4 Two Broken Souls

"Good morning, ma'am!" my secretary greeted as soon as I entered the room. She was Khelij, a domestic violence victim I met in one of my visits to one of my two Foundations, The Refuge. It was a non- government organization established to give care and support to women and children who needed their help.

'Before Khelij found refuge in my foundation, she was tormented by her husband and brothers- in- law. In a society where men were superior to women, there's nothing she could do. At age 15, she was sold by her parents to a 40-year-old man named Makheli, a Shoe shop owner, to make ends meet. She relented only after Makheli agreed to let her finish at least high school. At a young age, she believed that education would be her tool to escape from her harsh environment. But all seemed bleak when she finally finished high school and had to keep her promise.

On the night of their wedding, her husband asked her to have a threesome with his brother--- to her horror!

She was just 16 and a virgin. She refused. But her strength was no match to the hungry beasts. Nevertheless, she fought with her might as they ruthlessly raped her.

"Now that we're married, I can do whatever I want with you. For me, you are just a toy!" her lewd husband told her before leaving her crying alone in a corner.

The assaults continued for a year that her strong facade began to crumble. She asked for help from her family, but they just told her to embrace her fate since she couldn't run away from it. What could a vulnerable 17-year-old do to protect herself from this misery if domestic violence was already woven into their culture?

Nothing! Like most of her girlfriends who were trapped in a brutal society, she was expected to submit to a deeply rooted violence and inequality.

But not her! "What is normal and accepted isn't always right or just." Throughout her stay with her husband, she orchestrated her escape even if it meant losing her life. At least she'd die trying.

One fateful dawn, an opportunity appeared on her face. Her husband came wasted the night before, so she decided to lock him up in their room after tying him up on their bed. Then, she ran as fast as she could in the dark without looking back until she fell unconscious in front of my building due to exhaustion and hunger.

After months of legal battles, hope and joy found her at last. Then, I asked her if she wanted to continue her education, she had to work as my secretary during the daytime and study at night, to which she agreed. So, she's been working for me for 3 years.'

I nodded at her.

"What's my schedule for today?" I asked when I sat on my swivel chair.

"You will have a meeting with the board of directors at 10 am. Then, a lunch meeting with the president of Diamond Drilling Enterprises. In the afternoon, you are attending an awarding ceremony in Gaelic Grand Hotel at 2 pm, followed by an interview with People magazine at 4," she replied.

"Okay," I said before gesturing her to go out.

She was at the door when she turned to me.

"By the way, Leonard called this morning asking whether he'll come here to pick you up or just wait for you at the restaurant," Khelij said.

I creased my brows before exhaling harshly.

"Damn! Is he insensitive or just plain stupid?" I grunted. I saw her press her lips to a single line, suppressing her laughter.

"What?" I asked, irritated.

She shook her head. Then, she walked out of the door. I could hear her let out a giggle as soon as she was outside my room. I was already used to her naughtiness so I just shrugged at her reaction.

As I was checking the documents on my table, my phone rang.

To my irritation, it was Leonard.

I took his call as I know that he wouldn't stop pestering me unless I talk to him.

"What?" I said uninterested in whatever he wanna say but as usual, he wasn't seem bothered by my lack of enthusiasm.

"Hi~ how are you?" he greeted joyously with his high pitch voice which I often compared to an out of tune violin.

"What do you want?! I am very busy," I answered.

"Sorry. I just wanna know about our date later," he said emphasizing the word "date".

"Ah~ you mean our meeting?" I corrected it. He was quiet for a while.

"Whatever you call it. Okay, I will pick you up around half past 4," he said, ignoring what I said.

"No~ I will meet you there," I said before ending the call.

"Bastard!" I exclaimed.

At the meeting, the manager from the advertising department was explaining our new strategy in promoting our products and services to our potential clients.

"Ladies and gentlemen, please look at these statistics. It clearly shows that our current advertising strategies don't appeal to millennials anymore," he explained.

"So we came up with a strategy. Knowing that most millennials are into adventure, we can give them a deal that they can't resist. We have to make our language school schedule flexible in accordance with the student's needs. For example, we can offer a package deal like studying plus two free travel and tours if they wish to stay for more than three months in the academy," he added.

"How about our finance? Do you think it can cover the cost?" I asked. He struggled to explain the details which irritated me more.

"Enough. Let's end it here. Let's meet again tomorrow," I said in an authoritative voice.

Khelij stood up as I rose from my seat and left the room.

"Mr. Borsky was just probably tensed with your apparent annoyance. That's why he mumbled a while ago," Khelij said as we walked to my office.

"Who cares~" I uttered sardonically.

"Right," she said. She already knew that I didn't wanna talk more.

"Anyway, when are you graduating?" I asked.

"Three months later, ma'am. And I know that this is too much to ask, but can you please attend my graduation ceremony? Your presence would mean a lot to me," she said, angling for my approval.

"I'll try. But no promises," I replied.

She couldn't contain her excitement and suddenly hugged me tightly.

"Oh! Thank you~ thank you so much! You are really my guardian angel!" she joyously, wiping her tears while hugging me tightly.