PART I
PART-I
AN ABUSIVE FATHER
The screams plead and cry are not foreign to me anymore. My mother in his feet begging and he all wasted, kicking her and screaming, is a scene must be observed once a week. Must. It’s been five years now. Five years to be said. Since we are suffering something that isn’t in our hands. But still, we are humans. We deserve it because we are humans. Why can’t we change fates?
“Ahh-” I heard my mom cry out in pain taking me out of my little universe. With my five-year-old sister on my lap, I was shivering with fear, tears rolling down my cheek as I heard my parents argue and yelling at one another. I settled my sister on the side of the bed, peeking out of the door of the dark room, I came across the view of my wasted father gripping my mom’s hair tightly and her eyes tearing as she pleaded. I was looking at them as the drama continued when the little Haven hugged my legs.
“Roma’n, I am scared”, Quickly wiping my face I looked down meeting the pair of blue-green glossy eyes staring at me. I gave her a small smile reassuring her that everything’s fine. fine.
“It’s all okay princess. Let’s take you to bed.” I wrapped a finger around her small hand leading her to the bed. I lay beside her, singing a lullaby to her. The moonlight was making it possible for me to glance around and take a view of the dark room where I could see a frame on the nightstand with mom and dad hugging each other with wide smiles on their faces. Years back it was all good before Haven’s birth. My father wanted a baby boy who can grow up and be like him. Not really. But instead, when he got the news of a baby girl he started threatening my mother that he will leave us. When he couldn’t do that he just started torturing us in different ways. He left his job and started arriving home late and drunk, usually, he would be missing for days then weeks and now it has been extended to months. He was no more the one to whom we will look up for protection and care. He would blame mom for cheating on him, beat us, lock us in the room for hours or days without food. He was as cruel as he could get.
Lost in thoughts I didn’t realize that it was all quiet now downstairs, Haven snuggled, wrapped hands around my neck. I leaned down to kiss her when I heard footsteps nearby. I immediately took a sleeping position, shutting my eyes tightly. I don’t want to get beaten today. I don’t want to have bruises. I have school tomorrow.
When the door was slightly opened with a gentle push, I was drenched in the sweat of thinking how he will grip my hair and beat me until I pass out. My mind played the flashback of the last time when he choked me to death. I stopped breathing when I felt a hand on my forehead pushing my bangs backward and kissing me softly. My eyes shoot opened to see my mom standing in front of me. I saw the black eye and the few bruises and cuts on her dull face. She straightened her posture avoiding my intense gaze on her. I could see her ripped clothes and cheeks stained with tears. I got up and leaned my head on the headboard. I glanced over the sleeping Haven who mumbled a few words under her breath. When I looked at my mother she smiled at me sitting at the foot of the bed.
“...Father?” I whispered-asked her.
“He’s gone. Gone forever.” She looked up at the ceiling, tears brimming her eyes. But immediately looked away wiping her cheeks, focusing back on my questioning face.
“What do you mean?” I was shocked not really believing what she said next.
“Divorce.” That’s all she replied with.
