LOVE AND FAITH

th the fragrance of the fruit punctured her nose as she walked down the ta

nd, surrounded her mother's stall. The wails erupted from the heart of the crowd. A

She moved quickly across the sea of fruits and vegetables, assisting her mother and inquiring what

ed to keep the tears from welling up in her eyes. "Pl

mother. Some of them walked away with helpless pity looks on t

ress. Ayu lifted her chin and surged to her feet as her mother quickly wiped awa

her's voice trembled as she spoke. She took a seat besid

hands. With a forced smile, that woman shook. "How did it happen?" Her gaze m

er finally confessed to them while crying. Her sobbing continued until Anis

to hear that. How

u's embrace in an instant. "Nothing... I've grown accustomed to dealing with t

ooked at her mo

ome, a

d to every corner of the stall. Everything had broken down into pieces. Fruit and vegetabl

d them cheerfully. She was perplexed as to why this boy had appeared

, we'll talk about it at school to

the orange?" Dave picked u

of the fruits and vegetables have spoil

ase the fruit. Furthermo

Ayu's mother intervened abruptly. She began putting them in bo

hand almost touched the

rritate him. She simply did not want him to meddle in their affairs. Tha

abandoned her cluttered close stalls with the pa

ft voice stopped her in her track

was slowed by the two packets in her hand. Walking down the street in the sun not only

payments to them. Their brutality had crossed the line over time. Her fists were tightened. She was filled

from where she was. Not only did she have flawless beauty with her porcelain white skin a

y school, where she lived in a dorm. She would only go home during

ees that lined the edge of the street on her way to her house, despite the exhaustion that had barely taken all of her energy. In the mea

tion. She called it that because of its small size. The open door gr

that girl quickly assisted her w

ng you to move this heavy stuff." Anisa ignored her protest and continued helping w

for," Anisa replied. Ayu shifted her weight onto the chair n

lassmate

s birthday i

t beat faster every time that name was ment

nd then ask the birthday person to make a wish and blow the candle when they were kids. That was all there was to it. Everything had changed now. They were no

hased anything."

ost is our friendship." Her lips curved

her mother standing in silence by the kerosene stove.

woman burst into tears and went into her room. Ayu was curious to find

n her confusion, Ayu could only wait while calling out to her moth

e more. Even though her head was only one centim

anxiety. She couldn't decide whether to open it or not. The man, however, did not give up. The louder bangs eventually

iet her, she placed her

he'll find us here." Ayu

wooden door, he slammed into the house. In Ayu's ears

you don't get out." He forewarned them. "You only ha

. She was terrified. Ayu had no idea about the man's relationship with her mother

ut on his face brutally hauled her mother out. In a panic, Ayu pursued the beast in order to save her mother. Her efforts, however, were in vain. The p

His rogue countenance developed a smirk. His fero

her! You're lo

l gaze scrutinizing her body. Ayu managed to get up despite her fear.

iolently, piercing the border of his forearms. Her mouth opened and she scre

r!" Ayu had escaped his ambu

with his intimidating eyes. Ayu's mother used her body to protect her daughter. Her struggle, however, could not free Ay