Alena Morales Cruz POV
beep beep beep beep beep beep
Ughhh, morning again. So annoying! I checked my phone to turn off the alarm, then glanced out the window just to make sure it was really morning. I slumped on my bed, completely drained, like a plant that hasn't seen sunlight in days, stretching slowly like a lazy cat.
"Child, get up!" Mama knocked on my door.
"Yeah, Ma, I'm up," I replied, hurrying out of bed. I rushed to the bathroom, took a quick shower, brushed my teeth, and looked at myself in the mirror. Those dark circles under my eyes screamed exhaustion.
"Ugh, my face looks like a zombie today," I muttered before heading out.
"Ma, is Ethan up yet?" I asked while sitting down for breakfast.
My meal was a classic Pinoy breakfast: fried hotdog, fried egg, and garlic fried rice. The three of us shared a tiny room. Mama and I slept on the lower bunk of our double-deck bed, while Ethan claimed the top bunk. I usually didn't get the chance to check on him in the mornings, but I wondered if he was still asleep.
Lucky for me, our team schedule today was the day shift. Most of the time, we are stuck on night shifts, which explains these stubborn eye bags under my eyes. BPO work was slowly destroying my face, my body clock, and my energy.
"He left early. It's Monday, remember? Flag ceremony at school," Mama said, sitting down and joining me for breakfast.
I felt a pang of envy. I missed going to school. The daily grind of work was exhausting, the same routine every day, no breaks, no excitement, just endless monotony. Just thinking about the long hours in the office, the rude customers I had to deal with every day, and the constant hustle made me feel drained; it was sucking the light out of my body. I forced a small smile for Mama, as I felt her gaze on me.
"By the way, Alena, when is your next paycheck?" she asked quietly, worry tugging at her voice. I sighed inwardly.
"Tonight, Ma…" I answered, silently calculating the bills piling up. My salary barely lasted with all the household expenses.
"Okay, I'll do the shopping tomorrow. We already ran out of food," she said shyly.
"Sure, Ma, I'll give you the money later," I said, offering a small smile.
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"One more! There's room for one more!" the jeepney conductor shouted as I squeezed myself inside. I looked around, and just as expected, everyone was annoyed as he kept yelling that there was space for one more person, when clearly we were already packed in like sardines, our shoulders and legs pressed together. Half my butt was practically hanging off the seat. Honestly, half fare would be fair.
tot tot tot
My phone vibrated in my handbag. A message from Jenna on Messenger pops up on my cellphone screen:
{Hey Alena! Time's up, hurry! TL's arriving!} – Jenna
{I'm in the jeep now. Save me a computer, please! If he asks about me, tell him I'm in the restroom.
{Ok Ok, just hurry up!} – Jenna
"Please stop!" I shouted, spotting the building of our company.
I hopped off the jeep, rushed to the locker room to drop my bag, then dashed straight to the production floor.
"Wow, I thought you'd be late again. In fairness, you still have five minutes," Jenna greeted me with a grin.
"Lucky the jeep was fast," I replied, quickly sitting at my desk and checking if I was logged into the system. Attendance checked.
"Hey, witches!" Diane squealed, walking up behind us.
"Today's the company party, remember!" she added.
"I'm more excited for the raffle than the party and buffet," Christian said, walking toward us.
"Oh, good thing you reminded me," Jenna said.
"They'll draw names by 7:30, right?" I asked.
"Yup. After the mini concerts and talent portions, there will be games too, with cash prizes. Our client really went all out this year," Christian said, practically bouncing with excitement.
"Well, their business has been running for 50 years. I bet spending this much is nothing for them now," Jenna added.
Our team had joined the company's raffle for its 50th anniversary. A top-performing employee like us was given a chance to win a house and lot, plus 1 million pesos cash, through a raffle. There were also cars, appliances, gift cards, and expensive gadgets, but for me, the dream was the house and the cash. My family has been renting for 10 years now, since my dad passed away due to cancer, making us financially unstable. We had to sell our house to cover his hospital bill and funeral, so much of my salary goes to rent each month.
"Wow, lucky whoever wins the house and lot… and the car," Diane gushed.
"I hope I win the car!" Jenna added.
I stayed quiet, praying silently that it would be my turn.
"Everyone, attention please! Click huddle for 15 minutes," our team lead shouted. Our chatter paused, and we followed his instructions.
"Wow, Christian's lucky! He got 50,000 pesos," Jenna said, a hint of envy in her voice. Christian shook hands with the president and our US client, holding his huge placard proudly on stage.
I stayed silent, praying even harder. Hours passed, the program continued, and my name still hadn't been called.
"Okay, I'm going home happy," Diane said, celebrating her win. She had gotten an automatic washing machine and 20,000 pesos.
I couldn't help but feel hope slipping away.
"I envy you, Diane, huhuhu. When will my name be called? Don't forget to treat us," Jenna whispered, hugging Diane and congratulating her. I did the same and congratulated my friend.
"Maybe we'll have an unlimited barbecue this Sunday," Diane suggested excitedly. I ignored them, palms pressed together, silently begging… please, don't let me go home empty-handed.
"Now, we are at the final segment of our program!" the top executives announced cheerfully. They called the US client to draw the winning slip.
"I hope this prize will change someone's life and their family for good," he said, shaking the container filled with raffle slips.
I stayed silent, heart pounding. This was the last raffle.... the grand prize.
"Who will be our lucky winner! Make some noise!" the host shouted as the drumroll thundered through the hall.
He pulled a slip from the clear box.
"And our lucky winner tonight is…..... Aleeenaaa Moralessss Cruzzzz! Congratulations! You're now the proud owner of a brand-new house and lot, plus 1 million pesos cash!"
"Waaaaaaaahhhhhhhhhh!" I screamed along with everyone else. My teammates rushed to hug me, Jenna and Diane crying tears of joy.
"Please come up to the stage to receive your prize," the host instructed.
"Oh my gosh! Alena, that's you!" Jenna shouted in disbelief.
"Come on, up you go!" Diane yelled.
My knees went weak, my legs refusing to move. My teammates noticed and helped me up the stage.
The stage lights were blinding, flashing colors bouncing off the shiny backdrop. Cameras flashed everywhere. The roar of the crowd made my heart beat so fast it felt like it might burst.
"Is this real?" I asked, voice trembling.
"Of course!" the host assured me.
I shook hands with the US client and our company president, my hands trembling. Facing the crowd, I realized I was the luckiest. I had won the house and the cash prize.
Tears rolled down my cheeks as the host smiled and asked, "How does it feel, Alena? You now own a house and lot plus 1 million pesos?"
"I'm so happy! I could die now, hahaha!" I said, laughing and crying at the same time. This was such a huge help for Mama and Ethan. Finally, I had fulfilled a dream I'd been holding for my family.
I raised my arms, looking at the crowd, feeling the weight of years of struggle lift off my shoulders. Cameras flashed, confetti rained down, and my colleagues surrounded me.
I felt this moment that would change my life forever.
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The moment I stepped out of the company building, clutching the huge envelope with the raffle papers and the check for 1 million pesos, my legs felt like jelly. My mind was buzzing. House… cash… everything changing. I barely noticed the traffic outside as I hurried home.
As soon as I opened the door, Mama was there. She had a faint smile, but the moment her eyes fell on the envelope in my hands, tears spilled down my cheeks.
"Mom! I won a house and lot!" I shouted, hugging her tight.
"Alena… is this… really true?" she whispered, voice trembling.
I handed her the papers. She sank to the floor as she read, sobbing with relief and joy. Her arms wrapped around me, shaking.
"Oh, Alena, my child… this is such a huge blessing!" she cried, laughing and sobbing at the same time.
Ethan peeked out from his room, textbooks in hand, adjusting his glasses. Stress from school had made him quiet lately, but when he saw the envelope and my smiling face, his eyes went wide.
"Whoa… Alena! Is this… real?" he asked, disbelief and awe mixing in his voice as he read the papers.
"Yes, your big sister was blessed!" Mama said between sobs.
We hugged for a long while, the weight of past struggles lifting, replaced by an overwhelming joy. We prayed together, thanking the Creator for blessing our family.
A few weeks later, we moved into my new home, a modern two-story house with soft beige walls and large windows that let sunlight pour in. The living room had space for a cozy sofa set, a flat-screen TV, and a small bookshelf. The kitchen was sleek, with white cabinets and granite countertops! perfect for Mama's cooking. Upstairs, there's a two-bedroom, with my own spacious room, while Mama and Ethan decided to share the other, saying it was my house, after all. Both rooms had big windows overlooking the front yard.
Outside, the garden stretched wide enough to park a car, with a small patch of flowers. The air smelled of fresh soil and possibilities, a fresh start.
Mama wandered the house in awe, tears constantly forming in her eyes as she touched walls, cabinets, everything. Ethan ran around, laughing, opening and closing doors, pretending the parking lot was a basketball court.
"This is amazing, Big Sister! Look, we can even play basketball here if we want, as we don't even have a car!" he said, bouncing around like a kid again.
Jenna and Diane were the first to visit. The moment they stepped in, they gasped.
"Alena! This is… wow!" Jenna exclaimed, hands flying to her cheeks.
"I told you, you'd win big," Diane added, wide-eyed.
We spent the afternoon decorating the backyard for a small barbecue. Mama grilled chicken, pork, and hot dogs, while Ethan set up a portable speaker. Jenna brought snacks, and Diane brought a small cake. Laughter, chatter, and the smell of sizzling meat filled the air.
Sitting there, watching Mama smile through her tears, Ethan playing, and my friends helping with the food, I felt… complete. The struggles, long workdays, and constant worry all seemed distant now. For the first time in years, everything felt right. I feel like even if I die now, it's okay.
The sun set, the party ended, and everyone left. Mama and Ethan were exhausted but still smiling. I cleaned a little, then crawled into my new bed. The soft sheets smelled faintly of lavender. I closed my eyes, letting the peace wash over me.
But as soon as I drifted to sleep, something felt… wrong. The room shimmered like sunlight reflecting on water. The walls dissolved into mist, and the soft bed beneath me vanished. I opened my eyes.
I wasn't in my house anymore.
I was standing in a vast forest. Towering trees surrounded me, their leaves glowing in faint shades of blue and purple. A soft mist curled around my feet, and the air smelled of rain and flowers I'd never seen before.
"Wh… where am I?" I whispered, spinning. Panic and awe flooded me. My heart pounded. This wasn't a dream.
Above me, two moons hovered in the sky, casting silvery light over the forest. Something… strange… tingled in the air.
I looked down and froze. My feet were tiny, like a child's feet, and muddy. My hands… my whole body… had shrunk. I was wearing a long white dress straight out of a European medieval movie. Goosebumps prickled over me.
"This… this can't be real!" I whispered, slapping my cheeks twice. The pain was real. I pinched myself. Still here. Still… this.
The forest was dark except for the glowing circle at my feet. Strange symbols covered it, flickering in blue light I couldn't understand.
Suddenly, a voice rang out, shouting a name I didn't know:
"Lady Vita! Where are you!"
The language was foreign, but somehow, I understood every word.
"Lady Vita!" came many voices, shouting urgently.
Vita, please, my child! If you can hear me, say something!" A motherly voice echoed through the trees, trembling with worry. "
I hugged myself tightly, trembling. "Help! Help!" I screamed, fear making my voice raw.
Then, through the mist, a small figure appeared, a pale white boy with blonde hair and with a pair of blue eyes. He ran toward me, his expression full of relief.
"Vita!" he cried.
As he got closer, my mind struggled to process… There was something familiar about him. The moment it clicked, my legs went weak, and I fainted from shock.
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I woke up in a huge medieval room. Sunlight filtered through big wooden-framed windows with small glass panes, casting golden rays that made the dust motes float and shimmer in the air. The wooden beams above creaked softly, and the faint scent of dried herbs and aged parchment lingered in the room.
The floor was made of worn wooden planks, uneven in places, and a few small tapestries with simple floral patterns hung on the walls, faded from years of sunlight. A simple bed with a rough linen coverlet, a wooden dresser with carved handles, and a small table holding a basin of water completed the sparse but cozy space. A faint draft hinted at the cold outside, and the quiet ticking of a small iron clock on the wall was the only sound besides the creaking wood.
Everything felt unfamiliar, like I was watching a movie unfold through my own eyes.
I sat up and caught a glimpse of myself in a crooked mirror on the wall. My jaw dropped. My face… my body… I was a child.
"No… no way!" I screamed, stumbling backward from the mirror, tears stinging my eyes. "I'm… a kid?! This isn't a dream! Where the hell am I?!"