Her Sweet Vengeance

HAVAIANAS MIRACLE LEEVEN I woke up at 3:00 a.m. I rubbed my eyes and picked up my eyeglasses. I fixed my bed and tied my hair in a ponytail. I inhaled deeply and started to open the wooden door of my small room. My room only consists of a single wooden bed with old mattresses and a hard pillow, an old wooden cabinet that now has molds on the sides, a small table where I place my things for school and a single bulb that when lit, emits a faint glow. My books are all piled up in the corner and on the walls, you can see pieces of sticky notes and papers. I walked towards the shiny stairs with it's golden balustrade that glistens in the light of the chandelier that is set up high at the ceiling and go to the spacious kitchen. I need to make breakfast for everyone. I mean, we don't have any maids at home or someone who will do the task for us. They have me. And I do all the task. I started to take some sausage and ham on the fridge, thawed them and toasted a loaf of bread on the oven toaster and prepared two coffees and one orange juice. I fried the ham and sausages and make some vegetable salad, I made sure to put the right spices they love. Glancing at the wall clock, I saw that it was already 4:00 a.m. I grabbed some bread and milk and ate it fast. I don't want to be in touched with the family, surely, they will bully me again. I ringed the bell and for sure, my foster parents will hear it. I started to run towards the small bathroom of my room and took a fast shower. My bathroom has a single faucet, a pail and dipper, and a small space where I can move. I'll be late for school if I won't move fast. By the way, I go to a public high school. And it will be 4.5 kilometers away from this house. And I need to go there by walking alone. I don't have any means of paying the fare going there. I wore my school uniform. A cream colored top that has sleeves reaching elbows and a green colored pleated skirt that reaches up to my knees. Put on my red ribbon on the neck part. I wore my black shoes and of course, the white socks will never be forgotten. I grabbed my black and blue colored backpack and the plastic expanding folder that contains papers and extra things, three books and off I go. It's already 6:00 a.m. and my first period classes will start at 7:00 a.m. One hour will be utilized by walking and of course, schooling on public does also mean that you have cleaning assignment when you reach the school. Yep! Sweeping Schedule is inevitable. Walking briskly, I reached our classroom. My classmates are on the plaza already and started to sweep those dead leaves. Maintaining the school's cleanliness should be a work of those maintenance clerks but that happens only in private and some big school who has big budgets. And me, I am here enrolled at m**m High School which only has a population of less than a thousand so the budget is lower compared to other public schools in this district. I got a soft broom and stated to clean the room before the classes starts. Just as I placed the soft broom on the broom stand, my classmates began to enter the room. They are happily chitchatting with their friends. I don't have friends either. Just a few acquaintances. I sat on the last chair at the back. Our teacher came and soon started discussing things related to our subject. I listened as he discussed in front. I still am grateful because I can set foot on the school unlike those other kids who wishes to learn and go to school but can't do anything to make that dream come true. Two hours passed and the teacher bade goodbye. My classmates started make noise again. Kids will always be kids. The school head appeared in front and introduced a new teacher that will handle one of our subjects. The previous teacher, Ma'am Kristy is on her maternal leave. "Good morning class. I am Miss Victoria Wing and I want you to introduce yourself to me and to everyone. Let's know each other shall we?" She clapped her hands and soon the introduction happened. One by one, my classmates came in front and said something. "Miss at the last chair at the back. Introduce yourself!" Ms. Wing said. And my classmates looked at me. I stood up awkwardly and walked towards the front. I looked at everyone and spoke. "Good morning everyone. I am Havaianas Miracle Leeven. I'm 17 years old. I love to read, listen to music and write." As soon as I finished introducing myself, I walked towards my seat and started to scribble some notes on the paper. Hours passed and the day ended just like that. No interactions or whatsoever and I'll be walking back home again. As I passed the school bulletin, there was a paper that caught my attention. JOIN THE CONTEST OF STORY MAKING THIS FRIDAY. AT THE STUDENTS HALL ON 3:30 p.m. SEE YOU THERE!! Hmm... I could try this one. For sure the prizes will be great. I smiled and wrote on my sticky note about the event. I ran fast as it was getting dark already. I was overwhelmed by the competition and for sure, when I get home a lot of things awaits me. I was at the doorstep when my nightmare appeared. "Why are you late? Did you flirted again?! You didn't do anything right here in this house!!" My foster mom, Alison Carlin, grabbed my hair and pulled my inside our house. It hurts but I never cry. She does this every day and I am used it. For four years that I am living in this house, they treat me like this. "I'm sorry Mom..." She slapped me hard and it stings and I heard the ringing sound in my ears because of the great blow. I fell on the floor. I slowly touched my stinging cheek. "Don't call me Mom!! I am disgusted! You are not my daughter! You don't have the right to call me that! What did I tell you? You should call me what?!" She was really angry right now. "Ma... Madame. Sorry Madame. I wanted to be here early but school is really far from your house," I explained my side. "And do you think I care?! I told you to stop going to school but you sure are so stubborn and hard headed and still continues to go to senior high school in hopes that you'll finish someday. Well I am sorry to burst your bubble but you'll never be successful. Get that? You. Will. Never. Ever. Be. Successful. You will remain as our servant forever." As she spoke, she continues to poke me on my forehead. I couldn't help but to cry and I bit my lower lip so that the sobs won't escape. I wiped my tears and walked towards the stairs. But I was midway when the daughter of the family, Maxine Carlin appears and she laughed at me mockingly. "Oh my gosh! The poor Miracle. You should pray for some magic. You deserved the slapping anyway b***h. Now, go to your room and fix the dinner fast. Daddy will be home soon. And oh! Don't forget to make my assignments later. Or else, you know what I can do. Bye bye for now," She waved at me and continued to descend. I cooked their dinner. The smell and the aroma of the flavorful food made my mouth water and my stomach grumble. I finished to prepare the table around 6:30 p.m. and exactly, the head of the family, Arthur Carlin, came home. By the way, I am the only Leeven in this house. All of them uses the surname Carlin. The reason for this is because, I was adopted by the Grand mother of this house, the now passed away, Carla Antonia Madea-Carlin. I lived under her care since I was five years old and until she died, that was when I was 14. After she passed away, I don't have anyone to care for me. The Carlin family took me in since it will also save their image. But I suffered most of the time. Well, that's okay. I can still endure this. At least I don't live on the streets. The whole family went to the kitchen. I sat on the end of the table. As soon as I tried to get some foods, Maxine glared at me. "Why are you there Miracle?" Madame Alison asked. Her eyebrows raised and arched. I placed the spoon and fork back to the plate. "I will eat dinner Madame," I said in a low and small voice. Afraid to anger them. "Well, I never told you to eat. Did I? It's your punishment of getting home late. You could've done much more works so that you are worthy to eat every grain of rice and every gram of meat you take. Just eat tommorow. Make sure to clean the garden and wash the laundry before the sun rises. It's Saturday tommorow alright? Now do the grace to leave the table. I can't seem to swallow my food looking at your disgusting face." I felt so small and so helpless. At my peripheral vision, I see how Maxine evilly smirked. I hung my head low and ascended to my room. As soon as I was at the door, I saw a pile of books and notebooks. I bet this are the assignments Maxine wants me to answer. "Seems like, you'll be my dinner tonight then? I will answer you fast. I still had a lot of things to do." I inhaled deeply and grabbed a ballpoint pen on my bag. I started to answer her assignments. It was easy for me. How can she not solve this? Does her teacher never taught this? I shrugged and went back to make a poem on her Languages subject. I thought deeply until I started to write. The rain started to fall Sky is crying and all Yet I am here still standing still On this ground numb and cold I looked up at the dark sky No signs of creatures A lightning cracked Blinded me in a moment I opened my palm and feel the drop Every one of them hurts. I smiled bitterly One by one tears fell free Why is it like this? Hurt. Failure. Where is the cure? I can't find at all Closing my eyes I tried to forget everything After writing those, I closed her notebook and went out of my room. I placed that in front of her spacious room. Her room is four times bigger than mine and of course what she has are always the latest design. She painted the room in lilac and other shades of violet. I went back to my room and started to make my homeworks. I need to do this in advance because I need to work tomorrow. So I can't have the luxury to waste a second of it. I started to draw on the legal sized paper. I draw a black circle that represents my life and tommorow. It's colored black because I can't see what awaits me in the future or do I really have a future? Can I make my dreams possible. I held the pen tighter on my hand. My eyes started to well up. I can't help but to be hurt. If only I have my real parents right now by my side. I doubt if my life would remain the same. Flashback: I clearly remember the park. There were a lot of children my age. And just like me, they have their parents by their side. They were all happy, same as me. I took a hold of my parent's hands and we headed to the food court. We just finished two rides and we felt the need to eat. "Here baby Yana, eat this." My mother placed a fries on my mouth. "Where will my princess want to ride next?" It was my father who asked me. He wiped the ketchup that smudged on me. I was a messy eater. "I want to ride that big swan and go there on the booths," I pointed many places and soon my parents broke to laughter. After the snack time, we headed to those places and rides I want to go to. We took a lot of pictures and had a great time. But things turned upside down when a commotion broke just as when we entered the maze. Guns were fired and the people panicked. I looked back to look for my parents but they are not there anymore. I started to cry.  I was terrified by the guns and shouts. Then suddenly a strong force grabbed me. "Kid, you should not be here. Where are your parents?" The old lady asked me. "I don't know where are they. I looked back and then they were gone already." I was crying hard as I told her my story. "Don't worry, we will find them later. But for now, we need to get out of here quickly. Those bullets can kill okay?" I nodded and went with her exiting the place. After the police came and the commotion was settled, we started looking for my parents. But hours already passed and I never found them. Days turned to weeks, still, we seek for them but we fail miserably. "You need to stay with me until the time your parents will pick you up one day. I am Carla Antonia Madea-Carlin. What is your name?" She has this bright smile that my soul was touched and I believe that she will never hurt me. "I am Havaianas Miracle Leeven. I'm five years old." I showed her my left hand and waved my little fingers. She patted my head. It already came to a year. My parents never picked me up. So she decided to adopt me. "From now on you need to call me Gran." "Okay Gran. Will I still see my parents?" I asked with a hopeful soul. She's already tucking me to bed. "You sure will. Just believe and hold on to that thought. It will come true one way or another. Be strong. That's the only choice you have. Live. That's the only option you can choose." That night, I didn't get the whole thought of what she wants to tell me. So I slept clueless still. Flashback Ends... And that is why am am here in this family. After the death of Gran, I was took in by the family and for three years now, they never treated me as a part of it. ~ 3:00 a.m. Havaianas Miracle Leeven is already awake. She headed straight to the laundry area and there, she saw five basket full of soiled garments. She looked at it sadly and sighed. She turned the faucet on and put water on the basin. Slowly, the water level rise. She first rinse down the garments and later on, put some detergent to make the task easier. She let the rinsed garments be soaked on the detergent solution and she washed her hands. Hurriedly, she entered the kitchen, and started to cook breakfast. She fried some egg, mashed potatoes, and the beverages were served too. She grabbed two slices of old bread and ate. That will be her breakfast. Pressing the bell for everyone to know that the breakfast is already served. She went back to the laundry room and started to do the remaining task. Vigorous brushing was done. Some garments were heavily soiled. Her hands ache but she must do this now. As time passed by, her fingers started to feel stinging. And slowly, small wounds appear. After the last rinse, she all placed them on the clothesline to dry. Some were placed in hangers like those dresses, polos, pants and tuxedos. Completing the first task for the day, she went to the stockroom to find some gardening tools. She went outside and under the blazing heat of the sun, started to clean the 2000 square meters garden of the mansion. Raking, pulling weeds, tilling the soil and watering the plants. Sweats started to drip as the sun rose higher and the air becomes more humid. Her throat becomes dry and her skin started to get red. It was already 10:00 a.m. when she finished the task. Knowing the time, she rushed back to the kitchen and again prepared for the lunch of the Carlin family. And they really want their every meal on time. The family entered and sat on the table. She served them the food and they started to eat, letting her stand on the side and wait until they are done. Even her stomach churns because of hunger, she have to wait. Maxine again made a wicked plan. She purposely swiped her hand and it hit the glass of water on her side. The water spilled and soon the floor pooled. "Oh my! I'm sorry dear. Could you please clean up the mess? I didn't saw that you placed the glass of water there." She looks innocent but everyone knows the truth. Miracle clenched his hand to fist to control her temper. "What are you still waiting for? Did you not heard what my daughter said? Clean this up right now!" The Madame spoke. Her face was heavily make-up and her lips were painted with maroon colored lipstick. Her nails that were painted red pointed at the mess on the floor. Slowly, she went to their side and started to clean the floor. Anyone that will see her will have the idea that she's a slave. "Will you do it faster? You stink b***h! Do it faster and move out of the way!!" Maxine pushed her hard that she stumbled on the floor. Her head hit the hard floor and she winced in pain. She struggled to get up. "What?! Will you still stand there like an i***t and see us eat? Get lost! We don't want your presence here! We don't need you." It was Maxine who spoke. By the way, she wore a spaghetti top and shorts that has a length mid thigh. "Go! Shoo shoo! Don't bother us. We are losing our appetite looking at you. Now clean the attic and make sure it will be shining clean. You're dead if you fail to do that." With her head bowed down, she walked with a hurting heart. She took some basin and water and of course rags, she started to wipe the wooden floor of the attic. Slowly, her tears drenched her face. Sobs escaped from her now aching throat and she looked up. "Oh Lord! Can you hear me? I am hurt now. So badly hurt. What will I do? Please let me know. And please give me a little bit of strength to endure their treatment. Despite of everything they did, I still owe them a lot." She cried hard and her tears dropped on the floor. One after another. On the other side, the mother and daughter talked. "Mommy!? Can you kick her out of this house? She's nothing. I really hate her to the core!!" Maxine stomped her foot. "Honey, we can. Soon. But for now, we still need to wait until she's 18. You know that your Grandma left her some shares of the company and we will get it back from her. When she's legal already, she will sign a waiver stating that everything will be left to us. Got that? So now, be patient. You can do bad things to her but don't kill her yet. We need that money that in the first place, should belong to you. Anyway, dress up already. Yours Dad awaits for us in the airport for our one week trip to Milan. Let's just leave water for that rat upstairs." Maxine wickedly smiled at her mother and volunteered to send the water on the attic. "Well well little Miracle. You should starve to death. I'll make sure that you will never get any food within a week. Let's see if you can still stand. Hahaha!" She laughed wickedly as she opened the door of the attic. "Hey b***h! Here's your water. By the way, we will be on a trip to Milan for a week. I want to let you know because you surely can't come with us. The airplane might crash if a disaster like you will be there. Bye!" Miracle stood up but she was too late. Maxine already closed and locked the door, trapping her inside the attic. "Good bye b***h. Don't die soon, we still need you." And Maxine left the poor Miracle that now pleads and pounds the door for her to be heard. "Please let me out please! I will attend a contest this Friday. I promise to make sure that you have answers on your upcoming exam and I will clean the house!!" She continues to do that but three hours passed and still no one opened the door for her. The attic has only one small window near the ceiling and it is impossible to climb that and she will not fit there if ever. The attic door is a hard wood and she can't break it too. And the lock was antique and customized that's why she can't open it from the inside. Slowly, she leaned on the wall and like a candle that slowly melts, her legs became weak and she fell on the cold floor. She knows that only miracle can save her that time. She just pray that she will not die from hunger. The cold night came, she curled on the floor in order to lessen the coldness she felt. Her stomach now aches and she closed her eyes. Hoping that the day will come and she will be free again. Three days passed but still the same. She's now so hungry. Yet the only thing she can have was the water on the pitcher. She just took a glass per day so that she will last a week. She found a wooden box on the side. It was covered with dust and cobwebs. She picked it up and cleaned it. Opening the lid, she saw her old pictures with her Gran. She began to cry again. "If you are only alive, you would not let me be heard. Thank you so much Gran for saving me a long time ago. Don't worry, I will gather all my strength. I still believe that I will be successful one day. I will still be out of this house and live freely." She wiped her tears abruptly when she saw something glistening inside the box. Slowly, her hands reached for that thing. It was cold and light. She studied the thing closely. It was her necklace way back when she was still 5 years old. It has a locket with an engrave script that she cannot read. Something like a sign. Something mysterious and foreign to her. Lifting her arms, she unclasped the lock and wore the necklace. She saw her reflection on the mirror inside the box too. She held the necklace closely and cried again. She still could not erase that horrible memory from the past. "Momma? Poppa? Where are you? I need you. Can you hear your princess? Can you hear her call? Do you know that she's in pain? Help me please," She cried and cried the whole day until she passed out.