Flakes of Tears

Prologue

Prologue

Before reading, please know that this novel will discuss sensitive issues about our society and some mental health disorders that are currently taboo. If you think that you will be triggered by the following scenes, please save yourself from stress because your health is my priority. But if you wish to know more about these kinds of events, then you can continue to read. That's all and have a nice day!

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(tw // violence; Read at your own risk)

Why can't I just die?

The gravel-gray skies were bare in the midst of the winter season in Nami Island. The snow was whalebone-white while I was limping through the forest to get away from my master. My tears were falling relentlessly along with the cold wind and flakes of snow. It was harsh cold but I still tried my best to find shelter.

Mas lalo akong naiyak nang maalala ko kung paano ako napunta sa sitwasyong ito.

"You're of no use! Useless! Just a simple dance in front of me! You can't do that?! Byeong-sin saek-ki! (Mother fucker!)"

He cursed at me before I received a hard slap that made my face numb for a while. It seemed like I can't hear anything because of his slap. Nanlalabo na ang mga mata ko sa mga luha at sobrang lakas na nang pintig ng puso ko.

"What? You're going to cry again? All you ever did was cry! Your parents brought you here to just cry? Ssibal-saekki! (Fucker!)" Nakaramdam na naman ako nang malakas na sampal at sinabunutan niya pa ang buhok ko.

"Boss! B-boss! Tama na... T-tama na po!" pagmamakaawa ko kahit alam kong hindi niya naiintindihan. Pero mukhang wala siyang naririnig na kahit ano at patuloy lang ang paghila sa buhok ko papasok sa isang k'warto.

"Shut the hell up! If you can't do what I want, then you deserve to rot in this room! You will not be given any food or water! Your family will just receive the news that their daughter is already dead!"

Pabalibag niya akong binato papunta sa kama at ramdam ko ang maraming paglagas sa buhok ko. I could see violet bruises on my arms and legs because of the continuous harassment that I've been receiving ever since I worked here.

"W-wag po... 'Wag niyo po akong ikulong! Nag... nagmamakaawa po ako! Naega jalmot-haesseoyo! It's my fault! It's my fault!" Hindi na 'ko makahinga sa sobrang pag-iyak pero bakas pa rin ang galit sa mukha ng amo ko. Hindi niya naiintindihan ang pag-ta-tagalog ko dahil Korean Local siya. He has been treating me harshly ever since I worked here. But I couldn't resign...

Because I'm the breadwinner of our family.

Hindi siya nagpatinag at kahit sumabit na 'ko sa paa niya ay sinipa niya lang ako sa tiyan. Agad akong napa-aray. "That serves you right, useless bitch! You should've just stayed in the Philippines, you slut!"

He cupped my face that made it distorted before punching it that made me pass out. The next thing I knew, everything was black and I'm locked in this room.

The cold humid of the air was embracing me the moment I woke up. Sobrang sakit ng buong katawan ko at ramdam ko ang mga pasa sa iba't-ibang parte ng katawan ko. Nagulat ako nang may dugo akong naramdaman na umaagos mula sa ilong ko.

I cried in defeat. Maybe I'm really useless. Maybe I really meant nothing in this cold and harsh world. Hindi ko na alam ang gagawin kaya napatakip na lang ako nang mukha habang umiiyak.

I lifted my head to look at the door. Naka-kandado na ang pinto nitong k'warto na hindi ko pa nalilinisan dati. It was a small room with almost no window where air could pass. May maliit lang na exhaust fan at mukhang hindi pa 'ko kasya. Parang unti-unti na talaga akong nawawalan nang pag-asa.