Czarina's Point Of View

I am just twelve when I learned how hard the life is. I thought life is easy just like breathing but it turns out not, it really hard to live a life when you're just a poor. Everyday, everynight my mind is full of questions like What If's. As an eldest daughter all I can do is to help my siblings, by sending them to a school. My parents died when I am just twelve and my two other siblings are just baby and eight years old back then.

And now, I am a college student and I am taking BS in Accountancy. Books cost too much and in order to buy some since I really need to invest books, I applied for a part time job at the convenience store.

"Rinaaa!!"

My best friend screamed like there's no tomorrow, Meisha is standing at the hallway who's full of energy. She waved her hand and smiled widely.

"Good morning, bestie!"

Meisha clasped her hand on my arms when she went near me.

"Good morning. What are you doing here in the hallway early in the morning?" I rolled my eyes.

But instead of answering my question she just giggled. Well, maybe she's stealing glances at her engineering crush.

Our class ended early so instead of wasting time I went out of the Academy immediately and went to a bus stop, while I am on my way there, someone pulled my hair playfully.

"You didn't wait me!" Meisha protested.

"I am running late. And you, you ran away from your driver again?" my brows furrowed.

"Czarina, I don't want to go home yet. Are you going home?"

"Nope. I am going to my work,"

"Then I'll tag along!" she said excitedly.

"Oh, please! There's no need to. You're so nosy!" I rolled my eyes but she just made face.

She excitedly rode the mini bus that stop in front of us. When we arrived at my workplace she get out eagerly. When I entered the store the daughter of the owner looks angrily at me, she gave me the cap and apron, the uniform in this store.

"You're so late! And you already know that I really hate waiting!" She spat angrily.

"Sorry. My class just ended--"

"Who told you to wait for her?"

My eyes got widened when I heard Meisha's voice at my back. She's glaring at Bea. Bea's brows furrowed and ready to explode so I apologized to her before the situation got worsen.

"I am sorry. I'll take care of this,"

Bea just rolled her eyes before leaving us. I wore the cap and apron when Meisha hit my arms.

"You're so stupid! That girl deserves a slap," she rolled her eyes.

I smiled and pinched her cheeks. "She's the daughter of my boss. If you want me to have a money then you better not fight her," I chuckled.

"Gosh! If I am going to see her again with that disgusting attitude of her, swear to God I am going to shave her head!" she said irritatedly before going to the junk food station.

I can't help but to giggled at her remarked. Meisha is a girl who have it all. The brain, the looks, the attitude, and the money! Meisha is rich and I am a poor girl but it's not a hindrance in our friendship.

There are many customers, the reason why I can't entertain Meisha at her table who's eating her food and busy at her cellphone. She bid her goodbye at me by 7 PM since they are already looking for her, he driver went here to pick her up.

"Bye, Rina! See you tomorrow!" She bid her goodbye.

"Bye. Take care, Mei!"

I am going home by 12 AM the owner will replace me and I will come again tomorrow by 5 PM.

When I got home my siblings are already asleep at their room. I went to my own room and took a half bath before sleeping.

The next t morning I woke up at 5:30 AM to cook our breakfast. When I am done preparing I wake up my sisters who's still sleeping soundly.

"Ate, give me more five minutes." Jazelle said and rolled at her bed.

"No. You want to be late at school?" I asked her seriously so she doesn't have a choice but to get up.

"Ate, I need some money for our foundation day." Yana said while we're on the middle of eating.

"I'll give you next week,"

My pay day is still on fifteen and it's on next week. I looked at Jazelle who's eating quietly. "How about you? You don't have any expenses in school?"

"I don't have. I am just a kindergarten, Ate Rina."

"Okay, ma'am." I smiled.

The whole day is stressing plus the subject that just discussed by the professor is Bank and Investment! Meisha and I went to the cafeteria for a lunch break.

"I'll go to your house after classes." she said while munching her food.

"I'm going to work. I'll not be there,"

"I know. I'm going to look for your sisters," she grinned.

"It's up to you. But we don't have any much food there--"

"Gosh, Czarina! I am gonna buy."

I just shrugged and thanked her. I walked my way to my work place since I didn't have much budget left plus it's just 4 P M so I have much time left. When I got there, it's just 4:40 and I saw Bea in her school uniform, she glared at me and thrown the cap right in my face.

"Good. You're so early today. Close at 10 PM, that's what my Mom said." she said before leaving me behind.

I sighed and arranged the snacks. I even looked for expired and put them in a basket. There's no much customer like yesterday so I am not that busy, I just clean the whole store. When 9 PM came, I became very busy since customers keep on entering. After mopping the store, I went near to our one customer that's left in the side who's eating his ramen.

"Sir, we are closing at 10 PM."

"I'm just going to eat this before leaving." he said.

When I am done with all the work, the guy is still at the table. He's done eating so I approached him again and told him that we are closing when he suddenly removed his cap.

"Do you still want me to go out?" He smirked.

My forehead furrowed at his weird action. "Yes."

"What? You are not going to give me a pen?"

"Do you need a pen?" I asked him confusedly.

"Argh! You don't know me?" he asked look so irritated.

"Nope. So sir, I am going to close this store and---"

"Aish! Give me a pen and I am going to sign your... shirt," he smiled.

To shut him up and I can go to our house already I give him a pen and let him sign the back of my t-shirt.

"There. You happy?" he asked while smiling from ear to ear.

I didn't answer him. Is he lunatic? Why does he want to sign my t-shirt? Is he a celebrity or something? What a weirdo!

When I got home my two sister is still awake busy watching television.

"Good evening, Ate!" They greeted me. "Ate Mei bought us some snacks," Yana said and pointed our kitchen.

"Did you thank her?"

"Yep! Ate Meisha's nice." she said and giggled.

"How about Jazelle? Do you have any homework?" I asked her.

"I am done with it, ate. Ate Yana helped me."

"It's almost 11 PM. Go to your bed and sleep."

"Okay! Good night, Ate!"