Gypsy Lover

Alodia readily settled in the home of her new employers, Iustina and Petru, a Romanian couple who worked as professors. The house was big with two stories, which she admired. It was made of concrete and the floor was of white tiles. She stayed on the ground floor, at the room close to the kitchen and living room. Meanwhile, the couple who had an offspring stayed upstairs. She thought it was a nice home when she was toured by the couple. The second floor had three rooms, two bathrooms and a study, where they could bring work to home, if necessary. It had a couple of shelves filled with different types of books, including fiction and technical ones. On the ground floor was a cozy living room complete with appliance, as well as the kitchen, dining room, a bathroom and a game room.

Since it was a Sunday the next day, Harman called Alodia. She was a bit surprised, not really knowing what to expect of him.

"Hey, I never thought you'd call," she said with a smile. Her employers were out to attend an Orthodox mass downtown and will be back later. Meanwhile, she just finished cleaning up the house.

"How can I not? The thought of you kept me all night."

Her mouth formed an "O." She should've been used to men saying this line. But him saying it, she thought it was new to her ears that made her heart do a somersault.

"Really. I think that's hard to believe. But... let's say it's true and I believe you." Her eyes darted to the curtained glass window in the living room, where she was at the moment. Her hand touched the gauzy fabric as she spoke. "Oh, you must believe me. Everything that will come out of my mouth is all sincerity, especially when it comes to you. So... I was wondering if we could go out today. You do have a day off, right?"

"Uh... yes. Today, in fact." She gave him the address and did not know why she kept on smiling while talking to him. She did not even notice the time passing by.

"What time should I pick you up?" he asked at last.

She could just imagine his captivating smile while she wrote her phone number and address on his palm yesterday at the airport.

"8 P. M. would be fine. I'm free every 8 P. M. anyway," she informed him.

And she asked herself why she had to tell him that specifically. What was missing was telling him that she had work as a stay-in nanny of a five-year old girl from 7 A. M. to 7 P. M. every day except Sundays. And that she had good and understanding employers.

"Oh, then... that's great!"

She could clearly hear the satisfaction laced in his voice. "See you then," she said before hanging up the wireless phone.

Alodia was humming while she prepared after the call. Why did she seem so inspired? Was it because of his calling her on the phone and heard his sexy voice? Or was it because of his invitation? But then again, she had to remind herself that this was only a game and nothing more. Or else, she'd end up like her poor sister.

She could still remember the day when the result of the autopsy arrived. She was due to get back to Romania a day before when her aunt showed it to her.

***

"You need to see this, Alodia," her aunt said, giving her the paper.

"What's this, Aunt Korina?" She took the paper from her aunt's hand and started reading it.

"That just arrived today. It is delivered by the police who investigated Alyanna's death. There was no foul play. She did hang herself and it was the cause of her death, by strangulation. But there's another thing they found out that we didn't know about." Her face contorted with a certain emotion she could not name or pinpoint.

Alodia blinked as the words formed before her eyes. Her sister was at least two months pregnant! She was carrying a baby in her womb when she died.

She swallowed hard, shaking her head and her heart was filled with rage. It appeared it was also the cause why her sister chose to kill herself. She was sure of it. She did not want to end up like their mother or their aunt. She could only think her sister must have thought it was such a disgrace. But why did she not tell anyone about it? Her condition would not have mattered to them, and they would still accept her. It was not her fault to become a single mother, if it ever happened. Perhaps, she just fell into deep that she had no idea of how to get out of that dark situation. And Alyanna was always weak-hearted and had the tendency to keep things to herself. Nonetheless, she was able to commit such a thing, which needed bravery.

Alodia was totally lost and would perhaps never understand her sister. If only she knew her sister was on that edge, she would've pulled her and saved her.

"I wish I should've killed that jerk Emerson instead of putting him to shame!" she said angrily that she crumpled the paper tightly in her hand.

Her aunt gently patted her shoulder. The older woman shook her head and her sad eyes looked at her seriously.

"It was only right that you didn't kill him, Alodia. What will be your future then? I am sure that Alyanna wouldn't want you to suffer that's why she chose to kill herself. She didn't want to burden you because of what she did with Emerson. Whether we liked it or not, it was her choice! And it's already too late. She's gone! We can do nothing about it now but to pray for the repose of her soul in spite of what she'd done."

"But she was my only sister, Aunt Korina! To have a child with a jerk and an irresponsible person wasn't reason enough to kill herself!" she wailed and was teary eyed.

Her aunt nodded. "Yes, I know. But as I've said, it is too late now. Your sister is gone. And we have to accept that fact now, Alodia. And you have to stop what you're doing to men. Yes, I know what you're doing, so I'm begging you to stop it. You'll never know what karma will bring to you in return if you keep doing it," her aunt advised her gently. Their eyes were misty.

So, her aunt knew all about what she did to those bastards. Perhaps she heard some rumors. Her cousin too might have had heard them and told her mother. But she did not care! Rumors would die naturally anyway. And she did not care what others think of her if they did know of it. It was her life to live! And that was how she chose to live it. That was her right.

Alodia just felt that justice in her hands was sweeter. It was better to make men cry... for a change...