While I was away, they went behind my back and paid the bride price.
That night, my mother made an elaborate feast and personally cooked the food. It was something she never did. She even drank with me and swore, "As long as you listen to me, I’ll have your father find you a good job. We’ll even pay for your wedding."
I was naive enough to believe her. I thought she had finally broken free of my aunt’s manipulation. I had no idea she had baited me herself and set the trap to keep me caged forever.
The next morning, I woke up with a splitting headache and there was a woman lying next to me. She threatened me, "Take responsibility, or I'll call the police."
Later, I found out she was called Tia.
***
Suddenly, a commotion broke out at the table.
"O … oops ... Sofia ..."
My daughter was coughing violently, her tiny face flushed red. She was at my aunt’s feet, choking.
My aunt chided, "This girl is so fragile, can't take a little prank. It’s just a little mustard! Why are you so dramatic?
I rushed forward and scooped my daughter into my arms. She was choking and sobbing. I frantically searched the table for water but there was nothing except alcohol.
"Aunt! She’s only a year old! How could you let a baby eat mustard?! You’re her great-aunt! Do you have no conscience to treat a child like this?" I shouted angrily.
A sharp slap landed across my face.
SMACK!
In a rage, my mother yelled, "How dare you speak to your aunt like that?"
I barely felt the sting because I was too worried and said without restrain, " She is just one year old! What if she chokes? If that’s not heartless, then what is?!"
"Enough! Your aunt only comes to the old house a few times a year and you and your daughter just had to ruin everything! How many times have I told you to respect your aunt? Stop embarrassing me!" my mother roared.
I was so worried that I became enraged. So, I yelled at her, "Mom! She’s your sister, not mine! It’s your responsibility to take care of her, not mine! Grandfather told you to look after her so what does that have to do with me? Haven’t they ruined my life enough?"
In my arms, my daughter’s cries weakened. My heart dropped. I could not think of anything else. All I wanted to do was to go to the kitchen and rinse the child's mouth.
My mom was furious and swung her arm to slap me while yelling, "Ungrateful son, I'll beat you to death! I won't let you walk all over me!"
Mateo went forward and pulled my mom in a false manner then coaxed her, "Aunt, let him go. You know my cousin is small-minded. Don't make yourself angry."
My mother's expression immediately changed when she saw Mateo come and pursue her. She said softly, "Good boy. Only you who are respectful. I won't get angry anymore. It's pointless."
When she turned to me, she glared viciously and retorted, "Nothing in you comparable with your cousin. You two are so different, how the hell did I ever give birth to a loser like you?"
Mateo helped my mom back to the table and sat down as if nothing had just happened.
My daughter who was lying on my arm suddenly bobbed her head up and down frantically. Something felt off. I glanced down and there it was, a small patch of blood staining my clothes.
I shouted to Tia, "Blood! Tia! Our daughter is coughing blood!"
My daughter's eyebrows were furrowed, her eyes were closed tightly and only a pair of small hands were gripping my clothes tightly, enduring the pain with great difficulty.
I turned around to face the crowd then threatened my aunt, "Auntie, if something happens to my girl today, I won't let you off the hook! Tia, let's go to the hospital!”
Tia, who was at the other end of the table, was stunned for a moment when she saw the blood stain on my clothes. Then she immediately took action and ran toward me. I picked up my daughter and ran outside.
"Get the car! We’re going to the hospital immediately!"
In panic, I rushed to the car. Just as I opened the door, my mother rushed forward and gripped the car window then said, "She has been drinking! She can’t drive! She’s been drinking!"
I was already so anxious that my teeth were chattering and I turned my head and yelled angrily at Tia, “Have you been drinking? How can you drink? What about the baby?”
At this time, Tia's face was exactly the kind of red that comes from drinking alcohol and it made me furious to see it.
"Why are you yelling at me? How was I supposed to know this would happen? If I knew, I wouldn’t have drunk anything!" she yelled back.
