Chapter 1

Chapter 1

Laurina's POV

"Mom, mom. Watch out". I screamed at my mother that was on a call with my elder sister, crossing the road without watching.

And that's when it happened. 

The car came driving into my mother with full speed, lifting her off the ground and causing her to crashing down back into the floor, head first.

Blood seeping through the crack on her head and that was when it started raining heavily. 

I walked to my mother with shaky hands from both fear and cold. I knelt beside her, drowning down the noise of people screaming and calling the ambulance.

"Mom?". I said, my voice cracking. "Mom, you can hear me, right?". I said, reaching out to her.

Eyes closed, red liquid soaking her hair and the rain washing it off, no moving and turning pale. The commotions from the accident drowned out as I couldn't believe someone I saw smiling this morning was turning pale.

The ambulance came, and carried her out. I was left there, not moving, not believing what I just saw.

"Mom. Mom!!". I screamed, running behind the ambulance that had left me there after calling my sister.

I continued running, my eyes blur but my heart was heavy, hoping to reach it somehow, until my legs gave out.

"Mom. Mom". I sat there, crying.

"Rina, Rina". I heard my name. 

What?.

"Rina, wake the fuck up". I heard my sister's voice. I jumped up, my face wet.

Sweat on my forehead. A familiar feeling of loneliness and sadness setting in.

"Heather?". I asked, looking around and seeing the rays of sun creeping into my room.

"You had the nightmare again. Get up, you'll be late for school". She said and left, looking at my sympathetically.

I breathed out. 

You can do this, Rina. I said to myself, slapping my cheeks, lightly.

I got up, showered and got dressed. Today was just gonna be simple. Black hight waist jean with a crop hoodie and a sneakers.

I got downstairs after curling my dark auburn hair. I eat breakfast and quickly left for school. I was already thirty minutes late.

I drove to school and quickly went to my lecture theater. 

"Hi babe". My boyfriend greeted me.

Josh and I have been dating for two years now, we've really been doing okay with each other. I loved him so much and to think he was the first guy to actually have sex with me.

I could see the joy and pride on his face, when he found out.

"Hey, Josh". I said, and kissed him on the lips.

"You're late". He said, the quite obvious.

"Yeah, don't rub it in". I said, light-heartedly.

I took the seat on he second row while he sat beside me, bringing out our laptops and getting ready for the class. Our professor came in ten minutes later.

So, technically I wasn't late.

"So what are you doing after school?" Josh asked, his hand on my shoulder.

"Well, I have a night shift but you can crash in at my place. My sister will be around to keep you company till I get back"I offered, smiling.

"Sure thing, babe, as you wish" He said and kissed my cheek and went to his car.

Okay. Two hours today and I'm done. 

I tried comforting myself but I knew it was a waste of time, as my head kept shaking on my laps as I gripped the steering impossibly tighter than before, as I drove to the fancy restaurant I work at.

I love working here because the pay is good and we also do outdoor jobs. We get to go to big events and some of us even have social visibility.

I parked my car and headed in through the kitchen door. The smell of grease and beef, wafting through the air, as I changed my clothes to our skirt and cotton T-shirt and apron. 

After changing, our manager called for a meeting.

"Good evening, everyone". He greeted.

"Evening, sir". We all responded.

"We have a contract. The Klein family has contracted us to cook and serve for their jubilee this Saturday". He paused and looked at our expression.

And for once, my crew mates were all serious and excited.

Who is this Klein family? I questioned as I stood there in oblivion and dread.

"So, everyone should come early and dressed neatly. And please, that day, don't do anything that would make my restrauant close for good". He said, wanting to add a little bit of humor.

But we all got the message. And everyone nodded, keeping their expressions stoic.

We soon got to work.

"Hello. Good evening, welcome. May I have your order?". I asked, smiling the best I could.

"Yes. We would love two medium sized hamburgers and two large fries and two iced Americanos". One of the customers said.

They were a group of people, probably about their mid twenties but I could tell they were rich. 

I nodded and wrote down the order. "Anything else?". I asked.

"Nope. That'll be all". She spoke again.

I nodded and went to the kitchen to have the order delivered. I came out.

"Your order will be ready in ten minutes". I said, calmly.

"Do you know who we are? How dare you say we should wait ten minutes for our order?". One of them said.

"We need to prepare your order, sir. And it will take ten minutes to be cooked". I said, calmly. And the young guy just let out a dry chuckle and stood infront of me, sizing me up.

"We pay for immediate services, and we don't wait around like some poor people do" He said, bringing his face closer to mine.

"Sir, I know that. But no amount of money will cook it faster than the gas cooker" I said, trying to downplay the situation a little, but this got him more upset as he smirked.

But the next thing I felt was a sharp sting on my cheek and ringing in my ears. It took my brain a second to realize that I had been slapped.

"Manager?". The guy who slapped me said, calling my manager.

"Yes". My manager said, coming out from behind the kitchen.

"What's the matter?". He asked, looking between me and the guy.

"She is delaying our order". The guy said, looking at me, with a buff of his shoulders as he scanned me.

"Erm, okay. You would have a new waitress and I'm really sorry about this". My manager apologized and took me to the back of the kitchen.

I was just there, my vision blurry as I had a feeling of a lump in my throat. My fist clenched, anger breaking in.

When we got there, he shook his head.

"What do you want, Laurina?". He asked me.

Is he serious?. I asked myself as I couldn't hold the tears back anymore. I knew they were rich but, really?

"That is the owner of this place son". He said.

My eyes widened in shock, as my breath caught my throat. My anger settling a little, but still annoyed at how someone could be so arrogant.

"Yes. Now you get why I pacified him?". He sighed and shook his head once more. "Get an ice pack and go home for the night. See you on Saturday". He said and went to his office again.

I quietly took the ice pack and went home,my camper causing a knot in mug stomach, but my bear soothed at the thought of Josh waiting for me.

I drove home and parked my car, only to see Josh's car in the lot. I got down, took my stuffs, with a little tingling in my heart.

I opened the door but there wasn't anyone in the sitting room. I climbed upstairs and I could hear moans and whimpers. 

Maybe Heather's baby daddy is here. I said, not thinking much of it as I passed her room, tiptoeing. But something caught my attention as the door was slightly ajar.

It was Josh's sweater. It was laying on the floor, right behind his shoes. The tingling I felt was replaced with an erratic heartbeat. My head sprung alive as it made up scenarios, ones that I didn't want to believe.

What?. My heart beating fast for fear of possiblity of my thoughts coming to live.

I opened the door, with trembling hands and shaking breaths. No. This is not happening.

"Jo…Josh?". I said, trying to shout but my voice got stuck and came out as a whisper.

"Ohh, Josh. You are so good". Heather moaned out, her face contorted in pleasure.

"What the hell is going on here?" I said, regaining my composure, but deep down, already broken beyond repair.

They both got startled by my voice and froze.

"Babe? When did you…". Josh said, getting off my sister.

"Don't bother. I got the message clearly". I said and turned to leave, tears threatening to blur my vision.

My heart ached, but my mind, being a mastermind at making up scenarios, triggered a thought or rather a question I needed answers to.

I turned back to my sister, as Josh was already off her and she was covered with her duvet. 

"Who got you pregnant?. Was it Josh?". I asked, looking at my sister and trying to maintain a steady voice.

She bent her head down, avoiding my eyes, and suddenly her fingers became interesting.

"Okay. We are done". I said, looking at Josh.

I didn't cry. I just left the house, my mind playing over the audio and visuals that I heard. My first boyfriend..

I walked, walked, my heart feeling like it would explode. Tears threatening to fall, as I looked forward to see the park bench beckoning. 

Finally my legs gave up, leaving me at the mercy of the park bench. 

Why?. Why, me? Why now?

I just sat there in the middle of the park near the house and cried, cried till my eyes gave up. 

The feeling of sadness I knew all too well, coming to hug me, being my only companion in this dark night. 

Maybe this is all a dream. Maybe when I wake, it'll all change.

And with this I slept off, right in the middle of the park, under the cold night.