Katerina

Chapter One

Drug addict          

The words tasted bitter and sour in her mouth. It stung like a bee sting but instead of the pain in the affected area, it pierced through every sense in her body then rushed towards her heart. It was almost impossible to stop repeating the words in her mind after reality hit her. Katerina took a sip of her coffee. The bitterness of it mingled with her feelings as if it reflected her fears.

She was alone in her house- a small apartment in the outskirts of the busy street of Colon. She scanned her place as she sat in her trampled beige-colored couch near the window. The dining area across the living room seemed lonely with a rectangular table and two mono-block chairs. Three pieces of round plates and two small bowls were arranged in a rack near the kitchen sink. One small regular cup and 2 cylindrical glasses were placed upside-down in a small tray right next the rack. Two pairs of spoon and fork were positioned inside a spoon-and-fork container. A mini-refrigerator, which she bet has no nutritious meal inside, was stationed near the water dispenser. A wooden cabinet served as the only partition between the living room and the dining room. The living room, as she skimmed, was as solitary as the dining area. It was comprised of an elongated couch and two loveseats placed in close proximity to the small rectangular table. Several wall decors hang on the white worn-out wall.

She thought of her sanctuary, which she hardly inhabited for the past few weeks. It definitely looked different from what she used to keep it when she first arrived on this apartment. Her single-size bed was a mess. The blanket and pillows were left unmade. Numerous apparels were scattered around the floor. Her room was like whacked by a hurricane. Though it was not a wonder since she was never home that much; she spent most of her time at work as a call center agent. Her house solidified the emotions she felt inside of her; alone and miserable.

She did not finish her degree in Education because her mother died. She had to stop schooling and had to stumble on a job to survive. She was wondering in the congested streets of Fuente Osmena when a young lady handed her a flyer about a newly established call center company which had a job opening. Katerina prepared the requirements and went to the establishment. She took the exam, passed and had her interview with the owner of the said company. When the owner saw her age, he was about to reject her, but she pleaded. Katerina pleaded like she was pleading for her life. She explained her situation and the owner took pity on her. She was under probation for six months and when she reached 18 years old, she was a regular call center agent. She was working at the same company for 5 years now. It was on that same company that she first learned to depend on drugs for endurance. She was working from 8:00 in the evening until 8:00 in the morning. One of her co-workers introduced marijuana to her.

She thought of one good reason to say NO. But she never came up with one. Her life is in total disarray. She was a total mess. She has no one in life; no mother, no father, no family. Friends? Of course, she has. She has so many but not even one is real. They were a bunch of fake friends. Even the only person to whom she learned to entrust her heart, betrayed her. She was all by herself now. So, Katerina indulged herself to the miserable company of drugs. One by one, she thought of the many reasons why she needed the companionship of drugs.

When she was young, she barely felt the presence of her father at home. He was never around during special occasions in her life. But, innocent as she was, she never hated her father. It also helped that her mother was always with her, showering her with love and care which was more than enough for her. She loved her parents. In her eyes, they were perfect; until one gloomy night.