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.

something as delicious as that one." I held her

"She's always like that. We should never wait for her." Dina muttered while trying

with a serious expression. Dee and Dahlia looked at

rest for a while." Deandra is looking at Dina who is concentrating in eating

we're done eating, I let Dee and Dahlia play in the living room while I let Dina stay with me. She looked down as she faced me.

why do you say those

not keeping her promise. I do

"Please do not hate our

because she's still disappointed because our mother didn't join

loves us

Are you sure about that?"

forms. It so happened that we can't easily see it from her now."

"Can we see it soon, then?

my 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

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 let her go and let out a sigh of relief. I am forced to smile in front

Dee and Dahlia now. They

said, dear Deandra?" She smiled as

if they will ask you what

dear

She 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

with

cupboard again to get a spoon and fork, as well as an extra plate and a glass