Cradle of fate

Miranda's POV

"Dear sister, do you have fried chicken?" I am greeted by my youngest sibling who is already seven years old now.

"Yeah, of course. How can I forget my dearest sister?" I entered the house and I put all the food that I bought after working for many hours. I can't help but be happy because her smile took all my tiredness away.

"Yippiee! Thank you sister! I love you!" She hugged both of my feet. She's still very young but she's very sweet.

"Where's mom?"

"She's in the room already."

"Where's Mirtle and Myrna?"

"They are in their rooms too, sis."

"Thank you so much for the information my cute Maria." I even pinched her cheek as she smiled sweetly. When I let her cheek go, I noticed that she massaged it while getting the fried chicken from the paper bag I bought.

I slowly entered mom's room and I can see her massaging her head. There's still a towel wrapped around her wet hair, obviously she took a bath just now. She's closing her eyes but when she felt my presence, she opened her eyes right away.

I can see her eyes glistened as soon as she saw me.

"Where's the money?" She said while opening her palms in front of me. I looked down and met her eyes.

"M-Mom, I already gave the money the other day, right?"

Her facial expression suddenly changed. She frowned right away as she looked at me with an icy stare.

"So, what do you want to say? I took the money away?"

"Mom, it's not what I mean."

"Then what?" She got off from bed and came near me as she put her hands on the side of her hips. I can see her raising one of her eyebrows.

"I am just asking if where's the money I gave you. It's almost five thousand pesos."

"I already paid it to Mrs. Cruz's for our debts."

"Huh? What debts?"

"Why are you asking nonsense questions? Give me the money now!" She's already mad. I really stopped myself from crying as I secretly closed my fists.

I slowly put my hand inside my pocket as I get the two-thousand peso bill from my salary this afternoon.

I wanted to get angry at her, too. I want to tell her right in front of her face that I am the one who paid our debts to Mrs. Cruz when I am on my way here a while ago.

***flashback***

I can't wait to go home and give money to my mom. Maria also wanted to eat some fried chicken. I knew she wanted to eat that food for a long time. I even promised her to buy one when my salary will be given to me. I was happily walking on the footwalk when someone stood in front of me all of a sudden.

"Miranda..." Mrs. Cruz appeared in front of me like an unwanted ghost. She's folding her arms as she gives me an angry look.

"Good evening, Mrs. Cruz."

"My evening will only be good if you will pay the debts of your mother to me."

"W-What? Debts?"

"How could you not know? Are you stupid to not know that your mom has been borrowing money from me ever since that mahjong started across our store?"

"I'm sorry, Mrs. Cruz. I have no idea about what you're talking about."

"No idea? Your mom told me that if I will just tell you about her debt to me and you will be the one to pay it for her."

***end of flashback***

Those words still echoed my mind. I paid three thousand pesos to Mrs. Cruz right away because there were people who started to listen to what we're talking about. Because I consider myself as a good daughter that wants to avoid any form of scandal, I paid a debt I don't even known.

I am facing my mother right now and I am looking at her palms that's opened in front of me while she's getting very mad. With shaky hands, I am able to give him another two-thousand peso bill.

"You will give me your money and yet you're asking me a lot of nonsense questions. Don't be an idiot, Miranda. Use your common sense. You're already ugly, use your tiny brain at least."

Those words crushed my heart into millions of pieces. How could my own mother say this to me after what I am doing for this family? I've been working the whole day. I've been waiting tables, ran endless errands and even stood long hours as a receptionist. I am physically tired and now? This tiredness even added up to the disappointment I am feeling right now.

Is this how my mom shows her gratitude? Does she really care for me or the money that I give her? When I entered the house, I even noticed there's no cooked rice. No food is placed on the table and the house is a real mess.

"I will eat with Maria, mom." I excused myself as I go back to our small dining room and kitchen in one.

"Mirtle, Myrna...let's eat." I gently called them. I turned my gaze to the door of the room where my twin sisters are sleeping. It opened and Myrna's head peeped outside the window while she's still rubbing her eyes.

"Dear Miranda, Mirtle's forehead is hot."

"What?"

"She's only lying on our bed, sis." She said while showing her weary look. My heart suddenly beat fast as I looked at my younger sister's face.

The twins are aged twelve years old now. I know if Myrna looked weary, something is also wrong with Mirtle. I tried to look calm as much as possible. I smiled as I let her come near me. She only looked down as she stepped forward. When she's in front of me, I lowered my body to her height as I kissed her forehead. I can see that she's about to cry while touching her stomach. I closed my fist again as I can't help but grit my teeth.

What is mother doing all along this time?

"Hello my beautiful Myrna. Please go to Maria and eat with her. I will go to Mirtle and give her a half bath so that she'll feel fine."

"Yes, dear Miranda. Do we have fried chicken?" My sister asked innocently. I can't help but bitterly laugh. With this scene, I noticed the tears already streaming down my cheeks as I looked at her. I wiped it right away with my hands as I smiled at my skinny-looking sister.

"Yes. I bought a lot for all of us."

My sister responded with a weak smile. She went to the table where Maria is eating now. I could hear them giggling while eating the crunchy fried chicken I bought for them. If mother can't be a mother for all of us and my sibling, I'd gladly do it for her.