The House of Curses

Kali stood silently in the middle of the jubilant crowd, her body stiffening at the sight of their smiles. Her eyes began to waver, but they were too dry to shed even a single tear. She had known no one would congratulate her on her graduation day, but the reality of it pierced her heart in a way she hadn't expected. After the ceremony, she rushed back to her part-time job, immersing herself in her usual routine. The store owner was absent, attending their own daughter's graduation. After her shift, Kali ate the expired buns and soda she had stashed away, knowing they would soon be thrown out by the owner. She didn't resent her third adoptive parents for not attending her graduation. They had their own son and daughter to care for, and she felt it was too much to ask. Kali considered herself fortunate that, after being abandoned three times, they still welcomed her into their home. "I see you're here again." Kali almost choked in surprise, and the old man laughed, handing her a bottle of water. "Grandpa Gio! You scared me! I told you to make a sound if you're walking in the park this late at night, or at least bring a light or something. What if someone had a heart attack after you appeared out of nowhere?" Kali scolded, trying to catch her breath as she looked at the old man, a regular customer at the store. "You kid! What do you take me for? I should be the one saying that! You look like a ghost here eating in the dark," he exclaimed, sitting down on the bench where she had been sitting. "By the way, are you heading to the store now? We're closed for the night, but if it's urgent, I can open the back door for you," Kali offered, sitting beside him. "No need, no need. I was actually looking for you because Dina was worried after seeing you get scolded by Carlos yesterday. That bastard doesn't even pay you enough but has the guts to scold you for stashing some buns," Gio ranted, putting down the plastic bag he was holding. Kali sat silently, feeling a mix of embarrassment and gratitude, knowing Dina had seen her being scolded. More than anything, she was always thankful for the old man. Despite his constant nagging, she felt comfortable and genuinely happy around him. He made her feel what it was like to have a real family who cared for her. "Are those buns the ones you stashed?" Gio asked, sighing deeply as he handed her two boxes of sandwiches from his plastic bag. "Eat this at home. It's getting late, and it's not good for a child to be loitering in the neighborhood this late at night," Gio advised, stretching his legs and gazing up at the clear night sky. "You should go home as well, old man! It's scary seeing you on the streets this late at night," Kali retorted, grabbing her bag but waiting until Grandpa Gio was steady on his feet. She matched his pace as they started walking. "Look at this kid! Tsk! You're too young to nag me back!" Gio responded, scoffing and laughing. "Well, someone has to keep you in line," Kali teased. "Hey!" They both stopped short, seeing Kali's adoptive mother approaching with furious eyes. Her high-pitched voice cut through the night air. "Mrs. Jenkins," Kali greeted her formally, lowering her head. She was shocked when Mrs. Jenkins grabbed her hair and swung her like a twig. "Mrs. Jenkins! Let the kid go! What do you think you're doing?" Kali heard Grandpa Gio shouting as he tried to stop her adoptive mother's rampage. "Stay away! This is a family matter!" Mrs. Jenkins shouted, preparing to push Grandpa Gio. In that instant, a sudden flashback reminded Kali of the past and how she had been blamed for being weak and dragging someone into her life. With that, she instantly blocked her mother's rage with her own body, causing Mrs. Jenkins to stop but then grit her teeth and instruct Kali to follow her back home. "That mad woman! Stay here, Kali. I will talk to her, this is too much–" Grandpa Gio snapped, but Kali's cold hands stopped him, and her soft smile made him hesitate. "Mrs. Jenkins must be having a rough day. It's fine. An old man should be resting this late, you know. Go on, I will talk to her on my own. I-I can do it. Trust me. Get home safe, Grandpa." Kali reassured him and started following her mother, trying to hide her pain and the urge to accept Grandpa Gio's offer. After stepping into the house, her mother instantly hit her with a broomstick, repeatedly doing so until it snapped. "Oh, stop acting like some pathetic kid! Look what you've done! Did you know how we were humiliated at the restaurant when the card was declined? We were humiliated in front of everyone!" Mrs. Jenkins snarled, throwing out a receipt. It stated that the pension they were supposed to receive for taking care of her had already been withdrawn. Kali tried to explain, between labored breaths, that the school had withdrawn it for her graduation fees, but this only made them angrier. Fortunately, some neighbors began complaining about the noise, forcing her adoptive mother to stop. "Don't come home for the meantime. Do it for your mother's sake, okay?" Mr. Jenkins instructed, pushing her out of the house. Kali walked away in pain, her eyes remaining dry as her wounds stung under the cold breeze. Arriving at the store, she sat down outside, not daring to go to the back since the store owner would scold her again if she stayed inside without permission. Kali sat there, feeling the sting of her wounds and the weight of the night on her shoulders. She tried to distract herself by imagining Grandpa Gio in a superhero cape, swooping in to save her. The image made her smile, despite everything. "You know, if you keep sitting there like a ghost, I might start charging you rent," came a familiar voice. It was Grandpa Gio again, peeking around the corner with a mischievous grin. "Granpa Gio, you really need a hobby," Kali replied, laughing softly. "I do have a hobby—it's making sure you don't turn into a pumpkin sitting outside this store all night," he joked, plopping down beside her. "Thanks, Grandpa. But seriously, you should get some sleep. I don't want you turning into a grumpy old man," she teased back. "Too late for that, kiddo," Grandpa Gio chuckled, his voice soft but tinged with sadness. "But alright, I'll leave you be. Just promise me that if you’re going to be here all night, you’ll come to my house, okay?" "Promise," Kali said, her voice barely above a whisper. She gave him a small, genuine smile, even as her heart ached. As Grandpa Gio walked away, muttering about stubborn kids, Kali felt a profound gratitude and sorrow. He didn’t leave because he didn’t care; he knew she would rather suffer alone than accept pity. He respected that choice, but it broke his heart to leave her in such pain. Once alone, Kali sighed deeply and pulled out the box of sandwiches Grandpa Gio had given her. Even in their battered state, they were a symbol of his care. "Well...I guess it’s still edible," she murmured, trying to keep her emotions in check. As she opened the box, a crumpled piece of paper fell out. She unfolded it with trembling hands and read the note. Her tears, which she thought had long dried up, began to pour uncontrollably. The words on the paper, though simple, pierced through her pain and filled her with bittersweet joy. She clutched the note to her chest, her heart breaking and healing at the same time. The note read: "Congratulations, my dear Kali. Don’t forget to eat and fill your stomach. —Gio" Time passed unnoticed as Kali sobbed quietly, the warmth of the note providing a small comfort. She must have fallen asleep outside the store, as the sky was still dark when a loud noise startled her awake. At first, she thought it was just stray cats, but her heart nearly stopped when she saw a woman and a baby, both collapsed on the freezing ground.