The church stood tall at the center of the town, old, weathered, and always crowded.
The ride took about 20 minutes. As we rode, I saw many places I used to roam around during high school bakeries where I ate my favorite Mojako, 7-Eleven stores I visited just for the air conditioning, and the famous park where we watched kids practice dancing.
After a while, we reached our destination. I saw several stalls selling cookware and clothes. These were set outside the church vendors weren't allowed inside.
"Just drop me near the entrance, sir!" the passenger said.
My father slowed down and stopped near the entrance. The passenger paid 35 pesos for the trip. It wasn't much, but it was fair.
"Brier, do you want to eat something? Let's have a snack over there," my father said, pointing to a stall selling fish balls, kwek-kwek, and hotdogs.
I grabbed a stick and picked a few fish balls straight from the pot.
I chose one of each item I could see. I missed this kind of food it was my first time eating it again in this life. I added sauce on the side, choosing vinegar with lots of onions and chili. This is the best kind of sauce, after all.
"You can get more, don't be shy!" my father said.
After eating our fill, we rode back toward the terminal. On the way, we picked up a passenger which was lucky since we didn't even need to line up. That happened four times before our luck ran out, and we finally returned to the terminal and had to wait again.
"That took you a while. Did you get stopped at a checkpoint?" Uncle John asked. Everyone here worries about checkpoints because some officers tend to squeeze drivers for money.
"Nah, there's none near the main church, so it's safe. We just got lucky and picked up back rides a few times. Still, be careful those guys show up when you least expect them," my father replied.
"Oh, Brier must be your lucky charm! We haven't even had two rides, and you already got almost five? Come here, let me wipe your sweat and steal some luck!" someone joked.
Everyone laughed again.
Maybe we really were lucky today. We got more passengers than usual to the point that even my father started questioning it.
Well… I guess I am lucky. Out of all the people who died, I was given a second chance.
---
By 7 PM, the sun had already set. My father had earned a lot today, and our luck never seemed to run out.
"Do you want to go home?" he asked.
"I'm not tired. I can go for more!" I quickly interrupted. I knew he was about to prioritize me. I can't allow that I've already been enough of a burden.
"Marcus, passenger!!" someone shouted.
I nodded and immediately got on the tricycle.
When we reached the passenger, we saw she was carrying a lot of luggage plants from a nearby garden.
"Bus terminal. And make sure you drive slowly. These plants are extremely valuable," she said with a sharp tone.
We drove as slowly as possible. A ride that should have taken 30 minutes turned into a full hour. We had no choice but to follow her request.
"Hey! We're shaking too much! What will you do if a vase cracks?" She kept complaining the entire trip.
"Finally, we've arrived," I whispered to my father as we reached the terminal.
I helped unload the plants. The passenger seat was a mess soil and fertilizer scattered everywhere.
*Sigh… what luck.*
"Here, keep the change," she said, handing us 50 pesos.
I froze for a moment. I looked at my father he was just as shocked.
"Ma'am! Excuse me, but the ride took an hour. 50 pesos isn't enough!" I shouted, clearly irritated. With the fuel cost alone, we barely broke even.
"Hey kid, I always pay that amount from there to the terminal," she replied, pointing at me, clearly unwilling to pay more.
"Also, teach your son some manners. Why are you letting him shout at me? What kind of father are you?"
I was furious.
I don't care if you're a woman you still need to be held accountable.
One more word. Don't blame me if you'll go home losing some tooth.
"If you want to earn more. Then do something more worthwhile."
I lost my temper. This body of mine is only 13 years old. I sometimes can't control my emotions. And act based on my age.
I was about to do something when my father grabbed me and pulled me back.
"I apologize for my son's behavior. We'll be leaving," he said calmly.
I struggled, but his grip was stronger than mine. He pushed me into the back of the tricycle, and we drove away.
"Brier, listen. I know you're angry. But don't ever try to hurt someone just because they upset you," he said.
I wasn't satisfied.
"In this kind of work, you'll meet people worse than her. If you get angry every time, you'll just exhaust yourself. The best thing to do is remember them and never let them ride again."
"Also we gained enough today. This might be the sign for us to rest for today." he said as he continued to drive.
I just nodded, still frustrated.
---
A few minutes later, we arrived home.
We entered the house like we were racing into a zoo. We were both exhausted, and there was only one sofa big enough to lie down on.
"Hey, you brat!! Respect your elders!!" my father shouted as I ran ahead of him.
"Old man, you should prioritize your kid! How can you be so selfish?!" I shouted back.
As we argued, I saw my mother.
"I'm home, Mom!" I said as I kissed her on the cheek. Then I quickly rushed to the sofa.
"First come, first serve!!!" I shouted.
My father begrudgingly lay down on the floor, glaring at me. I ignored him.
Of course, even if we joke like this, we still have boundaries especially in front of other people. I only act like this when we're alone.
"Dad, gravity keeps pulling me down. What should I do?" I asked while lying on the sofa. My legs hurt, and my body felt like it was floating.
"I have an idea. You can switch with me so you can relax," my father replied, lying on the floor like a starfish.
"Nah, you can stay there. I know you're tired," I smirked.
You think you can trick me? Not happening.
"Brier!!! Help me prepare the table!!" my mother shouted from the kitchen.
Her voice pierced my soul.
I could hear my father smirking beside me, clearly enjoying my suffering.
I stood up. My father immediately took the sofa.
I was helpless. My mother rules this house. I can't complain.
"Marcus!! The drainage in the kitchen is blocked, do something!!"
I looked back and smirked. I saw my father was about to lay down on the sofa. His frustration can't be hidden on his face. After all, he didn't even manage to stretch his back when he was called.
I smirked at him, giving him a you deserves that look.
"Brier!!!! What took you so long!!"
"Coming!!"