SIX

“You fucking whore!”

SLAP!

“Mom!”

I sprinted to where Ayle is. She was hugging her knees on the floor. Her body is shaking as I wrapped her into a hug.

“Stop protecting your sister! She needs a really good slap to wake her up!”

“Mom, stop! It won’t get you anywhere by hitting her!”

Mom was breathing heavily. She threw the baseball bat she was holding to the floor. Ayle flinched because of the loud thug as the baseball hit the ceramic. Did mom just hit her with that?

“Be honest with me. How many has she brought home while I’m away?”

“What are you talking about? Ayle didn’t bring anyone home.”

“You know I can check everything through the CCTV, right? I’ll ask you one more time, Alex. How many boys has she brought home?”

“No one, mom.” I answered straightforwardly. I’ve came prepared to this. An hour every night is enough to erase every suspicious moment recorded through the CCTV footage.

“Then who the fuck is that boy?!”

And again, Ayle flinched. She tighten her hug around me. “…Bryan. He…me f-food.” Ayle whispered in a small voice. I can barely hear her but I heard ‘Bryan’.

My shoulder relaxed. “It was Bryan, my colleague. I asked him to bring Ayle food since I’ll be home late.”

“I’ll let you pass this time. But if I found out you still whore around, you know I won’t hesitate to beat you up.” Mom turns her heels around and head to her room.

I was supposed to come back to a peaceful household, but I know it won’t happen as I saw mom’s car in the front yard. She was supposed to be back next week. She didn’t mention anything about coming home early. Is she trying to surprise us or what?

I rubbed Ayle’s back softly and wait for her to calm down. There’s bruises all over her calf.

“I swear it was really Bryan. He just came to give me food and leave.” Ayle said, looking up at me desperately. It hurts seeing my own sister has to beg for a trust from her own family.

“Shh, I know. I trust you.” I brushed her tears away, “let’s sit on the couch. I’ll get an ice pack and ointment for you. Okay?”

I placed my hand behind Ayle’s neck and the other one behind her knees. I carried her in bridal style and placed her on the fluffy sofa. I kissed the top of her head before heading to the kitchen. I got some ice pack and ointment in the drawer, and rushed back to the living room. Ayle tries to hold her sniffles as she is afraid mom will hear her.

“Come here.” I apply the ice pack to reduce swelling around her calf. “Don’t take a hot shower for the next three days, okay?”

Ayle cries louder than before. I sighed and set the ice pack on the table. I brushed the hairs covering her face and tucked it behind her ears.

“Did she hurt you anywhere else?”

Ayle shook her head slowly. She lied.

“Well?”

“She says I’m a whore.” Ayle whispered, in a very low voice. Right after that, Ayle cries harder. I quickly pull her into a hug. I can’t stand seeing my sister got abused physically and verbally by mom.

“It’s okay. I’m here. I won’t leave you alone when mom is around.” I whispered and keep rubbing her back.

“Let’s apply some more ice before you go to sleep. There’s a newly opened book store near my office. How about you go there tomorrow while I’m working?”

Ayle didn’t respond. I pulled out from our hug and get back to the ice pack.

Mom could kill her own daughter if she keeps on losing control like this. She didn’t even try to understand the situation and proceed to beat the shit out of Ayle.

--

“Mom? Can we talk?”

The bedroom door cracked open, revealing mom who is still in her office attire. She stepped aside to let me come inside her room. Her room is quite tidy, but not her working table. Papers are scattered all over her desk. On top of them, her laptop is still on. An excel full of numbers is displayed on the screen.

“It’s eleven and you are still working?” I said as I made way to her bed.

“Works can’t wait.” Mom took a sip of somewhat looks like coffee. “So, what brings you here?”

“Ayle.”

Mom didn’t say anything and keep her poker face, looking at me.

“I totally understand you are worried about her.” I said carefully, testing the water. Mom doesn’t show any response. I think it’s my cue to continue. “But you’ve hurt Ayle, mom.”

Mom snorted, “I’ve been gentle back then. But, it backfires me.”

“But it won’t change anything if you keep on beating her. You may get her traumatized.”

Mom threw her cup of coffee to the trash bin and folded both arms. Her eyes harden and narrowed, “are you trying to teach me how to raise my kids?”

“I’m not, and I’m sorry if you feel that way.” I sighed, “everyone makes mistakes, mom. Please, love Ayle like how you used to. She has gone through a lot.”

I literally choose every word wisely since I know I’m getting into mom’s nerves. Mom made her way towards me. As she lifts my chin up, I noticed her jaw tighten. Her raging eyes stared down, making me feel small. Mom never beats me, but still, seeing how bad Ayle got beaten, it makes me shiver.

Mom moves closer until her lips stay beside my left ear. “Do you know how hard I covered everything up when she got pregnant? If anything, you should help me to discipline your sister, instead of covering her. Do you know how much I’ll lose if I let her gave birth to the damn child?”

In an instant, the memory of two years ago, floods in.

--

“So, this is it?”

The tears welled up in my eyes suddenly burst out as I heard Ayle spoke.

I hugged my sister who is now laying on the plain white bed. She is wearing a blue clinic gown. Ayle just took her pain medicine. In less than ten minutes, the doctor will come to perform the abortion.

“I’m sorry.” I whispered while kissing her forehead repeatedly.

On the other side, Ayle looks lifeless. She didn’t show any emotion since we stepped in this clinic. She had enough of crying for these past two weeks. There’s no day without mom threatening to kill her. And no night without Ayle whimpering in her sleep.

It’s my fault to convince Ayle to come home. I was so naïve to believe mom will forgive her. I shouldn’t defend that fucking John when mom said she didn’t like Ayle’s boyfriend. I should’ve chased him away when he starts coming to our house when mom isn’t around.

Ayle is only seventeen. I should’ve taken a good care of her. If only I was being more attentive, Ayle wouldn’t be here. She wouldn’t get pregnant. Or worse, she wouldn’t have to abort her three months old baby.

The doctor cleared his throat to announce his presence.

“You should wait outside, Sir. It will only take up to fifteen minutes.”

I squeezed Ayle’s hand gently, “I’ll be waiting outside, okay?”

No response, as expected. I placed one last kiss on Ayle’s forehead before standing up. I walked towards the door without turning back. Because I know once I turned back, I won’t be able to let Ayle do this.

I heard a ‘click’ sound from the door as soon as I stepped out from the room. That’s when I break down. I hugged my knees, letting all the tears poured out.

Drrtt…

An unread message(s).

From: Mom

“Make sure she got her abortion done.”