The young man knew about that, and even he was afraid of running into them, but despite that, he still continued to leave.
He was disoriented as he walked, struggling to bear the pain in his stomach.
After a few minutes of walking, he reached some stores.
He immediately entered a building and happened upon an eatery. A few people were still eating in the carinderia (local restaurant), even though it was almost eleven at night.
The young man's mouth watered as he smelled the fragrant aroma of the delicious food the woman was selling. It was as if a magic was enticing the young man to buy and eat them.
He imagined a sparkling shimmer over the dishes; he had lost self-control and was desperate to fill his stomach.
He couldn't resist the temptation to eat any longer and finally gripped the glass counter of the stall.
~ Eric's Point of View ~
The aroma of their food is so enticing; just looking at it seems delicious. This is what I need to make my stomach ache go away.
I know something feels wrong, but I don't care anymore. I want to eat them, even though something seems to be bothering me.
In his craving for the food, he suddenly heard a voice briefly passing through his ear.
A repeating voice calling his name and telling him to stop what he was planning to do. Was the voice trying to stop me just my imagination? I don't know, but I feel like I'm forgetting something.
With every moment of hesitation about pointing out what to buy, due to the mysterious voice I heard in my mind, I suddenly clutched my aching stomach, which wouldn't stop growling.
My mind is confused, probably because I'm hungry. Right. Perhaps that's the case.
It's more important to alleviate my hunger so I can think straight.
I shouldn't hesitate anymore. I'm practically starving, so why should I stop myself from eating?
But before I could point out what to buy to the woman, I noticed the numbers next to the dishes.
I couldn't read the labels because they were written in another language, but I knew the numbers next to them were the food prices.
I was shocked and stepped back in surprise at the price of the rice and main dishes they were selling. They reached 60 pesos for just rice and a dish. This was unfair. It was ridiculous.
I couldn't understand why their prices were so inflated for one order, because back home, rice was five pesos a serving and a dish was ten pesos at a carinderia.
I asked why their goods were so expensive for one order, but they just looked at me strangely for asking and simply said:
"You're not in the mountains, kid. This is life in the city," she said.
At that moment, I realized the difference between our place and this small city.
I looked around me, and it was truly different from the cramped eateries in the province. It had many lights and electric fans, complete services, and clean utensils. I could also see a television that people were watching and gadgets held by some customers.
There were many things here that we didn't have, like paved streets and buildings. Bright roads at night because of the lampposts.
Maybe the city really is very different from what I'm used to, and I can't complain about these things and the differences.
While thinking about the unusual things in the city, my sisters who I want to study in Manila came to mind.
That's right. If they can study in Manila, they surely won't be like me, staring at things in the city like an idiot. It's embarrassing when you think about it.
Manila. They say Manila is a progressive city, the capital of the country. If so, I'm sure things there are even more expensive than here.
I looked at my wallet and realized that if my sisters were to study in Manila, they would surely need a lot of money just for their daily food.
The cost of living in the city is too high. What about Manila? Wait, what is life like in Manila for kids my age?
I envy them because they were born in the city. They don't have to go through the hardships of being a provincial native. If only I had a chance, I would want to live in the city too.
It would be nice to think that if I were born a city resident, I would be studying in a proper classroom. Have a clean water source, usable lights at night, and delicious food.
Beautiful buildings, lampposts, paved roads, a civilized community, and advanced technology.
I also want to experience hanging out with friends without having to worry about whether you'll have food the next day. I also want to experience stepping into towering buildings and viewing the world from above them.
It would be wonderful to think that I could also attain what city kids achieve. If only I had the chance.
But I know deep down that those things are impossible for me. I only finished Grade 6, and because of the difficulty of life, I couldn't continue studying. I regret not studying well during the time I was still attending school. I didn't know that was the last time I would ever step into a school.
But nevertheless...
Even if it's too late for me, it's not too late for my younger sisters. They are my only hope and treasure.
While thinking about those things, I closed my eyes for a moment.
I quickly closed my wallet and walked away from the store. I don't know why, but my stomach ache seemed to have disappeared.
Maybe it was because I was thinking about my sisters' future, or maybe I was more restrained from spending because I regretted the money that would be deducted from my earnings.
But even though the pain in my stomach was gone, it didn't remove the weakness in my arms and knees, which seemed to be searching for a source of energy.
But what's the point of my efforts if I let my hunger defeat me? Right, I probably won't die just because I didn't eat for one night.
"I will not be defeated!" he shouted, raising his hands and reaching for the sky.
An utterance that strengthened his resolve to face the hardships of life.
I know that the endurance I am going through is part of the challenge I need to overcome to achieve my dreams.
~ End of Point of View ~
He gazed at the stars in the sky that seemed to shine brightly. He was full of confidence in achieving the dream for his sisters.
A boy aspiring for change in their life status. He had no idea how difficult or possible it was to achieve it, but he was ready to gamble on it.
"Okay, I need to sell more tomorrow," Erik said to himself.
As his feet took another step away from where he stood, something suddenly hit his head.
A hard object was struck against the young man's head by an unknown assailant, causing him to slide down onto the street.
In an instant, his vision seemed to darken, and he slowly lost consciousness.
Blood could be seen flowing from the wound on his head, and because it was late at night, no one else witnessed the attack.
The young man was successfully robbed, and the unidentified people quickly escaped.
He collapsed on the road unexpectedly and was helpless against what happened.
End of Chapter.
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