written all over their faces not just him but also Eugene and her cousin.
"But.." he complains
"No, buts"
Frustration was written all over Eugene's face "Mother, please it was just a misunderstanding"
"No, Eugene. He must take responsibility for his actions, he holds your hands, and in our culture whoever holds a woman's hands must marry her."
Eugene feels defeated and seals her mouth she knows whatever she says she will never win against her mother. She looks at Roy's face full of emotions she couldn't explain. He is still silent and couldn't figure out what is going on in his head.
" You?" Looking Roy straight in the eyes.
"Will you say something?" She continues.
"What would I say, you're mother's decision is final. Even you can't disobey it. How much more I. I wouldn't like to disrespect her." He answered looking back to Eugene's teary eyes.
"That's good to know. I want you to marry her this coming August." Eva continue.
"That I would disagree. It is just 4 months away from now. I couldn't prepare that short amount of time. Give me until October." Roy exclaimed
"What will you say Eli?" Face her husband who is so quite with all that happened.
"That is fine Eva. Give him time to prepare. It is not that easy to rush him into such a huge occasion." Eli explained
"Okay, October it is. Now I want you to ask for her hand 4 weeks from now before you marry her for formality."
" Mother?" Eugene is furious now of all her mother demanded. She is mad.
"Yes Eugene? Do you have something to say?" Her mother asked.
"Can I excused myself?"
P.s This is how the story of my parents begin. Be with me as I continue tell to you there love story. Thank you for reading up until here.
Special mention to my friend who always motivate me to write. @Zhyne06 you can also visit her works. She is a good writer too.
The story behind my mistaken mustache
*"Mom, I want a baby brother,"* asks Joseph to mother.
*"Okay son, let us see if your dad and I can give you a baby brother*," mother said.
Joseph is the second sibling of 3 children of Mr. and Mrs. Gloria. He is constantly out of the house to go to the neighborhood to play. But mother always scolded him.
"*Where are you from Joseph?*" Asked mother.
"*From the neighborhood"* replied Joseph with bowed head.
*"What are you doing there? Playing? You can stay in the house and play with your siblings"* mother continued.
*"I don't want to play with girls mom, I want to play with a brother"* he pouted.
Mother can't do anything because at some point he can't give what Joseph wanted. She is worried and shares this whole thing with her husband.
A few months later. Mother is pregnant with the fourth child, that's me. When Joseph received the news he was so happy and never gone to the neighborhood again. He always stays with his mother and plays with her small bump.
"*Mom, is it a baby brother*?" he asked.
*"We don't know yet Joseph*" mom said.
"*I wish it's a baby brother,"* he said.
Every night mother hears Joseph's prayer of a baby brother. And every day Joseph tells her how he wants and prays it's a baby brother. Mother doesn't want to make Joseph sad so she always tells him every time he as her that yes, it's a baby boy.
When the time of her labor had come. Joseph is so happy and excited to see his little brother. He stays with her up until the baby came out and by the time the baby cried, Joseph immediately asked,
"Is it baby brother mom?"
"No. It's a baby sister" mother hesitantly replied.
Joseph did not respond right away and touch mother's tummy and said,
*"Is baby brother did not come out yet?*"
Mother finds Joseph's innocence fun at the same time hurt breaking. She doesn't know what to say to Joseph's hopeful face that he couldn't have a brother because the new baby is a girl. But in the end, he tells Joseph the truth for Joseph is a smart kid and will know the truth later. When his mother told Joseph the truth, he feels disappointed. He looked at the baby and said, "Mom, it's a boy look?" Mother immediately look at the baby and where Joseph had pointed out. "*Look, the baby had a mustache, you tricked me, mom. I knew it*" he happily said.
Mother laughed at Joseph's innocence and not argued with him anymore. She just let Joseph what he wants to believe. Every day, Joseph calls her baby sister, a baby brother. They grew together and play together with boys' stuff. They get a long very well.
Joseph is right, his baby sister had a mustache that is so evident below her nose that is not supposed to be in a girl's face. But mother believed that it appears to be that way because of how Joseph prayed and really wanted to have a baby brother but is a baby sister in the end.
Mother told me how the neighborhood get confused about my gender because of my mustache when I am still a baby. She always teases me that I am a mistaken baby girl and that I supposed to be a baby boy.
@Maymay20