Damaged Omega

From a Distance

MUTYA smiled at the young man who assisted her before waving her hand goodbye.

She entered the grocery store. It was the third door from the agricultural supply depot.

After more than two weeks of postponing her visit to the Kalayaan market, she finally decided to leave the safety of the hut.  

She avoids going out of the house the past few days. Her parents were wondering but respected her decision. Often, it was her father who went to the marketplace with her indisposed.

This morning when she heard her father that he will be going, she volunteered instead.

Mutya knew that she cannot avoid that gigantic woman forever. However, she hoped that their paths will not cross today.

Dragging the rusty trolley, she made her way out of the market. The tied re-usable bag was almost full with the groceries.

Despite the number of times that her father went to the market last week, he always forgot things. He never made a list. Unless it was her or her mother, the cupboard will be full of essentials.

Regardless of the distance between them, Mutya knew that the same woman was following her. It was not her lucky day.

However, the tall woman did not make any attempts on approaching her.

Mutya must admit, she has no fear that her life was in danger.

“You’re back early.” It was her mother who saw her when she entered the wooden gate of their yard.

“The line wasn’t that long in the groceries.”

She went inside and put groceries in the cupboard. She made coffee for two and grabbed the loaf of bread before she went out.

Her mother was still on the small patio. The sweet potatoes that were gathered this morning were on her feet. It will be for pick up early morning tomorrow. She already informed their regular vendor and she promised to pick them up as long as all of their products will be theirs.

She placed the coffee and bread on the small table. She occupied the chair beside hers.

“These are all of it?”

“No. You’re father and Nestor are still outback.” The older woman sipped from the cup.

Angelina beamed at her. Her mother liked her coffee black unlike her and her father, they want cream and sugar in it.

“Mrs. Jones will pick them up tomorrow. All of them.”

“That’s good.”

“The same price.”

“Much better.”

Mutya stood up once again when she saw her father and Nestor. She went back to the kitchen to make two more cups of coffee.

“Thank you.” Her father said who occupied the seat she vacated.

Nestor also nods at her.

Nestor is a middle-aged man. He and his wife live four houses away. They have two children who were in middle school. They were human just like her parents.

“Your mother told me about Mrs. Jones.” Bernardo is also beaming at her. “I like it better if you’re the one dealing with our harvest. You sell them better.”

“Your daughter is a pretty face. It helps.” Nestor stated before sipping his coffee.

“Do you still want to see your children growing up, Nestor?” Her mother threatened their help on the farm. “Are you saying I’m ugly?”

The three of them laugh at her mother’s intimidation.

“Tomorrow, we’ll start with the soils. The fertilizer will be delivered today.” Her father reminds Nestor. He completely changed the subject.

“I’ll be here.”

Not long, the truck of the agricultural depot stopped in front of their yard. The familiar face of the young man who assisted her climbed out of the driver's side.

With the help of Nestor and her father, the products she bought were sent to the shed.  She and her other, watched them as they carried the sacks inside.

“Is that your friend?”

She glanced at her mother when she said that. She was chewing the bread in her mouth.

Angelina pointed her finger outside the yard. She peeked at the place she was pointing.

On the other side of the road, a familiar woman stood under a shady tree.

“I didn’t know her personally.”

“She has been standing there since you arrived. She has been watching like a creepy stalker. If not for her pretty face, I would be threatened. She looks familiar though.”

“If she needs anything, she would come over and ask.”

“You have a point there.”

The man gave her father a piece of paper before leaving the yard. He pressed the car horn twice as he left.

“Those sacks reminded me that I’m old enough not to carry them again.” Her father complained.

“You’re not that old, Papa. You just need a lot of rest.”

“And cold compress later.” Her mother added.

“You used to swoon at me in our younger days. I can still remember how you blush at the sight of me.” Her father banters.

“Because you’re still good-looking then.”

“My angel, men are like wine. We aged gracefully.”

“That being said, drink your coffee. It’s hunger talking, Bernardo.” Her mother turned to her. “Do you have an extra bread inside?”

She nodded. Without another word, she went to the kitchen for the third time. She grabbed the extra loaf of bread and placed it inside the brown paper bag. She added a box of cheese.

Nestor has been working with them for three years. Aside from being their help on the farm, he also became a family friend. When the kids are free, they visit and the day with them.

They gave him extra groceries for his kids. He is a good man and a good father. That was a good enough reason to help his family.

She went back to them and gave the brown bag to Nestor. He sent her a grateful smile.

He used to refuse the groceries but her parents insisted. There was this one time that he intentionally left the bag. Mutya crossed the short distance between their houses and delivered them herself.

Mutya finished her snacks. She left them and went to her room.

From the window of her bedroom, she peeped outside.

The tall woman was still under the tree. Her eyes were on the yard. Both of her hands were inside the hoodie she has on.

Ten minutes later, the woman left. She walked in the direction of the market.

On the other hand, Mutya laid on her bed and stared at the ceiling.

“Why?” She uttered in the silence of the room. “I’m finally holding a reign on my life. I’m happy now.”

She sighed.

For a long time, she has been blaming the moon goddess for all the bad things that happened to her. The faith she has in Selene as the mother of all werewolves has diminished.

If she truly cared for her creatures, why would she allow her subject to suffering? If cared for everyone, why would Selene give her a mate that would exploit her being? If she cared enough, why let her be alone and sent her parent to their death?

Now that she already comfortable and contented with the Vasquez, why sent another person that would remind her of the past that she wanted to forget?