It was just a normal day, we are waiting for our Papa to come home. We live in the city, my Mama works as a Teacher and my Papa works as an Engineer. We are family of 5, the eldest - Rita, the second born is Xian, and the youngest is me- Lea. This is our story!

Mama where's papa? It's already 5pm. We're having dinner right?

Mama: Yes we're having dinner, Papa made a promise he will make it up for you guys *smiles*

*Ring Ring*

Hello? Yes this is his wife what is the reason for your call? W-what?!

Kids, I need to go to your Papa's workplace, just wait for me here okay? *panting and was about to cry*

Mama, what happened? Are you okay? Is Papa okay?

Mama: I hope so, Rita take good care of your siblings. Bye!

I hope they're okay, I hope nothing's wrong. I have a bad feeling about this.

LATER THAT DAY

M-mama *run* what happened? Why are you alone? Where is Papa? Tell me ma *cries*

Mama: *cries* Y-your Papa, he's dead.

***AT THE SITE (FLASHBACK)

Mama***: Mr. Chen, what happened? Where's Tim?

Mr. Chen: Sorry to inform you this Elaine but Tim... He's dead *sobs*

Mama: *shocked* N-no!! You're joking right? That's not true, he can't be dead, he promised *cries* h-he promised that we're having dinner tonight with the kids. How could it be?! WHYYYYYYYY *cries loudly*

Mr. Chen: One of our worker said that he found Tim when he was on his way to go home, it was stabbed multiple times by the guy with a mask. He was afraid that time and don't know what to do so he rush to me and told me what happened, I called the police but the guy who stabbed Tim left already. We also asked the neighborhood if they saw a guy with a mask but they said that they saw nothing. Police searched already, let's just wait for the information that they might have.

END OF FLASHBACK

After the incident we became hopeless, the police didn't find anything that will help us find the culprit. My Mama gave up already, there's no hope anymore and justice will not be served. Our house doesn't feel like home anymore, there's no more joy, since Papa died it felt like Mama also died. It's been so long since we didn't hear her utter a word. Every time we're having dinner Mama will cry suddenly and won't eat. She will face the wind with tears flowing from her eyes it's indeed heartbreaking seeing Mama and my siblings like this. I can't help but to cry secretly.

*looks at the sky above* Why? Why of all People, why did you choose Papa? There's a lot of bad guys who deserves to be punished but why him? *cries*

2 YEARS HAD PASSED

Mama told us that she have a new lover and introduced him to us.

Mama: Kids, this is Uncle John. We will be living with him. He will become your dad, he had a daughter named Patricia and you will meet her soon. Packed your things and we will leave here tomorrow morning.

Rita: Why you didn't discuss this matter to us?

Mama: I'm sorry. I was hesitant at first, I don't know where to begin *looks down* but don't worry okay? Your Uncle John is kind, he will treat you all as his own *smiles*

Rita: How sure are you? Do you know him for too long? Are you 100% sure that he will not treat us like dogs? He will feed us and won't harm us? *glare*

John: Rita, I understand how you feel it's normal. Trust me, I will do my best to be your dad. I will love you and protect you all. No one will harm you *smiles*

Xian: Just make it sure. If it's not for Mama, we will not allow any guy to be our dad. No one can replace him.

That time both my sister and brother was highschool, Rita was a Grade 10 student while Xian is on Grade 9. I was still a Grade 6 student at that time. We finally moved to uncle John's house, it was huge he also has hacienda at the back of his house.

*jumps at the bed* woooow it's so soft.

Patricia: Who says you can sleep here? You *points at Lea* together with your sister and brother do not belong here!!

John: Patricia! Stop it! They will become your siblings. Respect each other *death glare* Sorry for what happen Lea, just don't mind Patricia she's just spoiled and bored.

Me: O-okay Uncle. *smile*

I didn't know it was all a lie, all for a show.

A MONTH LATER

John: Your mother already leaved for work and I will send Patricia to school, the three of you will stay here and will work for my hacienda. You need to clear all the weeds, it should be done by afternoon. You will not be going to school and you will live at the small storage room at the back. Did you see that? *points out the room*

Rita: The storage room was dirty, but it's okay we can clean this up, the wall was made up of plain roof, so I guess it will be a little hot in here. *smiles at us*

Xian: Don't worry Lea, we can get through this. We should be dependent on ourselves and find a way to eat since Mama forget about us. Every time we are beaten up by Uncle John she was just there--standing watching us suffered in pain. Sometimes I wonder what if Papa was still alive? *sigh*

Rita: It's okay *smile* let's continue so that we can eat its past lunch already I know you both also are hungry, right?

Everyday still the same routine. Xian was in charged with the cows while Rita and I was in charge in the farm including the household chores. It hurts every time we made a simple mistake and we get beaten up to death and our Mom just looking at us. I know she is also afraid that Uncle John might leave her especially that they already have their own children.

It is so unfair. She used to be taking care of us and loved us yet look at her now, she devoted her life to Uncle John and their children. How about us? How about the promise that she made? Are we that easy be to left behind? We can endure everything as long she will be there for us, we just wanted to be saved by her sometimes we also need help *cries*

Mang Tomas (neighbor): John, Elaine!! Xian *panting* h-he's dead!! He was found at the river come and hurry!!

W-what?! It's not true right?! *sobs* H-how could that be?! I grab Rita and rushed to said river, there we found Xian's body his stomach was bloated the dagger was still on his hips and he was holding a piece of a rope that rope belongs to the cow he was taking care off but the cow was not here.

Mang Tomas: He was seen yesterday by one of our neighbor he said that Xian was letting the cow drink in the river when suddenly the cow ran and Xian was carried away, he was not able to save Xian because the river was too deep and he can't swim *cries* I-I feel bad for Xian. He was such a kind kid and he's very hardworking. John and Elaine, you should take care and watch out for them. I've noticed everything that you did to these children but I kept my mouth shut because it's not my business to interfere *angry* But look what happen!! Xian lost his life!! Can you bring him back to life?! Huh! Answer me!! I see Xian as my son since he was close with my Jared, we fed him because I know that both of you starved them to death!! Elaine, you are their mother how ungrateful and cruel are you?! *death glare* Karma will favor you--both of you!! *walks away*

*sobs* S-sorry Brother Xian, I was not there to save you *sobs* I know you suffered a lot and you're in great pain *cries* I-I'm sorry if I buried you here without coffin and just a cross made if branches. Don't worry brother I will work hard and will give you proper ceremony and coffin where you will not be having pain in your back due to coldness. I know you're in peace now with Papa, I just hope you're happy in there *cries* no one will no longer hurt you and starved you. I love you and thank you so much brother.

Since that day happened, everything just went black. There's no more happiness and love we can't feel it anymore, we got used to the abused and all. It shaped us to become numb, I also fell out of love and respect for my mother. She abandoned us, who says we cannot do the same thing? Money will not solve everything and will not bring my brother back. I made a promise that I will do my very best to leave her with my sister and brother Xian.

Rita: Lea, can you get some water? I'm thirsty and tired I will go find some fruits here so that we can eat, okay? *smiles*

Okay! But are you okay if I leave you here?

Rita: Yeah! Go on.

After getting a water I rushed back again to Rita, but soon as I arrive she's nowhere to be found. I was nervous and I don't know what to do but all the weeds here was cleared like something was wrong then I heard someone's laugh I rushed to it and I found my sister leaning on the tree with ripped clothes and crying. There I saw Uncle John's cousin laughing and zipping his pants.

John's Cousin: *laughs* I really enjoyed doing it to you today, I didn't know you where this fresh and tasty! HAHAHAHAHAHA!

You bastard! *beat him with a stone* how dare you do this to my sister?! *cries* you retarded piece of scum. You have no mercy! You should go back to jail.

John's Cousin: *laughs* Go on, tell the world what I did to your sister. Let's see if anyone will trust you here! *walks away*

Rita *covered her with jacket* I know you're not okay *cries* it's too much, we should leave here already we should not let mom fool us again that she will take us out here, it will never happen. Let's get out of this hell *helps Rita*

AT NIGHT

We made our way out. We walked this long road with hope that someone will help us.

*beep beep*

Rita! Lea!

Aunt Jean?!

AUNT JEAN'S HOUSE

We told her everything, she cried after hearing the death of our father she visited us to our old place but she couldn't find us, she looked for us everywhere and give posters as well.

Aunt Jean: Someone called me, his name is Tomas. He told me that you lived here and give me some information that's why I rushed here. We will come back again for Xian, for the meantime both of you should study here first and make a living.

YEARS HAD PASSED

So refreshing *feels the wind* finally all my hard work pays off! I am now a Teacher and Rita was an Architect, we surely make a living and far from stress *smiles*

Rita: I think it's time to go back Lea. Should we get going?

Yes! Let's go *smile*

UNCLE JOHN'S HACIENDA

As soon as we reached the gate, Mon came out running and we saw Uncle John in the window he became really old and turns out half of his body was paralyzed.

Mama: *cries* I've missed both of you so much. Lea, you're grown up now *touches me*

*slap her hand* Don't touch me, we are here for our brother, Xian not for you!

Rita: *calls workers* Please dig up this one and put it to that coffin *points out* make sure to handle it well that's my Brother.

Workers: Yes ma'am! No worries.

Mama: I know both of you cannot forgive me, I understand and I will not force you to do so. But I'm really sorry for everything I know it's not enough and I will carry it till my last breathe, I became selfish, blind, and deaf to everything. It's all my fault *cries* I'm happy seeing you two grow up beautiful and strong *smiles* at least I will be at ease.

Before we leave Mama told us that Patricia didn't finish her studies because she got pregnant and the guy run away, so Patricia is now working for her daughter. The hacienda was not really taking care off since Uncle John was not able to stand and walk, our siblings with him was studying and Mama told us that they were all doing well and excel in class and was hoping to meet us soon.

Rita: We can meet them since they are our siblings anyway. They have nothing to do on what happen in the past. Bye and we'll be get going *gets inside the car*

I know it's not right to do this to my own mother but I cannot really forgive her that easy.

*wind blows*

I hope that when the time comes, everything will be alright.

***T h e E n d 💓

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