"Strawberries... Blueberries... Peaches..." I rechecked the list one more time. In case I missed anything. Today, Hera and Sweet will go shopping. We have a dessert order from a nearby company for a party tomorrow. Fruity pie and blueberry muffins, both are the best-selling desserts in the cafe.
"Unnie, garbage bag... And... And..."
"Baking flour. Aish, you remind unnie about the list but even you forgot yourself!" Hera playfully smacks Sweet's shoulder. The girl whines a bit.
"Here..." I hand them my minivan key. Along with the list.
"I'll drive!" Sweet snatches the key from Hera.
"Yarh, you want us to die? Lemme drive!" Hera snatches the key back.
"But you drive so slow!!"
"Safety first. I have a lot on my hands okay? I have groceries..." she glares at Sweet. "... And your life, too..."
I smirk a bit. The last statement is almost inaudible for Sweet. But, I can hear it loud and clear. Hera quickly runs out of the kitchen. I bet she knew that I could hear that. She looked flustered as well.
"Hera, wait for meww!!" Sweet grabs her bag and pursues her. Leaving me alone, cleaning the kitchen, and making some preparations for tomorrow.
I connect my phone to the Bluetooth speaker in the kitchen so I can play my playlist on Spotify. It's good to have some music in the background while doing some tasks.
"Tray... Tray..." I rummage through the lower cabinet, looking for the baking tray. Found it!
Okay, time to clean!
I grab all the baking utensils. Inspect and clean them one by one. Some need to be thrown away. I should buy a new set of cookie cutters! These look worn out!
While jamming along to the music, suddenly I felt uneasy. I grab a tray in my hand. Someone is standing behind me. That's what my guts tell me.
I turn my back and swing my tray in the air.
I'm alone.
I frown. I'm so sure someone is lurking behind me! I sigh, as I continue what I did just now.
Perhaps, I'm just too tired!
Dishes done. Now, it's time to clean!
I sweep the floor. Collect all trash from the kitchen dustbin. Some boxes need to be recycled. So, I gathered everything and put them in front of the back door. Recycle items first. Then, trash.
I was about to walk back in when I saw a figure slowly approaching me. My heart is thumping fast. But I play a coy, pretending that I didn't realize it.
Slowly, I walk past the figure. But, the figure snatches me from behind. I struggled to escape, but his huge body almost wrapped around me.
"There is no use to scream... No one can hear you..."
I flounder like a fish, my hands are tied back as I jump and jerk my body. No matter what it is, I will escape myself from this man!
He nails me against the wall. Pinning his body against my back. I fight with my might. Trying my best to make a room to escape.
"I won't hurt you if you stop moving!" he whispers to my ears. I slowly losing my energy. That's when he takes his chance to kiss my neck vigorously. Tears streaming from my eyes.
I'm aware of where this will lead.
I close my eyes, sobbing silently when he slowly unbuttoned my blouse. I tried to regulate my breathing, but at that moment I thought I might just die. My consciousness started to distort.
"Don't do this, Your Highness! Please!" I screamed as my body flew onto the bed. He smiled like a devil and brutally tore my nightgown. The girl that he had sex with before, ran out of the room when she saw me screaming for help.
Here goes my only escape plan!
"I'm begging you, please don't do this to me..."
Slap!
"Shut up and do your duty..."
I wonder, did you refuse to fight for your life again, Karin? Are you gonna end your life like this? Just like the last time?
Wake up, Karin!
WAKE UP!
"Argh!!" I stomp on his foot, making him jolting in pain. I ran as fast as I could when he accidentally let me go. He chases me from behind. I quickly enter the kitchen and take a shield behind the kitchen island. He enters the kitchen, too.
That's when I saw the face of the culprit.
"You!"
The man grins.
"Yes, it's me. I did tell you before, that no one says no to me..."
I grab a pan and throw it at him. The man dodges it easily. I try to run to the other side to grab a knife. But even before I reach, he blocks me and grabs me again.
"Let me go!"
"There is no way to go. You're mine now!"
I fight for my life. Scratching his arms and smacks him all over his face. Even if I die today, I won't die as a weakling.
Karin, think fast! He might conquer you now, but this is your kitchen! This is your territory! This is your playground!
Fight, Karin!
FIGHT!!
I kick him on his balls and push him with all my might. I grab some flour from the flour container and blow some into his eyes. He got oblivious before I lifted my beloved pink pan and smacked his head with the small amount of energy that I had.
He falls and hits his head on the counter. He drops onto the floor, still and silent. The pan escapes from my grip as I crouch on the floor, crying.
You did it, Karin... You did it!
My hands are shaking so badly. The feeling of scare and relief mixes up right now. I don't care if he's dead by now. I'm glad this is over, but somehow those traumatizing nightmare takes a toll on my mental state now.
"Karin?" I hear someone calling my name. But my body is too stunned to speak. I hear footsteps coming towards me. I put my head on my knees and sobbed hard.
"Oh my God!! Karin!!" I lift my head. It's Jun. He dashes towards me and pulls me into a big, warm hug.
"What happened, noona?" he asks me.
"Jun...." I can't utter any words.
"It's okay... I'm here... I won't leave you..."
"I'm scared..." I cry.
"Hey, I got you," he pulls away my body a bit. I wipe tears from my face.
"Lean on me. Just lean on me..."
I cry as I hug him so tight. The protection that he gives me now puts my heart at ease. It's warm and homey for me. How I'm grateful to have somebody who I can hug.
I feel safe.