HER LIFE
"Cooking, almost done, cleaning the house, spic and span, gardens, watered, dishes, done." Mina was busy checking her list of chores. She did those chores every day, but that day was different. She needed to do it faster and earlier as that day was significant for her.
It was her and Royce's first anniversary of being together as lovers. Only seeing Royce twice a month was even a struggle for both. No one knew about their relationship except her sister and best friend and probably Royce's best friend.
They had to hide from both of their parents since Mina's father was known for his being strict and they were also both scared to inform Royce's mom because she might start the grapevine.
"Hey, sis, do you need some help before I go to school? I remember what day today is, and I know how important it is for you. I want you to be happy and enjoy your day together with him. So let me help you finish your chores." Mina's sister Sha poked over at the kitchen as she woke up.
Their father had to leave the house as early as four am to attend to his job on the market. It was also the same time that Mina woke up and started the chores. Since Sha didn't have morning classes that day, Mina didn't bother to wake her up and let her enjoy her sleep while she was busy with the chores. She has inspired me anyway.
"Don't bother sis, I am done with almost everything. I am just waiting for this." She pointed out the boiling pan beside her. She was cooking their lunch and her father's lunch. She knew her father wasn't expecting her to bring her lunch that day.
However, it would also be her alibi, her reason to go out of the house, that her father would not suspect. She did it every time she and Royce had to meet.
If any of their neighbours would see her out of the house for no reason, someone might inform her father. So it would be much better and less risky that every time she went out, she had to see her father first.
Besides, the market where her father worked was a beaten track on the way in and out of their house and the bus station.
"Okay, sis, I'll just get ready." She giggled excitedly, she was just a high school student, and she was six years younger than Mina. However, she was the only person who could let out her overwhelming emotions of love and talk about Royce, aside from her best friend in the neighbourhood, Farah.
Although, Farah was a college student and usually not at their house. She was staying in a dormitory in the city not far from the university she was studying.
With all of her friends, Mina was the only person who hadn't attended college. She had to stop after her mother left, not only for financial reasons. But, also because of the traumatic experience that happened to her father, he decided to be more strict with his daughters to the extent that he started to be possessive and wouldn't let them go out of the house.
They felt lucky enough that he finally agreed to let her sister Sha go to school again, and Mina had to be okay with that. She didn't bother to dream for herself anymore. All she needed at that moment was Royce and his love.
If there's something she had been dreaming of is for Royce to be her knight in shining armour. That someday, he would marry her and take her away from that place. They would build their own family and just be together forever.
"Do you think this get-up is perfect?" Mina turned around in front of the mirror and asked her sister. She was just wearing simple, clean, knee-high skinny short pants and a simple square neckline blouse. That dress wasn't the best for her, but she had to choose that, to avoid his father assuming that she was about to be on a date.
"It's fine. You look great in whatever you wear anyway. Besides, Royce already loves you for that reason. But, can you just put a little colour on your lips and cheek? You look pale, sister." She handed her lipstick and a tiny blush. She was hiding in her bag.
"Wait, why do you have something like this in your bag?" Mina's eyes widened. She knew if ever her father would see something like this in any of their things. They would be in great trouble.
"Sssh, I was hiding it in my bag's secret compartment. Besides, it wasn't mine. It's a gift from a classmate. If you want to borrow it you can borrow it. If you don't, I'll just have to keep it back inside."
"Okay, okay, I will borrow it, but I'll only put it after seeing the father." Mina took the cosmetics and hid them carefully in her small pouch, which would only look like a wallet.
Mina and Sha shared glances at each other at the market after eyeing the older man who was busy carrying sacks of cereals. He worked there as a store assistant at Farrah's father's business.
"Looked like another yummy lunch for daddy," said one of his father's co-workers, Val. He was a little bit older than Mina. He was also supposed to be one of Mina's courters if not only because his father threatened to kill him if ever he would woo Mina.
His father furrowed his brow but nodded at them and returned to his work.
"Just put it on the table. I will get it later. I'm still busy."
It was a relief for Mina and Sha if their father wouldn't notice them much, then being noticed at all. However, as they turned around and were about to go.
"Mina! How often have I told you not to wear a blouse with such an open neckline? What are you, a slut?" Her father's voice reverberated, and almost everyone in the market, sellers and customers, threw a look at her.
Mina and Sha looked around as they heard the hushed sounds of the people that surrounded them. All eyes were on them while mumbling with each other with apparent expressions that they were talking about them. It made both girls' faces crimson in embarrassment. They couldn't tell what was on everyone's mind. But whatever it was, it was still embarrassing for them.