Her Fall From Queendom

Chapter 5: Life At Home

❤ Jessica’s POV ❤

I was walking towards the bus terminal when I noticed a black SUV stop on the street next to me. I didn’t stop to look because the car didn’t look familiar to me, and I don’t know anyone who might own a vehicle like this.

I walked fast until I got to the bus terminal. It’s rush hour, so there are plenty of passengers on the bus. I didn’t mind and just got on the bus. I wanted to get home to my son as soon as possible. 

I was standing on the bus and holding onto the railing, and I could still see the black SUV when I looked outside the bus. I looked at the window, but I couldn’t make out the driver or the passenger because they were heavily tinted. I ignored the vehicle and avoided looking outside, but I kept seeing it in my periphery.

I was finally able to take a seat. I was so tired and got sleepy a few minutes after I took my seat that I almost hit my head on the bus window. I avoid sleeping on public transportations at all costs because, aside from being uncomfortable, it’s also incredibly dangerous. I don’t have that much money or properties on my bag that is worth stealing, but whatever little I have is very valuable to me, and I can’t afford to lose any of them.

I got home a little after an hour. Our house is not that far from the hotel, but it takes me more than an hour each way to get to and from work because of the traffic. I would have preferred to get a job that is closer to our house, but there’s just none available. Moving closer to work is not possible too, since the rent is more expensive and it’s too far from my son’s school. I’d rather travel for a few hours myself than have Jericho suffer from it.

I got off the street where I was supposed to get off and started walking. It’s still quite a distance to my house, and most people would want to take a tricycle (motorbike-powered pedicab), but I wanted to save on the tricycle fare. I’d rather spend that money on my son’s needs.

I passed by Leticia’s house to fetch my son. Leticia is my neighbor who lets Jericho let him stay in their house after he gets home from school and before I get home from work. I pay Leticia a small amount every month, and it’s cheaper than getting a babysitter or leaving my son at a daycare service. Besides, Leticia also has grandkids around Jericho’s age, so I thought it would be good that he gets to interact with other children.

Truth be told, though, I would have rather left Jericho somewhere else if I had a choice. Leticia has a bit of a foul mouth, and I really don’t want to expose my son to that. My son has always been shy and quiet, and he is usually expressive only around people he is comfortable with. I noticed that he’s quiet whenever he’s at Leticia’s house. Whenever I ask him how his stay in Leticia’s house was, he just shrugs his shoulders and doesn’t say anything.

I found Jericho quietly doing his homework in one corner of the house while Leticia’s grandchildren were being rowdy and noisy. I wonder how my son is able to focus with all the noise around him.

I thanked Leticia, and she gave me the usual complaint of how my son is not even talking and seems weird. I gave her the usual response I’ve been giving her that he’s just not used to the environment yet. I thanked Leticia once again before walking to our apartment.

I carried my sons’ bag, which contained his books and other school supplies, while I held his hand. He had his head bowed down, and I couldn’t help but feel sad. He’s always like this after I’d pick him up from Leticia’s house.

When we got to our apartment, I perked up and said, “What do you want for dinner? Would you like some fried chicken?”

Jericho’s head shot up, and after a few seconds, he smiled and nodded his head vigorously.

Jessica: “Okay. One large juicy fried chicken coming up. Why don’t you clean up and change out of your school uniform while I cook?”

I taught my son to clean and dress himself up at an early age, and by now, he’s an expert at it.

I started by steaming some rice. While I marinated the chicken, I cut up some garlic, onion, and string beans. I’ll be sauteeing the string beans with some soy sauce for my dinner. I only have enough chicken for my son, and I want him to have the best food I can afford. I am happy with anything that would fill up my stomach. Whenever my son would ask me why I always eat vegetables, I would chuckle and say that I am trying to become a vegetarian. He would not ask any further, and he would usually stop asking for a few days.

I would have Jericho eat some vegetables too, and I could tell that even if he doesn’t like it, he will try to eat them just because I asked him to. Sometimes, he would offer me some of his viands, and if it were meat, I would refuse it. I had to commit to being a vegetarian just so my son wouldn’t infer that I am intentionally depriving myself for his benefit.

As we ate dinner, I asked Jericho about school and what he had learned for the day. He talked about what he learned in science class, which is his favorite subject. My son is a very smart and hardworking student. I would have wanted to enroll him in private school, but I couldn’t afford it. One of my goals is to save up enough to guarantee that he’ll go to college. I wanted him to have a better life than I couldn’t give him, which is why I am working so hard and being stingy with our finances.

After dinner, I washed the dishes and cleaned up a little. Afterward, I checked my son’s homework. He got most of it correct, and I tucked him into bed right after. He fell asleep not long after, and I tidied up his bedroom before turning his night light on and turning off the lights.

The apartment is small, with one bedroom, a living area, a dining area, and a kitchen. It’s more than sufficient for Jericho and me, and I wanted him to have a good night’s sleep every night, so I had him sleep in the bedroom while I slept on the sofa in the living area.

This sofa was actually already in the apartment when we moved in, and the landlady let us use it. It’s big enough for me to sleep in, and that’s enough for me.

I laid down on the sofa after I laid down the sheet and pillow. It’s not cold yet, and there’s no fan in the living area, so I don’t really need a blanket. I just wore a pajama and an oversized shirt.

I took a book and started reading before sleeping. I didn’t finish high school, but I educated myself to at least know things that I should. I am also a bookworm, and I’ve always loved reading all kinds of books. I spend a few pesos buying some second-hand books. I don’t have much to choose from and end up buying the cheapest book available, but I don’t mind. I would even read some math and science textbooks just because I still wanted to help my son with his assignments.

Right now, I am reading a book by John Grisham. It’s a legal thriller, and I like it so much because I’ve always dreamed of becoming a lawyer. I will just have vicariously through the main character in the book.

After reading a few chapters, I got sleepy. I put the book down and turned off the light before heading off to dreamland.