RDD 31

Chapter 31

"I'm happy to see you again."

"Me too. I miss home."

They were having a nice conversation and Penelope was clearly happy. Even the kids were talking to their cousins with no problem. 

'Now that I remember, Pangasinan should have a different dialect, but now they are using Tagalog. Perhaps because I'm living in another world, our country only has one language.'

I was happy to see them talking with their relatives. At least they had a strong bond, unlike me. I already made a decision and completely cut all of my ties to my family. I didn't have news about them. 

It was a good thing that they had a big dining room and everyone could eat. 

'I'm seeing three generations of the family having a celebration. This is quite honorable. They didn't forget their roots. Well, considering that everyone was going to receive a lump of money tomorrow, they made sure to attend this dinner.'

I can't judge them. After all, it was the reason why we were here. Because we needed money. 

'Everyone needs money.'

Living in this world required money. It was impossible to maintain a proper lifestyle without cash. For the future of our family, we need cash.

"Tch. They are acting like everything's happy. Plastic people."

Unfortunately, I heard a click of the tongue. I looked around and found Señorita mumbling. 

She was sitting in the corner, next to her husband. 

'I can't see her son. Let's hope that she didn't do something bad to him.'

The two were quiet and eating their dinner. They didn't talk to anyone, as if they kept their presence low. 

However, it was obvious that Señorita's expression was bad. She was grumbling and rolling her eyes as she listened to their conversation. 

"We're faring well. My husband is working as a Taxi driver. However, once we get the money, we are thinking of starting a business."

They tackled the matter about the 'cash' and Penelope answered. Already resigned so our intention of starting a business was firm. 

-- Slam!

"Punyeta!" 

She cursed loud and clear that everyone stopped talking. They looked at Señorita with confusion. 

The woman slammed her hands on the table. Thankfully, almost everyone was done eating. 

"Hick--!"

Sophia, who was in her mother's arms, hiccuped. Tears were starting to build around her eyes. 

"Wwuuuu... Mommy... Auntie is scawy."

She was shocked and aggrieved. She started crying against her shoulder. 

My fists trembled. She made my daughter cry... 

I approached my wife and stood next to her. This might be a conflict between sisters and I'm an outsider. However, my stance was clear. I'm on my wife's side. 

"Mommy..."

"Hush, sweetheart. Mommy's here."

Penelope had a complicated expression as she comforted Sophia. Then, she glared at Señorita. 

"Sister, if you have something to say, you can say it. You don't have to act like everyone owes you money!"

I knew my wife very well. She would fight anyone to protect our children. 

"What did you say?"

Señorita angrily stood up. 

"H- Hey, I think you guys have to calm down."

"Yeah. Let's settle this peacefully."

The other siblings tried to mend their relationship. Unfortunately, the two women were headstrong. 

"Hah! What an arrogant woman! You eloped and returned with a child, then you acted as if nothing happened!"

"I didn't do that. You know what happened back then. I apologized to our parents and they forgave me. I even talked to our brothers and sisters and they forgave me too. Yet you... Why do you hate me so much?"

Penelope started tearing up. She didn't have it better. She knew her mistakes and she wanted to make up for them. That's why she always contacted her parents weekly. 

She even talked to me about sending them some of our money for her parents every three months. To be honest, I was reluctant at that time but I decided to agree in the end. We had enough cash to live by.

"I'm not a successful person but I want to show our parents that I love them, that's why--"

"That's the problem! You are not successful!"

"Sister!"

"Señorita! Shut your mouth!" Father-in-law and Simeon tried to stop Señorita but it was too late. She already reached her last fuse. 

"I don't! Do you remember what you said to us!? That you help our family to become rich! That you will raise us from poverty! Now, look what happened to you. You became nothing but a housewife who depends on your husband! What about our dream!"

Señorita released all of her frustration. 

Now I understand why she was mad. It was a fucked up reason that it made my stomach churn. 

I looked around and realized that some of Penelope's siblings averted their gazes. 

'Is this what they feel too? They think put a heavy responsibility on my wife and expected that everything would work out. What the fuck is that! They want to rely on my wife to escape poverty?'

"Out of all us, you are the only one who can go to college because you're smart. But you disappointed us. Now, we are poor because of you! And now you're asking for money!? You are thick skin!" 

"Señorita!"

"Sister, why are you blaming Penelope? Don't blame her because you're poor. You didn't study hard and you didn't finish Elementary because you don't want school! You didn't get to college because you can't write and read! You're the one who's responsible for your life!"

Simeon stood up between the two and argued back. 

"You're just the same as me! You didn't finish Elementary too!"

"That's right! But I never blame Penelope, because I know that she didn't do anything wrong. I'm responsible for my own decisions. I'm an adult."

"Hah!"

She scoffed and turned around. It seemed that any reason won't convinced her. 

'This bitch! She wants to leech on her sibling and then blame her because she is poor!'

Her reason was too petty. She held a grudge against Penelope because Penelope failed college and didn't help her. 

'You didn't even help Penelope back then. Her tuition fee and allowance came from her own pocket. Only her parents helped her. You don't have any right to blame her. If you want to be rich, work your ass hard!'