Deep inside I know

This just a fictional story. Any characters doesn't have any connection with real identities and situations are just coincidence.

Gertu was a poor widow left with two young children with ages 8, Eve and Ruffa,5 from his late husband. The eldest was not from her womb but from another woman who had relation with his husband before their marriage. However, she treats the children with the same treatment. She struggled to support her children as much as she could.

The woman accepts laundries from their wealthy neighbour and has to endure the body pains from the entire day of washing loads. She doesn't mind having any new clothes or any accessories just to have something to feed the poor children and their educational needs.

As the children grew older, Gertu began to change in her treatment of Evej. She gave more of her attention to Ruffa and was buying her new stuff especially when the child requested it. When Eve tries to ask something for her too, Gertu scolded her, telling her that it's her sisters turn to have new stuff since their late father bought something for her when he was alive and when she was young.

It happens many times, Gertu began to think why would she suffer in raising a child she doesn't own and that was abandoned by her mother in her charge.But apart from it, something in her heart is rebelling.

Nonetheless, Eve doesn't mind the changes at all. She continued with her tasks at home and in school, though she noticed her stepmother's treatment turns odd.
In school, her bully classmates noticed her old school uniform that was given by their neighbour and her very old shoes that it's sole might give way anytime and they teased her. Fortunately, Eve has good friends that are loyal to her and comforts her when she is being bullied and when she feels lonely and defended her and drove bullies away from their friend.

Eve has excellent marks in school. She remained on top of the ranks and never flunked . But when ever she gives her report card to her mom, she was only told to leave the card on the corner and receives no appreciation.She even needs to remind her mom to sign the card how many times and would earn scolding in the end before signing it.

Year's passed and Eve has to enter college but her stepmother told her she can't send her to school. If she wanted to pursue her studies she needs to find remedy of her own.

On the other hand, Gertu keeps on pushing Ruffa to be responsible in her studies.She always fails in class and always drops out when she wanted to.She remained in highschool as an irregular student too old for her year level.Ruffa always asks money from their mom for something about school projects,tuitions and etc. and would throw hurtful words to her mom when her request was not granted.The money she recieved wasn't used in school projects or tuition fees but on bad peers and even vices in which her mom lately discovered.

Years passed quickly and Eve finnished her studies by the help of generous sponsors. Aside from that, she is a working student and doesn't rely on the sponsorships and scholarships alone that was granted to her. Her mother never attended on her graduations.

After her graduation, she was offered jobs from different firms.In a short time, she saved enough for herself and decided to move to a room of her own.

One time, she received an emergency call from a hospital.It was their neighbor who called for her help because her stepmother was brought to the hospital after finding her collapsed on the floor of their house. With no hesitation she picked her things up and proceeded to the infirmary.

Her stepmother was asleep when she arrived. A frail woman too young for having wrinkles all over. Pain was painted on her face. She talked to her neighbor about her mom's situation and to the attending physician.She learned that the woman she treated as her mother was suffering from acute pneumonia and would fall into more complicated lung problem anytime soon if not medicated early as possible. She agreed to pay for the expenses for her mothers medication. When her stepmom opened her eyes, she was surprised to find Eve infront of her of all people.

She asked Eve what is she doing in her room. Eve explained the situation and felt pity on her step mom. The old woman shed tears and can't meet Eve's eyes. She was ashamed of the bad treatment she gave to Eve.

After the unprepared meeting, Gertu later asked Eve what made her help her despite the unpleasant past.

Eve smiled, there was never an unpleasant past, everything that happened was a mere circumstances wherein they were both facing difficult challenges. She understands why her stepmom became rude. Eve added that all she can remember are the good memories that they both share with the woman in front of her.

Eve elaborated that she might be in the street begging for food if not of her stepmoms kindness. "You were there when I needed a mother even though I'm not your own blood. There was never a time when we were out food in our table. Won't I be thankful for it? There was never a time when my backpack was empty with my lunchbox.Though my shoes is old and seems to give way its sole but it didn't, because you tried your best to sew it with your own hands. My clothes were never new but I know that you have to wash loads of laundry before they were handed to me. I knew it because I washed laundry with you.The wealthy neighbor you are telling me that gave you the clothes for me never gave us anything for free. "

You never attended my graduation because it's the time you doubled the tasks you were accepting just to have a pleasant dinner when I come home. You never told me but I can sense it. I remember you always did it during my elementary years."

"But i gave more of my attention to Ruffa."Gertu guiltily replied between sobs.

" I understand my younger sister acts differently because she had never felt having a father unlike me though i only experience it in a short time. She can't have your time because you were busy finding different tasks in order to have  something to feed us.Now tell me mother, what is unpleasant in that?, Won't I be thankful for it.

Never in her life Gertu expected she raised an angel. Eve hugged her to stop her from crying.
Days after the medication, Eve took her stepmother to her own house. She then warned Ruffa to be serious in her studies or else she will be left alone. Years passed and the trio lived happily.

The end.

Sometimes in times of pain and suffering there always what they call a silver lining.
If you try to dig deeper, those struggles will bring out goodness. If you are still struggling at the moment, that means you haven't digged it out yet. Keep trying. ❣️

>Xzeon<