Chapter 2

It was terrifying to think that I was all alone in a place entirely unfamiliar to me. I let my eyes wander across the new surroundings as my grip tightened on the bag I was carrying. Sitio Maligaya was a small place, but I could already see many people going about their own business.

I stood there, staring at the neighborhood, debating whether I should walk inside or stay put. I let out a heavy sigh and suddenly felt a gentle tap on my shoulder. Ate Raine’s worried eyes gazed back at me.

"What's wrong, Raegan?"

I shook my head slightly. Taking another deep breath, I faced the path ahead once more. If I allowed myself to be weak right now, I would never be able to truly escape. Even though I knew I was already far away from him, standing out here in the open made me feel as if he could still track me down. Gathering every ounce of my courage, I finally took a step forward.

I felt Ate Raine’s reassuring hands rest on my shoulders as she walked right alongside me. I could feel the curious stares of the locals landing on me, but I kept my focus entirely on finding a roof over my head.

"Excuse me..." I heard my sister call out. A group of middle-aged women who were chatting nearby turned their attention toward us. My sister immediately flashed them a warm smile. "Do you happen to know if there are any rooms for rent around here?" she asked.

One of the women, who was busy waving a traditional folding fan, nodded instantly. "Oh, yes, 'neng! Just go straight down this path. Once you spot a large mango tree, that's the place. Someone is renting out rooms over there."

"Just head straight down that way, girls. You won't miss it. There's only one mango tree in this area, so it's going to be very easy to find," another woman dressed in a casual housedress chimed in.

I smiled at them, trying to convey just how deeply grateful I was. After that, ate and I continued walking until we finally came across the solitary mango tree standing beside a house. There was a set of stairs leading downward, revealing a row of doors. Directly in front of us was the main property. A sign that read "Room For Rent" was posted on the wall, pointing toward the unit upstairs.

Neither ate nor I knew which door to knock on, but just in time, a young man stepped out from the opposite house. He was holding a basketball and looked like he was about to head out, if only my sister hadn't called out to him.

"Excuse me, kuya..." my sister called. The guy turned around and raised an eyebrow. "Who owns this place? My sister is looking to rent a room," Ate Raine explained.

The guy gave us a small smile. "Oh, hold on a second, I'll just call them!" he said, heading downstairs while we waited. Ate Raine looked at me with an assuring expression.

"Mom? Someone is looking for you!" the guy we spoke to called out. He was knocking loudly on the very first door, making me realize that the landlord probably lived right there.

The door swung open, but a different young man stepped out instead.

"What's up, man? Lola is currently asleep," the guy answered as he stepped out of the house.

The guy we had initially spoken to scratched the back of his neck. "Dom! Someone is looking for your lola, they want to rent a room! They're right over there," the guy said, gesturing toward us.

The guy named Dom immediately looked in our direction. His sharp, intense eyes were the very first thing I noticed about him. He wasn't glaring at us; it simply seemed like his eyes were naturally fierce. He had a remarkably defined, pointed nose and naturally red lips.

The two men walked over to where we were standing. The guy named Dom immediately asked us a few questions. Being completely unable to voice my thoughts, I let Ate Raine handle the situation. She conversed with Dom, and I overheard her mentioning that she would be the one taking care of my rental payments.

While my sister and the guy discussed the details, a profound sense of relief swelled within my chest. Finally, I could live peacefully. I was far away from that abusive bastard. I knew for a fact that I would terribly miss my sister, but I absolutely refused to ever set foot back in Manila.

"Can we see the room?" ate requested, drawing my attention back to them. The man named Dom nodded and unlocked the door to the vacant room. Ate was holding my hand tightly, so as she moved forward, I followed right behind her.

The room was more than enough to provide me with the shelter I desperately needed. The floor was neatly tiled, and a rectangular window allowed a fresh breeze to circulate throughout the space.

"This is the living area, it's a bit small, but I think it's enough for a single tenant," Dom explained, gesturing toward a short hallway. "Over here leads to the kitchen and the bathroom," he added, pointing toward a door that I assumed was the bedroom.

After completing his brief tour, Dom turned to face us. Ate Raine then turned to me, gently placing her hands on my shoulders.

"Rae, is this place alright with you?"

I let my eyes scan the surroundings one more time and let out a long, relieved breath. I had no complaints whatsoever; the place felt safe and comfortable, so I gave my sister a firm nod.

Hours later, Ate Raine and I were already busy arranging my clothes inside a rustic wooden cabinet in the bedroom. She also made absolutely sure that I had a sufficient supply of groceries and food before she left me. The moment we finished organizing my things, I collapsed onto the bed. I instantly felt the sheer weight of exhaustion pulling at me, and I wanted nothing more than to drift off to sleep, but then I heard my sister speak.

"No one is ever going to hurt you here, Raegan."

Her words made me snap my eyes open. I looked straight into her gaze, and she flashed me a warm smile. It was the exact, reassuring smile I always desperately sought just to feel safe.

Without a second thought, I sat up and threw my arms around her. My eyes quickly welled with tears, but I forced myself to hold them back. I just hugged my sister with everything I had.

"Thank you for saving me, ate," I whispered. "Thank you. I love you, ate."

I felt her press a tender kiss against my temple. "Anything for you, Raegan. Your ate will never, ever abandon you, remember that."

I had promised myself that I wouldn't cry, but the moment those words left her lips, I simply couldn't help it. The tears came rushing down like a waterfall. The crushing weight in my chest gradually lifted, and a genuine smile finally broke across my lips.

At long last, I was free. At long last, I was far away from him. I was far away from his abusive hands and cruel words. Far away from the one person who caused nothing but absolute terror and anxiety in my life. I was finally distant from all that agony, and I owed every single bit of it to my sister.

"I will never let anyone hurt you again, Raegan. I promise you that.