Trace of Ink

Drowning in

tuck her key and twisted the doorknob. Grunted in displeasure as the inside view came into

les of alcohol, and the center table covered with junk food wrappers. While dust h

forgot s

't cleaned

oice does she have? She softly massaged her neck and let out a heavy sigh. The former own

ock!

who would knock on my door this late?

know you'll be needing them," the landlady cheerfully spoke. She handed

ank y

u can call me, Mama Tes." Fera moved her head up and down like a

ropped them all somewhere. Took her jacket off and tossed it on the center table, then p

ht to the bathroom. It was messy too, but she didn't bother. She filled the ba

her head. Her tears easily find their way out and run down her cheeks. S

cheek and tried to wipe her tears, 'Go now,' she continuously

e here alone, Baldo wil

..I'll call the ambulance.' she stood up but her father

ise me,

listen, I'll go get some help. And you'll be alright.'

ly gasped for air. Seeing him in that state broke

do this t

protector, forgive me, my lovely daughter. Promi

her sobs. She had nowhere to

always be safe m

whole room. She poured every tear while trying to avoid producing enough nois

ng. It was drowning, suffocating. She clasped her palm on her lips and sobbed as hard as she can in silence. The water was

Words of a wounded heart sound fragile a

r drops hitting the thin metal roof entered her ears. It see

up by a loud knock. Unwillingly climbed down from her bed with closed eyes but then immediately

I'm sorry to wake you up. I have a breakfast for you as a peace offering since I couldn't help you clean. My dear, I have loads of er

"Thank you," her morning voice failed to sound grateful. Her

e doing my thing." She winked at her and smiled widely. Her tight bond and carefully tie

" her voice sounded meek and hu

ine in here? Don't you have in

ndlady was just checking her out if she was fine and d

suring her that she understood everythin

genuine smile slipped from her lips. It looks delicious but her appetite betra

over and laid her back then hugged her pillow. Something made her feel down, even more, the frame

anized apartment that didn't f

hould

repared all the boxes and trash bags in the room. Placed a

She put all the boxes in the smaller one and continued cleaning.

was just the initial dust. And there were more. She started taking the curtains off and throwing them in the b

ast. But that was all that she need, a distraction. She had no plans of getting away from her cleaning materials

or the breakfast h

ly glanced around. Only to find Mama Tes down pretending to sweep some fallen leaves. The landlady even pretended

in and stood. Her temper wasn't quite good and easily got irritated with everything. She took a cold shower and decided

d nearby the road and waited for a vehicle. Every living creature had turned its head on Fera as sh

n few blo

her so she take some steps back. But he passed her and she felt his chill aura, he wasn't a ghost or somethin

Fera stared at his broad back in a white T-shirt paired with grey shorts. "You're new,

rity nor a model. She was just n

ou better follow me, if you want of course."

ey reach the waiting shed. The sun was still out and striking

e shed at sits next to him at enough distance. She hasn't spoken a word so it was awkward the whole w

running vehicles on the road and commodities everywhere. There are d

ound the market, also bought her primary ne

ng around the new place. The new small town brought

e in time. She was tired but refreshed when she got home.

l but it seems some sort of achievement. Never expected th

made her smile. She had gone into the shower and excitedly use her n

her earlier. She wondered why would he help a stranger like her. She doub

ction had