"Okay. Tell me everything."
Rin took a sip from her glass her gaze distant.
"It all began ten years ago when I was in middle school..."
* * * * * * * *
"Okay, class dismissed," the teacher said closing the book.
"Good day ma'am!" the students said in response before flooding out of the classroom.
Rin packed her books in her bag, swung it over her shoulder and reluctantly headed out of the class. Unlike other students who were happy to head home, she had the exact opposite feeling. For her, being in school gave her the sense of comfort and acknowledgement she craved for. Slowly, she walked out of the classroom and headed onto the school compound. By the gates, students and parents swarmed the entrance and Rin felt a tinge of sadness since she knew that her parents won't be there to pick her up.
"Hey Rin!"
She looked up and saw one of her classmates waving and running towards her.
"Aren't your parents here to pick you up?" she asked and Rin shook her head.
"They must be busy with work," she lied and hurriedly walked away afraid to answer any more questions she might have.
After a few minutes, she stood nervously by the front door afraid to know what might be happening inside the enclosure. Taking in a deep breathe to steady herself, she mustered the courage and opened the door. And just as she had predicted, her parents' shouts echoed around the house.
"What! So it's my fault that we are in this situation?" her dad asked.
"Yeah. Whose fault would it be then? Mine? Our daughter's? Get a grip you selfish bastard!" her mother retorted angrily.
Not wanting to draw her parents' attention, she quietly tiptoed from the entrance and into her room. With her back on her door, she sank onto the floor and buried her face between her knees. Her parents' faded voices crept through the door and she could feel tears well up in her eyes.
"Why does it have to be like this?" she mumbled to herself as the tears she had been trying to hold back rolled down her cheeks.
Days turned into weeks and still the atmosphere in Rin's house did not change in the slightest. Closing the door behind her, Rin was surprised to find the house silent. Curiously, she walked into the living room and found her mother seated on the couch folding the laundry.
"Um.. mum?"
Her mother looked up a smile Rin had last seen when she was five on her face.
"Welcome home dear. Are you hungry?" she asked as she stood up from her seat," I made your favourite food."
Though finding her sudden change in behaviour weird, Rin resolved to go with her because she did not know how long this side of her mother would last. They sat together and engrossed in a mother daughter conversation which went on till late at night. Rin covered her mouth holding back a yawn which threatened to come out. Her mother noticed this and pushed the chair back. She walked towards her and grabbed her hand in hers.
"You should go sleep dear."
Rin shook her head before boldly claiming," Am not tired."
Her mother chuckled and tucked a strand of hair from her eyes," Of course you aren't but I am. Shall we?"
Rin reluctantly nodded and together they made their way to her room. She stopped by the door and turned to her mother.
"Can I... sleep with you tonight?" she asked her eyes shut tightly.
To her surprise, she felt a warm hand on the top of her head. She opened her eyes and looked at her mother who was smiling at her.
"You are so big now but you want to sleep with me?"
Together they walked into Rin's room and lay on the bed with Rin cuddled up in her mum's arms.
"Goodnight my child," she whispered and kissed her forehead before slipping into sleep herself.
The days that followed were lively with Rin's mum showing up to pick her after school and cuddling with her in the night until she fell asleep. These days however, were short lived when one day, Rin's father showed up out of nowhere. He walked into the living room causing Rin and her mother who were knitting some toys to look up.
"The house seems warmer than when I was last here."
Sensing something wrong, Rin immediately hid behind her mother who in turn stood protectively in front of her.
"What do you want?" she asked coldly and Rin's dad just laughed at this.
"What do I want? Can you give me what I want?" he asked his gaze on Rin.
"Rin dear, go to your room," she said turning to the kid behind her.
"But mum I..."
"Mummy will be with you soon and we will read that story you wanted okay?"
Rin slowly nodded and disappeared out of sight leaving her parents to deal with whatever they had to discuss amongst themselves. She arrived by her room door and before she could raise her hand to the handle, a loud crash echoed around her. Worried something might have happened, she quickly rushed towards the living room but kept her figure hidden by the wall.
"How dare you! I won't let you take my daughter away from me!"
Rin's father stood from the ground and grabbed his now wounded and bleeding eye," You're crazy! Why did I even marry you?"
"Get out of my house before I make sure your other eye won't see the light of day," she said threateningly.
"You haven't seen the last of me!" he retorted and dashed out of the living room.
Rin watched as her father slammed the door shut before turning to her mother who was now slumped on the chair sobbing into her hands. From how messy the room was, she could put two and two together to know that her parents had a serious fight and somehow, she was involved. Leaving her sobbing mother, she headed to her room and soon drifted off to sleep. Two months passed without her father's surprise visits and soon, Rin's birthday neared.
"I can't wait to see the present you got me mother," she said happily and her mother lightly pinched her cheek.
"How did you know I got a gift? Did you sneak a peek when I was away?"
"Of course not!" she said defensively.
Once they were a few feet from their house, Rin's mother abruptly stopped in her tracks causing Rin to run into her.
"Ouch! Mum, what's..."
Her words trailed off once she saw the figures in front of them.
"Are you perhaps the one living in this house?" the first man asked and Rin's mother looked at them.
"Yes I am."
"Then, come with us to pay off the money owned by Mr. Rigvar."
"Money? What money?"
The guy produced an envelope from his pocket and handed it to Rin's mother who took it. After reading through, she looked up her eyes showing the anger and shock in her.
"... that bastard..."