Taken by the Wind

Chapter 3

"We are at... Llorin Village, I guess?" Kairo muttered while searching for a nearby hotel. "Let's go over there, their lights are still open."

Their souls have been in dismay upon locating for a place to stay, that resulted up with nothing. All the rooms in the hotel are already occupied.

"Dad, mom! There is a hut on the eastern side," Amy rejoiced, pointing at the direction going right.

Sinunod nila Morgana and Kairo ang itinuro ni Amy. May maliit na kubong nakatayo malapit sa dalampasigan at dahil wala namang bakas na may nakatira na roon ay basta na lang silang pumasok.

Tatlo lang sila, pero pakiramdam nila ay napakasikip sa lugar na iyon. Yung kitchen, bedroom at ang living room ay sama-sama lang sa isang pwesto. Walang second at third floor o maski ang bathroom. Considering its narrow space, there are still two beds available for one person each. Foods and drinks weren't present in the refrigerator, so they will need to sleep with a hungry stomach and eat out somewhere tomorrow morning.

"Have a good night, Morg," Kairo kissed her wife's forehead and covered her with the blanket. "Pati na rin ikaw, Amy. ‘Wag mong problemahin ang nangyari ngayong araw, just sleep tight," he said and did the same to his daughter.

Kairo, being the father, slept on the floor without any pillow and a blanket. Mas iniintindi niya ang kapakanan ng kanyang pamilya kaysa sa sarili.

An ideal father. 

TODAY is the first day of Amy's family being homeless. Although, they got to stay over at a hut yesterday. They are now eating various seafoods in a nearby restaurant, with the promo of eating all that you can.

The restaurant just opened, that's why there aren't many customers yet. It has a 3D stereo hand-painted theme, giving out a vigorous vibe. Large crabs, prawns and lobsters were exposed on the counter, with the price ranging from $40 to $75 each serving. A cheap value for anyone who's rich enough like their family, however at some point, they will surely experience a downfall.

"Oo nga pala, mom... How about tumigil muna ako sa pag-aaral sa ngayon?" Amy asked while chewing on her food.

Morgana gasped as her husband raised a brow. "Anong pinagsasabi mo, sweetie? You need to study well and get a decent job. Mataas ang pangarap namin para sayo at ayaw naman naming matigil iyon dahil lang dito. Let us do what is supposed to be done as your parents," Amy's mother stated.

"Tama ang mama mo, Amy. We can handle this situation at ease so don't worry about it," Kairo added in his wife's statement.

Hindi nakinig si Amy sa kanilang paliwanag dahil desidido siyang tumulong kahit sa pera man lang. Naisip niyang magtrabaho bilang isang part timer pero hindi niya pa alam kung saan. "I will go out for a stroll, babalik ako mamaya. Hintayin niyo na lang ako sa hut," Amy stood firmly with her chest out tsaka siya lumabas sa resto nang hindi tinatapos ang pagkain.

Amy wandered the entire village to find a source of employment until she stopped by a private bar. There was an indication placed at the front door, which tells that; they are currently on hire for a janitor or janitress. Without a second thought, the young damsel entered the bar. A modern styled bar with different types of cocktails: margarita, cosmopolitan, moscow mule, martini, mojitos in specific. There are also wines and beers. A male bartender was alone however, there were several servers beside him which were just waiting for orders. Gigantic men, commonly called as bouncers, are found near the entrance of the bar, on the stairs and at the back door.

"How old are you, woman?" tanong nung bouncer na kalbo.

Amy froze for a second on where she was standing. "I'm 15. Gusto ko sanang magtrabaho rito bilang isang janitress, saan po ba ako mag-iinterview?"

Amy's thoughts were filled with determination to help her parents no matter what, and whatever possible way there is.

The bouncer rubbed his eyes in disbelief. "Ikaw? Isang menor de edad, magtatrabaho bilang janitress? You've got to be kidding me, bumalik ka na sa bahay mo baka hinahanap ka na ng magulang mo," he pushed her out and closed the doors.

Amy kept on knocking, using force. "Is there anything wrong with wanting to help my family? I'll do my job properly, so please, let me in!" Malungkot na ang kanyang mukha at pinadaan ang kanyang mga daliri sa buhok niya.

After a few minutes of being ignored, Amy was called inside by a tall woman in her 20's. "Let's get you to work, come in lady," she spoke.

Amy was brought inside a VIP room in the bar. There are about three disco balls placed on the ceiling that emits a black and red light. The seats are mostly velvet stools and the tables are separated with a thin curtain. She sat on the stool near the wall and gave a serious aura.

The other woman sat opposite to Amy. "So, to start off with this interview, I'm this bar's manager; Alicia." She introduced herself, fixing up her posture. "Pangalan mo lang ang kailangan ko, edad mo at kung bakit mo gustong magtrabaho rito.”

"I am Amy, 15 years old. Our cottage in the village of Iris, the only home that my family had... ay nasunog kamakailan lang. I have to help them stand up and live their life like walang nangyari! My conscience can't withstand the fact that I might be a burden to them… kapag wala akong ginawang aksyon kahit pa sabihin nilang hindi nila kailangan na tumulong ako sa kanila.”

Alicia bit her lower lip, suppressing herself to show how impressed she was, by the girl's perspective with life. After a minute, she smiled and said, "You're hired. Start working here every morning until midnight, got it?”

Amy hummed a tune to show her delight until she returned back home to their hut. Hindi niya inaasahang ganoon lang pala kadali siyang matatanggap sa trabaho. Subalit, kahit hindi naman siya kuhanin bilang trabahador sa ngayon ay magpupursigi pa rin siya makahanap ng paraan para makatulong. 

"Where have you been, sweetie?" Morgana asked while preparing their dinner.

"Sa tabi-tabi lang, don't mind it mom."