Chapter 3

Valeriana

It was night Valeriana was sleeping peacefully after having dinner and chit chatting with her mom and grandma, but soon sweat started dripping off from her forehead. 

Warning ⚠️: The following content contains violence and child abuse. Ignore it if you feel uncomfortable!!!

“You dare to question me? Huh? You dare to question your own husband?” And started beating Josephine. 

“Dad, don’t beat mom!” She whispered, scared. The little girl was scared, scared that her mom may die. He slapped Josephine so hard that his fingers were imprinted on her face. He pulled her hair so roughly, which made her scream her lungs out. Josephine’s body was all marked by the beatings of her husband. He saw his little daughter hiding behind the wall. He always wanted a son who will inherit his business and will support him and instead Valeriana was born.

He was unhappy about her birth since the day they got to know the gender of their baby. He used to live with Josephine but he changed since that day. He dragged her out and started beating her too. “Dad! Don’t!” And starts sobbing. He slapped Valeriana’s face two times and pushed her on the floor, her forehead hit the floor and was bleeding, she still has the mark on there. She clasped his leg with her small hands and looked towards him with teary eyes and injured face but he did nothing but flinched instead leaving bruised Josephine and young Valeri alone.

Valeriana got up from her sleep while sobbing and was all drenched in sweat. She was breathing abnormally. “ That felt so real!” Valeriana said to herself, while wiping her sweat with her hand. From her childhood to now, Valeriana has been suffering from these nightmares. She vividly remembers those terrible days. But from then to now, no one knows about this problem of hers. She cares about other’s mental health but she just ignores her trauma as if it’s nothing. She never told anyone about this because she doesn’t want to make her mom or her grandma worry about her. 

“It’s okay Valeriana, it’s just a dream! You would be okay. It’s nothing, just a dream.” She said to herself while patting on her chest, her voice was trembling. The only person she’s scared of is her own dad and she never wishes to see him ever again. “He’s scary” She said to herself after again laying down on the bed. Tears were falling from her eyes, she forcefully closed her eyes and tried to sleep. After struggling for sometime she finally slept. It’s nothing new. 

The next morning..

Valeriana got up, dressed in something casual and went to the dining room. Valeriana lives in her Grandma’s house. It’s really small, with two bedrooms, with a kitchen and breakfast/dining room adjusted together. And a small living room. It’s said that her grandfather gifted this house to her grandma after saving some money. The house is old and small but many beautiful and wonderful memories have been made here. It has the warmth that makes her feel peaceful. 

Valeriana went directly to the kitchen and started helping her mother. “Good morning, you are early today. “ Josephine said with a smile. “Yes mom, let me help you,” She said. Josephine’s eyes went to her puffy eyes. “Ana, dear, why are your eyes so puffy??” She asked with a worried face. Valeriana’s face went pale after listening to that question. She somehow managed herself and gave a fake smile to her mother saying, “ Oh, I mistakenly scratched my eyes in sleep.” Valeriana said, with a laugh. And said, “From then my eyes are irritating every now and then and have become puffy, it will get alright, no worries’ ‘ She said, giving an assuring smile.

“Oh, dear, you should go and see some doctor,” Josephine said. “No, mom. It’s perfectly alright, nothing serious” Valeriana said. And started looking around the house. “Where’s grandma, mom?” She asked. Oh, she has a cold, so she’s sleeping in the room” Josephine replied. “Oh, is everything alright?” Then she added, “I think she should visit a doctor, she has been looking quite sick for a few days.” She said being tense. 

“Yes, I’m thinking of taking her to a doctor.” Josephine replied. “We should go today then” Valeriana requested. “Oh, you know right, how’s mom, she doesn’t like going to the hospital, it will be hard to make her agree to this” Josephine said, frowning. 

Meanwhile, breakfast was ready. After having breakfast Valeriana went to the NGO. Today is Sunday but Valeriana doesn’t like to take off from the NGO. It’s her second home. That’s why she works even during the weekend. There are other people also. Moreover today, the CEO will come so some female employees have come here only to see him. This is also Valeriana’s first time meeting him.