What It Takes

Another year to start over and walk to another path that may lead us to a better future, 2020. Everyone was too exhilarated that only a few of them thought of bad things that might occur in this new year. We were too focused on gaining new stuff that we've forgotten how awful the new era has become. And now, I must say that it is too late.

The traffic that we usually witness outside our homes were almost gone. They were now replaced with only a few people on the streets, walking─wearing face masks─and the silence that accompanied them. Even the vendors who usually make noise to grab their customers' attention remained silent. They sat there, on a stool they personally crafted as they watch the almost empty street.

Lino, a kid about 8 years old, jogged towards a half-closed sari-sari store. He smiled at the vendor, Aling Nena─who wore a disposable face mask and a pair of rubber gloves─as he stated what his mother had told him to buy, Aling Nena sneered at him before handing him his purchase. "Hijo, next time wear a mask before going outside, okay?" she reminded in which Lino only responded with a playful chuckle.

Aling Nena shook her head, clearly knowing that the kid won't even follow her reminder. Lino held the things he bought with the both of his hands and went back to their house, a small house made of lumber and plastered tarpaulins that resided at the side of the road.

His mother, Pia, gave him a flick on the forehead when she noticed that her change was incorrect. "Lino! It's supposed to be 5 pesos not 3 pesos!" She shouted, waking her youngest daughter, Tina. Lino pressed his lips together while he rubs his bruised forehead, his eyes looking down as he tried recollecting everything he bought and how much it costs.

"Ma, Aling Nena gave the right change. Everything costs 17 pesos and you only gave 20 pesos--" Lino was still trying to explain everything when her mom hit him in the head and calling him stupid for lecturing her. Tina cried as she saw her older brother being beaten by her own mother.

Tina was still 3 but she can already understand what violence looks like. After all, she was born in a household where violence was a normal thing. "Tina! Shut up and go back to sleep!" Her mother shouted, her voice raging with anger, probably because of her son, Lino.

She head to their small kitchen to prepare their lunch. Her head still fuming with anger that she did things while scowling. "Why is our life like this? I'm supposed to be a graduate, but I'm here. Stuck with these stupid kids," she whispered, giving emphasis to each word.

Lino could clearly hear her, but he tried to ignore her words. He approached his crying baby sister and carefully held her, trying to calm her down. "Shh... Tina, don't cry. Dad will bring something nice later," he cooed her while he rubs Tina's back soothingly. His baby sister slowly calmed down as she felt secured with her brother's embrace.

This was the daily life of Lino, an eight-year-old young boy who lived at the side of the rode. His parents weren't married, yet they lived together with them. His mom was a graduate with a course of education while his father only finished high school. Their life weren't fancy nor consistent, like anybody else, but they were somewhat happy. Not until this pandemic happened.

It was already five in the afternoon when his father arrived from work. There weren't any food prepared yet because the last money they had were used for their lunch. Manuel smiled as he hugged his two kids who gladly welcome him back, while his partner, Pia, only scowl at them.

"Did you bring any food? We don't have anything to eat yet," she said as she stood beside Lino. Manuel looked up to her while he pulled away from his kids. A soft sigh of sadness escaped his dry lips as he pulled a hundred peso bill from the back of his pocket. Pia glared at him once she saw the money.

"Do you think that will feed us until tomorrow? Damn, Manuel! You promised me a good life and yet, here we are! We can't even eat three times a day!" Pia shouted, enraged at the thought of them not having anything to eat for tomorrow. Manuel stayed silent, looking down at their kids, silently asking for Lino to go inside their small room.

"Pia... You know how hard it is to make money during this pandemic, right..?" He reasoned out, his words full of hesitation, whether he should remind her of the things that's been happening in the world. "I'm trying my best, it's just that, they're only letting a few people to work for the construction. I can only sell these facemasks while waiting for their call..." Manuel muttered, sadness filling his voice.

Pia didn't seem to care about his partner's explanation that she just grabbed the hundred peso bill and walked out of their home. Manuel sobbed as soon as he was left alone. He couldn't figure out exactly what he should do for their life to be better. It felt hard, especially because of the huge changes that they're currently experiencing. Maybe, if the government will provide enough resources for them, they'll be able to provide proper food that they can eat everyday. Maybe. A hopeful thought from a hungry citizen.

"Were you able to enroll for this school year, Lino?" Manuel asked, smiling at Lino. They were currently sharing a small meal for two for their dinner. A scrambled egg paired with soy sauce and 3 pieces dried fish. Lino pursed his lips as he swallowed the food he was chewing. "Not yet, father. I... We need to enroll online."

"We don't have money to rent a computer or buy a phone. He might as well stop for this school year," Pia interrupted as she grabbed their plastic pitcher and poured water on her glass. Lino and Manuel were saddened at what she said, but they knew she was right. How can Lino possibly study for this online classes if they don't have any gadgets to use?

"Right. I should try finding another job that I can do so I can buy you a phone. You won't have to stop if we get you a phone, right?" Manuel said, trying to make his son feel better, which worked. Lino smiled gleefully as he nodded his head, while his mother only rolled her eyes, not even believing a word her partner said.

They finished their meal with Manuel's new goal in finding a better money earning job tomorrow for their son. Lino and Tina slept with a smile on their faces while his mother slept the hopelessness she felt. And Manuel? He have decided to take the job that his compadre offered.

"Lino! Don't forget to wash the dishes and do the laundry. I will just visit our neighbor, Aling Badang. They might have any jobs for me there," her mother said. Pia left Tina inside her crib before heading out to their neighbor. Lino did what he was told to do and didn't waste any time. He wanted to finish everything right away, the excitement from last night still filled him. He sure wishes that his father will do what he promised. For the young boy only dreamed to finish his studies and provide a better future for them.

Afternoon came and his mother hasn't come back yet. Tina cried earlier when she woke up, luckily, there were a pack of biscuits left that he found inside their cabinet. It smelled but when he took a bite from it, it still tasted the same. Like a biscuit.

They were currently playing when his father got home. He was dripping with sweats and his face were flushed. He looked like someone who run from a marathon. "Father!" Lino exclaimed. His father only smiled at him and held them both tightly. "Thank God, you're back! Mama's still outside and we haven't eaten anything since breakfast."

"I saw your mom and handed her money to buy us food. Don't worry son, we'll eat something nice tonight. And also, I have something for you!" His father said, excitement flourishing each words he say. Lino placed his sister on his lap as they faced their father. "What is it?" He asked, hughly curious about what his father might brought with him.

Without saying anything, his father took a box from his bag and placed it in front of his son. Lino was amazed at the box when he saw the printed image at the top of it. "A tablet!" He shrieked, quickly holding the tablet in his hands. He was excited. Amazed. But most importantly, he felt happy.

"Thank you so much, papa! I'll be able to study with this!" Manuel could only cry in response as he watched his son. His heart felt happy because he was able to give him what he can use in order to fulfill his goals. For him, his kids were the most precious people in his life. And he'll do everything for them. Even if it costs them his pair of kidneys and heart.

"Manuel. Don't forget the transplant. It will be next week. Here's the first half of the payment. They will give the second half next week, before the operation." Manuel cried even harder as he remembered the deal he made earlier with his compadre. If the government won't save his family from poverty, he might as well sell everything he have to save them.