When Two Beasts Fell in Love

“Mama, when I grow up, I will build a very big house for you,” a girl told her mother as her hands made some action, telling her mother how big the house she wants to build in the future. She even drew the kind of house she will build. This action warmed her mother’s heart.  “That’s a big house, Angelique! But, how can we live there?” Her mother asked her while she kept on plowing the soil. It was Saturday afternoon and she was busy working on the field, where Angelique went to her to help.  Angelique put her finger under her chin, thinking what her mother just said. Until she got it, “Mama…” She whined while stomping her feet on the ground that made her mama laugh. “Not this big,” and then she made a big circle, “it’s a huge house, Mama. From here to there, that you can’t see the end.” She told her mother that’s already laughing at how cute her daughter is.  “I know, Honey…” Her mother affectionately looked at her. “I don’t need a big house, Angelique. All I need is my smiling beautiful daughter being happy and healthy.” It is a small speech but it came from her mother's heart and it affected Angelique.  “Thank you, Mama!” she told her mother as she hugged her. Her mother just laughed a little and let her go.  “Now, be a good girl and play with your cousin. Or rather help them with their school's assignment,” her mother said while wiping her sweat.  “Okay, Mama,” she answered back. Then, she ran off going to their house while her mother looked at her with love in her eyes.  “I am so blessed to have you,” she whispered. When she couldn’t see her daughter anymore, she went back to work.  Susan is a single mother. She only had Angelique, and until now, no one knows who is her father because Susan was a victim of rape. They didn’t catch the culprit, especially Susan didn’t see the guy that did it to her on that dreadful night. It was so dark for her to see anything and she was tied up for her to even identify it or to have any clue.   Susan is a beautiful maiden in her time. She had many suitors, but she declined all of them. She’s a smart girl and is making something for her future, but these things suddenly happened. It really destroyed her until she found out that she got pregnant. But never in her life did she thought about aborting her baby, even if it came from her rapist. With this, she made the right decision by keeping the child. Her daughter is their cheerleader, with her mother and father who’s attending their store at the moment.  Susan kept doing her work until it was finished. Then, she planted the vegetables that she will harvest in the future and sell them in their store. They are fruit and vegetable vendors in a market nearby. That is where they also get their daily living. They are popular in the market because they're selling fresh products.  When she was done, she went home quickly. Their house is not far away from their farm, and it's already getting dark. On her way home, she saw her daughter sitting under the mango tree, sulking. Susan frowned and got worried. She walked fast to her daughter and hugged her.   “Angelique, what happened?” she worriedly asked her daughter who was sitting and crying on her arm.  “Mama…” Tears fell on Angelique's face as she faced her mother. Seeing her daughter cry hurt Susan.  Her mother didn’t ask her anymore and just hugged her like how a mother warms their children in time like this. Susan didn’t speak and just tightly hugged her as time passed by. She wanted her daughter to feel loved and cared for even for whatever she was feeling. Moments passed, Angelique’s sniffing stopped. “Are you fine now, Honey?” her mother asked her, but she just held on tightly to her mother’s clothes. “Okay, Mother won't ask about it anymore,” she said and she kissed Angelique’s forehead like she usually does.  While hugging her daughter, she looked at their surroundings.  It is peaceful. They are living near the mountain. Trees were everywhere, with many plots of different vegetables. A small house is where they live, and a river where they get their water and electricity. It is a place that has fresh air to breathe. So relaxing that many loved to go and stay.  “I will protect you as long as I can,” she murmured and kissed her daughter’s head. She stayed that way for more minutes until she moved and told her daughter to do so. “We need to prepare dinner before grandpapa goes home.” “Okay, Mama,” Angelique said with a smile plastered on her face as if nothing happened a while ago. She was always like this, but this is the first time her mother saw her cry.  So, they went home and cooked their dinner. They’re laughing and smiling the whole evening. Even when her grandparents went home, the laughter of the whole family would be heard. They are just a simple family, but they are full of life and they are happy, and Angelique loves the life they have.  The next morning came too fast, Angelique woke up with her mother, not on her side. She knew that her mother woke up early to harvest their crops so they could sell them on the market. It happened everyday and she was used to it.   She stood up with a smile on her face and did her business in the bathroom. She’s twelve years old already, so she knew how to tend to herself. It was not hard for her because her mother taught her so well. She’s an independent person as she grows up.  After she finished fixing herself, she went to the kitchen to eat her breakfast. As usual, her breakfast was already prepared by her mother. She smiled and started to eat. When she was done, she cleaned the table and her plate. Her grandparents just arrived as she heard the car pull up outside their house. They have a run-down truck, but still able to navigate their crops, the truck is so helpful for them.  “Grandpapa! Grandmama!” she exclaimed as she ran outside. Her mother was also there and was busy putting the sacks on the truck. “Mama!” “Oh, the princess is already ready for school!” her mother remarked as she put her hands on her waist, catching her breath. She just carried the last sack of vegetables and put it on the back of the truck. “Will you bring me to school, Mama?” she asked her mother and she walked to her grandparents, kissing their cheeks. “Good morning, Grandpapa! Good morning, Grandmama!” she cheerfully greeted them. “Good morning, Honey./Good morning, Sweetie.” They greeted her in chorus. They were both around the seventies but they still looked strong and healthy. Age could be seen in their faces but how they move and tend to be happy makes them look younger.  “Are you going now?” she asked them, seeing that they were already ready to go.  “Yes. But, before that, we…” her grandfather paused, staring at her. She also looked back expecting he would say good news.  “What is it, Grandpapa?” she asked excitedly. “Well…” and paused, “We will bring you to school.” That news made Angelique smile so wide that almost stretched her lips.  “Really?” she said excitedly.  “Yes, sweetie. So, let’s go!” Her grandmother held her hand and accompanied her to ride on the truck. Her mother just laughed at her enthusiasm.  The ride to school was so fun. Even though they’re not a complete family, Angelique felt love. Her mother and grandparents never deprived her of their affection since she’s their most important treasure. The ride was not that long, they arrived the same as other students arrived, too.  ”See you later, Mama, Grandpapa, and Grandmama!” she told them as she kissed their cheeks then, she went out of the truck.  “See you later!” The three of them answered. Angelique smiled and walked to school without a hassle.  The first two subjects in the morning went well until the break came. Children were looking at her like she’s an alien. Some looking with disguise, some taunting her, some are laughing, and some are sad.  She didn’t talk to anyone as she usually does. She went inside the cafeteria and bought her food so she can eat it by the trees outside.  But before she could get out of the big building, a big girl blocked her way. By how tall she is, Angelique assumed her to be in a higher grade than her. She didn’t know anyone at school because she's a loner. “What can I help you with?” With a small voice, Angelique asked. The bigger girl was smiling like she will do no good. “I just want to ask for your food,” she said as her hand-laid in front of Angelique, asking for the food she’s holding.  It was always like this and it never grows old for Angelique. So, she gave her food to the girl without hesitation, so she won’t hurt her. But, she was so shocked about what happened next.  The girl got the food and threw it on the floor and she stepped on it like trash.  “Oh!” she exclaimed, covering her mouth with her hand. While her minions that were standing on her side laughed. “It slipped,” she reasoned out. Angelique knew better. But she let it go and answered, “It’s okay,” with a smile on her face. She was about to go out when the girl spoke again. “You won't buy a new one?” “No need. I'm still full by the way,” she just told them, but the truth is, she was already hungry.  The whole building was so big, it really tired her when she walked especially with her chubby body. That’s also one of the reasons they bully her since day one. She’s ugly according to them, and fat. She does not look like her mama and her height too.  “Oh! So, you have extra money, then?” “Why?” Angelique got nervous. “Nothing. But, my father said your family has plenty of money,” she said, quoting what her father had said, and then the girl smirked.  “All I know is that Mama worked hard to earn money to bring me to school and to feed me,” she told them, not ashamed of what her mother was doing. She knew her mother earned it from her sweat, and she told it to them. “So, my father's right. She earned her money by her sweat... by being a harlot!” Everyone laughed like it was the funniest thing ever.  “That’s not true!” Angelique screamed, defending her mother. She knew how her mother plowed the whole field so she could plant vegetables and fruits.  “My father also said, she was not raped. That you were made by one of her men. Maybe an old married guy giving her money.” She taunted her more. “You are just a bastard!” Their laugh echoed in the whole place.  Angelique knew it was not true, but she was so hurt for her mother. She didn’t know where her strength came from, but when she pushed the bigger girl than her, she fell down like a strong person pushed her. “You can put me down but never talk about my mother like that. My mama is the best mom in the world. She let me live even though she can abort me. Next time you talk about her that way, I will just not push you!” She screamed with all her fury.   ”Angelique!” Someone called her at her back that brought her back to her senses and she got nervous. Slowly, she turned around and when she saw that it was her teacher, who was also downgrading her mother. She didn’t think twice and ran away from them.  Her chubby cheeks were wet with tears and it was blurring her eyesight. But she didn’t care, she kept on running until she got tired. Her school was near a forest, and she loved the forest like the forest itself knew her and cared for her.  She sat down and hugged her knees, she cried like a baby. It is always like this. But this time, it was more painful because they involved her mother. She loved her mother so much. She sacrificed many things for her. That's why she loves her so much.  She kept on crying until she felt some fur and snout touching her head and arms. Still sniffing, she took a peek, and a smile broke on her face seeing who it is. She pretended that she still kept on crying.  The petting got followed by a whine. She almost laughed because her friend is concerned with her. But another idea came to her mind. “Ah!” She screamed to startle her friend, that she successfully executed well. Her friend jumped so high away from her and it growled at her. “Ha-ha-ha!” But Angelique never felt frightened, instead, she was so happy.  The animal kept on growling, but Angelique could see that she was just playing with her… and the chase just began.  While laughing, Angelique ran away from the big beast as the beast chased her. She would try to hide in the trees, but the beast always sees her. She laughed and ran away again. And when the beast touches her with her snout, Angelique will chase the beast.  They played like a child and the whole time, Angelique was laughing and was calmer than a while ago. The child in her always comes out when she's with her friend.  “Kiara, let’s take a break,” she said to her friend while catching her breath. Kiara followed and laid down on the ground that was full of dried leaves.  Angelique petted Kiara. Kiara is a big beast called wolf. It has big dark blue eyes and a white smooth fur. She is taller than Angelique but has never been, even once, Angelique felt threatened. They were friends for almost two years now, and no one knows about their friendship. Angelique always tells Kiara all her burdens while the beast just listens to her as it understands her. It didn’t speak but it comforted her and always cheered her up.  “They badly talked about my mother.” Angelique started as she pulled some dried leaves and played with them. “She told the whole school that my mama is a w***e, even though she's not and I know she’s not. They can insult me, but not my mother.” Angelique said the last sentence laced with anger.  The wolf whined and pushed her with her snout that made her giggle because it tickled. The laugh of the kid covered the whole forest.  “Okay. Stop now, Kiara. I’m fine now,” she told her friend with a real smile this time. “Thank you…” she sincerely said to her friend wolf who was laying down on the ground with her, with its head on her stomach. “I don’t know what I will do if you are not here. Thank you.” And then, she kissed Kiara's head.  The wolf grinned saying she liked the kiss. Angelique, being in her happy self again, played with her friend wolf again. The wolf is the only friend she has and she preferred her more than any other girl or human.  Later, Kiara put some fruits on the ground. “You’re giving me this?” Holding a fruit that Kiara gave her. She didn’t know where it came from, but she was already hungry. “Thank you for this!” then she smiled while eating the fruit.  The sweet juice of the fruit invaded her taste bud. It was as delicious as their product. She never thought that there was something delicious as their product.  “Where did you take this, Kiara?” she asked her friend. Then, when she got that her friend won’t answer her, she laughed. “I’m crazy.“ And she took another bite, feeding her empty stomach.  Angelique skipped all her classes on that day. She knew that her teacher would just be mad at her even if she didn't do anything wrong. All the teachers were disgusted with her for an unknown reason that she couldn’t understand.  When she thought that her classes were done. Her smiling face turned to frown.  “I have to go now, Kiara. And I’m sorry I haven't had any food for you. But next time, I'll bring you something.” Angelique tried to be cheerful but Kiara saw it. She snuggled to Angelique that really made her calm.  “I have to go now. Bye, Kiara!” Angelique kissed her head once again before she ran into the school, as Kiara just looked at her before she vanished in the line of trees. The wolf went home by herself when she knew she couldn't follow Angelique.  Angelique saw that the students were going home, so she joined them so they wouldn't see her. And she successfully did it without being noticed.  The market was near the school, so her mother won’t fetch her. Instead, she will go to her and wait for them to finish selling their products.  She ran to the market without minding anyone. She’s a real loner to humans, but she prefers that way than being hurt by them.  “Mama!” She greeted her mother with a kiss on the cheek. Her mother just smiled at her, especially when she started to help her.  Everything came to blur, and they are now going home. Everything was sold and they had a delicious meal for supper. Angelique saw her mother and grandparents her cheerful self. But, she couldn’t really hide anything from her mother.  “What’s the matter, Honey?” her mother asked her as they lay down on their bed. All her mother’s work was already done, so her mother lay down with her.  “Nothing, Mama…” she answered without looking at her mother’s eye.  “I know that something is bothering you, my sweet daughter. You know you can tell everything to mama, right?” With a smile, her mother tried to make her spill out what she was thinking. Her mother’s smile always melts her heart and wall.  “I…” she paused and looked at her mother’s eye. “I want to know who my father is,” she said without shuttering. Her mother got shocked, but it turned to a sad smile. “You know the story, right?” “Yes. But…” and she looked down with a frown on her lips.  “I’m sorry, Honey. I really didn’t see her face. If I did, even with a dark memory I have with him, I won’t take the opportunity for you to meet him,” she sincerely told her daughter. She’s a mother that is willing to take a risk just for her daughter.  That's how she loves her.  “I understand, Mama,” she said. She forced a smile on her face and she hugged her mother.  Her mother being sad is one of her weaknesses and she didn't want that to happen. Her mother is so precious for her to make her sad and worst, to make her cry. Her mother is her everything.  “Let’s sleep?” her mother asked her. “Yes, Mama.” Then she closed her eyes. Slowly, she fell asleep. While her mother was still thinking about her question. Remembering her dark past... “I will take my child with you when the right time comes if she is worthy, and if not, I will kill her.” The voice said and the last sentence she remembered from that night.  “I won’t let you…” And with a promise to protect her daughter, she fell asleep.