"Forgive me, Father, for I have sinned."

Chapter 3 - "Hello, Calliope."

"Good morning, Mrs. Delgado. I believe you were the one I spoke to yesterday?" After my mom knew what happened, she called a lawyer to ask for a piece of advice about this case. She wants to sue my dad for what he did to me.

"Good morning to you, too Atty. Laurel. Yes, that was me. About the case, I told you. I want to sue my ex-husband for abusing my daughter." Mom said.

"Please, have a seat." We sat down on the couch and him on his swivel chair.

They already talked on the phone yesterday and she told him some information about what happened. Although they already had a talk, bringing me into the office only means that I must give a statement again and retell the story again.

"I see. But before that, I want to hear your daughter what really happened during the incident." He looked at me as if he was asking if I am okay retelling the details of what happened. This leaves me no choice but to tell him. To tell him the horror of that night.

I went back to that night when I got home with a broken sandal. I can see myself walking into the kitchen to look for food. I started eating it when I found one. The lights went out as I took another bite. I remembered Grammy being alone in her room, so I stood up and began walking in that direction. Because it's dark, I can't see anything. Something creaked out of nowhere. I asked who it was, but no one answered. When someone grabbed my hair, fear spread throughout my body. I'm not sure who it was, but his grasp is so powerful that I can't even fight back. I yelled for aid and was fortunately pulled by my hands. I snapped back to reality when Atty. Laurel and my mom tried to restrain me with their arms. It was not real. When I looked at them, they had these worried faces that were saying something I could not understand.

None of us utter a word until Mom decided to reschedule the meeting with the attorney. On our way home, Mom also did not say anything. She did not even bother asking me if I am okay or not. When we arrive, I hurried to the room where I am staying. I lie down in bed and stared blankly at the ceiling.

I do not like this kind of feeling. It is heavy and everyone around me is kind of tiptoeing their way to me. I miss my Grammy and my life when I was with her. I do not know what I am going to do now.

I did not know I fell asleep a while ago. The weight that I am carrying is still heavy. It feels like a rock in my chest and I still do not know how to ease it. My phone suddenly vibrated and saw a message from our choral group. We have a scheduled singing engagement in an hour. So, instead of sulking here in this house, I decided to go to church.

I hadn't had my lunch yet, so I went to the kitchen to get some. The home is sound asleep, which can only mean one thing: I'm all alone here. My half-siblings, as well as my mother and her husband, are not present. After eating, I took a bath and went to get a dress for the wedding I was about to attend. I contoured my face to conceal the dark circles under my eyes. My phone keeps vibrating as I apply my makeup. My churchmates are already looking for us because the wedding is about to begin, but I am still home.

When my phone continued to ring, I got up and grabbed my purse to wait for a cab outside. The driver took his time driving around the city as I indulged in my bittersweet whim. Despite this, I was able to attend the wedding.

"I, Allen Chao, take you, to be my wife, and these things I promise you: I will be faithful to you and honest with you; I will respect, trust, help, and care for you; I will share my life with you; I will forgive you as we have been forgiven; and I will try with you better to understand ourselves, the world, and God; through the best and worst of what is to come, and as long as we live."

"I, Gracie Cortez take thee, to be my husband, and before God and these witnesses, I promise to be a faithful and true wife. I will share my life with you; I will forgive you as we have been forgiven; and I will try with you better to understand ourselves, the world, and God; through the best and worst of what is to come, and as long as we live."

Father blesses the union and rings are exchanged along with the words of the couple...

"I give you this ring as a sign of my love and faithfulness. Receive this ring as a token of wedded love and faith."

"In the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit, take and wear this ring as a sign of my love and faithfulness."

"I now pronounce you husband and wife. You may now kiss the bride." Father announced and everyone joyfully clapped their hands as they celebrated the union of two hearts and souls.

Congratulations on tying the knot, both of you. Your married journey starts here. The wedding ended and so was our singing engagement. They decided to grab some snacks before heading home but I refused and stayed at the church. I need space and time for myself.

After they had gone, I went to the parish hall and sat in a chair. The hall is always available to our members. It's peaceful inside because it's quiet and dim. I sat there calmly listening to my phone's playlist. I closed my eyes for a moment before hearing a creaking sound coming from the door. I didn't bother to open my eyes. It's most likely a group of young people from a separate organization. I continued to listen to my music until I felt someone sit next to me. I opened one of my eyelids only to see the wedding priest who had appeared earlier.

"Hello, Calliope."