I was nervous on my way to my part-time job. I felt guilty because I didn't show up yesterday, and Madam Vina would surely scold me. I rang the doorbell at the gate, my heart still beating fast. After a moment, a maid opened the door for me.
"Wow, you're so new here, and you're already absent without permission. If I were you, I'd just go home. Madam Vina is furious," the maid told me, clearly annoyed herself.
"Please, I want to talk to Madam Vina. I know I made a mistake, but please let me explain to her," I pleaded, and eventually, she let me in. In the living room, I saw Madam Vina typing on her laptop, sitting on a couch.
"She wants to talk to you, Madam," the maid said before leaving. Madam Vina looked up at me.
"Why did you even bother coming? There's no reason for you to be here anymore. I'm going to hire someone new. You can go now; I'm busy," she said in a disinterested tone and went back to typing.
"I accept it, Madam, but I just want to apologize for my mistake... and thank you for the opportunity you gave me. I'm sorry, I'll be leaving now," I said.
I knew I was really at fault. I wasn't upset about being fired because it was my own doing, but I was sad because of the missed opportunity. If I hadn't messed up, I wouldn't have to worry about my finances. I turned to walk out.
"Wait." Madam called out, making me turn around.
"Take your salary," she said. I didn't refuse. I was in dire need of money, and besides, I had worked for it during my first day.
I left feeling down. I wanted to blame Alzid—I don't know why, but I was angry at him; he was annoying. I was waiting at a shed for a ride home, unable to stop myself from crying. When I got home, I was met with a scolding from Auntie. She was angry because of my irresponsibility and losing my part-time job.
"You keep prioritizing other things, Laine. You're not even thinking of helping out," Auntie angrily said as she threw the laundry at me.
"Here, wash these! Do all the chores around here so you can at least be useful!" she shouted, throwing clothes in my direction. It hurt because she was throwing them with such force, but I couldn't do anything. I just cried.
I picked up the laundry one by one and put them in the basket, my tears never stopping. It hurt so much when Auntie was angry with me. She made me feel like I was worthless.
Once I had gathered all the piles of laundry, I went to the backyard where there was a faucet, and I started washing the clothes. It was already dark, and the only light was from the moon.
"Oh, here, wash my dirty socks and uniform too," my cousin Nisha said, putting her socks and uniform in the basin. She was really something—spoiled and bossy. Auntie sent her to a prestigious school, which explained why Auntie was also struggling financially due to all the expenses, especially during events.
"Make sure you do it well, and use Downy—I want them to smell really good," she said.
I didn't say anything, and she left. They treated me like a maid here, but there was nothing I could do. They took me in, and at least I was lucky enough to have a place to stay. While I was washing, I tried to cheer myself up by thinking about my dreams. I wanted to graduate and have a better life. I was deep in thought, almost lost in my daydreams, when suddenly, Alzid appeared in front of me, with Nisha behind him.