Her stomach was growling, but she would endure it for now.
The sun was high, and the heat was scorching. The air was smoky, and it was far from the province where she grew up. Different smells were mingling, but the overpowering stench of garbage was wafting from a corner of the street. There were many sidewalk vendors on that wide street, each with its own cart. They sold various goods, such as street food, snacks, and other knick-knacks.
She was starving, but she knew she couldn't eat just anything. Her stomach was sensitive.
She slung her knapsack over her shoulder and carried a large duffel stroller bag in her right hand. She kept up with the fast pace of the people crossing the street. Her blue polo shirt was drenched in sweat, and she felt the heat from her fitted jeans. Her feet were also hot in her white sneakers.
This was her first time in Manila. She had only been there for a week, and she was still adjusting to the city's way of life.
She came from Surigao and sought help from her close friend Almarie to leave their town. Almarie arranged her trip, and she endured the tiring and long boat ride because it was all she could afford. Almarie also gave her the address of one of her acquaintances in Sampaloc, Manila, Venirose.
Thankfully, she had a place to stay for a week. Although Venirose's house was small and close to the train tracks, she was grateful that the family accepted her. However, Venirose talked to her one night.
"I'm sorry, Helga. We're a bit tight on budget. I want to help you, but my salary is not enough, and next week, my contract will end," Venirose said, ashamed. She was a friendly woman with a slightly pointed nose and a bright smile. She was plump, but she was small, standing only five feet tall. She and Helga were the same age, 21 years old.
Helga was lying on a thin mattress on the floor while Venirose was on the bottom bunk bed. Venirose's two younger brothers were on the top bunk bed, and they were lightly snoring. She had another older brother who was sleeping in the living room since she arrived.
Despite the hot room, Helga was grateful for the kindness of Venirose's parents. She knew she couldn't stay for a long time in their small home, and she felt the family's struggle. Even though Venirose's mother didn't say anything, Helga knew she was uncomfortable with the added burden.
"How's your job search going?" Venirose asked.
The first thing Helga did after arriving in Manila was to submit her resume to various companies. She had just graduated from a course in Environmental Science and had no experience, so she wasn't very picky about the job she could get at the moment.
For three consecutive days, she walked into the companies referred to her by her friend Venirose.
"No one has called yet," she said sadly. She was embarrassed to say it, but what could she do?
"Don't worry. Just have faith."
"I hope so." Helga sighed. "I'll have to say goodbye tomorrow, Venirose. I just need to find a place to stay or a cheap rental. I'm not sure how far my money will go."
"I'm so sorry."
"It's okay." The pressure to find a job was already weighing heavily on her. She didn't know where she would end up once her savings ran out.
"Why did your father have to force you to marry a man you don't like? I can't imagine how you can stomach that," Venirose said.
She took a deep breath. She had already told Venirose her problem, and it was enough that she accepted her as a friend.
"It's also hard when you're as beautiful as you are, isn't it? You attract a lot of attention," Venirose added.
She remembered her family in Surigao. She and her younger brother were the only ones. She was the eldest, and Joseph, who was still in junior high school, followed her. Joseph had caught the new education curriculum, so he needed to finish senior high school before going to college.
She had only been away from her family for a short time, but she already missed her mother and brother terribly.
Her heart sank as she remembered her father.
Why did he cling to the Severanos? The Severanos were a powerful clan in their area. But with that came their bad reputation. She had not heard of any murder cases against the Severanos, but the fact that their name was associated with illegal gambling was enough reason for her to stay away from the influential clan.
She also thought of the smiling face of one of the Severano boys she first saw with her father. Adolf Manuelito Severano was twenty-six years old. He was a handsome young man.
According to her father, he was the financier of many gamblers in their area. Many people owed money to Adolf, including her father.
Why did her father get addicted to cockfighting and casinos? To make matters worse, Adolf took a liking to her, and since they started seeing each other, he never left her alone.
In the end, her marriage to Severano was scheduled for the next month.
She couldn't do it.
She wouldn't allow it.
She would do anything to escape her tragic fate.
"Miss, your bag is open," said the voice, bringing Helga back to the present. It was a tall, dark-skinned man wearing a white T-shirt and jeans, almost as tall as she was. He had just passed her after speaking.
Helga was alarmed by what she heard. She was already close to the other side of the street. She looked at the knapsack hanging on her back. The man was right. The bag was open.
When she reached the other side, Helga decided to step aside and put down her bags. Her heart was beating with anxiety as she searched through the open knapsack.
Her lips lost their color when she discovered that her cell phone and her pouch bag containing her remaining money were missing.
"I'm so stupid," she admitted to herself. Venirose had reminded her to be careful, but she was overcome with many thoughts.
Now, her problem was even bigger. She not only had no money but also lost her only connection to the person who temporarily took her in. Tears welled up in her eyes, and her face contorted with frustration.
Sweaty, hungry, with no fare and no acquaintances, where could she go now?
She let passersby stare at her, crying and shedding tears. She was completely blank now. The city was really dangerous. Criminals didn't choose their targets.
"Mommy!"
She looked away into the distance. But the running little girl caught her peripheral vision. She sniffled.
"Mommy!"
Helga was startled when someone hugged her waist. She gasped and then saw the smiling mestiza girl looking up at her happily.
"Don't cry, Mommy. I am here!"
She didn't know what to say to the child. Judging from the girl's attire and speech, her family seemed wealthy.
"Ma'am, are you the mommy of this child?"
Helga turned and encountered the happy grin of a police officer in uniform. She estimated that the dark-skinned officer was in his early thirties.
"Yes?" She wiped her tears off her cheeks.
"She approached me because she said she was looking for her mommy," the officer added.
"Oh?" Helga wiped away the tears on both cheeks.
The beautiful little girl still clung to her.
"This baby of yours was so worried about you," the officer said with a smile before turning to the child. "Chelsea, don't leave your mommy. Someone else might take you away."
The child named 'Chelsea' nodded.
"Ma'am, what should I do now? I'll leave you for a while. Chelsea, remember what I told you, okay?" The officer was about to leave.
"Wait a minute, sir!"
The officer turned back to her with a smile.
"I'm not her mother." The smile on the man's lips disappeared.