Elina trudged into the yard of the rented house where she lived. She heard Yuni, her mother, groaning inside. Panicking, the girl immediately ran in and burst through the door.
"Oh my God, Sis Elina. Why did you come in without saying hello first?" Erin rubbed her chest, startled.
"Sorry, kid. What's wrong with Mom? I heard her in pain just now." Elina knelt beside Yuni's bed.
"Mom's been coughing and short of breath since this afternoon, Sis. Her medicine ran out too. There was only enough left for her afternoon dose," Erin explained.
Yuni patted the back of Elina's hand. "I'm fine. You two don't need to worry. If I get plenty of rest, I'll recover."
Yuni's voice sounded heavy and hoarse. The pain she was experiencing was obvious from her pale face.
"You brought Mom's medicine, right?" Erin whispered.
Elina shook her head. "I haven't been able to get a loan. I felt bad asking Auntie Misnah again. I haven't even paid back all of the last loan yet."
Erin sighed. She looked at her mother, who had closed her eyes. Her chest rose and fell irregularly, sometimes slowly and sometimes rapidly.
"Be patient, okay? I'll do my best to find another loan. Go cook some chicken porridge for Mom first. I bought the ingredients at the shop."
Erin stood and took the package from Elina. "Okay, Sis. I'll go to the kitchen first."
"Kid, I also bought an apple for Mom. Peel it while you're at it."
Erin nodded, then trudged toward the kitchen. She felt guilty that she couldn't help Elina find money to cover their needs.
Not long afterward, Erin brought over chicken porridge still sending up wisps of steam, along with a glass of warm tea.
"I'll feed Mom. You eat first, okay?" Elina took the bowl of porridge.
"Okay, Sis."
Elina carefully fed Yuni. Every now and then, the woman coughed until her chest caved in. Erin tried to hold back her tears so they wouldn't spill in front of Yuni.
"Have you eaten, El?"
"Yes, Mom. I ate at Auntie Misnah's shop earlier."
"Don't wear yourself out. I don't want to see you get sick. And you two don't need to worry about me."
Elina hugged the woman. Her body, once plump, had become frighteningly thin. Her face was pale and drawn.
"I'll go to the kitchen for a bit, Mom. Get some rest now so you can recover quickly."
Yuni nodded and lay back down. Elina then covered her mother with a blanket. She hurried to the kitchen with the dirty bowl. The moment she reached it, her tears spilled over.
Elina sobbed softly, covering her mouth with her palm so Yuni wouldn't hear.
"Sis..."
Erin approached her older sister and hugged her tightly. The two sisters clung to each other. They were both heartbroken to see the condition of the woman they loved so dearly.
"Why did our lives turn out like this, Sis? How could Dad abandon us?" Erin sobbed.
"That's enough, kid. Don't think about that irresponsible man anymore. Just consider him dead. Right now, we need to focus on Mom's recovery and treatment."
"I want to help you earn money. I want to apply for a job," Erin said.
"No. If you work too, then who's going to take care of Mom at home? I'll be the one to work and earn money. We'll divide up the responsibilities."
"But I feel bad seeing you work all by yourself. I feel like such a useless daughter," Erin sobbed.
Elina hugged Erin again. She couldn't hold back her tears either.
"God willing, there'll be a way through this. Let's just pray," Elina replied.
Elina stared blankly ahead. Her mind was a mess. Her life had truly fallen apart. Her hatred for her biological father surged through her chest once more.