Chapter 2

Morning

     "Good morning Carmellia" I greated as I went to the kitchen counter to grab a glass of water. The house is a simple modern one. Not to fancy. From the outside it might look small but from the inside it's quit huge. I mean we have a chandelier hanging on the living room.

Not flashy just modest.

"Mind if you help me prepare the food Raya? " I didn't say no. I have nothing to do today —we have no class since it's Saturday so I decided to help. I Always make time for something like this. Helping around during weekend's is my routine. While on weekdays I bury my head in books.

We didn't take that long to finish preparing the meals.

"Slowly docha(daughter) or you'll slip"

"You should be the one being careful papa, you're older"

"And your fragile... "

Mom just chuckled when Dedushka(grandfather) suggested he'll carry mom around. I Love this father daughter duo. This two never fail to make each other laugh—and sometimes cry. I went to Moms side to help dedushka support Mom.

We got to the dining table with dedushka carrying Mom while she frowned in displeasure. Our breakfast for today is simple. A traditional Filipino soup made with beef shanks—or knuckles, bone marrow, and a light broth, with vegetables like corn, cabbage, and leafy greens. And of course we partnered the bulalo with rice.

"Eat more docha, you look so skinny" Dedushka worriedly said as he put more broth, cabbage, and beef on Moms plate.

"Papa are you trying to make me fat? " Mom crossed her arms like a 3-year old kid. Even though mom was already 43 she still has her slim figure. Snatched waist and her youthful look. She looks good with  black hair, but better with her naturally blonde hair. Mom's eyes are blue as the ocean.

And unlucky me,i didn't inherit it.

Carmellia always say that I look more like my Dad than Mom. I have strawberry blonde hair. Pale icy blue eyes. And a mole under my left eye. I also have a knife shaped birthmark on the side of my neck. Carmellia said it's from my Dad...

I don't really know if my birthmark really looked like a knife. I never even looked at it. My hair always covers it so no one have seen it just Carmellia, Mom, and Dedushka. I never really did put my hair in styles as it's already short.

Carmellia knew all these because she was the one who took care of Dad when he was a kid.

"Hiraya,Vnúchka(granddaughter) you should also eat more. You two look like a skeleton"

"Dedushka I'm not like a skeleton. I still have my chubby cheeks see" I pinched my own cheeks to show Dedushka I'm not a skeleton.

Everyone chuckled.

After breakfast I helped Carmellia with the dishes. Dedushka helped Mom go to her room. She needs to take her medicine and rest. After we washed the dishes me and Carmellia went outside to water the plants.We harvested some veggies and fruits. And planted more for replacement.

Give and take. Or is it take and give?

Afternoon quickly passed by.i helped Carmellia with some light chores then went to take a shower. We have somewhere to go today. I didn't dress that much. Just a corset polo and a trouser pants. I dried my hair and fix it a bit, I didn't brush it that much as I don't like it straight without any volume. I'll end up looking weird.

"Hiraya can you go and grab my purse" Mom said as I was going upstairs. It's Mom's follow up check up so me and Dedushka are going with her. I didn't take that long to grab Mom's purse. After, I went to my room to also grab mine.

When I got back Dedushka and Mom were already in the car so I quickly said goodbye to Carmellia and make my way outside.

"Docha you don't have to carry anything"I heard dedushka's voice as I was walking to the car.

"Then what am I gonna use to pay Papa? " Mom said with her attitude.

"I have billions remember? " Dedushka sarcastically said grinning like an idiot.

I went inside. I sat at the backsit with Mom. Dedushka started to drive.

"Hiraya Vnúchka, tell your Mom to not worry about the bills. I can even pay them millions if they want"

I chuckled.

"But Dedushka you don't even have your wallet with you" I chuckled while reminding him.

Dedushka didn't let that off he turned the car around and quickly went back. When we got back he went inside and came out with a bag. He placed the bag in the front sit even facining the sit belt.

"Papa you said your wallet not a bag"

"That is my wallet"

I looked at Dedushka with shocked eyes while mom sighed in defeat. The duffel bag was big and the money inside might be millions. For sure it was full of stash of money as you can see the stash forming.But it look so illegal!

"Dedushka you can't carry that around! That look so illegal! "

Dedushka chuckled at my remarks.

"Don't worry Vnúchka, I'll just take 10 stash then that's it"

"Papa 10 stash is to much, just take one"

"What could I do about you two" Dedushka ka sighed accepting his defeat.

"Fine I'll take 2 stash"

"Buts Papa-"

"Docha, Hiraya will be meeting with her friends and of course she needs money so one stash for you and one stash for Hiraya" Dedushka explained with patience, looking at me for help while I looked at him confused.

I have no where to go what is he saying? Besides I think one stash is already enough for the three of us maybe there's even thousands left. Gosh! is this how rich people think?

"How many are there even in one stash? " Mom glared at Dedushka. "About 20 thousand" Dedushka said casually like 20 thousand is just his daily allowance.

My jaw dropped! What the f#ck? 20 thousand per stash!

We reached the hospital with my jaw still dropped. As dedushka said he only took 2 stash gave me one and place the other on Mom's purse and of course dedushka was the one who carried Mom's purse.

I don't know where to put the stash of money so I excused myself to the bathroom and placed the money on my wallet. It didn't fit! I didn't even manage to fit half of the stash ! And I still have my 10 thousand allowance!

The rest of the stash I just put it inside my purse. I was even praying it would fit, luckily it did. I washed my hands before going out. I felt my phone vibrate so I took it from my pocket. It's was my friend. I opened messenger so I could see what she sent.

From Mira:

Beh asan ka? (beh where are you?)

Dito ako ngayon sa SM punta ka(I'm here at SM right now, come here)

Sunduin pa kita(I'll even fetch you)

To Mira:

Ospital ako ngayon(I'm at the hospital right now)

From Mira:

Ha pinagsasabi mo? (huh? what are saying?)

OMG! BEH PATAY KANA?

TANGINA WALA KA PA NGANG JOWA BAT (OMG!DONT TELL ME YOUR DEAD? YOU DONT EVEN HAVE A MAN YET!)

NAMAN OH!

To Mira:

Are you out of your mind?

I'm still alive and if I were dead then who is texting you now?

From Mira:

Oo nga no? (yes your right)

Pero wait bat nasa ospital ka? (but why are you in the hospital?)

To Mira:

It's mom's follow-up check up

I'm with her

From Mira:

Ano bayan wag ka mag english nasa pinas tayo

(stop typing in English, we're in the Philippines)

Na n-nose bleed ako dito oh

(I'm having a nose bleed here)

Pinag tititigan na ako ng mga tao dito sa jollibee

(now every one is staring at me here at Jollibee)

Saang ospital ba?

(what hospital are you in?)

Sunduin kita

(I'll fetch you)

To Mira:

 wag na stay there I'll go once mom's done

From Mira:

Geh (okay)

Ano ng (auhmm)

cant wait to see you 🫶😘

I just reacted a heart on her message then went to find Mom and dedushka. I found the doctors office so I  waited outside. I sat on one of the vacant sit.

Mira. Mira is my first bestfriend. She was the one who introduced herself to me on the first day of class in kindergarten. She was the one who stayed by my side for God knows how long. And thinking about it now, I kinda regret my decision...

People come and go, but Mira? She stayed. And I did the same...

I want to bring Mira with me. Not just for my want but also for her future. Mira has no one but her Dad. Her Mom left when she was a kid, after that her Dad poured all his love to her. Mira's Dad struggled when it comes to financial needs,sometimes Mom and Dedushka help them either if it's earning money or borrowing.Mira was sickful that's why they struggle.

All the medicine today are far from people. People who couldn't afford it resorts to cheep ones that makes their diseases worse. And the government?The government just turned a blind eye. I mean they all ready have everything why would they even give a f#ck to others.

Why run for a position when you can't even do your responsibilities, act their roles, and do what they promised. That's why I want to go back to Russia. I hate the government system here, it's to bias.

I want Mira to succeed so she'll have a stable life with her Dad.

" Hiraya...Vnúchka, are you okay? " I looked up at Dedushka who was now in front of me.

"Ah...I'm fine Dedushka" I stammered.

"I said okay Hiraya not fine" dedushka then sat next to me.

"Tell me Vnúchka, what's bugging your thoughts? "

"Dedushka can we bring Mira... "

"Hmm? Why is that? "

"I don't want to leave her here"

"She has her dad Vnúchka it'll be okay...We support their needs you know that. So when something bad happens you'll know. " dedushka explain.

"But dedushka-" I haven't even finished my words when dedushka interrupts. "What can I do? Fine she'll come with us" I smiled at dedushka.

That's how he treats me. One tear, one pout, one "but" he immediately gave in. He spoils me. I know I'm spoiled but not a brat.Im spoiled but not rotten.From an early age dedushka though me that even if I have everything, I still need to learn how to be humble.

Dedushka went out first to get the car. Me and Mom waited on the front desk. There are chairs so Mom sat on one of them while I stand waiting for dedushka. We're still inside the hospital,near the entrance .Dedushka stopped the car not far from the entrance.

From the inside I saw dedushka, he was talking to someone.Someone inside a black Mercedes Benz. The person inside  the car was a man. He must be a foreigner. He wears a cold face, it makes him dangerous.

Since dedushka's car was just in front of the entrance, me and Mom decided to walk to him. It wasn't that far. l guided Mom. As we got closer I can faintly hear what dedushka and the man was talking about.

"Ubedites', chto vy nichego ne skryvayete ot bratvy Bazilevskoy.(make sure your not hiding anything from the Bratva,Bazilevsky) " The man said.

"Ty tol'ko v proshlom mesyatse stal pakhanom i uzhe takoy zadiristyy?(you just turned the Pakhan last month and your already this feisty?)" Dedushka shot back.

"sledi za yazykom Bazilevskiy(whatch your words Bazilevsky) " The man warned.

"YA teper' pakhan, a ne moy otets.znay svoye mesto, sovetchik(I'm the Pakha now, not my father. So know your place Sovietnik)." The man said with authority in his voice.

I already know what my grandfathers work is. His part of the Bratva. The Russian mafia. It's not like they hide it from me. Actually dedushka was the one who told me about his life. His dangerous life. Maybe that's one of the reason Mom immigrated to the Philippines.

"Dedushka" I softly called. Mom's already inside the car. I know she fell asleep. Because if she's not she would have glared at dedushka.

Dedushka turned to face me so as the man.l locked eyes with the man. He seems familiar. Where have I saw those greenish blue eyes?

"Vnúchka, didn't I tell you to wait for me inside? " dedushka's worried voice lingered in the air as I was to focus on the man's eyes. He scanned me, almost looking for something in me. Like his looking for answers on questions he already know.

I bit my lower lip when his eyes seems to stopped on something on my neck. My birthmark. I put my hair into a low pony tail since it was so hot here so my birthmark is clearly visible.The man finally breathe a sigh of relief and looked at me in my eyes, his eyes softening. His once furrowed brows turned back to normal.i tried to look away, but it seams like I'm trapped.

Trapped in those familiar eyes...

I saw dedushka's helpless face from the side. He look back and forth between me and the man.

"Hiraya,Vnúchka... " dedushka called for my attention.

"Uhm...What is it dedushka? " I managed to look away from the man and look at dedushka.

"YA podozhdu pravdy.Bazilevskiy(I'll wait for the truth,Bazilevsky)" The man's final words before his car drove away.

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