Green

Short Story by Gabrielle Uy

Art By Gavin Kaw

I have never dreamed of anything too big since I was a child. How could I wish for anything when my family could barely even pay my tuition all up to college? Let alone, the tuition of all three of us siblings.

This was something I have established since I was a kid. At the ripe age of 7, I have learned that things other kids got to experience such as TV cables and Barbie dolls were a privilege not everyone could have.

I remember my Ate having to drop out and work early just so we would be able to afford to pay for electricity. Prices were constantly rising up, and they didn’t seem to be stopping any time soon.

I worked hard throughout high school just so my parents wouldn’t have to worry about paying for my college education. I was fortunately granted a scholarship and right after I was done with it, I was off to find a job in order to help my family.

I remember being quite down in the dumps as I was not able to find a job for some time. It was only until my Ninang, who just recently came back from America during that time, visited us for Christmas that I was finally able to find one.

“Huy! Lynn, may trabaho ka na ba? Baka gusto mo magtrabaho sa U.S? Naghahanap boss ko ng yaya para sa bunsong anak niya. Maybe you would like to give it a try?”

To be honest, working as a nanny was not something that has ever crossed my mind growing up. Despite being hesitant about it, I still took up the job offer as it was better than not having a job at all. Besides, the currency exchange rate from America to the Philippines was high and it was a good opportunity to finally get my family out of poverty. Perhaps having to take care of my younger sibling and learning how to do house chores was good enough experience for me to land the job.

On the day of my flight, I sobbed as I realized I had to leave my family. Though we will be able to speak to each other through Facebook Messenger, it will never be the same as speaking to them face to face. I hugged them tightly before going through immigration, and then it was head on to the American Dream.

In America, the color green is very important. Green means your car could start moving again. Getting a green card means you have citizenship in the country. The U.S. dollar is coated with the color green. In order to succeed, I needed to see green.

Getting my first paycheck felt like a slap in the face. $20 for my time working as a nanny was not enough for a month’s worth of working there 24/7. Having to take care of a whiny little kid who refused to eat his vegetables, all while cooking, cleaning, and doing laundry for him was worth $20 to these people.

I was barely getting by with just $20. I could not face my family knowing I will not be able to give them the pasalubongs they asked from me when I first moved here. I did not know how to tell them that I could only give back roughly ₱1,000 and that was not even accounting for my own needs. Despite all that, I still worked hard just to be able to give more to my family.

Maybe one day, I will get to see the color green and beam with joy. I will be able to free my family from poverty. It may not happen any time soon, but as long as I work hard, I will be able to achieve anything… right?

CREDITS

Header: Alyssa Simtoco

Written Works Logo: Gavin Kaw

Website Layout: Angelina Lapez

Website Organization: Max Yu, Erika Sy, Sabine Cuason, Shanen Magsombol, Hilary Yao, Cara Reyes, Annika Soncuya, Soomin Kang, Charlize Ng, Jenica Sablot