CHAPTER 1: THE CHAOTIC FAMILY

It is the Intramurals Day Celebration in Benjamin Atlas School. It is one of the famous private schools in California, United States. But there are also scholarship programs held by the government in America to help poor children to help themselves to go to school with the support of a scholarship grant. The types of students in Benjamin Atlas School are very smart and intelligent at the same time. Yes, most of the children came from a very high class families but there are also students who came from low to middle class families wherein they can’t afford to send their children to school, that’s why academic scholarships can really help the students and it’s not a hindrance for them to chase their big dreams in life. There goes Kiesha Jones, a Grade 12 student, 17 years old with a height of 5’10”. She’s a very smart and simple girl came from a poor family who lives at the side of the reconstructed highway.

“Oh, sun’s up!, she said in excitement as she was bicycling herself to school.

“Today is the Intramurals. I am so much excited for it!”, she added joyfully.

As she was heading towards school, she almost suddenly bumped into a very cute kitten alongside the road.

“Oh!”, she was startled.

“Poor little kitten, come here. Where are your parents? Why are you left alone? Don’t worry I am here now.”, she whispered.

She then carried and placed the kitten at the basket attached in front of the bicycle which her father bought it for her.

“Here you go. You’ll already safe in there.”, she said.

“Meoooww..”, cried the kitten as it was teary eyed and looks at her.

“Don’t worry. We’ll find your parents.”, Kiesha said.

Keisha then thought suddenly of her parents. Everytime there was an event in school, her parents could not even support her.

“We’re same kitty..”, she whispered as she sighed.

Not later than an hour, Kiesha arrived in school. She noticed colorful pennants hanged all over in school. She was really amazed by the decorations created and attached to every corner of the hallway.

“Hey Kiesha, how are you? What are you bringing? A kitten? So you have a pet now?”, her classmate said as she greeted Kiesha.

“Yes Aivy, this is Kitty. I just suddenly bumped onto her while I am riding a bicycle. She’s a girl by the way. Then, I finally named her Kitty. Isn’t she adorable?”, she replied.

“You must kept her Kiesha. The principal or anyone of us here might notice it. Don’t you remember that bringing of pets or animals is not allowed in school? It is not recommended here. Our teacher might caught you soon.”, said Aivy.

“I hope not. Alright, thank you for reminding me that Aivy. I guess I should go back and keep Kitty inside the basket.”, she replied.

“And aside from that Kiesha, if one of us will break the school rules, we cannot longer have our scholarship.”, Aivy added.

Kiesha nodded and went back to keep Kitty inside the basket.

“Kitty dear, sorry but for the meantime, you’ll have to stay here.”, Kiesha whispered as she placed Kitty inside.

“Come on Kiesha! Hurry up!”, shouted Aivy.

“Ladies and gentlemen, thank you for coming. Today is our Intramurals. I am glad you’re all here to witness our program and recognition to our awardees. Come, join us as we all witness the awardees for the Declamation Contest. We would also like to invite the awardees’ parents to come and join us on stage as we will give each awardee a medal for his or her outstanding hardwork.”, said the emcee who is a teacher in school.

All of the awardees are called and their parents came and joined in front to hang the medals they received for their children.

“Kiesha, I hope we’ll win.”, said Aivy.

“I hope so.”, replied Kiesha.

“Next, our third placer is… Aivy Smith!”, yelled the emcee.

“Wow! Oh my! Congratulations Aivy!”, said Kiesha excitedly.

“Thank you! You’ll be the champion.”, replied Aivy.

Aivy went upstairs with her parents.

“I’m so proud of you my dear.”, said Aivy’s mother.

“Thanks Mom..”, replied Aivy as she hugged her parents.

“And next will be our 1st placer. Who’s your bet?”, yelled the emcee.

“Matilda! Matilda!”, shouted some of the students.

“Kiesha! Kiesha! Kiesha!”, said her classmates.

“I bet Kiesha will win the competition.”, said one of Matilda’s friends.

“Oh my! That poor girl? Never! I should win this.”, replied Matilda.

“Our first placer will be… “Kiesha Jones!! Around of applause for Kiesha! That means Matilda O’Donnell is our second placer! Around of applause to the both of them.”, yelled the emcee.

“Oh wow! Congratulations Kiesha! You won the first place! I am so proud of you!”, said Aivy happily.

“Please come on stage Kiesha and Matilda.”, reminded the emcee.

“What? I am the winner?”, said Kiesha.

“What the! Did I just hear my name in the second place? Did I just loose?”, exclaimed Matilda angrily.

“It’s alright dear. For us you’re the winner.”, said her mother.

“But Mom, I really tried my best on rehearsing my declamatory piece and it’s not worth it!”, she replied with a sigh.

“It’s because of Kiesha. I really hate that girl!”, she added.

“Stop it Kiesha. We did not teach you to be jealous or envy at anyone. You’re lucky because we are your parents. While Kiesha? Does she have parents to support her all the time whenever the school has its grand celebration or any event just like now?”, explained her mother.

“I don’t care! I believe that I am better than her, Mom.”, she replied.

“Kiesha, where are your parents?”, asked Aivy.

“They won’t come.”, she replied.

“Then who will support you?”, asked Aivy again.

“I don’t know. Maybe I will be alone this time. Anyway, I’ll go in front. Thank you Aivy!”, she replied.

Kiesha went on the stage. As soon as she was heading on her way, Matilda bumped onto her.

“Excuse me, I’ll go ahead silly girl!”, said Matilda.

“Ouch!”, exclaimed Kiesha.

“By the way, are you all left alone? No doubt because your parents aren’t here to support you.”, she added.

“Stop it Matilda! Oh, I’m so sorry Kiesha. I wonder why she’s acting like that. We did not teach her to be rude and arrogant. I’m sad about Matilda.”, Matilda’s mother explained to Kiesha.

“It’s alright Ma’am Juliet.”, replied Kiesha.

“By the way, how did you know my name?”, Matilda’s mother replied.

“Kiesha dear, hurry up!”, said the emcee.

“Ahm.. excuse me for a while Ma’am, I was already been called. I’m sorry.”, replied Kiesha.

“Yes dear, sure, no problem and by the way, congratulations!”, Jane replied.

“Thank you Ma’am Jane!”, replied Kiesha.

“Oh, there you are. What did you two talk about?”, said Matilda.

“Excuse me Matilda, it’s your mother, you should show respect to her.”, replied Kiesha.

“Oh wow! So are you an adviser now Kiesha?”, said Matilda angrily.

“For the first place, we have her Kiesha Jones! She will accept a $100 for winning her declamation piece. While for Matilda Watsons, she will also accept $50. Around of applause please!”, yelled the emcee.

“Go Kiesha! Go Kiesha! Congratulations our very smart President in School Council.”, one of her classmates shouted.

“Thank you everyone!”, she replied.

“Where are you parents dear to take a pictorial?”, said the Principal.

“They aren’t here Ma’am.”, she replied.

“Uh! Pathetic.”, whispered Matilda.

“It’s alright, I will be here to support of these two girls.”, replied Jane, Matilda’s mother.

“Really? Is she your adopted daughter now Mom?”, whispered Matilda.

Jane did not care about how Matilda’s words could affect her.

“You know what Matilda, I did not expect you to be a very bad girl.”, said Jane, her mother.

“Come here Kiesha, join us.”, Jane added.

Matilda stepped onto the right shoe of Kiesha.

“Oh, I’m sorry. You’re blocking my way.”, said Matilda.

“And what? You will receive $100? Are you worth it? No.”, she added.

Kiesha remained silent. She was embarrassed of Matilda because Matilda has everything. While she has only herself. Yes, she has a family but it’s different when there’s a family that supports her along the way.

An Afternoon came. The sunset already appeared.

“Hey Kiesha, come join us to dinner. You know what, I am very proud of you. Or maybe we can accompany you to your home”, said Jane.

“Thank you Ma’am Jane. But I will just go home right away while bicycling.”, Kiesha replied.

“Oh, wow! So you mean you know how to bike?”, Jane said.

“Matilda as well.”, she added.

“Oh shut up Mom! Hurry, I am now hungry.”, replied Matilda.

“Kiesha, congratulations dear!”, Matilda’s Dad greeted her.

“Oh, thank you Mr. Henry! Ma’am Jane, Bye Matilda!”, she replied.

“Whatever bitch!”, replied Matilda hesitantly.

“By the way, why did Kiesha knew our names dear?”, asked Jane, wife of Henry.

“It’s because her father was a construction worker in the reconstructed highway which is my project also. Kiesha was very kind like her father.”, replied Henry.

“What? A construction worker? What a poor family and poor dad.”, said Matilda.

“You know what Kiesha, you’re very luck enough you have a wonderful family. I hope you’ll realize that mocking or belittling someone is not good.”, replied Henry.

“Ok, sorry. But I am now hungry guys, let’s go!”, replied Matilda.

Kiesha headed her way back home happily. She passed by a bakery store to buy bread for her family.

“I’m sure my family like this much. It’s one of my favorites, a bread topped with ube and cheese.”, she whispered.

“Hi Miss, I want to buy bread topped with ube and cheese good for 12 pcs.”, she said.

“Hello dear, alright. You’ll pay $1.68.”, replied the saleslady.

“Here you go. Thank you.”, replied Kiesha.

She also went by to a department store to buy canned goods, cup noodles and rice for her family’s dinner.

As Kiesha was about to step onto her bicycle to go, she remembered her little Kitty.

“Oh, my Kitty!”, she said.

She looked inside the basket and there’s the little kitten sleeping quietly.

“Oh.. You’re so cute little one.”, she whispered.

Kiesha was enlightened since the little kitten was not in harm. As she went on the right lane, she noticed a family of kittens.

“Oh! They’re so adorable! Hey little one, wake up! I think they are your family. They are the ones you’ve been looking for.”, she said joyfully.

Kiesha hurriedly stopped by at the huge tree and witnessed how the cats and kittens lived happily. She then carried Kitty gently and placed her among the group of kittens. Kitty, the kitten slightly woke up and noticed that there are a family of kittens. She looked at Kiesha and placed her head onto Kiesha’s hands.

“Goodbye for now Kitty. I know you’re already happy. I am very happy for you.”, whispered Kiesha as she cried quietly and touched Kitty’s head.

Kitty went along to her group of kittens and cats until they disappeared.

“So much for that Kiesha.”, she whispered.

It’s already 5 pm in the afternoon. The clouds are getting darker. Kiesha is continuously heading her way at home.

“Oh, I think it will rain. I should hurry. I don’t have raincoat nor an umbrella.”, she said.

It’s 6 pm in the evening when Kiesha returned home from school event she was attending. She set aside her bicycle which was already very old. Her bicycle was 3 years already after his father gave it to her.

“Oh, it’s a coincidence. It rains! I love rain! It soothes my ears.”, she said happily.

As she brought her foods that she bought outside, she heard slamming of doors, shouting and throwing of clothes outside.

Kiesha seated on the old bench and looked at the reconstructed highway.

“What is happening again?”, she whispered.

“What? You should go! You know what? I don’t need your help Edmund. I felt regretful everytime I see your face. I should have lived my life happier now. Guess, you only broke it.”, said Elizabeth, Kiesha’s mother.

“Why? You cannot do this on your own Elizabeth! You need me! You know we loved each other!”, exclaimed Edmund, Kiesha’s father.

“Edmund, I cannot do this anymore. I don’t want this entire life. Your salary is not enough to support our family!”, shouted Elizabeth.

“So, what will you do? Leave us alone here? To leave our children desperately without you? Why won’t you just feel contented of what we have right now Elizabeth? Why will you always make me feel this way that I am not a part of this family? Or I tried hard but it’s not really enough for you? Why can’t you see that I am really trying hard to support you and our children? Why?!”, yelled Edmund to Elizabeth.

Kiesha heard their yell so she went inside.

“Mother? Father? What’s this? Why are you yelling and shouting? Are we all done here? It was raining outside that’s why I’m here. Are you fighting again because of money? You can’t even support me at school. You know that we, you’re children really tried hard to support ourselves in school. Not later than for many years, my brother and sister gave up from school until I am the only one who will survive now. Without the academic scholarship that the school offered to me, I think I cannot still send myself to school ‘till now. So please.. have pity on me, have pity on us.”, Kiesha explained hesitantly.

"By the way, I have something for you. Pls receive this $100 which I won from the declamation contest in school. I hope this can help us mother. I also have pack of foods which I bought earlier. But please I'm begging you don't leave. Don't leave us! Please!..", begged Kiesha.

Keisha was so desperate that she throw the money and the foods on the floor. Despite of heavy rains, Kiesha ran away from home. She ran so far away and quickly rode on ber bicycle in which her father couldn't run after her.

"Kiesha! Dear! Where are you going?", shouted Edmund, her father.

"Just leave me alone! I was filled with grief all the time! While my classmates, they can do whatever they want!" ,Kiesha suddenly halted and went running.

Elizabeth, Kiesha's mother cried so hard. She felt like she offended her daughter Kiesha.

Elizabeth continuously cried and seated on the floor while watching the foods and money thrown by her daughter.

"Oh Kiesha dear, I am so sorry for offending you. I didn't mean to.", cried Elizabeth while picking up the pieces on the floor.

"It all happened because of you! You know what? You ruined my life! You ruined everything! I wasn't able to graduate because you made me pregnant that time! I was just 19 when I carried a baby in my womb. You promised a lot Edmund! But from all of your promises, all you did was creating mistakes.

"Really? So is that what you think of me Elizabeth? I loved you!", said Edmund.

"Oh stop it Edmund! I don't know if that's still possible between us.", replied Elizabeth.

"So, are you really leaving? Meaning you didn't care at all. You didn't care about me, to Kiesha, to Alexa and John. Why should you not feel contented Elizabeth? We are your family. Please, okay just for Kiesha's sake, please stay. I don't want us to be broken Elizabeth. If you want me to leave to find another job, okay I will but please give me a chance.", begged Edmund.

Edmund suddenly hugged Elizabeth so tightly.

"Okay, I am sorry Edmund. It was just not what I accepted. I feel burdened. I don't know. Maybe I am tired of living in this kind of situation.", replied Elizabeth.

"But I couldn't just leave our children here.", she added.

Edmund remained silent while helping Elizabeth clean the floor.

"Is this the money which Kiesha have won? It was so big! I didn't expect our daughter has a hidden talent.", said Elizabeth.

"Me as well.", replied Edmund.

"At last! We can already pay our electricity bill. We can now eat 3x a day.", she added.

Edmund felt as if his heart was been cut into pieces. He went at the back of the house and secretly cried.

Kiesha ride on a bicycle in tears and Alexa her eldest sister saw her as she was moving fast on the bicycle she was riding.

"Kiesha!", Alexa shouted.

"She's moving too fast. Not good.", she added.

Alexa was the eldest sister of Kiesha. She graduated high school but did not proceed to college because of financial crisis. She was hired as a baker in a bakeshop on that day just a kilometer away from their house.

Edmund did not reach Kiesha. Meanwhile, while he was about to get back, Alexa was walking thoroughly as if she was thinking a lot about Alexa's safety not knowing she bumped into her father.

"Oh Father, I'm sorry, why you're here? Are you now leaving from your work? Come on let's go together at home.", said Alexa.

"By the way, I saw Kiesha was moving too fast on her bicycle she's riding. As if she was about to escape or what. Is there any trouble again at home?", she asked.

"Oh, your sister. I am worried about her.", replied her father.

"Why? What's wrong?", she asked.

"We did not know Kiesha was behind the doors listening to our arguments and shouts. We already knew after she went inside crying quietly while she was still at the balcony.", he replied.

"You're quarreling because of?", Alexa asked.

"As usual. Your mother really wants me to leave my construction work and find another decent job. But who will hire me? Do you think I will be accepted without a degree? I guess not.", his father replied.

"But you know what, even though your mother treated me this way, I still loved her. I could not easily tell her about it because I know I cannot still be fully accepted by her.

"Why father, because you only have a poor job? I didn't expect mother to treat you that way. I'll talk to her.", replied Edmund.

"No Alexa. It's okay. We talked already. I stopped her for leaving us.", he added.

"So it's true that she's leaving.", replied Alexa.

"Yes but she can't because she loves all of you.", replied Edmund.

"Then Kiesha won at the declamation contest she joined in school worth $100. She also brought us foods. But she eventually threw it on the floor because she was badly hurt inside.", replied Edmund.

"Oh really? Wow! I'm so proud of Kiesha.", she replied.

"But where is she now? I think I need to go back and find her.", replied Alexa.

"Just leave her this time. I think she wants peace of mind. She'll be home again soon.", replied Edmund.

As they reached home, they noticed Elizabeth and John quarreling and shouting.

John was the eldest brother of Kiesha. Elizabeth and Edmund has 2 siblings in all.

There comes John. John did not also finish college because of alcohol addiction. He spent a lot of time to his friends and always making cutting classes. As a result, he did not repay his father’s hard work.

"What? Come on! Slap me! Slap your mother! Throw anything at me!", yelled Elizabeth.

"I hate you! I have so much regrets why you became my mother! You don't have a job! You're just always asking from father!", yelled John as she was pointing at his mother.

Alexa and Edmund saw everything.

"John! Stop it!", said Edmund.

"But why father? She's so greedy with money. I only asked amount of bill to buy alcoholic drink. It’s just quite small. Is it too difficult to give uh?!”, John replied.

“That’s your problem John! You can’t control yourself from drinking alcoholic beverages! You did not only bring stress to us. You don’t even have money to support us here!”, shouted his father.

John did not control his temper instead, he moved closer to his father immediately and punched him on his face.

“John! Enough!”, cried Alexa and Elizabeth.

Edmund also punched back at his son. John pushed his father so hard that his father almost fell downstairs.

Their neighbors noticed it and saw everything. They went outside to witness what happened in the family.

“Oh, a very chaotic family indeed.”, one of their neighbors replied.

“John! Edmund! Stop it!”, shouted Elizabeth.

“What father? Are you happy now?!”, exclaimed John.

John rushed quickly alongside the street. Heavy rains continuously pouring. He ran as far as he can. He was very cold and wet. He then stayed under the roof of a closed store.

“My family did not like me. What did just my father said to me awhile ago? That I don’t have money to support them? Is my presence in the family not enough? Without me, my mother and sisters can’t do tasks in which a man can do. If he’s not at home, I am the one who did the carpentry, fetching water, fixing wires and others.”, he murmured.

“Yes, I don’t have money for now. But someday, I will.”, he whispered.

John stayed and seated for a while in front of the store while staring at the dark clouds.

Meanwhile, Kiesha cried so hardly that she decided to go to the kitten’s place where she left it with a family of kittens and cats.

“Hey Kitty? Where are you? I need you right now. I want to hug you so tight.”, she said while searching for Kittys.

But there’s none except a dog staring at her.

“Where did it go?”, she added.

Kiesha went on a ride on her bicycle and eventually went to her school. She decided to stay at the school for the meantime until she will return herself as braver as she is.

“Oh Kiesha, why are you here? It’s 5:00 pm already. Why are you still here? You’re all wet. Don’t you have an umbrella with you?”, asked the bodyguard.

“Ahm.. I left my important notebook in my classroom Sir. I just really need to get it.”, she replied.

“Ok, are you crying dear?”, replied the bodyguard.

“Sort of..”, she replied.

“Why? Because you’re the champion of the declamation contest? You know what, I saw you the other day. You really amazed me that time. Like I can’t believe you are an actress! Haha. Anyway, you’re so talented dear. Keep it up! I know your parents are very proud of you.”, he said.

“I hope so Sir.”, she replied.

The bodyguard opened the gate and agreed to let Kiesha in. She stayed in her classroom and later on, sang her favorite song.

“I wish my family will be happy soon..”, she whispered.

It’s already 6 pm in the evening but still, Kiesha did not return home. Her family is worried about her.

“Is everything set already? I want the foods will be on the table now so that by the time Kiesha will return home, she will be amazed of our prepared meal.” Said Elizabeth.

“But, I am worried mother. What if something’s wrong with Kiesha?”, replied Alexa worriedly.

“Don’t think about that Alexa. Everything will be alright. Nothing will happen to your sister.”, replied Elizabeth.

Edmund went outside staring and hoping her daughter would come back.

“By the way mother, we all know that father really works hard for our family. Being a construction worker is an honorable job. Without them, most of the buildings cannot be built. You see that bridge? It was successfully built because of the construction workers. My father is one of them. That’s why I am very proud of him.”, said Alexa proudly.

“Why did you just say that? Don’t tell me, your father is making assumptions with you.”, replied her mother.

“No mom. It’s just I am worried also about your relationship with father. I don’t want us to be broken. You see the neighbors awhile ago? They’re gossiping and laughing at us.”, she replied.

“Can we just stop quarreling?”, she added.

Elizabeth kept a moment of silence and suddenly was startled when Edmund her husband shouted with joy because Kiesha returned home.

“Oh Kiesha, dear! We are very worried about you.”, Edmund, his father replied.

Kiesha did not give a word. She went to her old bedroom and quietly seated in front of the window.

Elizabeth, her mother came in.

“Hey, dear. Are you alright? You alright Kiesha? We’re very worried about you.”, replied Elizabeth.

“You don’t need to worry mother. I am brave. You taught me about how to be brave.”, replied Kiesha.

“Oh dear.. I am really sorry for causing you pain this afternoon. We already talked with your father and sister.”, said Elizabeth as she hugged Kiesha.

“Where’s brother John?”, asked Kiesha.

“I don’t know dear. He came back here and punched your father.”, replied Elizabeth.

“What? But why?”, replied Kiesha.

“It’s because he really wanted to buy alcoholic drinks but I don’t want to give him the money which you gave because it will still be wasted if John will always keep on asking about small amount of money because of his nonsense things.”, replied Elizabeth.

“Where is he now?”, asked Kiesha.

“We don’t know. You already know him. He will just eventually appear at home if he wants to.”, replied Elizabeth.

Kiesha nodded in sadness.

“Come on now guys, Kiesha, mother! Come on! Join us here. We will now about to start our dinner.”, said Alexa.

“Wait for a while dear!”, replied Elizabeth.

Suddenly, Alexa came out from her bedroom and began to smile.

“Hey sister, what happened? Father and I saw you this afternoon, you’re moving too fast while riding on your bicycle. I think that’s the bicycle father gave to you as promised from his first salary that time right?”, said Alexa.

“Yeah. I’m sorry for letting you worried about me and throwing things here.”, replied Kiesha.

“You know what Kiesha, we are very proud of you. Even though John is not yet home, I’m sure he will also say that to you.”, said Alexa.

“Why?”, asked Kiesha.

Everyone is seated around the table while continuously talking after preparing the meal.

“Because you did very well in your studies. Aside from that, father shared with me your latest achievement in school. So it’s true you joined declamation contest and you won? Congratulations Kiesha!”, said Alexa.

“Congratulations dear!”, Edmund said.

“Congratulations dear!”, Elizabeth said.

“Thank you Alexa, father, mother because I made you proud. I hope brother will be proud of me too. Won’t he come home forever?”, asked Kiesha.

“He will dear.”, replied his father.

“Just give him time.”, he added.

“Honestly, it’s true that I won and I am very proud to announce it to you mother, father but I did not expect you did an argument this afternoon. That’s why I ran away from home in order to have a tranquility of mind. I actually went to school and thinking about you, everything. How to make money, etc.”, replied Kiesha.

“Oh dear, you don’t have to do that. We are here to support you and your studies.”, replied Elizabeth.

“Yes you don’t need to do that Kiesha.”, replied her sister, Alexa.

“Why?”, replied Kiesha.

“It’s because you’re too young to be burdened. And as your elder sister, it’s my responsibility to take care all of you. I know we will not expecting John to do the same but I hope I and him can be of help soon.”, replied Alexa.

“What do you mean dear?”, her father replied.

“It’s because… I.. was accepted as the new baker in the bakery store!”, she shouted with joy.

“Oh really dear?”, replied Elizabeth.

“That’s awesome!”, replied Edmund.

“Wow! You mean you already have a job sister? That’s great news!”, replied Kiesha joyfully.

“Yes! And I can already buy you a new one.”, said Alexa.

“Like what?”, asked Kiesha.

“A new second hand bicycle. Because I saw you riding it and it’s very old already Kiesha. That’s also my gift for you soon because you did a very good job with your studies. How I wish I was you back in the old times.”, replied Alexa.

“Alright so much for that dear. The important is that we are together right now and thank God Kiesha is safe. We hope John will return home soon as well.”, replied Elizabeth.

“And your $100 Kiesha? Just keep it for your allowance in school or for other family needs.”, said Alexa.

“Thank you for reminding me sister but it’s for all of us including brother John.”, replied Kiesha.

“Alright, as you say so dear.”, replied Alexa.

After the family prayed together, someone knocked on the door.

“Just wait here. I’ll be the one who will open it. I just have to look who is it.”, said Edmund.

As Edmund opened the door, John was standing in front of him.

“Oh father! I am sorry!”, cried John.

“Oh John, my son, no, it’s alright I understand. We understand John. Come on in. Let’s eat together.”, replied Edmund.

“John?”, said Elizabeth.

“Mother I am really sorry for..”, he said.

“No, it’s alright. Come let’s eat together because this is the food which Kiesha bought after attending her awarding ceremony.”, replied Elizabeth.

“Why? Are you now an honor student Kiesha?”, asked her brother John.

“No we’re not yet done in our 4th grading period but I won from a declamation contest brother. I received a $100 dollars and I bought also some pack of foods. I hope you all like it.”, replied Kiesha.

“Oh I remembered. That’s why mother won’t let me borrow the money because it’s actually your hard work Kiesha that pays off. I am really proud of you. Did you know that?”, he replied.

“Yes hehe.”, replied Kiesha while smiling in front of her family.

“At least we’re okay now?”, said Kiesha.

“Yes.”, Edmund their father, replied.

The heavy rains stopped falling. The moon shined brightly in the sky. The family ate together with their delicious meal and laughed each other as they talked continuously.