Upon entering the room, I found Oteph already seated and enjoying his meal. The thought of my earlier actions still lingered in my mind, and I felt a deep sense of guilt for what I had done to our stepmother. However, I am only human and not without flaws. I also stand up for myself when I feel unjustly treated.
"This is delicious, Ate," exclaimed Oteph, brimming with excitement as he savored every bite.
"Of course. It was made especially for you. I knew you would relish this exquisite feast," I responded with a smile.
I couldn't help but notice that Oteph had devoured most of the Carbonara and fried chicken, which happened to be his all-time favorites.
"Why haven't you eaten yet, Ate? I thought we were going to dine together," he questioned.
"How can I dine with you when you've nearly polished off the food I brought?" I replied jokingly.
"Huh?" he was taken aback. "Sorry... it's just that the flavors are incredibly irresistible, Ate. I couldn't resist due to my intense hunger. I apologize, Ate," Oteph expressed with a hint of sadness. His eyes glanced at the nearly empty Carbonara plate before him.
"It's alright. That meal was intended just for you, Oteph. Besides, I had already eaten earlier, so it's perfectly fine that you finished it," I assured him.
Taking a seat beside him, I felt immense joy seeing his genuine enjoyment of the food I had prepared. I observed him continue to relish his Carbonara, releasing a satisfied sigh. He covered his mouth and looked at me. I met his gaze, and we both erupted into laughter together.
The delight in my heart was immeasurable as I witnessed him still finding reasons to laugh despite our circumstances. His laughter was like a harmonious melody to my ears, and I wished it would never fade away.
However, my smile vanished as soon as I heard Aunt Alma's voice in the living room. I knew that our father, Rudy had arrived, and he had already recounted the earlier events.
As expected, he once again sided with our stepmom. Within moments, I could discern the heavy thud of his footsteps nearing the front door of our room, with Oteph in tow.
Thud! Thud! Thud!
Dad forcefully pounded on the wooden door of our room.
"Andrea, come out of there! You shameless b*tch, come out so we can talk!" Dad shouted loudly, causing Oteph to jump in fear and swiftly cling to me.
"If you don't come out, I'll break down this door and drag you out of the house! I didn't raise you to be an unruly child! You will regret it!" Dad's voice resonated, growing louder and more intimidating.
This was the first time I felt genuine fear towards Dad. Though he often yelled at me, his anger had never been this intense. I had become accustomed to Daddy Rudy's outbursts, but this time felt different.
Oteph held onto me even tighter, trembling with fear. My little brother shook uncontrollably, overwhelmed by our furious father's shouts.
"So, you refuse to come out, huh?!" Daddy Rudy issued another warning.
Oteph was on the verge of sobbing, tightly clutching onto me. Even I was uncertain about what to do, especially since I was more concerned about my brother's safety than my own fear.
"Ssshhh... Don't be afraid, big sister is right beside you. I won't leave you." I whispered softly, my voice trembling.
KaBlagg!
The door of our room violently crashed down, slamming onto the floor. Oteph screamed in terror, startled by the sudden noise.
Dad Rudy, consumed by fury, burst into the room. Upon entering, he forcefully grabbed the back of my uniform and dragged me out.
"Dad, please don't! Dad..." Helplessly, those were the only words I managed to utter as his grip on my clothes overpowered me.
"Ate! Ate Andrea!" Oteph called out to me, her voice filled with panic.
Oteph ran towards us, desperately trying to shield me from our father's aggression.
Dad dragged me down the stairs by my uniform, causing me to nearly lose my balance. We reached the living room where he forcefully pushed me onto the cold, concrete floor. The excruciating pain shot through my body as my backside struck the unforgiving surface. For a moment, it felt as if all the air had been sucked out of my lungs, and my vision momentarily blurred.
I witnessed Oteph fiercely punching Dad's back in an attempt to stop him from hurting me.
"Don't hurt my sister! Don't hurt my sister! You're a bad man! Bad!" Oteph shouted, punctuating each word with her punches.
Dad grew angrier at Oteph, turning to face him.
"You're just another unruly child!" Dad exclaimed in a fit of anger, delivering a harsh slap across Oteph's face.
"Oteph!" I couldn't contain my scream upon witnessing Dad's actions towards him.
I mustered all my strength and forcefully pushed Dad away from Oteph. However, I didn't anticipate his hand landing on my cheek. My mind went blank, and I found myself falling to the floor once again. It felt as if tiny stars were swirling around me, and my vision blurred.
"Dad, please stop!" I cried, pleading with him.
Oteph's cries resonated, her voice calling out my name. Aunt Alma tightly held onto him, attempting to reach me.
"So, you think you're arrogant, huh? You have something to be proud of, huh?!" Dad's voice boomed as he pointed an accusing finger at me. "Are you planning to harm your Aunt Alma? Is that what you've learned in school? I don't know where you've inherited such stubbornness. I don't understand how you've become so street-smart! Have some shame and realize that I'm just providing for you! I wish you were never my daughter!"
My ears rang from the harsh words coming from my own father. I couldn't hold back my response any longer. "Yes... Dad, you're right. I wish you never had me as your daughter! And I also wish you weren't our father!" I retorted, filled with anger. It felt like I couldn't breathe, overwhelmed with frustration.
"What did you say?! What did you say, huh?!" Dad's voice resonated with fury, his trembling fist poised in front of my face, ready to strike.
"Go ahead! Is that what you're good at, Dad? If you regret having us as your children, then we regret even more having you as our father!" I boldly shouted at him, my voice echoing in his face.
My chest felt like it was about to explode from the intensity of my anger. I closed my eyes, bracing myself for the impact of Dad's clenched fist against my face. But it never landed. Instead, I witnessed his trembling hand right in front of me. Perhaps, deep down, Dad was still holding back from causing me more harm. I had experienced those fists striking my face countless times before, and ironically, they had only strengthened my resolve to face life head-on.
"Go ahead, Rudy! Discipline that delinquent, and learn how to respect!" Aunt Alma interfered. I caught a glimpse of a smile on her lips as Dad inflicted pain on me.
"What are you waiting for, Dad? Since my face has already become accustomed to your slaps and punches? If you don't want us, Oteph and I don't want you either! When have you ever acted like a father to us? We may be your children, but you've never made us feel like it. We don't know you anymore, Dad. We experienced the agony of losing our mother, which was already heartbreaking for both Oteph and me. But it turns out that an even greater pain is having our own father harm his own children! Dad, we're your children! Please start acting like a father to both of us, to me and Oteph!" I sobbed, pouring my heart out to him.
"Oh, so now this shameless one speaks, huh! Are you implying that I'm a bad father? That I haven't been good to you?! You have no manners! No gratitude!" Dad retorted angrily.
Once again, he yanked my collar with such force that it nearly tore. He dragged me out of our house, forcefully pushing me away.
"Leave! You show no gratitude! Never come back here!" He shouted as he distanced himself from me, making his way back into the house.
I noticed people outside the gate, their curiosity piqued by our commotion. Lights began to flicker on in neighboring houses, seemingly awakened by the intensity of our shouting.
As I approached the front door, my intention to retrieve Oteph from Aunt Alma, Dad pushed me out of the house once again.
"Leave and never return! You're not my daughter, and don't even call me Dad! I don't have a disrespectful child like you!" Dad shouted once more, his face now visibly flushed with anger.
In that moment, I felt utterly powerless. My mind was in disarray. Could our father's heart truly be so cold as to trade his own children for the sake of our stepmother, who despised us?
"Ate Andrea! Ate!" Oteph cried, desperately trying to come closer to me but held back by Aunt Alma.
"Oteph! Oteph!" I called out his name, attempting to reach him, but my father continued to push me away from the living room door.
"Alma, take Oteph inside! Hurry!" Father commanded our stepmother, seemingly pleased with the situation unfolding.
"I will take Oteph with me! I won't leave my brother!" I pleaded with Daddy Rudy, but his heart remained hardened towards his own children.
"Try to come any closer, and I solemnly swear I will strike you down again!" Dad warned.
I didn't care if Dad hit me repeatedly, as long as it protected Oteph. I would do anything for him. Even if it meant sacrificing my own life, as long as we were together.
"Ate! I don't want to stay here, Ate! Please don't leave me!" Oteph cried, her sobs breaking my heart.
"Hey Rudy, have mercy on your children! Show some compassion for the kids!" One of our neighbors shouted at Dad.
Dad looked at the person. "Old Rosa, mind your own business. Focus on your own family! Resolve your own family matters instead of interfering in someone else's!" Dad retorted to the elderly woman.
"Ate, I'll come with you! Don't leave me behind!" Oteph struggled, sobbing in Aunt Alma's arms.
Oteph bit Aunt Alma's hand, causing her to scream in pain. Aunt Alma, in response to the biting, released Oteph. Without wasting a moment, Oteph ran towards me, but Dad caught up with him, picking him up helplessly.
I rushed towards Dad, intending to take Oteph away from him, but he swiftly entered the house with my crying and struggling sibling. Once inside, Dad promptly locked the door, leaving me outside, pounding on the door with my hands.
"Oteph..." I cried out, banging on the wooden door of our house. "Give me back my brother!"
Suddenly, I felt a gentle hand tapping my shoulder. I turned to see the person behind that hand, and as I had expected, it was the wrinkled face of a woman standing in front of me. Tears streamed down her face as she embraced me tightly.
"Calm down, my child, calm down. Your father will come to his senses regarding what he's doing to you and Oteph," our kind neighbor, Lola Rosa, said in a soothing tone.
"I need my brother. I will take Oteph with me!" I repeated my plea to her. I couldn't bear the thought of leaving my brotyer behind, with Dad and Aunt Alma.
"Ssshhh... Calm down, Andrea. Stay with us temporarily while your father is not in his right mind. That woman, that witch, has poisoned his thoughts!" Lola Rosa expressed, clearly agitated.
The elderly woman looked into my eyes and wiped away my tears. Then, her gentle fingers touched my lips, softly wiping away the dried blood. I hadn't noticed before that one of my teeth had been fractured by the force of Dad's strong slap.
I wouldn't leave Oteph behind without taking action. I could only think of one way—the best course of action to retrieve Oteph from Dad.
Breaking free from Lola Rosa's embrace, I pleaded with my eyes, seeking her understanding. Without hesitation, I swiftly ran along the street, even without wearing shoes.
Tears continued to flow down my face, not only from the pain in my backside, the stinging sensation on my swollen cheek, and the fractured tooth caused by Dad's slap, but also from the intense anger I felt toward my father. I could never forgive him.
I made my way through the quiet street I had passed only moments ago. I was determined to do what was right for my brother and his well-being.
As exhaustion took its toll, I finally arrived at the place I knew would provide help for Oteph and me. Stepping into the police station, I was immediately greeted by two women who were deeply concerned upon seeing my swollen face and fractured tooth.