Dainara... I whispered her name when I saw her. My strides grew larger as I tried to approach her. She was wearing a black hoodie, unzipped to reveal her tear-streaked face. Her eyes darted around, lost and fearful, as though unsure where to go. Dainara... It was as if she heard me. Her gaze met mine amidst the crowd under the dim evening light. Despite the many people disembarking the ship, she was the only one I noticed. Her sweet smile pierced through me, quickening my heartbeat. Just that single smile was enough to unsettle my soul. I smiled back, closing the distance between us, our eyes locked on one another. But my smile faltered as a small red laser light appeared on her chest. Dread gripped me. Without wasting a moment, I dashed toward her. Her brow furrowed in confusion as she noticed my frantic approach-but I was too late. A sniper's bullet struck her chest. Time slowed as I saw the blood spray and her radiant smile fade. She collapsed onto the pavement, narrowly missed by the frantic crowd. Chaos erupted, but I was deafened by the pounding in my chest. Fear rooted me in place, afraid to touch her, afraid to hurt her further. But the fear of losing her outweighed everything. "Leon..." she whispered weakly. I dropped to my knees and cradled her trembling body, my hands shaking as her blood soaked them. Desperately, I tried to stem the bleeding. "D-Dainara..." Tears streamed down my face as I cried out for help. "Call an ambulance! Someone, please!" "Leon..." she murmured again, her lips pale, her breathing labored. She clutched my shirt tightly. I held her close, pressing her to my chest. "Is she pregnant?" a woman in the crowd gasped. My heart sank as I noticed the blood pooling beneath her. Was it possible? My voice trembled as I looked at her. "Dainara..." "The... our child?" she choked out. The agony in my chest deepened, and all I could do was cry. "I'm sorry, Dainara..." I kissed her forehead repeatedly, my tears falling onto her pale face. "L-Leon..." "Please, hold on," I begged her. "Am... am I dying, Leon?" she asked, her voice faint. "No! That won't happen! It can't!" I shouted, refusing to accept it. She smiled weakly before coughing up blood. I wiped it away, but it wouldn't stop. "Fight, please! Stay with me!" I pleaded, but her eyelids grew heavy, her breathing shallow. "Leon... she's gone. I'll be gone too..." "Stop it, Dainara! Don't say that!" I cried desperately. "Is Manila... beautiful?" she asked softly, her words faltering. "This is Manila..." I stammered, barely able to respond. "I... I want to stay here longer..." she said, her bloodstained smile breaking me completely. "Then live! Live if you want to stay!" I shouted. "I want to... I want to be with you longer... Even if you love someone else now, I still want to be with you. But... I also want to see our child again... It's my fault... it's my fault they're gone..." "It's not your fault, Dainara. Please, don't speak anymore. Just promise me... promise me you won't let go..." I begged, clutching her freezing hand. "I... I don't know if I can..." she whispered as her strength faded.
Chapter 1 Daina's First Introduction
Chapter 1
DAINARA ORTEGA'S POV
I sighed deeply upon realizing that I didn't have enough rice left to cook for lunch later. This only meant one thing-I'd have to sell illegal drugs again.
I didn't grow up with parents. I had no mother or father to teach me the difference between right and wrong.
Since I was a baby, my parents sold me to a syndicate. A plump woman raised me from childhood, and she took care of many other orphaned children like me. But this wasn't out of kindness-it was because we were useful to their illegal business.
Out of gratitude, we had to follow her orders and do whatever tasks she assigned us.
Each child had specific tasks to perform, but the heaviest responsibility was delivering drugs.
At a young age, I already knew what we were doing was wrong. However, we were poor, and this was the only way for us to survive.
Our home was an old bamboo hut. I lived there with Nanay Malia, a sixty-year-old woman. Despite her age, she still had strength. She was trusted by Mamu Cynthia, the leader of the syndicate.
Nanay Malia had taken care of me the longest, and I'd grown close to her over the years.
"Nana, why are you just standing there?" she asked, snapping me out of my thoughts. I turned to her and smiled.
Nanay Malia was wearing a white duster. She was a small woman who could easily be mistaken for a child if not for her white hair.
Nana-that's my nickname, and it's what most people call me. My full name is Dainara Ortega, a name given to me by Mamu Cynthia. Ortega is also her last name.
I've learned many things about the world, thanks to the woman who raised us-Nanay Malia.
"We're out of rice," I told her, showing her the large jar where we kept our rice. She nodded and began brushing her hair.
"Ask Cynthia for rice," she said, and I frowned.
"You know what that means, Nanay Malia," I replied sadly.
As much as I wanted to leave the syndicate led by Mamu Cynthia, I couldn't. I didn't know any other job aside from what I was doing now.
"Well, there's nothing we can do about it. We'll starve if we don't act, even if it means doing something wrong," she said. Though she knew what we were doing was wrong, she never stopped or scolded me. That was always her reasoning.
I just nodded and sighed. I went up to my small room, where five other girls were sleeping soundly. They were still tired from their errands yesterday, so I decided not to wake them.
I changed into a blue dress with long sleeves. Though I looked a bit awkward in it, it was comfortable. I tied my long, black hair-the same shade as the night sky and similar to Mamu's hair. I grabbed my black shawl from the clothesline and draped it over my face, as Mamu Cynthia had instructed.
According to her, I needed to cover my face. Not to brag, but I apparently had a beauty worth showing off-or so they said.
I put on an old pair of slippers and left the small home that Mamu had provided us. It wasn't in disrepair, as it was often maintained.
We lived in a remote province far from the city, somewhere in Mindanao. Though the place seemed peaceful at first glance, it harbored darkness and greed. The surroundings were beautiful and full of life, but they were tainted by Mamu's illegal activities.
Mamu Cynthia wasn't just the leader of a syndicate; she was also the barangay captain and had connections with higher syndicate groups. This was the world I grew up in.
As I made my way to Mamu Cynthia's house, I was greeted by her guards outside. I didn't respond and simply walked inside to look for her.
I found her in the living room, sipping coffee. Steam rose from the cup, and when she saw me, she set it down on the small table.
"My most beautiful ward, Dainara," she greeted with a smile, motioning for me to come closer.
I sat on the sofa as she removed my shawl. She began combing my hair with her fingers.
"Are you busy, Mamu?" I asked softly, glancing at the table cluttered with papers.
I learned to read because of her. She made sure I got an education, though it only went as far as high school.
"Not really. Why do you ask, hija?" she replied.
"I need to ask for rice, Mamu," I quickly said. She chuckled softly.
"Maceda!" she called out to her housemaid, who was around my age. But that wasn't her only job-she was also used as a prostitute. Thankfully, Mamu never forced me into that.
Maceda hurried into the living room, wearing an unusual outfit.
"Yes, Mamu?" she asked respectfully.
"Go with Dainara to the rice storage and help her carry five sacks of rice to her place. Include anything else she might need, along with some viands," Mamu instructed.
Whenever Mamu gave this kind of order, I knew it meant she'd assign me a difficult task soon.
"As you wish, Mamu," Maceda replied, bowing before leading me to the storage room.
I could sense Maceda's resentment. She often said Mamu treated me differently, and even I didn't know why.
"You may look poor, Dainara, but you're lucky. At least you didn't end up like us," she said sarcastically. I chose not to respond.
I had nothing to say about it-I couldn't control Mamu's decisions, nor did I understand them.
"I'm grabbing some sugar and coffee too," I said, not waiting for her reply. I took what I needed and placed it in a bag.
"This is probably better. At least you'll have delicious meals every day," Maceda added, her tone still condescending. Yes, you might have good food, Maceda, but you're the one being served up to Mamu's clients.
I wanted to tell her that, but I held my tongue. I knew it would only anger her.
I'm not the type to argue or say unnecessary things. If I have something to say, I only express it in my mind.
"Dainara! Before you leave, go to Mamu's room!" Carlia shouted, Maceda's friend. She even raised an eyebrow at me. I just pursed my lips and said nothing.
Three of Mamu's men were assigned to deliver the rice I requested. I added some fruits as well. I might as well make the most of this opportunity since it doesn't happen often.
When I entered Mamu's large room, she was sitting on the bed, carefully examining a pile of clothes.
"Mamu, do you need anything else?" I asked. She quickly turned to me.
"Come here, Dainara. Pick some clothes. I bought these from the thrift shop," she said.
She's the one who usually buys my clothes, so I went in and started picking. Blue, white, and red dominated the selection. I don't like black-it's too dark for my taste.
"I'll take these, Mamu," I said, and she grabbed them to put in a paper bag. However, she also added a black dress.
"This will suit you, Dainara. Your fair skin will complement it," she said with a smile. I couldn't argue, so I just nodded.
"What do I owe you for these, Mamu?" I asked.
"Nothing. We had a good deal last night, and we earned quite a lot. Consider this a gift, hija. Now, go home and don't wander around, understood?" she said.
I nodded again. She adjusted the scarf on my head and lightly tapped my cheek. I smiled and left.
Whenever I'm with Mamu, I feel something I can't explain. Is it a strange kind of happiness? I don't know-I can't figure it out.
"Dainara! You're getting even more beautiful!" one of Mamu's men remarked as I passed by. I frowned at the comment but chose to ignore it.
As I stepped outside, I tightened my grip on the paper bag I was carrying. I had left the bag of sugar and coffee earlier. Mamu's men would handle its delivery.
Now, back to what's happening at the moment. I felt someone's presence. It seemed like they had been following me for a while, and I could sense their watchful eyes.
I quickened my pace. If they were one of Mamu's men, I knew they wouldn't harm me. Mamu herself would deal with anyone who dared to approach or hurt me.
When I reached the legal age, Mamu warned everyone not to touch even a strand of my hair. Perhaps that's why Marceda said Mamu treated us unfairly. I held a higher status compared to them.
I deliberately walked under the trees to hear any footsteps on the dry leaves scattered on the ground.
I walked faster and finally turned to look behind me. At that moment, someone covered my mouth, preventing me from screaming.
Fear and panic gripped my chest. I knew Mamu would be furious if she found out about this.
I tried to use the paper bag in my hand as a weapon, but it was quickly snatched away. Though I couldn't scream, I struggled to break free. I was certain the attacker was a man because of the strong scent of his cologne.
To Be Continued...
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