FOUR

“You are such a whore!”

Mom keeps on kicking Ayle on the corner of this room. I was tied dead to the chair and couldn’t move. I tried wiggling my whole being, so at least I could fall from the chair and crawl to Ayle. But no matter how hard I struggle, I feel like the rope is getting tighter around my hand and feet. I could only watch mom practically kill my sister.

Ayle curled up with both hands covering her face. She cries so hard that triggers mom more.

“I told you he isn’t a good man, yet you still ran away with him! You dumb bitch!”

SLAP!

Another hard blow landed on Ayle’s cheek. My sister is howling in pain. Mom looks like she is possessed. She didn’t even care with the blood running from the corner of Ayle’s lips. She keeps on slapping and calls her names.

“Mom stop! You are killing her!” I shout but nothing comes out. My throat is sore and I feel like losing my voice.

Mom grabbed a fistful of Ayle’s hair and pulled it near her. “Now, I want you to abort the baby. No one should know you’re pregnant. Am I making myself clear?”

“B…but mom-”

“Stupid bitch!”

I saw mom strangled Ayle’s neck with her right hand. Her veins are popping out. I can’t imagine how hard she squeezed my sister’s neck. Ayle’s hand is tapping the floor repeatedly, asking for mom to release her grip. Mom doesn’t seem to mind. Instead, she smiles and move closer to Ayle.

“You’ll kill the fucking baby, or I’ll kill you. Your choice.”

“MOM STOP!”

--

A loud buzz shook me up before my dream went too far. I glanced at the table clock, it shows a number of 9:00. I sit up leaning on my headbed before turning the alarm off. I checked on my phone and it has two missed call and a text from Bryan.

From : YDUM Bryan (8.15 AM)

‘I’m heading to your house for breakfast.’

I ignore his text because he is most likely here now. Who knows how many plates he has finished. I’ll kill him if he ate my portion.

Since my head is still pounding, I decided to lay here for some moments. I’m glad I didn’t drink much last night. I even manage to drive Bryan home. Now it makes me wonder how come he didn’t have a hungover? He was wasted last night.

Speaking of last night, I haven’t got her name yet. Why is it so hard for her to tell me her name? Should I go to the bar again tonight? If it wasn’t because of Bryan whining to go home, I could’ve waited for her shift to be done. And we could talk. We can introduce ourselves properly. Maybe I could ask what perfume did she use, I really like her scent. Don’t let me start with her toothpaste. She smells like mint. And those plump lips…

“Yo bro! Who got you smiling like that?”

Bryan loud voice breaks my thought. I saw him standing at my bedroom door, together with Ayle who is smirking at me. Those two must have been badmouthing me earlier. Remind me again why haven’t I banned that annoying little dipshit from coming to my house?

“You see that, Ayle?! He is probably thinking about that blonde, right my dear friend?”

“So, who is that girl, bro?” Ayle added. I can hear the teasing tone from her.

I scoffed and get up from bed, “stop feeding my sister your gossips, Bryan.”

Those two walk towards my bed. Ayle sit on it while Bryan stands behind her. It’s like he knows I’ll kick his butt once he got near me.

“At least tell us her name? I could help you find her background. You know girls could be a good FBI.” Ayle wiggles her eyebrows. “It’s been a while since you bring someone home.” She added.

Since my last breakup, I’ve never seen anyone. It’s been what? Three years I guess? I’m twenty-four and it’s getting somehow tiring to meet new people. Imagine going through such adjustments with someone new, meeting both families to see if we’re compatible, not to mention my mom is a hard pass. I’m not going through those tiring circles.

“I can already hear mom’s rejection.”

I stood up and walked towards my bathroom sink. I took my toothbrush and spread the toothpaste on top of it.

“Yeah, go live your boring life and lose chance on your potential lover. Just sit and wait until mom introduce you to one of her colleague’s daughter. Then get married because mom ASKED you to. Sounds like a great plan to be alive.” Ayle mocked.

I didn’t reply because she is right. Even my ex-girlfriend, Cindy, who is a straight A’s student and currently studying law, doesn’t pass her ‘standard’. It’s all because Cindy’s parents aren’t as wealthy as us. Well, we aren’t rich. But mom has worked hard as a single parent to make sure we have a good life. She just doesn’t want her kids to be used by another person. Moreover, after what Ayle’s ex did back then. She becomes extremely protective, sometimes it’s terrifying.

“Yeah, stop being such a pussy, man!” Bryan added.

That bastard knows everything. I accidentally spilled everything to Bryan about my family’s condition. It was the night after Ayle got her abortion done. I was really drunk that time. Actually, we were both drunk. I didn’t expect him to remember anything, therefore I talked my heart out. But the next day, he remembered every detail clearly. Lucky me, he is reliable enough and keep it to himself. Bryan isn’t the type to show his pity. And I’m really grateful for that.

After rinsing my mouth and washed my face, I glared at both annoying people. “Stop it, okay? She isn’t a match.”

Ayle heave a deep sigh and proceed to let out a fake smile. “Sure, continue being awfully obedient until mom realize she is such a psychopath for differentiating people because of their past.”

With that, my sister stomped out of my room. As we made eye contact, Bryan shook his head. He looked at me disappointedly before going out of the room.

I sighed and face the foggy mirror above the sink.

You are such a dick, Alex.