Playing With Destiny

The Recruits

CHAPTER I

“Hi Miss.” I was startled when all of a sudden somebody spoke behind me while I’m cleaning our front yard. I turned to her, trying to figure out who is the woman in front of me.

“I just want to ask if you will be interested in getting a job in the city.” She told me with a warm smile painted on her face. “My name is Rose, everyone here calls me Madam Rose.” She added before reaching out her hand to me. I hesitantly took it.

“I, I’m Julia,” I replied in a low voice.

So she’s the infamous Madam Rose that everyone’s been talking about. She’s a woman in her mid-fifties probably. She grew up here in our province but got a really good fortune when she moved to a big city.

I don’t know her personally but I hear a lot about her because of her sudden comeback recently. I don’t know what to think now that she’s here in front of me.

“There are a lot more opportunities there than here.” She said after a moment of silence.

“But I didn’t finish my studies.”

“Well then, you can work as a house helper. I’m sure you know a lot about house chores.”

I just nodded as I am still confused. I think I’m still surprised that she just popped out of nowhere. It doesn’t help also that I’m now alone here in the house because my mother went to the farm to bring lunch for my father and brother.

“You can earn three thousand dollars for a month. One of my friends asked me to look for a housemaid for her before I went here. She’s rich and also kind, you just have to do your job properly.”

Three thousand?

It may be a small amount but it can really help my family financially. My father is a farmer but we don’t own the land that he’s using so we only get very little income from it. Mother on the other hand is a housewife and takes care of all of us. I have six siblings so life is really hard for us.

I didn’t even finish high school; I had to stop studying because we can’t afford it. Five of my brothers and sisters are still studying at that time so my parents really don’t have the means to let me finish my studies. Now I just help my mom with housework and sometimes I also help with the farm.

“You will stay with them so you don’t have to worry about where you will live, even food and other daily necessities won’t be a problem because they are provided for.” She said which cut my train of thoughts.

“Really?” what she just said caught my interest. I suddenly got excited because that means that I can give almost all my salary to my family.

“Yes. Are you getting the job now?” she asked, eyeing me from head to toe.

“Oh, I’m afraid I still need to ask for permission from my parents.” It’s good that I suddenly remembered, I was about to say yes already.

“Is that so? Well, convince them well Julia. What’s your family name again?”

“It’s Dimayacyac. I’m Julia Dimayacyac.” I was smiling from ear to ear. I can’t believe that I will have this kind of opportunity!

“Okay, I will just return two days from now to know your decision. I will be back in the city next week so you still have time to prepare.” After that she said goodbye because she has some important matters to attend to.

As soon as her fancy car left, I nearly jumped for joy and tried hard to hold back my squeals! 

I have long dreamed of getting my family out of this poverty. I am the eldest and I don’t want my siblings to end up just like me. I want them to finish their studies to be able to achieve their dreams. I know the money that I will be earning if ever isn’t that much but it’s better than none. I won’t earn that amount here, house help’s salary here is very low compared to the rate in the city.

“Hey, what happened to you? I just left for a little while and now you’ve gone crazy?”

“Mother!” I immediately pounced on her and hugged her tight. “I’m so happy, now I will be able to help you!”

“Wait, what are you talking about? What kind of help? You’re already helping me every day.” She asked me looking confused.

“There was a woman here a while ago.  She offered me a job to become a house helper in the city. I want to accept it.” I told her the good news but she just frowned upon me.

 It looks like she didn’t like what she just heard. Is there something wrong with it?

“The city? What do you know about that place huh Julia? That’s a very dangerous place for someone like you. You better stay here, you’re a big help already, you don’t need to go.” She turned her back on me after saying that and went inside the house. I went after her immediately.

“Mother, we badly need this. I can take care of myself if that’s what you’re worrying about. I would rather go away to be able to help with our expenses as well as my siblings’ education.” I tried to explain my reasons but she kept quiet.

“Mother.” I pulled her arm when she kept on ignoring me.

“Let’s talk about it later after your father comes home.” She coldly said before dismissing me. I sighed before going back to the yard to finish my task.

Never mind, I will convince them later. Father will understand me more.

“No!” my father said with conviction after hearing what I had to say after dinner.

“But Father,” I was about to reason out but he shot me a deadly glare that kept my mouth shut. I looked at them while thinking of a good explanation. My siblings on the other hand were silently listening to us.

“I will do this not only for me, but for us, for my brothers and sisters. I- I want to help them with their studies.” My voice started to quiver and my eyes are now brimming with tears but I continued. “I w-want them to have better future. Unlike me.” I bit my lip to stop myself from crying.

“You know the reason why you have to stop studying right?” Mother asked softly, her eyes sparkling with unshed tears. I nodded and took a deep breath.

“Yes I understand that and I have no hard feelings about it but now that I was given an opportunity to help them, I don’t see any reason not to do so. At least they can achieve their dreams. I’m not blaming you. Believe me, I just wanted to help.” I can’t contain my sobs anymore.

Why can’t they understand that I want to do this for them?

“How about you? You’re young and innocent. And you don’t know anyone there. What if something bad happens to you? I can’t forgive myself for that.”

“I can take care of myself father. I won’t be harmed I promise. Please let me do this.” I cried. I turned back to mother when he didn’t answer.

“Mother please, just let me go. I really want to give you a better life.” She just bowed her head, she’s crying as well. I can also hear the silent cries from my siblings.

“You want to leave?! Go ahead then!” I was shocked with my father’s booming voice. “You’re old enough to do what you want!” then he stormed out of the house before slamming the door.

I know he still doesn’t approve of my decision but I will still go. I know that time will come when he will understand me…

I put my last piece of clothing inside the bag before zipping it close. Madam Rose will drop by later to pick me up. Today is the day that I will leave this house to go to a faraway city but until now my father refused to talk to me again. Mother tried to talk me out of this but I made up my mind already. I want to do this!

I hugged her tight after I finished packing my things.

“Mother, I hope you understand why I have to do this.” I wiped my tears with the back of my hand. I don’t want her to see me crying now.

“Yes but please take care of yourself. The city is big and dangerous.”

“Don’t worry, I’ll find a way to contact you once I get there.” I let go when I heard my sister Joanne calling me. I went out carrying a big bag. Mother also went out behind me.

“Madam Rose, please take care of my daughter.” My mother bid while holding Madam Rose’ hands.

“Don’t worry, she’ll be in good hands.” She replied.

“Where’s father?” my siblings all bowed down when I asked. When I turned to mother, she just shook her head and looked at me with pity.

“He still feels bad about your decision, just try to understand him.”

The other day when Madam Rose went back here to know whether I will accept the job, my father didn’t talk to her either. He didn’t even show up. 

I know that he doesn’t want me to go and he’s really upset with me. But I don’t have an idea when I will come home again so I really want to see him before I go. I chose this so I have to bear with the consequences.

One of the men who are with Madam Rose took the bag in my hand giving me the chance to hug them freely. I hugged the tight before finally going inside the van. I felt so bad once I’m seated inside. My heart started beating so fast and I had the urge to run back home but I need to be brave for my family.

When Madam's fancy van started to run away, I couldn't stop my sobs from getting louder as I watched Mother and my siblings continue to wave even as we were driving away.

Slowly their image became smaller until I couldn’t see them anymore. The tears in my eyes also don’t help. I want to go back but I can’t.

I can do this. I whispered to myself while still looking back at the direction of our house. I buried my face in my palms while suppressing my sobs as reality finally dawns over me.

Someone rubbed my back in an attempt to make me calm. When I looked up, I saw Madam Rose’s kind face staring at me.

“Hush, you need to do this for them, right?” I just nodded and willed myself to stop crying. She’s right. I shouldn’t be discouraged because I know that I’m doing this for our dreams. I know I can survive this.

“By the way, these are Stella and Dianne. They came from another village but you will work together.” Madam Rose declared when I finally calmed down from all the crying. 

I was surprised that I didn’t even notice them when I came in. They were sitting behind me in the van.  They both smiled when I looked at them and I immediately noticed how pretty they were. I tried to smile back before sitting back again.

I can feel my swollen eyes due to crying and I suddenly feel exhausted so I let sleep claim me.

I woke up with someone shaking my shoulders. The face of the woman earlier greeted me when I opened my eyes. I tried to recall her name but I can’t remember it.

“C’mon, we stopped by to eat something first.” She said then guided me outside. 

The van is now parked outside a restaurant. We went in together and the delicious aroma attacked my nostrils the moment I walked inside.  I can feel my grumbling stomach by now. 

We went to our table and it is now filled with several dishes, all of them look delicious. My mouth watered at the view. This is the first time that I went to a place like this and probably the first time to try these kinds of foods too.

I sat down on an empty chair next to Madam Rose. We all ate in silence aside from the two men who we’re with. The other one is the one who drives the van; Madam didn’t introduce them so I don’t know who they are. 

They sometimes steal some glances towards me and the other two girls and it makes me feel really uncomfortable. I can hardly chew the food on my mouth no matter how delicious it tastes.

After eating our lunch, we went back to the van to resume our trip. I looked outside the window beside me, wondering where we are now. As I know, the travel time should take around ten hours to get there. It depends maybe on the traffic situation.

I looked beside me when I heard a soft snore. Madam fell asleep behind me as well as the two girls at the back. I then went back to admiring the view outside as we go passed it. 

This is the farthest that I’ve ever been. My mind was wandering through the different possibilities that this opportunity will bring. I fell asleep again with those thoughts in my mind, making me smile in my dreams.

Only to wake up in the biggest nightmare…