MOTHER'S PROTECTION (An Original Short Story)

Christina met her boyfriend, Steven, during an open-summit that they have both attended five months ago. She is a stunning young woman, with long blond hair and a pair of expressive eyes. More than her pretty face, her kind heart have convinced Steven that she is the one. She haven’t met his family yet, but hearing Steven’s phone conversations with his mom, she knew that something wasn’t right. She knew she wasn’t welcome.

That’s why she couldn’t be more surprised when she received a letter from Anita, Steven’s mom, just a couple of days ago. Anita wants to see her, alone. There were no kind words, just the unexpected invitation, and an exact date and time. She contemplated if she should tell Steven, but finally decided not to. After all, this might be her first and only chance to earn his mom’s approval, and she best not ruin it.

The next morning, she took the first bus heading south, to Steven’s hometown. Throughout the journey, she couldn’t shake off the intense, weird feeling that’s been building up in her stomach. She reminded herself that Steven is a great guy, perhaps his mom couldn’t be as bad as she thinks.

She finally reached the station and started looking for the waiting area on the far left corner, as per instructions. She found it and saw that her host is already there, looking immaculate in her black chiffon blouse and a delicate pencil skirt. She is more intimidating in person than she was on the pictures that Steven had shown her.

The older woman looked at her impatiently, and signaled Christina to follow her. She was ushered to a car where she was rewarded with a silent treatment. She tried to open a conversation, where the woman responded with seldom nods and a blank, unreadable expression. “This isn’t going well”, she thought to herself.

They came to an abrupt stop in front of a graveyard. The dead engine triggered an indefinite silence, as the women sat still, aware of each other’s breathing.

Then Anita began to sob uncontrollably. Christina didn’t know what to do. She wanted to console Steven’s mom, but hesitated, as she wasn’t sure how to react. The woman finally stopped and turned to face her, and held her hands as she was visibly struggling for words to say.

“Look," Christina started. "I have no idea of what’s happening, but I want you to know that I’m willing to listen." Anita hesitated for a while, her lips quivering as she grasped for words.

“He killed them,” she finally managed to say, “All of them!” she exclaimed with a look of horror on her face.

Christina was dumbfounded, unsure of what to say. “Who?” she blurted out in confusion, “Who killed them? Who are they?”

The older woman started to sob again, her voice piercing every bit of sanity that Christina was trying to hold on to, or what was left of it.

“Steven. My dear darling Steven. He killed those poor little girls!” Anita dreadfully revealed.

“NO!” Christina argued, “He would never do that, you’re making it up!”

As she said it, the possibility of what Anita had said dawned into her. “Why would Steven’s mom make up a story to make her only son look bad?” she thought, “She wouldn’t do that, would she? Unless…she’s trying to save me.” Christina had completely lost grip of her sanity.

“I don’t expect you to believe me” Anita said interrupting her thoughts, her expression a mix of sadness and regret, “they all didn’t. Come, I have to show you something.”

Lost on her own thoughts, Christina followed Steven’s mom out of the car and onto the graveyard. She didn’t care where they were heading to, she just followed. The woman ahead of her stopped in what is probably a private lot, as it is obvious that it is not being visited very often. In front of them is an open grave, about six feet deep, and looked like it had been dug just yesterday. Fear crept on Christina’s skin, making her forget about what she had learned earlier. Now she was sure she’s ready to go home.

In her fragile state, she turned to Steven’s mom, “What is this all about? You said you have to show me -- “, Anita didn’t let her finish what she had to say. As she forcefully slashed Christina’s throat, the young woman’s blood sprayed everywhere until she fell unconscious. Still not contented, Anita knelt beside the lifeless body and stabbed it repeatedly, letting out all the anger, allowing her love for her son take control. Proud of her handiwork, Anita kicked the dead-weight body and let it roll towards the pit that was made especially for it.

From the dark, a man in worn out jeans came out and rushed to the scene. Anita looked at him and nodded.

The man turned to the grave and started covering Christina’s body with soil as the woman who hired him watched silently. After doing business with her for over a dozen times, he knew better than to say a word. The woman always stayed until the task is done, and this time was no different. When the grave was completely covered, Anita smiled to herself, “I will not let you hurt my poor little Steven” and left the cemetery with the man she had hired.

After a year, Steven came home with a surprise. He had mentioned in his last letter that he’s getting married, and Anita isn’t happy about it. But seeing his son after a long time is something she couldn’t miss. When he arrived, Anita greeted him with her warmest embrace, and he smiled as her embrace reminded him how much he was loved, and how she had protected him ever since he was young. His mom always knew what was best for him, and she had always been right about his past relationships.

Not this one, though. He knew he was finally doing the right thing.

He broke free from his mom’s embrace as he excitedly motioned to introduce his bride-to-be. There, standing next to him, is a stunning young woman with long blond her and a pair of expressive eyes. Though pretty as she might be, the woman seemed to have come from Anita’s worst nightmares.

She froze in terror as her son’s fiancée stepped forward, kissed her on both cheeks, and whispered in a meaningful tone,

“Finally”.

Steven smiled as he saw his mom’s reaction, he knew she would be speechless. He proudly nestled his arm around his girlfriend’s shoulder and turned to the older woman,
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“Mom, this is Christina.”

~o~

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