The Forsaken Deity

Chapter 1: The Life of Being Forsaken

STICK hastily squinted when the rays of the sun touched her face.

She was used to it… the sun pestering her daily chores. In fact, she’d been living her life with it. Feeling the scorching rays of the sun on her skin, roasting and rolling hotdogs from time to time, waiting for the constant buyers to finally notice her, feigning a smile every time her usual customers order their favourite foods… it was her life. It was never new to her. It was as if she was born for it, to be a hotdog vendor in front of the school where she once dreamt of studying.

But unfortunately, life was cruel at times and even harder to her. She could not afford to send herself to school that was why she quitted dreaming on being a teacher someday. She had to set her hopes low so that she would not end disappointing herself again. She’d gone too far in facing frustrations in her life and she couldn’t take another bunch of problems and dissatisfactions anymore.

“You’ve been selling hotdogs for I don’t know how long, how can you manage to have a fair skin instead of a burnt one? Are you using any effective whitening soap?” Isobel said. Stick just smiled at her as she shoved the thoughts of studying out of her mind and shifted her concentration to her companion who was obviously obsessed on using whitening products to get a fairer look of herself.

What’s with the idea of having a fair skin, was it something that would make her rich? No, it wasn’t.

“I’m using detergent soap to scrub away the dirt in my body. I don’t use anything and aside from that, mild soaps are too costly,” she muttered while getting some hotdogs on the freezer. What she said was true. She never got the chance to give herself even a simple luxury an average girl like her would love to had, she could not pay for it. There are lots of things she had to think of than making herself comfortable. For her, it was better to full her stomach than the earthly pleasures she might enjoy. She wouldn’t sacrifice her budget for those stuffs. She was being rational for her own good and she believed that those things are just a waste of money and effort.

Stick then started removing the plastic coverings of the hotdogs when she saw Isobel’s unbelieving face.

Not again, not that interrogating looks. Oh, good heavens.

Stick despised that look. It was giving her an idea of a never ending conversation about superficialities again which she didn’t adore.

“What?” she asked. Isobel stuck her tongue out like a little kid and managed to cross her arms, as if interrogating her for a crime she committed. Isobel, of all people understood Stick’s situation. Growing up with Stick, she had the opportunity to see how the young woman thrived for living.

“Liar, tell me so I can use it and look as fair as you.” Isobel was just making fun of her friend again. She knew Stick too well, she was pissed about talking about those stuffs and Isobel loved every moment seeing her friend’s horrid face. It was a simple inside joke Isobel always play with her friend.

“Quit it, Belly. I better go to the market to buy some oil, can you stay here?” Stick was wiping the sweats that were trickling from her face using the back of her hand. Isobel flinched seeing Stick did her greasy manners again.

“Gross, don’t you know the essence of towel in wiping the sweat in your face?” Isobel said in a matter-of-factly way. Stick just shrugged at her nagging friend as she removed the apron which was wrapped on her tiny body.

“Just stay here and don’t attract any trouble, okay?” Stick smiled at Isobel before leaving the hotdog stand. She had to be quick. Students would soon get out from the campus and she need to get back before four o’clock so that she can accompany Isobel in selling the hotdogs their employer delivered to them.