Katalina
“Hand me the file. Where is it?” Mum snapped at me. Her eyes were so cold and hard.
“Mum, what’s going on? Why are you doing this?”
“The file, Katalina. I don’t have time for this.”
She waved the gun around as she was talking, scaring the hell out of me.
“Okay, okay. I will give it to you.”
I quickly brought it out and handed it over to her.
She took it, gave it a quick glance and nodded. Right after that, she headed for the door. She didn’t ask me to follow her. She was going to leave me behind just like I expected. Though I suspected that this would happen, I couldn’t help but feel wronged. My mother was abandoning me. A dense wave of anger surged out of nowhere. Before I knew what I was doing, I had hurried over and stood in the door, blocking her way.
“Katalina?” Emilia called my name in shock.
“What are you doing?” Mum sneered at me.
“When are we leaving, Mum?” I asked in defiance. My eyes were on her gun the whole time. She squinted her eyes at me while tucking it in her pants. She was giving me what felt like a scrutinizing look.
“It’s not safe. Stay here. Just be ready as I can come back for you at any time.”
“So, we ain’t leaving together?”
“I just told you it’s not safe.”
“I spoke to Grandma. She is worried about you, Mum. Can you just call her? Let her know you are fine.”
“Okay.” She nodded and reached out for my hand. I quickly snatched it out of her way and looked her straight in the eye. “Mum, about my Dad,…”
“Katalina, I don’t have the time for this. Get out of my way!”
“Just tell me his name. What is my father’s name? Is he still alive? Does he know about me? Just tell me!” I cried out in anguish.
How could she be so nonchalant about all this?
“He is alive. He knows about you, but I can’t tell you his name.” She shrugged exasperatedly.
“Why?”
“Because it’s not time. When it’s time for you to meet your father, he will come to you. All you have to do is be a good girl and wait.”
“What?”
I couldn’t believe my ears. I have to wait for him? It’s been 18 years. When will it be the right time?
“You are lying.” I felt hot tears falling down my cheeks. I wished there was a way to pry her mouth open and force her to divulge all that I needed to know.
Beep, beep, beep.
Something on her beeped. Her eyes suddenly changed. She drew her weapon again and gave me a stern look. “Get out of my way.”
“Mum, put the gun away.” I whispered. Cold sweat broke out on my back.
“Incredible, you actually confronted your precious daughter with a gun?” An unexpected voice reached my ears.
Shocked beyond words, I turned around and saw Huracio. He was standing with his hands in his pockets just a few feet away. Behind him was a large number of men. They were fully armed.
“Hura…Argh!”
“Katalina, watch out!” Emilia’s frantic cry reached my ears, but it was a bit too late. Mum grabbed at my hair the moment I turned towards Huracio.
My head suddenly yanked backward, sending sharp pains down my spine.
“Mum, what…arrrrgh, stop!”
Mum wrapped her arms around me and held the gun to my head. It was cold. I couldn’t believe it. It was so shocking that I just went limp in her arms, making it easy for her to properly lock me down with no means of escape.
“Let her go.” Huracio ordered sternly, and she snorted.
The same authoritative voice that always had me scrambling to obey all his orders did nothing to my Mum. I don’t know why I expected her to obey him, and when she didn’t, my heart sank.
“No. Tell your men to leave. I am leaving with my daughter.”
Huh?
Didn’t she say it’s too dangerous to take me just now? What changed?
“She is my wife now. I can’t let you take her. You have just two options. Let her go and I will go easy on you. Or I will have my sniper take you out right now. Your choice.”
The moment he said that, Mum’s body went stiff. She looked around frantically. She moved away from the windows, dragging me with her.
“Mum, please. You are hurting me. Put the gun away.” I pleaded in fright. “You are scaring me, Mum. I am really scared!” I started crying.
“Let me out, and I will drop her someone safe for you to pick up.” She sneered at Huracio.
“You want to make your daughter a hostage?” Huracio exclaimed in shock.
I was as shocked as him, but with the gun so close to my brain, I couldn’t react much. I just felt colder and more dejected.
“She stopped being my daughter the moment she started rolling in bed with the enemy.” She sneered, sending shivers down my spine.
My eyes turned as big as saucers, and I almost choked on my saliva. She knew? How did she know?
“Mum.” I whispered in shock. I don’t know where it came from, but her words submerged me in a relentless wave of guilt. My face turned red as I coughed repeatedly, trying to get some air into my lungs.
“Wasn’t that why you left her behind? So that she could replace you. I have been treating her well. Are you jealous?” Huracio chuckled.
“Huh, what’s there to be jealous about?” She snorted, rolling her eyes.
“Mum, I am sorry.” I sniffed in remorse.
“Shut up, you stupid slut. I had Emilia’s house bugged. I know everything. Don’t play dumb with me.”
“Oh my hand!” Emilia’s frightened voice exclaimed behind us. “I swear, I didn’t know. I didn’t know.”
“Mum, I am sorry. I am sorry. I didn’t mean to.” I clamped my palms together and started begging her.
“Kitty, stop apologizing to her.” Huracio’s calm demeanor broke and a deep frown of dissatisfaction creased his brows. I couldn’t believe he was getting jealous at such a time. “After today , you will have nothing to do with her. So, don’t apologize. I will save you.”
Mum suddenly moved the gun away from my head and poked my right thigh with it.
“What are you doing?” I asked in dread.
“Phun.” Without any warning, she shot me in my thigh.
“Arrrrrrrgh !!!!”
Sharp, breath-taking pain exploded in my leg and I screamed. I grabbed at my leg, wanting to crumble to the ground, but she didn’t let me. She held me by the hair, forcing me to keep standing on the injured leg.
‘Helana!”
“Katalina. Oh, my Gawd. Miss Helena.”
“Let me pass or we can watch her bleed to death. Your call.” Mum shrugged, looking nonchalant.
“Mum, will you let me die? Mum, please. I don’t want to die.” I cried harder, turning to Huracio. He didn’t look like he was worried for me. His eyes were calm. Didn’t he say he loves me? How can he let me die?
“Huracio, please. Let us leave. Please, I don’t want to die. Please!”
“Miss Helena,” Emilia came forward. She had tears in her eyes and her fear mirrored mine. “Miss Helena, please. She is your daughter. Please, let her go.” She pleaded.
“You can leave with her.” Huracio suddenly said. He stepped away from the door, but wouldn’t even look my way again.
“We can leave? He said we can leave, Mum. Let’s go.” I said in a trembling voice. Blood was pooling down my leg and I was already feeling weak.
“Move.” Mum held onto my hair and started pushing me forward.
There was a bullet in my leg and the pain was excruciating. I couldn’t move as fast as she wanted, but she didn’t care. She handled me so badly that I started doubting that she was my mother.