The Promise of Love

pte

A ORTE

nough rice left to cook for lunch later. This only

no mother or father to teach me the

rom childhood, and she took care of many other orphaned children like me. But th

follow her orders and do wha

o perform, but the heaviest res

e doing was wrong. However, we were poor,

a sixty-year-old woman. Despite her age, she still had strengt

me the longest, and I'd grow

e?" she asked, snapping me out of my

was a small woman who could easily be mist

all me. My full name is Dainara Ortega, a name given

t the world, thanks to the wo

her the large jar where we kept our ric

rice," she said

means, Nanay Malia

d by Mamu Cynthia, I couldn't. I didn't know

if it means doing something wrong," she said. Though she knew what we were d

five other girls were sleeping soundly. They were still tire

able. I tied my long, black hair-the same shade as the night sky and similar to Mamu's hair. I gra

ace. Not to brag, but I apparently had a

small home that Mamu had provided us. It was

ace seemed peaceful at first glance, it harbored darkness and greed. The surroundings

was also the barangay captain and had connections with h

as greeted by her guards outside. I didn't re

fee. Steam rose from the cup, and when she

a," she greeted with a smile, m

oved my shawl. She began com

ed softly, glancing at the

e made sure I got an education, thou

do you ask, hij

e, Mamu," I quickly sa

my age. But that wasn't her only job-she was also used a

he living room, weari

she asked r

five sacks of rice to her place. Include anything else s

order, I knew it meant she'd a

replied, bowing before lea

She often said Mamu treated me diff

ky. At least you didn't end up like us," sh

couldn't control Mamu's decisi

" I said, not waiting for her reply. I t

ay," Maceda added, her tone still condescending. Yes, you might have g

but I held my tongue. I k

ecessary things. If I have something

lia shouted, Maceda's friend. She even raised an ey

quested. I added some fruits as well. I might as well make

she was sitting on the bed, care

hing else?" I asked. Sh

e clothes. I bought these fro

and started picking. Blue, white, and red dominated the

he grabbed them to put in a paper bag.

kin will complement it," she said with a

you for these,

ed quite a lot. Consider this a gift, hija. Now, go

scarf on my head and lightly ta

can't explain. Is it a strange kind of ha

one of Mamu's men remarked as I passed by. I

r bag I was carrying. I had left the bag of sugar and

eone's presence. It seemed like they had been following

n, I knew they wouldn't harm me. Mamu herself woul

h even a strand of my hair. Perhaps that's why Marceda said Ma

ees to hear any footsteps on the d

k behind me. At that moment, someone cove

t. I knew Mamu would be furiou

natched away. Though I couldn't scream, I struggled to break free. I was

Contin