Whispers of the Past

A little girl of about eight years, hiding at a corner, clutching onto a white teddy bear. Her body trembled in fear. As tears kept swimming down her little cheeks.

She watched as her daddy beat her mommy, giving her heavy punches. She wants to help, but fears also being hurt. All she can do is pray silently for him to stop.

"You shameless woman, I gotta kill you today" Daddy said and gave Mommy a heavy hit on her stomach, causing her to cough out blood.

Mommy didn't say a word nor did she fight back, she just let him hit her as he went.

He continued hitting her non-stop until he was satisfied before he stopped and went to his room, leaving her in the pool of her blood.

Seeing that her Daddy had gone to his room, she threw away her teddy and run to her mom.

"Mom, sorry.... You are badly hurt?" the little girl said as she used her little hands to wipe the tears on her mom's face.

"Am not hurt, mommy is okay" The woman said trying to fake a smile.

Tears flowed down from the little girl's eyes, she shook her little head and said "I know you are in pain, I know it hurts, and I hate Daddy for that. Mom, please let's run away".

The woman used her hand to cover the little girl's mouth from saying anything again.

"Don't ever say that, he is your Father. You can't hate him".

Cough!!!

She coughed out more blood and continue talking "please don't ever say that you hate your father"

"But mom, why is Dad different from other Daddies?, Clara father do take her to mall, but Dad never do, he just hit me every time" the little girl cried

"Don't worry everything will be alright, soon Dad will show you all the love you want but don't hate him. He will always remain your Dad" The woman said and pulled her into a hug.

I'm Isabella, but everyone calls me Bella. I have a younger brother, Henry, who was kidnapped shortly after birth and never found. I grew up in a household where my father, Michael, abused my mother, Aria, and me when I tried to intervene. I have urged my mother to leave, but she always refuses. My father's actions have led me to despise him and wish he didn't exist. He treats my mother like a punching bag, and their marriage is far from loving.

===

One fateful day, I returned home from school to find my mother's lifeless body sprawled on the floor, her eyes frozen in a permanent stare. My father sat beside her, his eyes red-rimmed from crying, clutching a drink as if it were a lifeline.

I stood there for a few minutes, not understanding what was happening. Why is Dad crying? This was my first time seeing his tears, I never knew he cried too. And why is Mom not moving?

I slowly walked to Mom and tried waking her mom "Mom, Mom, open your eyes"

"What did you do to my Mom?" I yelled at my Dad, not minding if he would hit me.

He did not say anything as he continued crying.

"Mom, please open your eyes and stand up" I cried trying to drag her up

"Stop, she is dead" that was the words he said

I slowly let go of her, feeling my world crumble. At the age of eight, I knew the meaning of death. It means I'm not going to see mom again. She is gone forever!!!

Dad stood up and dialed a number, I guess it was the police.

"Micheal calling from 13th St., I just killed my wife" He said and let the phone fall off from his hand as he broke into tears again.

A few minutes later, the police arrived and took Dad away. Before he entered the car, he turned back and looked at me with tears in his eyes and said, "Bella, I am sorry. I know I am not a good father, I hope you forgive me...please take care of yourself".

He turned to granny and said, "Please take care of her...."

Granny gave him a slap and even wanted to slap him more, but the police held her back, "You son of a bitch.... Why did you kill my daughter?"

I watched as he entered the car and they drove away.

******************************

Bella was curled against the well, she refused to eat or talk to anybody. Alex and Mia, who is her cousin, had tried to make her laugh but failed at it. Bella had completely withdrawn herself from other children. She no longer plays or speaks to anyone, she just wants to be alone.

She buried her face in her Keel and began to cry again. Realizing that her mother was gone forever gripped her soul, causing an unending ache in her heart. If only her mother had agreed with her, and they had managed to escape, perhaps she would still be alive today.

"Bella, please stop crying. You are hurting me with your tears" Alex said, kneeling in front of her.

Bella did not say anything as she continued sobbing. "Bella, please look at me"

She lifts her face, facing Alex, "I want to be alone... I don't want to play"

"Look, Bella, I want you to stop crying. I feel bad seeing you sad and crying every day" Alex said, tears flowing down his cheek.

"Yes Bella, we want you happy again" Mia said, hugging her from beside.

Granny walked in seeing the children trying to console Bella.

"Are you still crying, Isabella?" Granny said, and moved to where they were, with a look of concern on her face.

Softly, Bella whispered, "Granny, please, I need to see my mom... I miss her so much." Her words hung heavy in the air,

They were silent for some while as no one knew what to say.

"Oh ... . Bella'' Granny took Bella's trembling hand and led her to the couch.

"Please Granny, I want to see my mom," Bella pleaded through her tears, her longing echoing in the room.

Granny remains silent, thinking of what to say to the sad little girl.

"What can I do to see my mom again, even if is once, please"

"Shhh...if you continue crying. Your Mom won't be happy, she will be sad" Granny said hoping her words will make her stop crying.

"But I just want to see her" she said

"It's alright.... I'm here for you" Granny said and embraced her.

Mia hurried into the room, her arms filled with various toys. Excitedly, she exclaimed, "Bella, look what I have!" However, her joy quickly faded as she noticed Bella in tears once again.

"Bella, you are still crying" she said and threw the toys away as she started to cry too.

"Look... we are all sad because you are crying. Bella, please, we want you to be happy again. See Mia is crying too" Granny said.

Bella looked at everyone, she felt guilty that she is the reason they are sad and crying.

"I'm sorry Granny, I won't cry again"

"Good girl ... .it alright Mia, see Bella is not crying anymore"

Mia wiped her face, "Okay" she sniffed after making sure that Bella had stopped crying.

Alex sat next to Bella, holding her hand. "It's alright, we are all here for you and I will take care of you, I promise"

"Me too, I will get you lots of ice cream and chocolate" Mia added

Granny laughed at the kid's words.

"See everyone loves you, so be happy. We are your family"

Bella smiled and everyone felt happy seeing her smile.

"Granny, can you make cookies for us? Please" inquire Mia with a pleading expression.

"Of course, my dear. I would do anything for my beloved grandchildren," Granny playfully replied.

"And who will be assisting Granny in the kitchen?" she inquired.

"Me!!!" exclaimed the three kids in unison.