The Promise

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*

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