Chapter 4 The Past

• “Sometimes the hardest part isn’t letting go but rather learning to start over.”
• Nicole Sobon.
• Anastasia’s POV
• “Anastasia, is that you?” I heard my mum's voice as soon as I entered our apartment.
• “Yes mum, I’m here,” I said, walking towards where she’s seated. I stopped by the store to get some groceries we needed at home.
• “How was your first day at work?” She asked in a soft voice,
• “It was good mama, still trying to get familiar with how things work there,” I explained to her as I sat beside her holding her hands.
• “I know you’ll do well. I’m not just pleased, it's a club that means you’ll work overnight all the time and lots of things can happen which I wouldn’t even know about,” she said with concern etched in her voice.
• “You worry too much mum, you know I can always take care of myself and I won’t be working overtime all the time, we will take shifts mom.” I assured her and she gave me a warm smile.
• “I just can’t help but worry, especially since your uncle and his son might find us, I’m scared Ana, I don’t want them to ever hurt you again,” she said.
• “It’s okay mum, they can’t do anything to us again. I'm not Anastasia from a few years ago. I won’t let them get away this time and I don’t think they will find us in this part of the town.” I assured her.
• “I’m sorry you had to go through all of that alone,” she said in a shaky voice.
• “I’ve told you several times to stop blaming yourself for whatever happened in the past. You’ve done more than enough taking care of the house.” I said, taking her hands into mine.
• She let out a deep sigh but didn’t say anything, so I decided to change the subject.
• “Your doctor’s appointment is this week,” I reminded her.
• “Oh, I almost forgot. Old age must be setting in already,” she said touching her head which made me burst into laughter.
• “That’s why you have me here to remind you, I’m here for you.”
• “But will you be able to go with me?” She asked.
• “I’ll find a way mama, I always do.” I told her
• “Are you sure?” She asked again, raising her eyebrows.
• “I'll be fine, Mom.” I said.
• “You’ve always been so strong and independent since when you were young, you’re the only reason I still have the will you live,” she said in a shaky voice.
• Tears pricked at the corners of my eyes, I hate to see my mum get all worried and worked up, most especially I hate to see her cry, it'll only worsen the condition of her eyes.
• “Don’t get me all emotional and mushy mama.” I said, swallowing my tears.
• “I know one day it’ll get better than this, I’ll keep praying for you,” she said.
• Even with the way our life is, my mom's faith and kindness is unwavering. Amidst all the darkness she still shone brighter than any light.
• “You know you still didn’t tell me why you left your old job,” she said out of the blue.
• Why would she even bring that up now, I really don’t want to lie to her.
• “I just wanted a job that will pay better,” I answered.
• “I doubt that’s your reason but I won’t push any further, I’m sure you have your own reasons Ana.” she said.
• I’m grateful that she got the memo even though she knows I’m hiding something from her but she still didn’t push it.
• “Thank you mum, I’ll go and freshen up now so I can make us some breakfast.” I said, standing up from where I’m seated beside her.
• “Okay bambito,” (bambito means baby or child in Italian) she said, chuckling at me.
• “You need to stop calling me that mum, I’m all grown now.”
• “You know I won’t stop and you are still my little baby,” she said with a smile.
• “You never let me win this mom, I’ll just keep being your bambito I guess.” I said laughing.
• “Is there anything you want for dinner?” I asked.
• “You just got back, you should rest, I'll be fine,” she said.
• “Don’t worry, I’m hungry as well so I will cook something real quick after changing.” I said, walking inside the room we share.
• We moved into this house about four years ago. It's not the most conducive if I’m being honest but I like it here since it’s more peaceful. Initially, we were staying at my father’s house which he had built a few years before he died, but his bastard brother thinks the house should be owned by him since my father didn’t leave a will behind.
• Sometimes I wonder why my father didn’t write a will but then it’s not like he knew he was going to die that night so it’s not his fault. After my father died, his brother Jack who’s a jerk and asshole moved in with his son who has the same gutter behavior as his father and since they moved in. Life has been so uncomfortable for my mother and I.
• I’m not even exaggerating when I say they made life so uncomfortable for us. They made sure they made our lives a living hell. I had to learn how life moves at a very young age, having to endure everything they did to me and put me through, I also had to look after my blind mother.
• I moved out of there four years ago with the money I saved from working different part-time jobs. They both made me end up this way, I was running away from their trouble and yet I landed even into a bigger one.
• This part of my life is something I hate to reminisce about but I seem to do a lot of that these days since they somehow found their way back into our lives, since they found out where we stay now. Of course they don’t come around often but the fact that they know where we stay scares me.
• To be honest I’m not scared because of myself but because of my blind mother who can’t defend herself. One thing I know is I would do anything to protect my mother. She has been through a lot since my father died.
• I won’t let what happened in the past happen again, history won’t repeat itself. I promised myself that much, that's why I took a very huge step by applying to work in that club.
• I stepped out of the bathroom, feeling refreshed. My hair was tied up in a ponytail, and I had slipped into a comfortable sweatpants and bra top.
• My next stop is the kitchen. I should cook up something quickly for my mum.
• As I cracked eggs into a bowl, the sizzle of the pan filled the air.
• “Scrambled eggs and toast, coming right up,” I muttered to myself.
• Just as I flipped the eggs, Mom's voice echoed from the living room.
• “Bambito, your phone's ringing!”
• “Coming mom,” I shouted.
• I wonder who’s calling me this late, it’s not like I have any friends. Thinking about it makes me nervous because I hardly receive calls, only my mum calls me when I’m not at home.
• I picked up the phone waiting for the person on the other line to speak but they said nothing.
• “Hello,” I finally said when the person refused to talk. It’s starting to look like we’re in a breathing competition
• “Hello Ana,” A male voice I recognized even in my dreams said from the other side. Now I’m in soup. I thought, holding my breath suddenly.