In my own little way, I was able to level myself with Superman and Spiderman. Though I haven’t really been a man of steel or a web-spurting lead, I’m proud to say I was able to help someone in need.

See, my family is in a state of crisis right now and I don’t have to elaborate it further because it’s very complicated. I’ve gotten up without that aroma of breakfast in the morning, have gone to work without a single crumb of cookie inside my tummy and have taken 15 minutes of hike from my vicinity to where I am working. Penniless.

Well, those were the most likely things that happen when you have no savings at all and f.y.i it’s not easy. Saving even a little amount for yourself is a big gain. Like in my case, though I’m paid below the minimum wage, saving some of my earnings at least 500 a month will definitely help me get through rough times. But sometimes, I just can’t control myself from spending most of it for some unimportant stuff.

There were times when I sat down lazily thinking of the probabilities of what might have happened if I was able save my salary in 3 months. But I really won’t know what could have happened. I’m just certain if I was able to do so, I wouldn’t be suffering this much right now.

My sister had to stop from studying again. She said it’s the only way she can be of help. All those tuition fees, field trips and the rest of those unreasonable yet compulsory prerequisites of college have been burdening all of the family members. She said, she’ll be doing this for good. So be it. In the middle of the second semester, she did stop studying and went home.

She decided to work in a food chain here in the city. But prior to that, she was already a part of the crew in her previous residence so she already has an edge among the other applicants. Luckily, she passed the first screening and continued on. When she was on for the 3rd screening and that was an on-the-job observation, they were all required to wear plain black shoes. I was surprise one sunny afternoon, when she messaged me in my phone saying, “Poy, gawas bi. Naa ko tapad sa inyong office. Asap.” When I went out, I instantly saw her leaning on the wall. We talked and I’ve learned that she has no shoes for the screening and she needs money to buy a new one. Long before I learned I was already the breadwinner of my family, I lend her small amount and asked her to scrimp as much as possible.