Fake Husband

I am Mirah Santos, seventeen years old. I grew up under the power of my Grandmother Fe. Selling in the vegetable market is our livelihood. This is also what we pay for our household expenses, so my Grandma and I somehow make ends meet.

My parents died in an accident. I don't have any other siblings so I'm the only grandchild of Lola Fe. My Mama's brother, Tito Joey, was also with us at home. Not so old that I got used to just calling him Kuya Joey.

When I was a child, Papa and Mama used to travel together to the province. And because I was still young, Mama didn't take me with her because she was going to visit my deceased aunt.

I still remember when I was a child, I was really afraid of the dead, that's why when they went to visit someone who was dead, I didn't really go with them.

But in an unexpected event, the bus they were riding in had an accident. The bus lost its brakes and the passengers continued to fall down the cliff.

I was young then but I saw and felt the pain of seeing my parents buried at the same time. I was eight years old and had a mind of my own so I understood that my parents were gone.

At a young age I experienced bone stretching. Because we were short of money, Lola didn't even think of sending me to school. That's why when I see someone in uniform, I'm very jealous.

That's where I want to be able to wear a uniform while carrying a bag on my back.

But everything is just a dream. Because since Lola became my guardian, my life has become hell.

At four o'clock in the morning, Lola Fe wakes me up.

"Mirah! Mira! Awake and it's noon," he said.

"Grandma, I'm still sleepy," I said while still closing my eyes.

"I'm not going to wake you up or pinch you to wake you up huh?!" It annoyed me.

I immediately fell back to my feet. Lola's pain is as painful as the pain that really penetrates the skin and she doesn't care if I get hurt. He said he doesn't like being stubborn, that's why he's so rude.

I got up to wash my face and brush my teeth. While Lola went outside to feed her pet tagalog chicken.

We only live in huts. And Lola is used to taking care of chickens because it benefits the eggs she lays. And sometimes it cooks tinola when it is thought to slaughter the pet chicken.

After I washed, I made coffee. Atsaka sinaing. We only use wood to cook, which I still get from the forest every afternoon. When I don't save fuel, we don't have fuel to use for cooking.

"Mirah, hurry up and it's noon! What time can you go to the market again? You won't be able to catch up with that!" it shouted from outside the house.

There are so many shoppers every morning. So if you are early in the market you will get more money.

"Yes, La!" I replied.

"Yes La, yes! You're not in a hurry. Hurry up!"

I don't want to say anything, I know that Grandma is noisy, especially in the morning, so I'm used to it.

After a few minutes I got up and got ready to leave. That's all I'm going to do, filter the rice so that when I arrive at noon, I'll just eat it. It was up to Lola to watch.

I took my jacket and butchaka. I hung it on my waist. Then I took the basin with only vegetables and put it on my head.

"Grandma, I'm leaving." I'll say goodbye to it even though it doesn't care about me leaving.

"Alright, hurry up and walk as soon as you get more sales." It still repels me.

I approached Lola and asked. Then completely leave.

I have to leave and when I arrive I have to help Grandma. But if he scolds me, it's like he doesn't consider me his grandson.

Before I left the house, I saw Kuya Joey lying there—still asleep.

"Haiistt he is still good, life is good." I whispered to myself as I left the house.

Lola is afraid that Kuya Joey will get angry. Since this is the only one in his power. And my two aunts already have husbands. But like us, we are also in trouble. So they couldn't get me to adopt and study.

After I arrived in town, I sat down on the side of the stairs and started calling buyers to offer the vegetables I sell.

"Sister, Brother, you have vegetables there. Sister, buy them, the vegetables are still fresh! The string is only ten. Hey brother, tomatoes are only ten in plastic." My offer to passing shoppers.

Even if no one pays attention to me, I still continue to offer my goods. I have to shout to be noticed when shopping.

Those who passed in front of me, had different attitudes. Some will ask how much and then say dear. There are those who will beg you that they want you to just give away your goods because the forgiveness is almost beyond the investment. There are people who are always picky until your product is so soft that they won't buy it.

My sales are various, I am like that until noon and when I have a hundred pesos, we have enough food for the day.

Time passed until I realized it was noon. I dressed up to go home because my stomach was boiling from hunger. I quickly put away my vegetables and then carried them home again. And when Lola saw me, she was smiling at me.

"What, Mirah. Are sales strong today?"

"It's not much, Lola, I only went one way today."

"How can we eat good food if you always sell like that? And how about your investment for tomorrow?" Lola said to me annoyed.

For me, one hundred pesos is enough. We already have rice and will cook it dry until night. There is still a lot left that can be sold for tomorrow.

"Grandma, there's not much vegetables today. I'll just go back tomorrow.

"Alright, take that inside. What else can I do if that's all you sell... Serve it inside and when we're done eating." His grandmother ordered him.

"Yes Grandma," he quickly replied.