"Where have you been loitering this time? You're slow as molasses!"
Maya flinched. What had she done wrong now? She had gone out and brought back exactly what she was told.
"Mrs. Gable, I gave you everything. I showed you the receipt."
"Are you thick or something? I told you that's the wrong brand. Get back out there, and don't come back until you have the right one!"
Sometimes Maya felt like she was living in a fairy tale—not the kind where good triumphs over evil, but one where evil had set up shop and decided that good was never going to win.
She was Cinderella. There was no doubt about that. Her father was kind but spineless. Her stepmother was the textbook definition of a shrew, despising her henpecked husband's daughter while doting on her own. But Maya knew there would be no happy ending to her story. In the book, Cinderella met a prince. Maya didn't even have a fairy godmother. So she lived as a downtrodden, broken girl, dreaming of miracles at night and jumping at her stepmother's first bark in the morning. She even had to finish her chores before school. School was her only refuge; she threw herself into her studies with a passion, staying for extra credit whenever possible. But every evening, the demands started again:
"Where are the sliced apples for the pie? I told you to have them ready this morning! Where's my blue dress? Did you forget to iron it, or are you just useless? Why is the pantry still dusty? You were supposed to scrub it last week! And why did you run the dishwasher? Can't you wash them by hand, you parasite? Do you want your father overpaying for electricity?!"
It was always like this, no matter where Maya was—in her room, in the yard, or in the garden. It seemed her stepmother's goal was to ensure she didn't have a single moment of rest, finding work for her even if it was completely pointless. Her father, a soft and weak man, felt sorry for her. Occasionally, he would quietly slip a few dollars into her hand, whispering for her to hide it, terrified his wife would see a gesture of affection and start another screaming match.
***
Maya endured until graduation. Without asking anyone's permission, she left her small town for the city, where she easily enrolled in a vocational school for garment design. Finally, Maya began a life that was truly free. No one ordered her around, forced her, or dictated her every move. She loved sharing a dorm room with another girl, deciding for herself what to do, what to wear, and where to go. Even though her student stipend was tiny, it allowed her to buy the food she liked and cook it just for herself. Without constant humiliation, she seemed to wake up. Watching her roommates, she began to take care of her appearance and blossomed. She even started noticing the boys.
One day, her roommate asked if she could have the room for a couple of hours to be alone with her boyfriend. Maya agreed and went to the park, where she often spent time sitting by the swan pond, admiring nature and enjoying the silence. Checking her watch and deciding enough time had passed for her roommate's "private time," she stood up and headed for the street.
The moment Maya stepped onto the road, there was a screech of brakes. Through a blur, she saw a car hurtling toward her. At the last second, the driver managed to swerve, but he still clipped her. That small impact was enough to send her crashing onto the pavement, screaming in pain. A young man jumped out of the car and ran over to her, looking terrified.
"Are you okay?"
"No," Maya whispered through tears. "My leg... it hurts so much."
"Don't worry, I'm taking you to the hospital right now." With those words, he scooped Maya up in his arms and gently placed her in the back seat of his car.
He sped off. At the hospital, doctors examined her leg and found a closed fracture. They set the bone and put it in a cast. The whole time, the young man paced nervously in the hallway, glancing impatiently toward the treatment room. When they finally wheeled Maya out to a ward, he rushed over.
"How is it? Is it serious?"
Only then did Maya realize the driver was young and very handsome. She managed a small smile.
"It's a fracture."
"Phew... thank God," he sighed with relief, then quickly corrected himself. "I mean, that's terrible! I'm so sorry. My brakes just failed."
"It's okay," Maya said, waving a hand dismissively. "These things happen. It wasn't your fault."
"Thank you. What's your name? I'm Alex."
"I'm Maya."
They both laughed at the rhyme.
***
From that day on, Alex visited Maya every day. He brought fruit and flowers and spent hours by her bedside. They found they had so much in common. Alex talked about his university studies, and Maya talked about design school. But whenever Alex mentioned his family, Maya tried to avoid the subject. Sensing it was a painful topic, he didn't push.
When Maya was discharged, Alex drove her to the dorm. He turned off the engine and said:
"Maya, I've grown so close to you over these last few months. Can we keep seeing each other? I can't imagine my life without our talks anymore."
"Of course, Alex. I'd love to!"
Maya knew she was falling in love. It was the first strong feeling in her otherwise empty and dreary life, and it consumed her completely.
As usually happens after a long courtship, Alex confessed his feelings and asked her to marry him. Maya agreed without a second thought, walking on air. She had never dared to dream of this: a handsome, wealthy fiancé, and a love that was mutual.
However, when Alex told his mother, he was met with a nasty surprise.
"Over my dead body!" his mother shrieked. "You want us to be related to some uncultured girl from the sticks? Us? We have a reputation! Does she even know which hand to hold a salad fork in? Not to mention her education—a seamstress! No! That is my final word. No, no, and no!"
"Fine, Mom. Since you're so insistent, we just won't invite you to the wedding." He turned on his heel and walked out.
His mother realized arguing was useless and decided to use a different tactic. One day, a girl Maya didn't recognize burst into her dorm room without knocking. She was visibly pregnant. Finding Maya alone, she immediately launched into an attack.
"So you're the one my Alex has been fooling around with? What a dog! I've yelled at him so many times, but he never learns. He's always looking for something on the side. Our son is going to be born soon, and the father-to-be still can't settle down. Aren't you ashamed of yourself, stealing other women's men?"
Maya whispered, stunned, "I didn't know. He asked me to marry him..."
"Oldest story in the book. He promises marriage every time he wants to get someone into bed. Now you see that Alex is never going to marry you. Our wedding is in two weeks—we want to sign the papers before the baby comes. Consider yourself warned!"
The girl turned and marched out, slamming the door behind her.
Maya sat there, deafened by the news. Tears streamed down her face, but she didn't even notice. How could he? He had said he loved her. He seemed so sincere, so caring. What was wrong with her? Why did every misfortune fall on her head? This betrayal by the person she loved most was the final straw. Numbly, Maya packed her few belongings, wrote a goodbye note to her roommate, and headed for the station to catch the last bus back to her hometown.
***
The town where Maya lived was fairly large and close to the city. A textile factory had been built on the outskirts a few years prior, and almost all the local girls went to sewing school after graduation only to return and work there.
Even though Maya hadn't finished her degree, she got a job at the factory. She knew the basics of the trade and had a natural talent for it; she had loved cutting and sewing since she was a child. At work, her troubles faded, at least for a while, and the pain of Alex's betrayal dimmed. But after work, life was a living hell. Her stepmother picked at her constantly. It felt as though Mrs. Gable had been stockpiling her rage while Maya was away and was now dumping it all on her at once. She didn't leave her stepdaughter alone for a second, finding new insults and humiliations every day. It was no wonder Maya tried to stay at work as long as possible, taking extra shifts and volunteering for factory events.
One morning at breakfast, Maya was suddenly hit with a wave of nausea and ran from the table. When she returned, she realized that her "hell" was only just beginning.
"Bringing a brat home in your skirts" was the mildest of her stepmother's insults.
"How dare you shame us like this! Now I see what you were really doing in the city. I can't even walk down the street without people pointing and laughing! The second you drop that mistake, you're out of this house!"
Life became unbearable. Constant humiliation at home, heavy work at the factory, and the physical exhaustion of pregnancy wore Maya down. Then, news hit the factory that management was changing. Rumor had it the new director was a young, single man. The female workforce suddenly woke up. Women started dressing up, doing their hair, and whispering in every corner.
That day, Maya felt particularly ill. During the lunch break, all the workers were asked to gather in the yard to meet the new director. When Maya saw the man stepping out of the car, she felt a jolt of déjà vu. The world began to spin. She nearly fainted.
The new director stood before the women and said:
"Hello, everyone. It's a pleasure to meet you. My name is Alex Rivers. I'm your new director, and I hope we'll work well together."
Suddenly, his eyes locked on Maya, and he trailed off, looking bewildered. Maya, unable to hold it back any longer, pushed through the crowd and ran home. Inside, her heart hammered against her ribs as she leaned against the wall. Mrs. Gable came out of the kitchen and looked at her suspiciously.
"What now? You're pale as a ghost! Don't you dare start labor in my house—get to the hospital! Or did you get fired? I won't have any freeloaders here!"
At that moment, there was a knock at the door, and Alex appeared on the threshold.
"Hello, Maya. Don't you think you owe me an explanation?"
"And who the hell are you?" the stepmother barked. "One of Maya's flings?"
"Mrs. Gable, this is our new director, Mr. Rivers," Maya answered wearily.
The woman transformed instantly.
"Oh! Such an important guest! Please, come in," she bustled. "What has my stepdaughter done now? There's no controlling her. Don't you worry, I'll set her straight in no time."
"That's enough, ma'am," Alex said, grimacing. "I'm here to see Maya on a private matter. Please leave us."
"Of course, of course. I'm going. Just call if you need anything!" She stepped out but left the door ajar, her curiosity winning out.
"Maya, is there nothing you want to say to me?"
Maya took a deep breath and sat on a chair, trying to stop her knees from shaking.
"What can I say? I have nothing to be ashamed of."
"Nothing? I was getting ready for a wedding with the woman I love, and she suddenly vanishes... and I don't even have her address. You think that's normal?"
"What else was I supposed to do?" Maya began to cry softly. "I didn't want to get in your way. Your fiancée was about to have a baby. How was the child supposed to grow up without a father? She told me everything."
Alex looked at her, stunned.
"What are you talking about, Maya? What fiancée? What baby?"
Sobbing and wiping her tears with her palm, Maya recounted the entire conversation with the stranger.
Alex suddenly realized: his mother. What a piece of work. He let out a laugh of pure relief.
"Darling, I never had a fiancée, and I don't have one now. I still love you!... Mrs. Gable! Get in here! Maya's not well!"
Maya had turned white as a sheet and was sliding off the chair. Her stepmother, who had heard everything, ran in screaming:
"Well, don't just stand there! Call an ambulance! Your 'love' is in labor!"
Alex looked at the moaning Maya in horror. Without a word, he scooped her up and carried her to the car. Settling her into the back seat, he tried a weak joke:
"I feel like my entire life consists of rushing you to the hospital. Hang on, sweetheart. We'll be at the maternity ward in no time."
***
Maya was in labor for hours. A frantic Alex paced the hallway, unable to sit down. Finally, a nurse came out with a smile.
"Congratulations, Dad! You have a healthy, beautiful baby boy."
The next day, when Alex was allowed to visit, he bought fruit and flowers just like the first time—only this time, he brought a pile of toys for his son as well.
"Maya, can I see him?"
Maya laughed happily. "Why are you so sure he's yours?" She pointed to the bassinet next to her. "Quietly, though. He just ate and fell asleep."
Alex gazed at the sleeping infant with adoration, touching the tiny fingers and toes. He looked back at Maya, who was watching him with love.
"Well, there's no denying the resemblance. We're identical. Now... will you finally marry me?"
"Of course, Alex! As your 'fiancée' said, a son should be born to a married couple. Even if we're a little late."
Alex took Maya and the baby straight from the hospital to his apartment. Maya sighed with relief when she realized they would be living alone—just the three of them.
She didn't want a big wedding. They had a quiet ceremony at the courthouse and celebrated at home in their kitchen.
From that moment on, the hardships in Maya's life were over. She was happy with a man who would never hurt or betray her, a man who would always protect her. She had learned one thing for certain: never take someone else's word for it, and always find out the truth for yourself.
0 comments