Under the blazing heat of the sun, the dusty winds that caress our faces, sweat falling on our cheeks, and a sack that each of us is carrying wherever we go, my Mom and I will stop at every garbage can outside every house and will search in every street. We look for scrap metals, tin cans, and plastic bottles. We sell it to the junk shop to earn an extra income after my mother finishes doing the laundry for other people.
Life is hard for us. My father died years ago, and my mother is illiterate. One time, I tried to ask how the word is pronounced correctly. She stared at the newspaper and looked at me, saying, "It's blank." Then, she told me her story and how unfortunate they are in life.
We are here now inside a village. We are thankful that the guards are kind enough to let us in. I suggested that we should rest first on the pavement in front of a big house for shade, and I gave her a bottle of water, for she was panting from the long journey that we had walked this morning. Suddenly the gate of the big house opened, and the lady who had just gotten out of it waved at me. It looked like a sign that she was calling me to come to her, and I did.
"Kid, here's food that I packed for you and your mother," handling a paper bag to me. "Also, here's a little gift," inserting an envelope into the paper bag.
"Thank you, ma'am. You're so kind." I told her with a broad smile on my face.
"When you are given a lot of blessings, you should share it with others, too." She just smiled at me and went back inside her house.
A two-story house that a storm couldn't damage, with electricity and clean water. A house that has enough security and gates that no thief can enter. It is such a safe and comfortable home. One day, I'll give my Mom a life like this. That thought was set on my mind, and I'm determined to reach that goal.
Since we had food already, we went home after we sold our junk in the junk shop. I set the table for two and placed the food the lady gave us. I remembered the envelope and quickly opened it. I was surprised to see that it was a lot of money. I called my Mom to tell her.
"Count it." She told me since it is thick. I count it one by one, and my mother patiently waits for a slow counting of her Third Grade daughter.
"It's 50,000! Mom, we are rich!" I shout joyfully and jump to where I'm standing with the money in my hand.
"Shhhh!" My Mom grabbed the money in my hand and hid it in her cabinet. "We should use that wisely. With your scholarship and that money, you can finish your studies and find a better job. Listen, sweetie. I don't have anything in my possession for you to inherit, but I can only support you in finishing your studies. You shouldn't be like me, who can't read and write, and will look at the newspaper blankly."
I just nodded in response, and we ate together. Since then, I have studied hard while still helping her do her side hustles after she does other people's laundry for a living. I have maintained my scholarship and used the money the lady gave me wisely. It went on until college, and I graduated. I was fortunate to get hired by a good company, and slowly, I have saved up.
One day, when I'm looking for a house to buy for my mother as a surprise. I stumbled on a post online. It was a familiar house. I stop scrolling for a while and stare at it for seconds.
"Aha, it is that lady's house!"
I messaged the broker for a meet-up and told them I was interested. The next day, I went to that house. I was stunned to see the lady. She kindly guided me inside and was about to show me around when I said that I'd buy it.
"But… I haven't shown you the whole house yet." Her eyebrows met in confusion.
"Ma'am, you have helped us in our darkest times. I think it's time to give back. For a long time, we haven't said our thanks yet." I took a deep breath as I held my emotions so as not to flood my eyes and said, "Thank you very much."