Chapter 2 The Early stage

The community at a glance, was viewed by someone who was standing from a distance,close to an orange tree. It was a community of men that hasn't yet given franchise for women to exercise their values and because of this, they were never permitted to work or hustle for their future. Even if any female would try to rise up inorder to beat the people's custom, she wouldn't succeed because the culture and the ideas that lead to this particular heritage, has already been solidified.

But as Sophia stood watching from the direction of an orange tree, streams of tears started to roll out from her eyes. All she could see was a society that was backward behind the bars of civilization. However, she vowed in heart, to break the current norms of her time because she would love to give her children a befitting life and future.

However,she got home,and met her family, still living and swimming in the rivers of poverty.

"Where have you been all this while?"She heard her father asking her.

"I went to collect my original B.E.D. certificate from the university"Sophia replied.

She was filled with happiness and at the same time, filled with lots of thoughts. The thoughts of her not getting a good job even after her excellent result. Also, ever since she became a university graduate of linguistics, she and her father, including her mother, have been making plans for her to go get a master's degree. Although, she knows that her mother wouldn't be able to sponsor her education because she has no means of livelihood,since women were not allowed by the custom, to work.

"I already know that your result is okay. But meanwhile, now that you have collected it, what next do you have in mind?"Her father asked her.

"Just as we have previously planned,I should be going for my master degree. You know I have an agenda to break the strongholds of our customs?"She replied.

Her father became silent,while stirring at her. She noticed her father's silence. She also noticed the way her other step Brothers and sisters were looking at her. All were just quiet.

"What's the issue?. Why are you all keeping silent and looking at me in this way?"She asked.

"Is there anything I should know?"She asked, adding.

At this stage,her mother Mrs.Jane, started cracking her voice and now about to talk.

"My daughter, I know that you have been trying your best,to live a great life. But from the way things are going,I don't think that things would definitely go as planned"Mrs.Jane said.

Sophia was a little bit disturbed by her words. She was confused, not having a clue on what she was saying.

"I don't get you, mother,"Sophia said, fixing her gaze on her mother and her father.

Her mother Mrs.Jane, came very close to her, tapped her on the shoulder,and said:

"I really admire your courage. Ever since I gave birth to you and you started knowing something, I can say that you are a very good and industrious lady. In Fact, you have broken a strong hold by being the first female to graduate from a Philippine university, unlike other girls, who didn't have interest at all in schooling"Her mother said.

"Even the school which you attended was never financed by me alone. You also contributed the major quota in your education, and you did this by working in different places, at a very tender age"Her father, Mr.John said, while standing up to face her.

"From the day you told me that you want to work inorder to make ends meet, I knew that you would probably go far in life,"Mrs.Jane said.

"Not until I saw you one day, selling oranges at the roadside. I remembered asking you why you were doing it without even informing me, your father. But you responded to me that you wished to use it to pay for your school fees. You have really amazed me, my daughter"Says her father.

"I saw you working hard, and doing all kinds of menial jobs, just to survive and to graduate from school. Something that I never did during my youthful times. You even helped financially in the upkeep of this family,because I could remember so many nights when we almost slept and went hungry. But you were always there at the right time, to save us financially"Her mother said.

"Your peers have been laughing at you, for the kind of position that you took in life. But you didn't let their words bring you down,"Her father said, finally sitting down on the rough chair that was in the parlour.

"Most of these peers of yours, are even jealous of you. You can even see that your direct brothers and step siblings are now trying to do like you, by emulating good attitudes. All of them have now seen places where they would be doing some menial jobs, just to support themselves. Although, I am not in any way comparing you to them. I am just acknowledging all the good and wonderful efforts you have been doing"Said Mrs.Jane.

Sophia on the other hand,was just keeping silent, looking and listening at them. It looked strange seeing the way her father and mother were speaking and appreciating her. Something they have never done to her before. Why are they talking like this?.

What must be the issue?"Sophia thought in her mind.

She strolled her eyes once again,and saw the way her step brothers and sisters were all looking at her. None of them could say anything to her. She knew that the family just had a meeting before she returned, but she didn't know what the subject of discussion was yet.

Soon, a midst of silence was felt in their presence,as no one was seen talking again.

"Why are you people saying all these?. What's happening?"Sophia asked, directing the question to her father who was keeping silent.

Her father raised up his head, looked at her,and said.

"I am sorry, I can't continue to sponsor your education".

Sophia's heart quickly jumped out of her body, not believing what she just heard.