Love in Darkness

Chapter 1: Her life

On a night of a full moon, a baby is about to be born. Ria and Tony are excited to meet their daughter. Life has been hard but they did their best to prepare everything so that their child will not face hardships as they did.

"Push, Ria." The midwife exclaims as Ria shouts because of pain. Tony is by her side, holding her hands.

"I can see her. Keep pushing." And a cry of a baby is heard. The couple is over the moon when they see their daughter. The midwife gives the baby to Ria.

As Ria holds her daughter, a tear falls from her eyes. "She's beautiful." Tony smile as a sign of agreement. They name her Selena because the lovely baby girl was born on a beautiful full moon.

Ria and Tony manage their time to take care of their daughter and their farm. Even as a 5-year-old child, Selena possesses an alluring beauty and is a cheerful girl. Every day she would come with her parents to run their farm and the couple would receive constant praises for having Selena as their daughter.

Life has been good for Selena's family. Their farm is producing good crops and would sell many in the market. The abundance gives her family happiness and contentment.

"Tony, I think we should make Selena stop working at our farm and continue going to school." Ria is bothered to see other children attending school while Selena is helping at the farm.

"What would she do at the school? They teach kids that has nothing to do with life. Besides, we are teaching her what she needs to know." Tony sees no point in learning at school when it cannot be used in real life, it is a waste of money for him.

Ria falls into silence and did not argue anymore. She went to the bedroom and sits on the bed, beside her daughter, caressing her hair. Ria feels pity towards her daughter. She knows Selena possesses intellect and talent but it cannot be harness if she will continue to work on their farm. But Ria cannot go against her husband.

Time passes by and Selena is now a teenager. She indeed grows up with a pleasing personality and beauty. Selena is happy helping on her parents' farm but as she gazes at a group of children just the same as her age laughing together, and is wearing a uniform and bag.

"It must be nice to attend school, learn, and have friends." Selena says to herself. Ria hears this and cannot stop feeling pain in her chest. She told this to her husband and pleads with him again.

"Please, Tony. It is her right. Since she was a child, she had been helping us on the farm. Don't you think we should let her have dreams on her own?"

"We cannot afford the fees, Ria. And about the boys at the school? What if they harm our daughter?" Tony answers hesitantly.

"We have money, we are selling many to the market. What's the use of our earned money if we cannot give our daughter a future? And that is what's bothering you? The boys? Nothing will happen to her, Tony."

Tony is silent. Ria sits beside her and holds his hand. "It is our job to protect her and to give her a better future. So please, let her attend school and socialize with her peers." Tony looks at his wife with a worried face.

Ria hugs her husband, "Do not worry, we will guide her. It is our responsibility. We will not make her innocent and naive. The world is cruel and we must prepare her for it."

The next day, Ria and Tony accompanied Selena to the school for registration and fetch her after school. Selena happily told her parents what happen to school - who she met, and what she learned.

"You know, Ma? I already have friends, and don't worry, they are no boys." Selena then looks at her father.

"And then when the teacher asks about Math? I raised my hand and got the right answer. I never knew I was good at Math."