"Monica! Your school bus arrived. Hurry up!!" Her father called.
"Yes dad! I'll bring maxy down!!" She replied opening her door in a rush.
Her kitten gripped her sweater refusing to let go.
"Dad, maxy won't let me leave." She giggled patting maxy's head.
"Honey, help Monica." Her mother sternly said while fixing her lunch box.
Her father nodded helpless in front of his lovely wife.
"Sweetie go now." Her mother gestured placing a small bag in her hands.
"Thanks! See you later mom! dad!!" She waved when she realized a smile escaped her face.
"What took you so long?" Her school driver chuckled.
"Did you wake up late?" He added.
"Of course not! Maxy won't let go today.." Monica replied placing her bag next to her.
"I see!" He replied, pulling his drink.
Ronald was her school bus driver ever since she was a little girl and in a blink of an eye 12 years has passed.
2 weeks later, it was Monica's graduation day.
She was about to go to college, her parents tears freely fell with joyful smiles in their face.
"Sis! Congratulations!" Finally, her brother Will arrived. Holding a bouquet of flowers and Monica's favorite sweets.
"Thank you!" Monica ran towards him with a big smile on her face.
"My cute little sis is finally graduating!" He cheerfully chuckled, petting her head.
While the two siblings were conversing, their parents continued to watch them with pleased expressions.
2 months passed, their vacation was about to reach it's end but Monica still can't choose where she would study.
Her parents didn't pay mind respecting her decision.
"Not rushing her is a wise decision honey." Her mother gently smiled, hugging her husband.
"I agree." He replied, kissing her forehead.
Afteral, her family's not struggling with money. Providing everything she wishes to do. That includes her wish to rest for a while before going to college.
Until a pandemic hit, everyone was advised not to leave their perspective homes.
Her father, the sole source of their family income lost his job.
Her brother still can't work as he was only a few months older than Monica. A freshman.
Although their parents didn't show it, they began to worry. Losing their main income was a big change.
Budgeting their money which they didn't do before.
Even though they struggled, the siblings managed to adjust to their new environment.
Saving money to spend on food instead of bags and game consoles. This became their present lifestyle which made Monica lose interest in studying.
"Mom are you alright?" Monica asked with a sweet tone.
Her mother sighed hugging her.
"Of course." She replied.
Their faces began to look older than before, perhaps due to stress?
But they didn't show an ounce of problem to the two. However, their father began to slowly change as this continued on.
He became irritable.
He was scary.
But the two continued to stay positive, thinking of alternatives to help their parents.
The pandemic didn't last long, a few months later her brother found a part-time job to help with the bills.
Everything was starting to turn back just like before. When an accident suddenly occurred.
Their grandmother in her mother's side weakened. The tension around the household came back.
One day, Monica sat on her bed with tears flowing down her cheeks.
When she heard a knock through her door.
"Monica?" It was her father.
"Yes?" She replied, forcing her tears to stop.
"Can i come inside?" He worryingly asked.
Monica rushed to wipe her face.
"S-sure!" She answered, opening her door.
Her face was undoubtedly red.
He immediately noticed asking her to sit beside him.
"Come here." He gestured.
Monica nodded, gripping her hand until it started to bleed.
"Yes dad?" She asked, glancing at her father who obviously looked worried.
"We're you crying?" He asked, as gentle as his voice her tears began to escape.
"What is it?" He asked wiping her tears.
"Oh, there's too much problem. T-that's all..." Her voice cracked heavily breathing.
"Monica, a child like you should not worry about things like this." He said.
"How could i n-not?" She asked, as her eyebrows began to cross.
Even though her father's temper shortened, their family bond was still as strong as steel which makes them different from other families. Telling their problems to each other.
Her father began to explain assuring her.
Few hours have passed, she finally shared everything she's keeping inside her heart.
"Monica my child, what did i teach you two?" He asked, petting her head.
"Don't hide resentments..." Monica replied.
"What else?" He asked, reaching the box of tissues on top of her dresser.
"Here."
"Thanks." She replied, pulling a piece of tissue to blow her stuffy nose.
"Uhm..not hide anything?" Unsure of her answer.
"Exactly, Monica you should understand. Hiding things would only make it worse to yourself." He explained.
"Atleast when you tell it to us it won't burden you." He added.
After that day her mindset changed.
She remained positive thinking of ways to help her family.
Assisting her mother and acting as a shield whenever she needed someone to lean on. And helping her older brother when it comes to digital market.
It was one of their little secrets.
First month of December finally arrived.
Monica received a scholarship after passing their exam.
She was about to tell their parents when she suddenly lost confidence.
"What if we can't afford it?"
"What if they don't agree?"
"What if?"
This what if's made her lose motivation once more.
When she was about to delete the email she received, her mother called her out to eat dinner.
Accidentally leaving her laptop open.
After they ate, her brother bought her laptop downstairs with a big smile on his face.
"Little sis! You made it!!" He joyfully rushed towards them.
"Made it into what?" Her mother chuckled, grabbing a piece of meat on the table for Maxy to eat.
"Look!" He smiled, placing her laptop on the table.
Monica seemed furious trying to stop her brother. But he was bigger than her.
Unable to stop her brother, she kept her head down.
After reading the email, her father smiled proudly as well as her mother.
They glanced at each other with a smile.
"Congratulations sweetie!" They both greeted.
Monica seemed shocked of their reaction, perhaps it wasn't what she was expecting?
"B-but what about the expenses?" She asked.
"Don't worry about that." Her father answered with her mother nodding on the side.
"Yeah sis! I'll also help with the expenses!" Her brother added.
...
After that day, months passed quickly it was finally the day of her flight.