It was Thursday and the twilight made me feel empty. It's near evening again, the time when people deserve a rest from a tiring day. I hope I can rest as them too without demons playing inside my head. How I wish I could live a normal life like I used before. Every night, I have a fear to remain awake at the middle of the darkness. The silence pushes me to overthink more and more. 

I stared on myself in front of full length mirror. Tears started to run on my face as the rape scene appeared in my mind. I punched my head trying to forget it. I feel pity for myself as I am looking at my reflection. My visions travel around the room. This room seems like a room of Barbie doll. But sadly, the doll here is not a Princess but a slave, a slave of her own fear and horrific past. 

My life before wasn't comfortable as this. But at least I was not living in fear. I can eat and enjoyed my foods. I can sleep at night in peace and not as this. The owner of this house was working as a government official before. He once leads this town that helped him to gain the respect of people of this city. 

"Avi! Come down here. It's dinner time." I heard my mom from the kitchen calling me.

I wiped out my tears and walked downstairs. It's time to pretend again. I saw a lot of paper bags in the floor of the living room. 

"Hija, this is for you," he handed me a paper bag like a good step-father to his step-daughter. 

"Avi, look at this. Your Tito Dante bought a lot of presents to us. Look at this dress I am wearing. It is indeed beautiful, right?" 

"Yes, mom," I smiled on her even though deep inside I want to curse this man. 

He's acting like a sweet and faithful husband while he's definitely not. 

"Your mom will no longer work in the Market. I asked and convinced her a lot of times to stop in selling vegetables but she insisted. She's a hardheaded lady. But--- I love her so much." He pulled my mom to give her a big hug. 

"Aw, you're so sweet honeybunch."

"Of course, I am. I love you. And I will do everything to make you happy." 

"I love you more," she replied.

"Good thing that, I persuaded her to stay at home and be my full time housewife." he gave my mom a peck on her forehead. Tito Dante walked towards me, "By the way, this is for your tuition fee for this semester," he handed me a paper bill, "While this one is for your allowance for two weeks. I added extra money there because maybe, you want to buy stuff for yourself." I remained silent staring on the bill in my hand.

"Avi, aren't you going to say something?"

"T-Thank you," I said with no choice.

"Come on let’s eat."

I sit on the chair next to her and I can see from the smile of my mom how happy she is. I know the truth will only ruin everything. It will take away the happiness she’s having right now. And as her daughter, I don't want that to happen. So I chose to keep this secret alone. 

We are on the round table and praying to God for the blessing. I don't know how hard his face to pray knowing that he committed a sinful crime. 

"How's your school, Avi?" she asked

"It was o-okay, ma. Just like before we have so many things that we have to pass."

"I know you can do it hija. You are a smart girl." 

I am not starving. It is really hard to eat with the person who raped you. In the middle of the dinner I felt the demons hand caressing my thigh secretly under the table. I want to scream and cry but I can't. 

My mom is here and like what he said, he would kill my mother if she find out. How dare him to molest me in front of my own mother—in front of his wife! I finished my dinner the fast as I can and excused myself to go to my room.

"Goodbye class!"

"Goodbye, Ma'am Dela Cruz!"

"Ms. Zarmeda please stayed here. We need to talk," she said.

“We will talk about what, ma'am?" 

"It's about your grades, Ms. Zarmeda. These past few weeks I noticed your performance in school. You were not participating on class recitation. Unlike before that you are active in my class. And look at the result of your exams, Ms. Zarmeda. What happened?"

"I-I d-don't know." I can feel my hand shaking under the table. 

My teacher touched my forehead and then my neck to check my body temperature. Worry is written on her face. 

"Are you sick? You look pale. Do you have problem, Ms. Zarmeda?"

"M-Ma'am," I looked around. I see no one. 

"I'm your teacher, Avi. If you have problem you can tell me." 

Maybe it's a good opportunity to confess. He's not here. This is my chance to tell this.

"M-Ma'am ahm... M-My ahm..." 

"Your?" 

"M-My un—" Before I confess it, I lost my conscious. 

When I woke up, I found out that I am in the school clinic. I immediately sat on the bed when I saw my step-father, sitting beside me. He gave me a warning look. And because of that, the secret remain as a secret. 

THE door opened and I saw my mother came with a weave bag on her hand. I maneuver her hand as sign of respect. We headed to the kitchen and put all the vegetables and meat on the table. 

How's your feeling hija? Your Tito Dante told me that you passed out in school this afternoon. Good thing that your uncle was there. We are really lucky to have him in our life."

If you just know, mom. You are loving a demon— a monster!

"W-Where's, Tito Dante, by the way? I thought he fetched you in the Market."

"Yes he does. But after that he headed to his friend to talk about certain things."

This is my opportunity now to tell this to my mom. 

"M-Mom you h-have to know something." My tears escaped from my eyes as I am remembering that incident. 

"Why the hell are you crying?" she asked worriedly. 

"Ma, T-Tito Dante..." It is too hard to say this. I have so many doubts.

What if he came home early? What if he killed us? I am scared. 

"What's with your Tito?" Her brows frowned.

"H-He raped me." I covered my mouth and cried. 

She did not say anything instead she slapped me. 

"Liar!" she yelled that makes me cry even louder. 

"Mom, I'm telling the truth. Please believe me. He raped me."

"Your Tito Dante loves us. He cannot do that to you. So please stop creating stories, Avi! You are ruining this family." She cried not for having sympathy on me but because of disappointment. 

It's too painful that my own mother did not believe on me. 

"Ma, please listen. You don't know him.  He rape me, mom. He raped your daughter!"

"Shut up! Your Tito Dante is innocent. He cannot do that. So please stop creating lies!" She walked up-stair and locked herself there. 

My knees became weak that made me kneeled on the floor and cried. The day end and I did not convince my mom to believe me. She is too blind for her love for that demon. 

The next day, I woke up with a heavy feeling. I felt something in my stomach so I ran quickly to the sink and vomit everything I can. 

"Y-You're pregnant?" mother asked horrified.

—Azureriel