"Tonyo! Stop it!"
My heart pounded hard in my chest when I heard the shout of Aunt Dina.
I had just come home from work, and this was the first thing that greeted me.
Ignoring the exhaustion weighing down my body, I rushed inside our small house made of patched-together roofing sheets.
As soon as I entered, I found Gia, my younger sister, sprawled on the floor. Her hands were over her head as if trying to shield herself.
My father was being held back by our neighbors, yet he still kept trying to kick her.
"Pa!" I shouted as I hurried toward them.
I grabbed his leg just as he was about to kick Gia again. I pulled her close and wrapped her in my arms. My chest tightened when I saw her face covered in bruises. She was crying.
"Pa, that's enough!"
"Enough? That girl came home late at night! Who knows where she came from? Maybe she's becoming just like your mother running off with men! You might as well sell yourself, Gia, so we can at least earn money!"
My head burned with anger.
"Pa!" Was all I managed to say.
I couldn't stand up to him I felt my knees weaken, and the weight on my chest only grew heavier. I forced my lips not to tremble. I didn't want them to see fear. I wanted to look strong.
"Tonyo, go to sleep. You're drunk again!" Aunt Dina tried to calm my father, even reaching out to touch him, but he pushed her hand away.
More neighbors stepped in to restrain him. He had no choice but to back off.
He glared at us before turning away and leaving the house. He was probably heading to the next town again to drink.
When they saw he was no longer about to hurt us, Aunt Dina and the other neighbors excused themselves, leaving only Gia and me.
I looked at her, she was still sobbing. I helped her sit on a chair and brushed her hair aside so I could clearly see her face.
Even with only the lamplight illuminating our home, her bruises were painfully visible. Something lodged in my throat.
I took a deep breath before speaking.
"Have you eaten?"
She shook her head with a stifled sob, though not as intense as earlier.
"I'll go out for a bit. I'll buy medicine so the swelling won't get worse tomorrow. You still have school. I'll get you something to eat too," I said as I stood up.
She quickly grabbed the hem of my shirt.
"Kuya…" Her voice trembled. She looked at me like I wouldn't come back.
I smiled at her. "Trust me, okay? I'll return right away."
After a few seconds, she nodded.
I looked around, hoping some pharmacies were still open. I knew they were supposed to be open 24 hours, but here in our area, they usually closed by ten.
It was almost eleven.
Losing hope of finding a pharmacy, I sighed and went to a bakery to buy ice.
At least this place hadn't closed yet.
The ice would have to do for now to keep Gia's face from swelling too badly. She definitely couldn't go to school tomorrow.
Next, I stopped by a convenience store to buy her something to eat.
After picking out her favorite noodle flavor, I lined up at the counter. Three customers were ahead of me, so I kept a bit of distance so they wouldn't smell my sweat. I had come straight from the construction site without changing.
The line moved, and soon the woman in front of me was paying for her items.
She had a cup of vanilla ice cream. If only I had more money, I'd buy one like that for Gia. She also had Korean instant noodles, soju, and a pack of peanuts.
The cashier finished ringing up her items when she suddenly added...
"Miss, do you have condoms? Why are you hiding them? I'll buy one, size large."
I turned toward her and glanced around the store, hoping there were other customers. I breathed in relief, only the two of us were left. Her voice was so loud when she said that. I felt embarrassed on her behalf.
"What flavor, ma'am?" the cashier asked casually.
Condoms have flavors?
The woman looked over her shoulder and caught my presence. She stared at me for a second, then turned back to the cashier.
Only then did I notice she was about the same height as me.
"What's the usual flavor people buy here?" she asked.
"Uhm… strawberry, ma'am." the cashier replied.
"Really? Then do you have bacon or cola flavor?"
I frowned.
They eat and drink condoms now?
I mean do those flavors even exist? Why am I only learning this now? I graduated high school. Why didn't they teach this in science class? Is this taught in college?
All I knew was that condoms were for protection, I didn't know they came in flavors.
The woman glanced at me again and caught my confused expression.
She smirked, almost amused, paid for her things, and walked out.
I just watched her go.
After paying for mine, I stepped outside. I saw the woman from earlier sitting on one of the plastic chairs outside the store, focused on her phone. She only looked up briefly when she heard the chime of the door.
She stared for a moment, then returned to her screen.
I headed home.
When I arrived, Gia was already asleep. Her face was still wet with tears. Father still hadn't come home, he was probably sleeping on the streets again.
Before, I used to fetch him wherever he drank. Even if he collapsed in the road and people thought he was dead, I'd still drag him home while passersby stared and my classmates laughed at me. But I stopped doing it after I graduated high school. I think I just got tired. He's an adult, he can go home on his own. Though every time he does, he's missing his slippers, his clothes are muddy, and sometimes he even has bruises on his face.
Ah… this life.
Gia stirred, sensing my presence.
"Kuya?"
"Hmm? Wake up for a bit and eat, Gia. It's not good to sleep hungry. Just give me a moment, I'll cook this for you."
She rubbed her eyes and nodded.
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Kuya means older brother or any men who is older.