A FATEFUL CHANCE

Deandra's POV

She looked at me and she also shifted her gaze to the 500-peso bill that I am giving her.

"I don't mind if you will spend it on something that makes you happy." I said in a cheerful manner. I saw her swallowed. She looked at the money that I am offering her. She's like having second thoughts to accept it.

"Do you still have your allowance?" She said in a cracked voice. I noticed her lips were dry and her eyes looked gloomy.

"Yes, mom. Don't worry about me too much."

"If you offer it to me willingly, I will accept this. Thank you Deandra." She slowly got the bill from my hand and put it inside the pocket of her loose dress right away.

"Please eat after we're done if that's what you want." I stood up from beside her bed. She stayed motionless, her gaze still follows me even if I am stepping out of her room already.

When I went back to the table, my sisters were almost starting their meal. However, I noticed that they were talking to one another as if discussing an interesting topic. They lean their heads near each other as they giggled.

"Oh my! I thought you're all done eating." I said as I sat down beside Dina. Dee lost her smile as she noticed me without mom.

"Dear sister, Dee said we need to wait for you because mother might eat with us." Dahlia confessed. I saw Dee cleared her throat as she raised one of her eyebrows.

"I never said that," She turned her gaze at the other direction.

"She's tired. She said she wanted to rest for a while."

"See, I told you..." Dina frowned as she looked down. I noticed that she's playing with her spoon. She used it to mix her bowl of meat as if she had lost her appetite already.

eat something as delicious as that one." I held her hand to prevent her as she continued what she's doing.

wait for her." Dina muttered while trying to eat now.

your meal and we will talk." I looked at her with a serious expression.

Deandra is looking at Dina who is concentrating in eating her meal.

Dahlia play in the living room while I let Dina stay with me. She looked down as

"Dina, why do you say

"Mother is not keeping her promise. I do

not hate our mother, dear."

me because she's still

"Because she loves us

Really? Are you sure about that?"

that we can't easily see it from her

"Can we see it soon,

twelve-year-old sister. Her small arms hugged me back and I can feel that she's sobbing. I simply wiped my tears with my hands that's streaming down my cheeks.

It's a bit sad but I don't want my younger sisters to see that I am also feeling weak. As the eldest sister, I must be tough for all of them.

I am forced to smile in

and Dahlia now.

dear Deandra?" She smiled

if they will

"Okay dear sister."

went to the living room right away after what I told her. I looked at mom's room again. The door opened slowly and she went outside even without acknowledging my presence. I followed her and as she sat in one of the chairs, I got her a plate and rice in a bowl. I also got her a bowl of meat.

eat with

to the cupboard again to get a spoon and fork, as well as an extra plate and a glass of water. She put it all in front of