Chapter 5— Clara

"Hello, Clara," Nadine said hoarsely as she answered the incoming call. The ringing phone was what had awakened her from a restless sleep.

"Nadine, where are you? You're not coming to work today?" asked Clara, her voice sounding like she was already at the store.

Nadine fell silent. Her entire body ached. The sting from last night’s slap still burned hot on her cheek. She gently touched her throbbing ear.

"I hope I’m not deaf from that slap," she thought as she reached for the small mirror beside her bed.

She looked at her reflection. Puffy eyes, a cracked lip, and a cheek beginning to bruise. "I can’t possibly go to work with a face like this," she muttered softly.

"Nadine? Did you fall back asleep?!" Clara’s raised voice startled her.

"Sorry, Clara… I just woke up. Clara, can I take a day off today? Just one day," she asked weakly.

"What’s wrong with you?" Clara now sounded concerned.

"I… I'm tired, Clara. I didn’t expect cleaning toilets to be this hard," Nadine replied, her voice trembling. Tears fell one by one, and she quickly covered her mouth to muffle her sobs.

But the pain was too deep—not just in her body, but in her heart. Last night was the darkest night of her life. That man’s figure resurfaced in her mind. His cold stare, his cruelty, the way he took everything from her…

"Yeah… you're still not used to night shifts. Alright, just get some rest," Clara finally said, her tone softer.

"Thank you so much, Clara…" Nadine replied quietly, feeling a small sense of relief.

"I’ll talk to the boss later. Just rest well," Clara replied.

"Thank you, Clara," Nadine repeated.

"I’m getting back to work. Take care," said Clara before ending the call.

Nadine put down her phone and burst into sobs. Her crying was uncontrollable. Tears poured down her face, filling the tiny room with the sound of sorrow.

"Dad… Mom… I miss you… If Mom were here, I’d ask for a hug. I’m sorry, Mom… I failed to protect myself…"

Her body curled up, hugging herself. She felt filthy, broken, and didn’t know where to begin.

Her head throbbed. She touched her bruised cheek. "How do I get rid of a bruise like this…" she muttered. She picked up her phone and began searching the internet. Quick ways to heal bruises and swelling.

After reading a few articles, she put her phone down and slowly walked to the bathroom.

"God… it hurts so much…" she hissed, enduring the pain in the most guarded part of her body. Every step felt like torture.

She splashed her face with cold water, hoping to ease the pain. Then she slowly walked back to her room. The soreness made her movements limited. She could still feel the remnants of last night’s violence on her body.

She prepared a few small cloths, dipped them into a small bucket, wrung them out, and gently compressed the areas on her face. Her cheeks, forehead, neck, and wrists.

"Please let these bruises disappear quickly," she whispered with her eyes closed.

Her head pounded heavily. Dizzy, nauseous, and aching, she felt weak.

"How much would it cost to see a doctor? I need medicine for wounds and bruises, but I don’t have money. Payday is still a week away. I’ll wait… if the dizziness doesn’t go away, I’ll buy some topical medicine," she murmured softly.

She gently pressed the wounded corner of her mouth.

"Ouch… it hurts so bad…"

Nadine sat in silence. Her eyes still wet. Her body was shattered. Her soul, even more so. But deep inside, one thing remained unextinguished—a faint desire to survive.