Old Days Break Free [On Hold]

White cat

Athena's POV

In Western culture, the color white is often regarded as a symbol of purity, virtue, and innocence.

A white cat appearing in one’s life or crossing their path can be interpreted as a harbinger of positivity, perhaps signaling upcoming changes for the better or even a touch of divine intervention.

Some believe white cats are carriers of good fortune, prosperity, and blessings, their presence a subtle reminder of hope and light.

Growing up, I was my mother’s white cat—a beacon of innocence in a household marked by its own chaos.

I was untouched by the world’s darker shades, a symbol of purity in her eyes. But innocence, no matter how radiant, can be a fragile thing.

My parents, consumed by the weight of their own flaws, chipped away at it, leaving me to carry the scars of their impurities.

I am the product of a love that never quite found its footing—a daughter born to a couple who shared a home but not a future.

My father, unfaithful and reckless, chose another woman over the life he had built with my mother.

He married his mistress, solidifying their bond in the eyes of the law. Kaya sa mata ng mga tao, kabit ang mama ko. Kahit na ang tunay na kabit ay ang babaeng kanyang minahal.

Their story, filled with betrayal and broken promises, became the backdrop of my childhood, casting shadows over my innocence.

"Hayop ka! Manloloko ka talaga, dapat hindi na ako nagtiwala sa'yo!!" Umiiyak na singhal ng aking ina habang nanghihina niyang hinahampas ang aking ama.

"Bigyan mo ako ng oras magpaliwanag. Isang pagkakamali lang yun!" And so my father tried to defend himself.

At such a young age—4 years old to be exact— I have no idea what betrayal means. What love really means.

But as I grew up, I began to understand it. What it truly means, and how cruel the world is para hindi ito ibigay sa amin—sa akin.

Yet through it all, I remained my mother’s white cat—too pure for the world they had built, yet unable to escape the stains they left behind.

My parents stayed together, put on a façade for me to think we have a wonderful family. Buo nga kami, pare-pareho namang wasak ang mga puso namin.

"Anak, halika, gagala tayo sa Batangas. Ipapakilala ko sa'yo ang mga pinsan mo dun."

"Si mama po kasama?" Magalang kong tanong, too innocent to know na may iba palang nangyayari sa bahay namin ng hindi ko alam. Tinginan ni Mama kay Papa ay puno ng galit, samantalang ang ama ko naman ay puno ng lungkot.

"May gagawin si Mama mo e, tayo nalang muna. Isasama natin siya kapag libre na siya. Okay ba?" Sa murang edad ay naniwala akong maayos ang lahat.

Nagpunta kami ng Batangas kung saan tama nga siya, ang dami ko roong pinsan. Yet, most of them were filthy. Parang hindi naliligo.

Bakit? Ang dumi kasi nila, mga sinelas ay nakasuot sa braso imbis na sa paa, damit ay may mud stains, mukha ay nangingitim na dahil sa dumi, at medyo basa pa ang mga shorts nila sa hindi malamang dahilan.

"Heto si Jezreel, pinsan mo yan sa Tita Jamaica mo, magka-edad lang kayo kaya magkakasundo kayo. Ang hawak niyang bata ay kapatid niya na si January. Heto si Brianna at siya ang kapatid mo, si Chandria." Sa kanyang pag banggit sa salitang kapatid, galak ang aking naramdaman. Gustong gusto ko kasi ng kapatid para naman may kalaro ako ay nakakausap.