A Distant Promise

Maria gazed up at the quiet night sky as the ferry carried her toward Japan. The sight of her family left behind at the Filipino port remained vividly in her mind. Her still-young sister, her aging mother, and her father who had gone off to work and never returned. She needed to earn at least a bit more money for them. With a mix of anxiety and determination, she set foot on Japanese soil—an unfamiliar land far from home.

Chapter One: The Beginning in a New Land

Upon arriving in Japan, Maria started working at a nursing care facility. She spoke only basic Japanese greetings, and though the facility director kindly offered, “If you have any problems, please let us know,” she found herself overwhelmed once work actually began.

During the morning meetings, her coworkers’ discussions were so rapid that she could hardly understand them. Missing important notices left her flustered, and asking questions repeatedly only got her curt responses like, “Didn’t we already go over this?” Even so, Maria kept smiling, took diligent notes, and did her best to use the Japanese she had taught herself.

Not everyone welcomed Maria. One senior nurse, Kawashima, openly declared, “I’m not giving foreigners any special treatment.” She would make snide remarks whenever Maria slipped up, criticizing every detail of her work. “Learn how we do things in Japan before you come here,” she would say. Though these words hurt Maria deeply, she endured for the sake of her family.

Chapter Two: The One Who Reached Out

Despite her struggles, someone did extend a helping hand to Maria. Nonaka, a fellow care worker who spoke a little English, took the initiative to communicate with her. During lunch breaks in the cafeteria, he would ask, “So, how are you settling in?”

Nonaka:“Japanese is tough, isn’t it? I studied abroad in the Philippines once, and I know how hard it was for me to speak Tagalog. So if you have any trouble, just ask.”

Maria:“Thank you. It really helps. I’ll do my best.”

Touched by Nonaka’s kindness, Maria gradually grew accustomed to the atmosphere at work. She memorized the residents’ names and faces, learned their daily routines, and greeted them all with a smile. Her sincere and bright demeanor began to win the residents’ affection.

Among them, one particular grandmother changed Maria’s life. Ninety-year-old Miyoko lived far from her family, who seldom visited her. She would spend her days silently gazing out the window of her room, hardly responding to anyone who tried to speak with her. She never opened her heart to anyone.

But when Maria greeted her with halting Japanese and a bright smile, Miyoko offered a faint smile in return. Maria was startled, but everyone else was even more surprised. It was the first time in a long while that anyone had seen Miyoko’s expression soften, even if just for a moment.

Chapter Three: An Unexpected Secret

One day, as Maria visited Miyoko’s room as usual, she noticed an old photograph on the bedside table. The faded black-and-white picture showed a young Miyoko, a small child, and a man in military uniform.

Maria:“That’s a lovely picture. Is it your family?”

Miyoko looked surprised and almost tried to hide the photo, but after locking eyes with Maria, she began to speak quietly.

Miyoko:“It was during the height of the war. My husband was drafted, and I raised our child alone. But then there was an air raid…”

Her voice trembled. She said nothing more, lowering her gaze. Lacking the right Japanese words to comfort her, Maria simply held her hand. Miyoko then looked up at Maria and asked softly, “You, too, have family living far away, don’t you?”

Maria nodded and, in her best yet still imperfect Japanese, told her about her own family—her mother’s frail health, her father’s disappearance after leaving to find work, her sister who was still so young, and her decision to come to Japan in the hope of sending more money back home. Miyoko nodded as she listened, and gently wrapped her own hands around Maria’s.

Miyoko:“I can understand a little of what you’re feeling. I, too, did everything I could for my family.”

Chapter Four: Connected Feelings

From that day on, Maria and Miyoko shared stories of their families. Miyoko revealed that she had spent years searching for the child from whom she was separated, but she lost all traces of her amid the postwar turmoil. There were rumors that the child might have gone overseas, but nothing was certain.

Strolling through the facility’s courtyard hand in hand, Maria and Miyoko cut a warm and comforting figure, even in the eyes of their coworkers. Nonaka smiled and observed, “You two look happy,” and was genuinely pleased to see Maria settling into her caregiving role.

Kawashima, however, remained as sharp-tongued as ever. “You’re just lucky the old folks like you because you’re a foreigner,” she sneered. Maria bit her lip in frustration but managed to respond with a determined smile. “I… I just… want to support her heart.” Though her Japanese was still halting, her eyes shone with unwavering resolve.

Chapter Five: News from Home

One day, Maria received a call from her sister in the Philippines. Their mother’s condition had worsened suddenly, and she had been admitted to the hospital. Their relatives at home were too old to care for her properly, and medical expenses were rising. Desperate for funds to cover the bills, Maria dipped into her savings and began taking on extra shifts.

But the heavier workload took its toll, leaving Maria exhausted. Compounded by the language barrier, her minor mistakes started adding up. Kawashima scolded her loudly: “Enough is enough!” Maria often felt on the verge of giving up, but she refused to neglect Miyoko’s care. Visiting Miyoko brought her a sense of peace and renewed her resolve.

One night while on duty, Maria stopped by Miyoko’s room. Still awake, Miyoko softly called out to her.

Miyoko:“You seem tired, dear. Are you alright?”

Maria:“…My mother is in the hospital. I want to go back to the Philippines, but I don’t have the money, and I can’t afford to quit my job.”

Maria spoke through tears, letting her feelings pour out. After a moment of quiet thought, Miyoko took an envelope from between the pages of an old album.

Miyoko:“This is money I’ve never had the chance to use. If my son were alive, he might have used it. But if it can help you, then please take it.”

Startled, Maria resisted. “I can’t possibly accept that!” But Miyoko firmly insisted, “I have no need for it anymore. My only wish is for you to go home and help your mother.” Overwhelmed by the older woman’s kindness, Maria bowed her head deeply.

Chapter Six: A Bridge of Hearts

Having decided to borrow money from Miyoko, Maria rushed to arrange her return to the Philippines. Kawashima, noticing her preparations, initially criticized her: “You’re abandoning your job and leaving on your own terms?” Yet upon learning the full story, Kawashima, with a stern face, went to the office to sort out the necessary paperwork.

Kawashima:“I’ll figure out who can cover your night shifts. I’ll talk to the higher-ups. But make sure you come back once it’s all settled.”

Despite her cold words, Kawashima was making sure that the workflow wouldn’t be disrupted during Maria’s absence. When Maria thanked her in surprise, Kawashima murmured, “I once couldn’t be there for a sick parent,” before quietly returning to her papers and walking away. Seeing this unexpected kindness, Maria realized for the first time that beneath the strict exterior, there was genuine warmth in Kawashima’s heart.

Chapter Seven: Between the Philippines and Japan

Back in the Philippines, Maria cared tirelessly for her mother in the hospital. Thanks to the money borrowed from Miyoko, her mother was able to undergo surgery and made a remarkable recovery. Her sister was relieved to see their mother’s improving condition, and though they were overjoyed at Maria’s return, Maria had no intention of giving up on her chosen path. As soon as her mother regained enough strength, she planned to go back to Japan and continue her work. She wanted to repay Miyoko for saving her family and continue supporting them all.

A few months later, Maria arrived once again at the nursing care facility in Japan. Awaiting her at the entrance were Nonaka and a somewhat bashful-looking Kawashima.

Kawashima:“So, you were just kicking back in the Philippines, huh? You know we’ve got loads of work waiting.”

Maria:“Yes, thank you for having me. I’ll do my best!”

When Maria responded with a broad smile, Kawashima’s lips curved into the faintest hint of a grin.

Final Chapter: An Eternal Promise

Maria headed straight to Miyoko’s room, only to find it filled with unfamiliar belongings. Miyoko was nowhere to be seen. Alarmed, she asked Nonaka, who explained that Miyoko had fallen ill and passed away in the hospital while Maria was back in the Philippines.

“She seemed to be waiting for you to return, but I’m sorry—it didn’t happen in time,” Nonaka said sadly, eyes downcast.

Maria’s tears flowed freely. She had lost another person precious to her. Miyoko had cherished her like a mother until the very end. Overwhelmed by regret that she could not say her final farewell, Maria felt crushed by sorrow.

A few days later, the facility director told her that among Miyoko’s possessions was a letter addressed to Maria.

Letter from Miyoko:

“Dear Maria,When you decided to go home, it made me truly happy. I prayed with all my heart for your mother’s recovery. Even if I’m no longer in this world, I want you to do your best here in Japan. The kindness you showed me reminded me of the warmth of family I thought I had lost in the war.Thank you, Maria. May your dreams come true. I’ll be watching over you from heaven.—Miyoko”

After reading Miyoko’s letter, Maria gently wiped away her tears. Miyoko, who had treated a stranger from a distant land like family—had Maria done enough to support her in return? Certainly, the time they spent together had illuminated Maria’s lonely heart in this unfamiliar place, becoming one of her most precious memories.

Holding the letter to her chest, Maria looked up at the sky. She felt as though the clear morning light was shining on both her family in the Philippines and Miyoko at the same time. From now on, she would live her life to the fullest—for Miyoko, for her family, and for herself.

When Maria returned to the facility, her coworkers welcomed her back with friendly smiles. Kawashima, still curt as ever, handed her a work uniform while saying, “Alright, let’s get busy again starting today.” Maria beamed and replied, “Yes, thank you!”

Somewhere, Miyoko was watching over her. And her family back home was cheering her on from afar. Braving the cultural and linguistic barriers, Maria’s new days were only just beginning.

— End —