Inside the Cafe and Mia's Flashback

"Memories are always remembered, but some should have stayed hidden, buried deep within, for one to move on happily."

When they both walked to their seats, a couple in their direction seemed to be having an argument. Suddenly, the man stood up from his seat and slapped the lady! Everyone was shocked, and one of the waiters quickly ran to their table, but it was of no use. The man continued to beat the lady and shouted, "She is my wife, and I have a right to her. So back off!"

The lady, with tears streaming down her cheeks, tried to send away the waiter, pleading, "Please go. I am his wife! Don't make him even more angry." She sobbed, "Please go. Let me talk to him."

She turned to the man, her voice trembling, "Honey, let's go home, please," desperately trying to comfort him so they could leave the café.

The man shook off her hand and stormed out, but at the doorway, he turned back and shouted, "Go and pay. Next time, don't tell me that you don't have money. Go and clean the dishes or do anything to get the money, idiot!"

Mia, witnessing the scene, felt a surge of panic. This targeted her past trauma, and she began shaking, sweating, and crying uncontrollably. Her body and mind were all messed up, and she felt herself slipping back into the nightmare of her past. Memories she had tried to bury resurfaced, causing her to relive the horrors she had once escaped.

In the chaos, another waiter noticed Mia's distress and rushed to her side, gently guiding her to a quieter corner, away from the commotion. "It's okay, you're safe here," the waiter whispered, trying to calm her down.

Mia's friend, seeing her state, wrapped her in a protective embrace, her voice soft and soothing, "I'm here, Mia. You're safe now. Let's get you out of here."

As they slowly made their way out of the café, Mia's breathing began to steady, her friend's comforting presence grounding her back to the present. They left the café, determined to leave the traumatic scene behind and focus on healing together.

She had a flashback that she had tried so hard to forget, but it all came rushing back, overwhelming her with emotion.

Flashback,

I can't forget how my dad treated my mum. He did it openly, and it really hurt me. I was only 8 years old when he started to behave like an animal. Mum tried to cover for his mistakes, and I hated both her and him for it. Her covering for him, made him feel powerful enough to do whatever he wanted to her.

I remember the moments before everything went wrong, the brief instances when we felt like a normal family. Dad would take us out for ice cream, and Mum would laugh as if the world outside our small bubble didn't exist. Those were the moments I cherished, but they became fewer and far between.

I hated school because every child seemed happy, but my life was a living hell. There were cries, beatings, and blood. The contrast was unbearable. It became worse when Dad came into my room with a knife when I was 10 years old and tried to kill me. Mum fought him off and I was saved. The terror of that night still haunts me. 

He was so close to me, and I loved both of my parents, but he stabbed my mum. I can still hear her screams and see the blood. I called the police, and they arrested him. He was no longer my father; I didn't know who he was. He had no remorse or emotion in his eyes. It was as if the man who once smiled at me during our family outings was gone forever.

Despite everything, I remember the warmth of Mum's hugs and the soft lullabies she sang to me. Those memories are bittersweet, a reminder of what could have been. I promised God I would protect my mum no matter what happens. I hold onto that promise with every beat of my heart, hoping that someday, we can find peace.

"It has been 11 years, but I still fear that he might come back one day and hurt us, Mum!" Mia's voice trembled with worry. The shadows of the past loomed large, casting a pall over their hard-won peace.

"My child, come here. It's okay," her mum said, her voice trembling with emotion. "Your father is now with the Almighty, and I pray that he forgives him and that he lives a good life in heaven. I know it's hard, but we should forgive and forget, dear. Only then can we truly live a free and peaceful life."