2 MOTHER

"Go out on the veranda you little piece of shit!" Those words were still clear on my mind as if she was just by my side. That person habitually curses at me whenever she sees my face, because I am a nuisance.

Really, what is a mother? For others, a mother is a protector, a disciplinarian, a friend, and a person who would love you unconditionally. But for us, a mother is just a woman who feeds you trash, beats you up for stress relief, and sells you to different kinds of persons to do sickening sexual acts.

As long as I can remember, my brother and I were like dogs. We never had a proper meal, but we needed to do the chores in our house. Because I can't clean enough, I always get beaten by mother. But what can you expect on a seven-year old boy? Nothing, right? But she doesn't seem to understand that. She would often slap my face, or kick me on my stomach while yelling at me. And when I get some bread to eat with my little brother, she would get angry at me and she'll tie my hands with a cable tie for a few days until my wrist gets wounded. And as I grow older, her means just became worse.

In my memory, mother's face is enough to make me shiver. She was a demon. No, she's more than that.

That's why, when Gili suddenly mentioned about 'mama', my body was instantly filled with terror, as her face resurfaced on my head.

"Haru?" I heard a female voice calling out to me, but I was too scared to answer. Then, I heard footsteps coming from the stairs, as it moves closer to where I am.

I swallowed dryly as I turn my head around, looking for a place to hide. Then, my eyes caught the window adjacent to me. Without a thought, my legs had automatically moved by themselves and I ran towards it.

As soon as I opened the window and my feet touched the window ledge, the summer breeze brushed on my face and the bright sun greeted me with its warmth, while the lovely sea reflected its light. I was surprised and mesmerized by the scenic view in front of me, that I forgot my reason for opening the window.

"Oh, my god, Haru!" Mother shrieked the moment she saw me at the window.

I was startled by her, and remembering that she's coming for me, I panicked, that I lost my footing.

"Uwaaah!"

As I was falling, I saw a well-built man wearing a straw hat while watering the plants with a hose. I didn't get to see his face though, since I fell swiftly.

I shut my eyes tightly, expecting that I'd hit the ground, but I didn't. It was because I was saved by the muscle-man lying under me like a cushion.

"I… I'm sorry!" I uttered out of reflex as I moved off him.

Other than my mother, I am also terrified with burly men. They hit me harder, and the pain is incomparable.

"Haha! This bitch's a tough one." They would laugh at me while they hit me with a stick.

Aside from hitting me, those men would also regularly come in our apartment to drink and do their pot sessions.

Then, whenever they get so high, they would call for me and pay some money to mother so that I would entertain them. Sometimes, they would dress me up like a girl, or a bunny boy. Other times, they would make me dance naked. If I was too shy to do it, they would start injecting or feeding me love drugs. Then after I get turned on, they will start shoving strange things up my buttocks, before taking me from behind until I pass out.

I loathed myself for doing such lewd things, but whenever I try to refuse, they would threaten to have my little brother do it instead. So I had to endure it all for my brother's innocence.

My body trembled in fear and I even felt slight pain coming from my body as I remembered how those men had molested and pummeled me when I talk back at them. My stomach churned in disgust and hatred, and I felt chills even though I could feel my sweat on my forehead.

"Haru…" The man spoke, and I saw him raising his hand.

Horrified, I yelled, "I am sorry! I won't do it again!" while I hid my face with my crossed arms. I know that no words could ever save me, but still, It's all that I can do.

However, contrary to my expectation, the man didn't hurt me in any way. Instead, I felt his arms wrapping around me.

Due to intense fear, I was muddle-headed and my memory is a mess. Thus, I started mistaking him as one of those guy.

"No! Go away! Don't touch me!" I flailed and kicked as I tried to escape from him.

Right now, my body is that of a kid, but I'm sure that my kicks still stung, and I had my nails scrape his shoulders. However, even though I hurt him, he didn't let go. "It's fine, Haru. Father's here now. No one's going to hurt you."

The large man embraced me tightly and kissed my head while one of his hand patted my back, as if he's lulling a baby. "Ssshhh… It's fine now… Don't worry."

His warm, baritone voice, laced with genuine concern was obvious, even for me. And strangely, I didn't feel repulsive towards his actions. If anything, his embrace and his assuring words had calmed me down.

"Haru, are you alright?" along with hurried footsteps, a female voice echoed from inside the house.

My body stiffened and I curled my body in a ball, while hiding my head. I know. She shouldn't see my unsightly face, or else, she'll hit me again.

"Haru, honey, what's wrong?" judging from her voice, she's now beside me. This is bad. I will be hurt. I want to run.

Just then, I felt her soft hands on my head. I freaked out and I instinctively slapped her hand.

I was shocked with what I did.

I am aware of what will happen next. If I ever try to go against her, she will punish Gili!

"I… I'm sorry!" I hastily said as I fearfully glanced up at the woman in front of me. "Please just hit me ba—"

I didn't get to finish my sentence as I finally saw her face.

She… is... not mother.