Chapter 2: Mute

My brows furrowed in confusion. Why is he suddenly smirking at me?

"Good evening, what's your order?" I smiled at the three of them. The blonde-haired girl's hand is placed on top of his knees, touching it sensually. Her eyes focused on the man while the latter was now staring at her, listening to what she was whispering as his arm snaked behind her.

"Uh...Sir?" I iterated. The man glanced at me with a frown, maybe irritated at my sudden interruption.

"What? Why are you here? We are still not planning to order," he uttered in an annoyed voice.

"Huh? Sorry, but I saw you waving my hands at me, I thought it was meant to–"

"He was waving at me. I am his girlfriend, don't get so full at yourself and get lost!" The girl shot me with a strict, infuriated face.

They are arrogant, alright. People like this shouldn't be encountered but can't be delayed nor prevented. The world is really unfair, no matter how you try to tell him that you don't want any people that will only fuel your anger, he will still give it.

I sighed and glanced at the geeky man. He was busy texting, but when he felt me glancing at him, he lifted his eyes.

"Uh...sorry, Miss. My friend didn't mean it. I will order a juice, I'm sorry again..." he awkwardly smiled at me and shot his gaze back to his phone, punching his keys fast like he's talking to someone so important. I nodded and glanced at the two before walking back to the counter.

"Ella, this was the order from table thirteen, I'm gonna go home now, just deliver it to them." I kissed her cheeks and walk away from that bar.

I stretched my arms and put my hands at my head, intertwining my fingers with each other and making my forearms point towards the sky.

"I endured another day of hell, thanks to the one who guides me." I smiled and reached for my pockets before going inside a convenience store to buy something for my fourteen-year-old brother.

"Terren! Where are you?" I yelled when I came to our house. The excitement in my voice is evident as I turned the knob of our door and glanced at the whole place. Our house has a second floor, but it felt so small because of the number of furniture on it.

"Terren, I bought you something–" the cheerfulness in my voice was interrupted when I saw my brother eating using a cauldron. His mouth fell open, his eyes wide, and the dirty hands he was using to put food inside his mouth was left hanging in the air.

"Terren, what is this?" My voice shook as I asked him.

The corners of my eyes started to heat as I glanced at the old cauldron. His hands were shaking as he averted his gaze. He was probably...starving.

The sticky, brown crispy part of the rice from overcooking is what he was eating, paired with a soy sauce. I touched his hands and put it in front of the faucet to wipe out the dirt.

"Why are you eating this? They didn't give you food again?" The sight of my brother, eating excess food made me feel miserable. 

"And your hands are dirty, you'll get sick. Wash your hands and I'll buy you a proper food–"

"Ate, they are not allowing me to use their water. They told me to search for water by myself but the faucet spits no liquid." His low, husky voice told me that he doesn't even drink.

I sighed. A tear fell from my eye as I walk towards the small, messy room that we used to sleep. Broken appliances and some sacks of unused clothes by them were placed here, making it look so unorganized even when I clean it every day.

My heart hurts for my brother. I am almost not going home, and whenever I am, I will always see him like this, but every time I will catch him in this state, my heart will always boom in both anger and disappointment towards my Auntie. She is our blood and flesh, how can she do this to her nephew? Isn't she is reminded of her sister?

I shook my head and wiped my tears as I search for my hidden savings. I will get a small amount from it and will buy my brother a proper meal. My heart boomed loud as I saw the envelope under my favorite shirt. It felt weird, I don't remember it being this light. I opened it, and the next thing I knew, it fell on the floor.

The money is half as the amount that I exactly put in there. I am preparing that money for the house I am going to buy! I am working so hard because of that and now, a big amount has been decreased!

I furrowed my brows. My tears fell down my eyes as I paced towards my Aunt's door. I knocked loudly, bringing all the anger and sulk in my knuckles.

"Auntie Tanya!" I yelled behind the door. My tears were flowing, my eyes turned red, and my heart beat wildly.

"Auntie–" The door revealed the face of my Aunt's wife.

"What?" Her strict, infuriating face is getting inside my nerves.

"Where is my money?" I asked in a calm voice, the opposite of what I am feeling right now.

"Why are you asking me about your money? I don't even know you have one!"

"Just tell me where did you spend it and I will shut my mouth! Don't cover up your pitiful lies!"

I usually tell myself not to argue with these types of people. They are just a bunch of fools who doesn't have a short time nor long time goals. They were contented as long as they can eat twice a day and doesn't even care if they are offending other people. All are fine for them as long as they are happy.

"I used it to pay for our electricity and water bills! Alright?!" she yelled.

But my mind won't accept any of it.

"You used it for your bills. Not ours. It is my money, then. I am expecting that my brother can now use water and electricity. I will collect the money if I find out that you aren't giving him the rights for what I paid for."

I pursed my lips, balled my fists, and shut the door close.

This is not the life that I signed for.