The Women Series: Payment

The First Payment

As my past readers know, there's no SIMULA/PROLOUGUE in this story, but then I decided to put one and this will be my second gift to you all! Also, thank you to Nicole for supporting and cheering me up! Hope you like it, Serenes!

Again, Happy 5th Anniversary to me!

Happy Readiing, Serenes!

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THE FIRST PAYMENT

GREEK APHRODITE

Ever since I was a child, I wished for a happy family.

Just like those princesses in fairytales and books in the library. The families in the park having their picnic dates, the ones who are complete during our family days and joining some family games. 'Yung akin? They were monsters. They never looked at me like those happy family. Their eyes, laugh and smiles were full of love. I envied them.

"Mom, gusto ko rin po nung ice cream." The little Aphrodite told her mom while looking at the kid and her parent buying ice creams. Maybe that's for the whole family, she bitterly smiled.

"You don't deserve that, buy one if you have money. Wala kang makukuha sa akin." Matigas na sabi nito. She just nodded with teary eyes. She bit her lips while stopping herself from crying. Again, looking at the family who just bought ice cream and enjoying it happily.

Aphrodite can't stop herself seeing that perfect view, she cried and what did she get? Humiliation and trauma. Sa harap ng maraming tao ay sinasaktan niya ito, she was crying for the pain she received physically and emotionally. From then on, she didn't want to cry in front of her mom. Never again.

"Gusto ko po mag skating, mom." Hiling nito ng makita ang mga kaklaseng nag s-skate habang nasa fieldtrip nila.  Her classmates were having fun, but she was just there sitting while her mom was doing something on her phone.

"Skating? Palamunin ka na nga rito hihiling ka pa. Maglinis ka na lang ng bahay kesa mag ska--skating na'yan! Bakit ka pa kasi pumunta sa field trip na ito eh! Diyan ka na nga! Nagsasayang lang ako ng pera sa'yo." She left her there unattended, Aphrodite cried when she didn't see her mother's shadow near her. Again, she didn't get to have fun. Once again, she didn't want to go on field trips anymore.

One time, Aphrodite cleaned their mansion and she accidentally broke his mother's vase. She was fuming mad and punish her by whipping the belt of his father. However, she tried her best to not cry, she was afraid what might happen to her when her mother saw her cry, takot ito na mas lalong saktan muli ito ng sariling ina. She was calling her names and all.

"Mom, hindi po talaga kayo pupunta?" Aphro asked her mom. Wishing that this achievement she will receive will be a pivotal moment for their relationship to each other. She was hoping, even if there's nothing to hope for,

"Bakit? Ayoko. Bahala ka na riyan, kaya mo na 'yan." Aphrodite smiled and went back to her room. She chuckled as tears starts to form in her eyes.

Tinago ng batang Aphro ang kan'yang drawing ng isang masayang pamilya. She won the poster making and about to compete outside the school. Tinanong nito ang sarili bakit pa siya umasa, alam naman na nito ang sagot. Pinagmukha niya lang tanga ang sarili. Kailan ba magiging proud ang ina niya sa kanya? Never.

"Mom, I'm the valedictorian of our class. Punta raw po kayo para isabit medals ko sabi ni teacher." An 11-year-old Aphrodite told her mom with excitement in her eyes. Again, she wished that somehow she will change her mind and will be proud of her.