Volunteer Love

Chapter 3

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. 

"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. Josephine's face and body was all marked by the fingerprints of her husband. But he wasn't satisfied with that. He saw his little daughter hiding behind the wall. He dragged her out and started beating her too. "Dad! Don't!" And starts sobbing. 

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. 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 one 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. 

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. "Valeriana, 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. 

Chris got ready in a casual black t-shirt and denim pants. He got ready and went to the garage. And now about his garage, Chris has a kind of obsession for cars. He has his own side of the garage to keep his precious cars. Though he had to pay extra for this. But it doesn't matter to him. He treats them as his own babies. He got into his Rolls-Royce, started the car and left the building. 

The car stopped in front of a big building. The building was standing in a big spacious place. He looked at it and said, "Sorry for not being able to visit. I was quite busy" And got down from the car. The owner of this NGO was also present there. "Hi, Mr Chris, how are you?" He asked. Chris smiled and said, "I'm all good, what about you?" "I'm all good" The owner answered back. The owner is a middle aged man. His father was the one who had started the NGO. He was quite close to Chris but he died three years ago. No reason, he was old enough that's why. After his death his son now looks after the NGO. 

"Thanks to your donations. If it weren't for you then it wouldn't have been a NGO but a supermall. And these orphans and elderly people would have nowhere to go" Mr. Callisto said in an indebted voice. "I just did what anyone would have done. Anyone would save his home. I did the same. My first home is HOME. And because of this I got a sweet family." Chris said with a smile. Then he continued, "I'm indebted to Mr Judas for bringing me here. He's like my grandfather. May he rest in peace" He said the last words being sad.

"You turned out to be a great gentleman, your mom and dad must be proud of you," Mr Callisto said. "I hope so too," He said. 

"OMG, Chris is here!!!" Maria said while jumping up and down. Valeriana laughed, "Do you like him that much?" She asked. "More than my life! He's the love of my life!!!" Maria said while touching the left side of her chest. Valeriana giggled.