"Acceptance"
She was in the middle of a dilemma. It's whether to go home or run away. Then came the idea in her mind.
She didn't go home that afternoon. She was still in her school uniform with her bag and stayed in a park near the school premises. She's afraid to see the fury in her mom's eyes and what will she do to her.
She stayed in a spot where fewer people are coming. She wondered what is her mom doing this very moment. She imagined the reaction in her face after receiving the letter.
The night came, she tried to fit herself in one of the benches in that park and curled herself to sleep when her body gave up and her mind feels exhausted.
A few minutes later she heard footsteps getting nearer to her direction. Two young men noticed her and tried to wake her up. She pretended to be asleep when they didn't leave her but seems they are determined not to leave. She heard one of them saying to the other man that they won't leave her and feared something might happen to her alone in the park she decided to "wake up". They ask her a lot of questions but she remained silent. The young men invited her to come with them at least for the night because it's not safe to stay in the park for a young girl like her. She didn't like the idea and just shook her head but they insist. The way they speak she can determine that they are good guys so she was swayed by their invitation.
Even though she's not talking they are introducing their selves to her. One of them was married to the other mans' sister so in short, the two were brother-in-laws. One of them was a local dancer and we're done practicing at the parks' stage that time accompanied by his brother in law. She noticed it was very late when the tricycle parked in front of a shack. The two knocked at the door and was opened by a plump woman in her 30's. When they entered, she scanned the surroundings and she knows by the looks of it that they are living a simple life. She can't hear the conversation between the woman and her rescuers. She saw a child inside a mosquito net and a man she can barely discern its the age for he's on his back. The woman then invited her to eat but her shyness deters her to accept her invitation. In a child's heart, she felt at home. Though the surroundings are in disarray somehow she felt comfortable. The woman is just so kind and prepared for her a simple dinner. When the woman placed the food in front of her she can't hide her hunger. She wanted to gobble up the food quickly but still, her shyness prevents her to do it so she eats as slowly and properly as she can. Her rescuers went outside and left the two of them may be to give them privacy and so that she can eat comfortably.
The woman talked to her between her meals. She is really a nice woman. She felt comfortable talking to her and she didn't doubt revealing her situation. After her revelation, she felt a heavy burden fall off from her heart and she felt better. She was advised by the kind stranger in front of her not to grow hatred in her heart towards her mother. Because a mother shows their love in a different way. (She doubt that) She added that maybe her mom is very worried so she needs to come home the soonest and ask for her forgiveness even she will resent her. (She's absolutely expecting the worst). As to her father, they both hope that he will forgive what she has committed. Her father was a reasonable man but she's not sure if he will be reasonable this time. She slept soundly then next to the woman. Her rescuers slept on the table she just has eaten her meal. She was touched for this simple kindness they are giving her. Her young heart longed for this.
The next morning she was accompanied by her newly found friends to the side of the highway and waited for a tricycle that will lead her "home". She didn't want to leave and she doesn't want to go home anymore and be back to school she considered a nightmare. This stranger beside her is willing to adopt her but told her this is not the way it should be. She was welcomed to visit though anytime at their humble home. She, from time to time reminded her to pray and she took it by heart.
There's no one at home. She's very eager to end her suffering now. Later, the door opened and found her mom surprised to find her inside. She was with someone, her moms' friend in church. They just came home as she learned that they came from the police station to report a lost child. She can see that she was very worried. They had a little talk with her moms' friend and they both gave her scolding about what she has done but they gave her a hug at the end of their conversation. She felt good after that. When the friend left she was given the chance by her mom to talk. It gave her the opportunity to express herself. She poured all her sentiments and they both cried after the exchange of "forgive and forget" dialogues. From that moment she felt the power of prayer. God has never forsaken her.
The rest of the story was another step of another beginning of the main character's life. When her father learned the news about her daughter upon arriving from his work in a far place, he told her something she didn't expect to hear. He invited her to have a walk before revealing something. She was told that she was an adopted child. Her father was her uncle and that explains the maltreatment from a none relative "mom" to her during her childhood without his knowledge but she kept it to herself.
After the revelation, she started to become another person. Though the issues between them with her stepmom were solved there are times when misunderstanding still occurs but she now knows her ground. She knows how to fight and become bold and won't let her stepmom maltreat her again.
About her studies, her father decided to drop her and didn't enroll her the next year then. It's the hardest year for a child in her time because she needs to engage in laborious jobs like taking laundry service, bottle cleaning, and even work in a factory for banana chips as a banana manual peeler. It's one of her punishments maybe from her dad so that she can learn the value of money and studies. It's a good move for her benefit than because her classmates left school before she was enrolled the year after. She can't be enrolled in another school as it was the cheapest public school in the city.
She became a new person after joining school again. New faces and new teachers. Her old teacher in her lower year doesn't recognize her anymore. Good thing she was accepted to the next year level as it's almost school year-end when she dropped out but she was not qualified to the star section anymore. It serves her right she thought. She still managed to be on top of the class only she can't join the sports activity, talent shows, and other activity that requires money because it has to be paid. Aside from that, her parents don't value it. They are more on academics.
She now showcased her intelligence in a more confident way and gaining new friends. Another new thing, she was given an extra allowance too.😉
About her friends(rescuers) , they were surprised to find her in front of their door after a long year. She then visited them from time to time and created bonding with them.
Whew! Finished at last. I need to shorten it in order to end. So I can go to sleep now.😊
Thanks for reading this worth-sharing story of mine, i hope you enjoyed it. 😊
suddenly being an introvert it's hard for me to gain easily a friends but maybe it worth to try what doin on the article above