Twisted Chains

Prologue

I fixed my turtle neck blouse and slack pants before I headed towards the elevator. I tried to smile as I saw other applicants. Now I know I will stand out, dahil halos lahat ng mga mag aapply dito sa kompanya ay naka body hugging dresses. Nalilito tuloy ako kung saan sila pupunta, kung sa bar ba o sa interview. I also felt the heaviness of their stares. Maybe they are judging me now based sa suot ko. I don't care anyway, I need to do this for my family. Since Kuya Hash married, wala na akong katulong sa pagsupport sa family ko. I don't know how many deep breaths I had made before we reached the top floor of the building where the CEO is. A blonde lady approached us and lead us to a room where we can be arranged according to our numbers. This is the first time that the boss will be the one who will conduct the interview. Maybe that was the reason why anticipation can be mirrored on very girls face.

I sat on my assigned seat and checked my phone. My sister Mona sent me a text.

"Don't forget the baby food, body moisturizer and body cleanser. Mama will get mad."

I frowned when I read the text. I already gave them the money, ayaw kong bumili ng mga gamit na yon. I texted Mona and said to her na hindi ako makakapunta sa grocery because I have lot of errands to do. I need to see my best friend today. I put my phone in my pocket as the blonde lady started to call us by number because the interview starts already. I am so nervous. As my number gets nearer, my hearts beats faster.

"Ms. Alawi?" I looked at the blonde lady and smiled to her. "It's your turn mam, the CEO just went to the bathroom, just wait for him in his office."

I nodded at her and I walked towards the CEO's office. When the door opened, manly perfume enveloped my nostrils. The design of the office was very manly. Only gray and white colors can be seen in the whole office. There is bookshelf in the left side and a leather couch. On the right side, I assume is a pantry and the bathroom. I slowly walked towards the CEO's table and I noticed that his table was very neat. The document were neatly piled up on his right side and the Parker pens were arranged on righthand corner of the table. There is also a photo on his right side, which I assume, a family photo. I heard the door of the pantry opened. My heart nearly jolt because of anticipation and nervousness.

"Good morning Ms. Alawi." A baritone voice filled the room. I smiled when I saw him sitting down on his chair.

"Good morning sir Lunio!" I met his gaze. Wow. His looks must be a crime. He smiled at me.

"So, let's start with our business for today shall we?" I nodded. We started the interview, and just like what I expected, the usual, "Why should I hire you?" filled my ears. I don't know if my answers to him makes sense but what I can say is, he is the personified man of my dreams. After 10 minutes of interview he smiled at me again.

"Just wait for the update Ms. Alawi, it's nice meeting you."

I can't help but smile as I stared on his round eyes. His eyes remind me of someone.

"The pleasure is all mine sir." I smiled back. When I closed the doors of his office, I looked at him once again and there's an unfathomable expression on his eyes. It made me a little bit uncomfortable.

I hurriedly walk out of the company building and ran the errands that I am supposed to do that day. I arrived at our home at past 8'oc lock. Our household is so quiet. Maybe all of them are sleeping. I went straight to the kitchen to drink water. I almost screamed when the least person I wanted to see today appeared near the kitchen door. She was wearing her hello kitty pajamas and she was holding hello kitty stuffed toy on his right hand.

"Hintay kita mama."

I can't help but smirk when she said to me those words.

"Ako, never kitang hinintay." I put the glass of water on the refrigerator and I walked out in the kitchen. She runs after me and hugged me on my legs. Inalis ko ang mga kamay niya na nakayakap sa mga paa ko at itinulak ko siya.

"Ano ba! Bitawan mo ako!"

Sa lakas ng pagkatulak ko sa kaya ay nasagi niya ang vase ni Mama. The sound of the shattering vase woke up the whole household, and yes the sound of her soft sobs lingered in my ears too which made me more irritated.

"Ikaw ang may kasalanan tapos iiyak-iyak ka?" Disgust is very palpable on my voice. I was about to go upstairs and leave her alone when my Mona and Mama shrieked when they saw the child.

"Summer!!!" My mom shouted and she glared at me before they rushed to Summer. I can see that small pieces of vases in her bloody arms. They managed to put Summer away from the broken vase and transferred her to the couch in the living room. Mama sweep the floor while Mona rushed to get the first aid kid and aid Summer. I have nothing to do that was why I went to my room, perform my night routine and went to bed to read a book. I was about to turn off the lamp in my bedside table when my door flew open.

"What happened there Ivana?" I can sense the anger in my mom's voice. I answered her flatly.

"It was her stupidity." I was not able to notice that my mom was near me and she slapped me on the face. The darkness of the night mirrored my mom's face.

"Stupida! How can you say that to her? That is your daughter Ivana."

"Hindi ko siya ginusto ma!" Sigaw ko kay mama. Mahal ko si mama at si Mona, pero sa ganitong pagkakataon at ang batang iyon na nag pinaguusapan, nawawala lahat ng inibisyon ko sa aking katawan kaya madalas ay nasasagot ko si mama. Ayaw kong umiyak. I tried to hold back my tears.

"Pero nandyan na siya, anak. Iparamdam mo naman sa kanya na mahal mo siya." May pagmamakaawa sa boses ni Mama pero matagal ng nawala ang ganoong emosyon ko sa batang iyon.

"Pasensya na mama, pero hindi ko yon magagawa. Umalis ka na muna mama. Iwan niyo na muna ako." Humiga ako sa kama ko at tumalikod sa kanya.

I heard my mom heaved a deep sigh. Before she closed my door, I heard her utter the words that I do not want to hear.

"Kahit bunga siya ng kasalanan sayo, dugo at laman mo pa rin ang nananalaytay sa kanya. Sana hindi ka magsisi."

With that, mom left me in my room.

"Kailanman ay di ko matatanggap ang batang naging dahilan ng pagkasira ng buhay ko. Ang naging bunga ng panggagahasa sa akin."

After that I drifted to sleep, and nightmare of what happened to me five years ago lingered in my dreams.

Author's note:

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