Aretta & Secrets

Mama's Amusement

I glanced at the clock in the bottom corner of the computer.

"I'll go home first. Thank you for helping me bring music here" I said. He nodded and finally took me back out. We ran together again to go home. This time Aidan took the lead because I was unfamiliar with this area. I never ran here.

After half an hour, we finally reached where Aidan parked his car. We were both panting.

"Thank you" I said again as I managed to catch my breath.

"Either. Want to run again tomorrow?"

I looked quickly at him. I thought it was just this once but he asked again. If I refuse I still have to exercise every day, I decide to agree and nod. It made him smile.

"When I see you tomorrow at the store," he said before taking the car keys out of his pants pocket and starting to open the door.

"Bye Aidan!" I shouted, while running to the front door of the house and going inside. I peeked at him through the window and smiled as he looked to be chuckling.

When I turned around, I immediately jumped in shock.

There's Mama there.

He stood with his arms crossed and eyes reddened. Looks like Mama's drinking again because I can smell the alcohol from her body where I'm standing. My face did not look happy.

"Who is that guy?" charge it with a sharp tone.

"Nobody" I replied slowly.

Mama immediately came forward and looked at me intimidatedly. He pulled my hair until my head looked up.

"Don't lie! Mama saw the man."

"Aretta doesn't understand what" I was cut off when Mama punched me in the left eye. The pain spread all over my head. I had to hold my head so as not to mess with the wall and also hold my balance so as not to collapse.

As I focused on my head, Mama used this opportunity to kick my shin which resulted in me falling and falling on the floor. I started crying when Mama kept kicking me in the stomach and she screamed loudly to curse me.

"Jawab Mama Who is she! You want to be***** yes?"

Mama still demanded that I answer with her position constantly sending me kicks. In such a position I will not open my mouth. I prefer to protect myself first.

"Look at what you've done! Beresin!" he said while stepping away. He did not care about my circumstances and continued to stagger into his room.

I was left alone on the floor and tried hard to breathe on my own which every pull felt like there was a knife stuck in my ribs. I think that part's got a crack.

On the cold floor I lay. I couldn't move my body and I ended up in that position all night. I don't even remember how I fell asleep.

"Lo why?" Someone woke me up and when I opened my eyes, I was still in the same position when I fell last night. I looked up to look up and found Gio standing there.

I rolled over my body and tried to ignore the terrible pain.

"Ugg." I hissed spontaneously because it was not strong with the pain that attacked. I can feel Gio holding my elbow to help me stand up. I don't know what's been going on. Usually if I see me in such a condition he will just let it go and act as if he does not see. What if last night he witnessed for himself how cruel Mama was when beating and kicking me.

"Lo looks like a mess, really messy" he said cynically.

"Thank you" I muttered and staggered slowly towards the bathroom. I forced myself to shower carefully. Cleansing my body of the sweat I made thanks to last night's run. I took a shower sitting on the toilet because I couldn't stand. I felt the pain was like a knife. Actually I've never experienced anything like it and this is just my assumption.

I moved quickly because I still had to go to work. After taking a shower, getting dressed, and getting ready to leave, I immediately stepped slowly to get out. I know he's still watching me, just I don't know what he's thinking. I feel lucky because he didn't bother me this morning. I've not had much time and if he bothers me with his strange questions I'm not sure I'll arrive at work on time.

I tried to walk as normal and as comfortable as possible, but it pressed my wounds even more. I can still endure it because such blows are not my first time but not the pain in my ribs.

I used to experience something similar. Falling from a height due to the mischievous actions of other children. They left me just like Mama did last night. I was trying hard to drag myself home. Mama still cared about me and she took me straight to the hospital for a check-up. The doctor's verdict says if two of my ribs are broken.

This pain is the same as the pain at that time, but this time it is more severe. I tried to suggest to myself that the pain was not bothering me and it was not making me enjoy all the beautiful scenery I was passing.

My Sunday morning was destroyed in an instant.

My steps stumble.

I was even afraid to take a big step. I glanced at my watch. It's 20 minutes late and I hope there are still no visitors coming to the store.

It turns out my guess was wrong. I immediately rushed in, even I had difficulty stepping forward towards the counter because it was full of this store. My body was pushed back and it caused the pain to come back because there were hands that accidentally touched my ribs. I had to sigh slowly which made me grimace even more. I raised my head, preventing my tears from falling.

"Aretta! Where are you from?!" I heard Aidan's voice yelling from behind the counter. It seems like he used a mini staircase to search for my presence within the crowd.

The queue stretched from counter to door and until it turned filled the empty space around the bookshelf. I immediately walked again to the counter ignoring my pain, because the main thing now is to work. I pray in my heart that I will not be fired. It's only the second day and I've dared to come late. If I hadn't gotten lost, I would have come on time like before.