Chapter 1
Shiro Yuki Taranza
Cursed
From the very start, I knew I would never get to experience growing old, to feel the lines of time on my face; like having wrinkles, to hold my own children in my arms, or watch my grandchildren grow. I knew I would never have the chance to live a normal life.
Having albinism is difficult. I have sensitive skin and several vision defects. Some people think that I’ve been cursed. Some are captivated by my eye color. They say that I am possessed by beauty, but I just couldn’t believe them. How can I believe what they say when I know deep down that I am different?
I was born in a tropical country, but my parents had to move to a colder place because of my condition—my skin is extremely sensitive. We’re neither rich nor poor. My dad is a hardworking mechanic, and my mom stays at home, taking care of everything.
Life is simple, but my family is my greatest blessing. My mom is kind and gentle, while my dad is playful and always knows how to make her smile, even on tough days. We may not have much, but our love and laughter make our family perfect in my eyes.
I am already 17 years old, and I am their only child. They never had another. Perhaps they’re afraid to try again, scared that the next child might end up like me. It’s undeniable, I know my dad wanted a son. Slowly, I’ve started to believe what others say—that I am a cursed child and a burden to my parents.
They don’t say it to me, but I can feel that my condition is hard on them. Even my mom rarely makes friends because people are afraid, they might catch something from being around me.
But my condition is not contagious.
I’m also a victim of bullying. As a kid, I dreamt of going to school, playing with other kids, and making many friends. But due to my condition; this white skin that i have, I didn’t get what I wanted. Mockery, fear, and strange looks are what I get from them. There are other children that has a fair skin, but their hair are all black, mine is white. Even my eyebrows and eyelashes are white.
This was the other reason why my parents were forced to leave our old village and move here to a place away from civilization. At first, it was hard to adapt to the new environment, but as time passed by, I am getting accustomed to this new environment.
Many weeks have passed since we moved on to our new house, but I have stepped my foot outside, afraid of what look I might get from the citizen here. I know this place is fabulous. Tranquility, no bullies, cold wind; good for my skin. And one thing, my family is peaceful. They seem to coup already, it’s as if they lived here before.
“Child.” I turned my gaze at the door where my mother was standing. “You’ve been reading for and hour without a rest. Give a rest and blink more.” She said worriedly.
I yawned and closed the book. My mother walked towards me and handed me the glass of warm milk.
I looked around and the window caught my attention. The sun has already gone. It’s a bit foggy outside, but I can still see the brightness of the moon. Since we moved here, I haven’t seen any stars in the sky due to the fog.
“Thanks, Ma.” I said and quickly drank the milk.
My mother smiled at me softly as she caressed my hair and combed it. “My daughter is so beautiful...” She got a hairbrush on the table and started to brush my hair slowly. “Was the story good?”
I took me a second before I respond, thinking every detail of the book that I like, every scene and every words that has written. It’s an interesting book. I felt like I am also part of the story because of why that author writes her story.
I nodded my head while smiling, “Yes, although there are words that I am unfamiliar with, so I needed a dictionary beside me. But I enjoyed the story. It has an amazing story telling and a great plot twist.” You can feel the excitement in my tone, while my mother was casually enjoying watching me.
My mother chuckled and she put a soft kiss on my temple.
“I’m glad that you enjoyed it. Next time I’ll buy you more books after you finish everything that I bought, you can come with me at the town—” I cut her off by placing my hand at her hand.
I am worried about the money. I know we’re not rich and I don’t want her to spend all her mother for the books, on what I read, it says that books are pretty expensive.
“Mom? You really don’t have to keep buying things for me.” My eyes fell on my glass of milk. “I know that our money is just enough for food, so it’s okay with me even if you can’t buy me a book.” I looked up and smiled. “I can always read this one again anyway...”
I saw my mother’s eyes welling up with tears, but she quickly held them back before they could fall.
I know and I am not blind to the hardships of our life. Even though my parents try hard to hide how much they are struggling, I can see it in their eyes. They were smiling, but their eyes said otherwise. I always notice the exhaustion in their gaze, and it makes me feel guilty because I can’t do anything to help them. I am just... a girl with a condition. I feel useless.
A brief silence fell between us until I finished my milk. I turned to look at Mother, but after a while, I lowered my gaze again. I did this twice until she noticed, and she raised an eyebrow at me.
I really want to ask my mother about this, but I’m scared. I’m afraid of what her decision might be, and even if she agrees, I’m worried that it might cost too much.
I opened my mouth to say something, but I just shut it and repeated it again. Should I say it? I am so nervous. I’ve already told her this a few times—I know what her answer will be, but I still want to try... again.
Maybe she changed her mind.
“Do you have something to say?” My thin lips slightly pouted.
" “I know that you won’t agree...” My eyes fell on my finger and played with it.
“It depends on… what do you want?”
I bit my lower lip, “I want to go back to school”
“No!” I was startled by her voice. I knew she wasn’t going to agree, but raising her voice is a bit odd.
I sighed deeply, my heart sinking as the words I had been holding back finally tried to escape my lips.
“Ma, I just want to live like a normal teenage girl”
“You’re normal, Shiro,” she said firmly, though her voice softened at the end.
“But I don’t feel like one!” I averted my eyes from her, and they began to water. “This condition... it makes me feel like I am cursed! I also want to interact with other people... besides you and father.”
I heard her long sigh before she patted my head and kissed my temple.
“Child, soon you’ll understand. Try to sleep now, we’ll talk again tomorrow,” she said, and then she left the room. Just like before, I fell asleep carrying a heavy burden in my chest.
The next morning, I was stirred awake by the sound of conversation and laughter coming from outside. The voices were unfamiliar, so out of curiosity, I peeked outside. My eyes filled with joy when I saw other people, something rare in my secluded life.
There was a child around my age, and a man and woman who appeared to be her parents. They were happily chatting with my family while sipping tea. Their smiles and easygoing demeanor made the scene feel warm and inviting. Overcome with excitement at the sight of someone my own age, I decided to step out of my room.
The warmth of the moment was abruptly snatched away, leaving only a chilling, paralyzing dread in its place. And all because of me.
I didn’t expect the reaction I would get from the girl’s mother. As soon as she saw me, she gasped in shock and pointed at me, her voice sharp and alarmed. “Monster! Cursed!” she screamed at me with her eyes brimming with fear.
I was also overcome with fear because of her reaction. I wanted to sink into the ground out of shame and fear.
“Mama, stop it!” Her daughter shouted.
My mother quickly stood up, her movements sharp with urgency, and pulled me behind her, same as when I was a little girl. I bowed my head low, trembling, not daring to look up. The woman’s screams echoed in my ears—each word piercing through me like shards of glass. Her finger remained pointed at me, unwavering, as though I were some kind of monster. And her eyes… those wide, terrified eyes burned into my soul, making me feel small.
“My child is not a monster! Leave now! Get out of my house!” Mama shouted back, her voice trembling with anger.”
I was already crying because of what I had witnessed. Why does it have to be like this? We just moved here, and something like this happens right away. We don’t deserve this kind of treatment!
I clenched my fists tightly as my eyes brimmed with tears.
As my tears fell, thunder roared suddenly, followed by a flash of lightning, and then the rain poured heavily. Was it mere coincidence that the thunder and lightning struck so abruptly?
“Forgive us, neighbor... We’ll leave now.”
“It’s strange how the weather turned so quickly—thunder and rain, even though the weather was so beautiful just moments ago.” Sha said.
