Short story: I am Envy

There was a boy name Envidia, Veny for short. He grew up in a house with an average middle class family. He has an older sister, a mother and a father both living in one roof together with his extended family. Veny has a female Rival Cousin who's about the same age as his, he considers her as his twin and a rival to the imaginary heir he calls "Affection of Nanay (grandmother)".

Like any other normal family, Veny's parent's quarrel on different things that a nine year old would never understand and then eventually they split He did not notice that immediately because his was too preoccupied watching Daimios and Power Rangers. Days go by and turn into nights and then into weeks when he noticed that his father was no longer by his side whenever they sleep. He did not bother to look for him for a single day because once or twice a week his father pays him a visit and he didn't thought that it was not normal family set up. Few years later, his family took a downfall when their candidate Joe De Venecia lost the presidential election. It was a hard time for them, so hard that they needed to rent a small house and shift from private to a public school. It was nothing close to being a big deal for Veny, since his eating 3x a day his cool with it. 

Due to the downfall his Uncle (Eldest brother of his mom) decided to flew to the USA to continue the cash flow however it was not enough. It can only sustain the family's basic neccesities, With this, Veny instantly became aware of these changes yet he doesn't feel insecure with anyone, since he has his mom and his sister by his side he feels safe. As life continues Veny and his family move in to a new house, it was not as big as the old house they had but he calls it home. The house has two rooms, one small bathroom and a reception area where the lavatory and the sala is located, there was not enough room for everyone that's when Veny's mom decided to fly in order to help with the expense. Veny felt his first pillar to crumble. 

"Life is tough that's why you have to be tough too, don't worry Veny,  she's just going to be away for a couple of months because she wants you and your sister to have a decent education" that's the very first thing Veny said to himself, "besides, you still have your sister and your mommy and papa on the other side of the house"  With those statements Veny's mind found peace for a months, he was happy, obedient and always staying in the good side of his grandmother (who technically is the Alpha Dogdog of the family). Every day he sweeps and mops the floor, wash the dishes and iron everyone's clothe. He didn't complain because he knows that he doesn’t have the right. What he did was just pray every night that one day he'll be able to complete his family on a single house. Even with all his efforts, lack of money still gets in the nerves of Alpha Dog dog (grandmother) and sometimes throws her temper to everyone in the house, except for the dogs of course.

With their own rooms to hide respectively, the only person who's left to receive all his Alpha Dog’s might is Veny, but Veny is a wise kid for his age. He chooses to be quiet, take everything in, then cry it all out in the evening was no one will notice rather than to reason out and then be thrown outside for being a no mannered kid. It was really tough for Veny but what can he do? Nothing! Except to just shut up. Sometimes out in the blue, his grandmother will taunt him about his orientation, making him feel that his a freak of nature, the root of her suffering or a very sinfull creature then later will resume her normal attitude and way of talking after receiving a call from her daughter (Veny's mom) checking if she already got the money (Everytime), then she'll dress up and bring her favourite granddaughter to help her withdraw the money.

That's the time Veny's confusion grew into something unimaginable, hatred, why her? why not me? asked Veny to himself. I'm stronger than she because I'm a guy, is it because of my hair style maybe? is it because I'm flat chested and I don't need to buy napkins on a monthly basis? It's confusing Veny more and more. Veny and rival Rival Cousin become entered and graduated elementary together without problems but still there's a feeling of competitiveness on Veny's mind. I'll show Nanay that I should be treated the same way too, Veny tried to grow his hair as much as he can but for school requirements, he needs to cut them down on a monthly basis. They both entered the same public school at the same time, his grandmother's logic was, since they are both in the same school, they'll be able to look after each other's back. What his grandmother didn't expect is that enrollment in 70's was different in Y2k, the amount of student was unbelievable and Veny and Rival Cousin got assigned to 2 different classes, which actually Veny and Rival Cousin was wishing deep inside. 

Veny enjoyed going to classes, because that's the only place he can go aside from his house. He studied hard trying to fulfill his parent's wish and at the same time trying to impress the Alpha Dogdog of the house however, it was still not enough. Life continues for everyone, the days turn into night and weeks turns into months. 2 years later as the tides in Veny's life grew more rapid. His father died from a heart attack and then Veny's sister got married and flew to the USA. Veny didn't had time to absorb things but what he understood was "It's for your own good" 2 more pillars are gone in Veny's sanity but still he hasn't given up on life. "Ituloy mo lang ang buhay (life goes on)” Veny tells himself. "Few years more and she'll (mom) be flying back to pick you and bring you to a better place"  Veny always believed in this dream, the dreams were he see himself walking on a snow with fog on his breath, this was the only dream that he wished to come true.