CHAPTER 1: OBLIGATION
I'm in my room, mulling things over. I don't know what to do or where to start. Everything happened so fast, and I really don't have any idea about it.
I was holding my red ruby necklace on my neck that my grandfather gave me.
It's only been three weeks since Grandpa passed away. He was the one who raised me, and unfortunately, I never got to know my parents.
I was staring at his photo and tears started to stream down to my cheeks. I dont want to believe neither of these, my grandpa wasn't ill nor died because of any accident. It doesn't have any evidence to make me shut.
I woke up to reality when I heard the doorbell. I immediately got out of bed and walked out of my room, wiping away my tears as I went. When I opened the door, I was greeted by Aunt Eleonor, who was holding a box.
"Celine, how are you?" Aunt asked me and I just lower my head. She took my hand and gave me a warm hug that it made me emotional again.
"Shh..its okay, It was definitely hard for you. I know that he's sudden death shocked you and...a-about your study we can't provide it" she added, I understand that they are also financially unstable because she was also a mother of three children and I must've been a burden if I became dependent to them.
"No, auntie... I'll work for my studies so don't worry about it" I assured her and she nodded then she opened the box that she was holding earlier and then she gave me a document.
I took the paper from Aunt Eleonor, my mind racing. I looked up at her, confused and a little scared. "I know...it's not your obligation, but our family owes the Calligarius a debt," she said, holding my hands and looking at me with a serious expression. "Don't worry, we'll find a way to pay off the debt. But first, you need to go to their household and serve them."
I was taken aback by her words. "A-aunt...Grandpa never mentioned anything about this to me. A-are you sure?" My voice trembled with anxiety. I knew Aunt Eleonor didn't like me, and I wondered why Grandpa had kept this secret.
"Your grandfather didn't mention it because he didn't want to worry you," she said. "If you don't go, they can take our house and land because they were used as collateral." She handed me a paper from the box she was carrying. "Do you know why your grandfather got into so much debt?"
She asked me if I remembered when I was studying, and I nodded. "That's why, your grandfather borrowed money for your tuition and used some of it to buy things you needed. And now that he's gone, you'll be the one to pay off the debt."
I was confused. "B-but Aunt...I thought it was the family's debt?" I asked. "And...how it became a three million?" I added.
"Yes, it is...but if you don't go, we'll lose everything. Including this house. The amount ranges as the time goes by, they outsmarted your grandfather and he's signature was on the contract. So, for now, you'll serve them until we can pay off the debt. I heard they're not too concerned about their servants, anyway."
I read the paper again and again. And the evidence was also there, grandpa did barrow one point five million pesos but they have a high interest rate.
I agree, the conscience is killing me if I wont. It was because of me after all so I need to pay that debt, auntie Eleonor left me and gave me the instructions.
The Calligarius family is so private that it wasn't knowned by many. She even warned me that some of the maids who tried to disobey the bosses we're fired and some rumors say that they don't get back to their families.
She left the box to me that my grandfather's thing's were still there. He said that she would gave this items to me after his death.
I sat on the floor while I opened my grandfather's letter that he wrote before he died.
To my dearest Celine:
I hope to see you at your graduation wearing your white uniform. I am already old and getting weak I can no longer do the things like before, I don't want to leave yet but I don't own this life. I bet that you won't recover quickly from my death but you must continue living, I may no longer live physically but I will remain to your heart and mind. I know I can't prevent this to happen but if the Calligarius might took you to serve them, don't take off the red ruby necklace I gave you. Are we good? And never forget to be alone especially at night. Life has a lot of challenges, if you dont conquer them with confidence you'll lose!
Sincerely yours: Grandpa
I can't no longer hold my tears. He knew that he's time was already near but he still didn't told me.
I cry until my eyes hurt. I was alone again, he even want me to complete my studies even if he's body can't work properly. He became a real father to me, he guided me and support me and now... I didn't even get a chance to say goodbye to him nor thanks him.
Life is so unfair that it felt like having battle is like dwelling with life and death. People come and go, they get old, weaker and fragile.
All of our happy memories flashback to my mind. Those memories...and now that wont happen anymore, my parents left me at a young age and now grandfather did the same thing.
I got curious by what he ment Calligarius family. Do I really have to serve them? And does that mean... I will serve them for free as alternative solution for our debt?