3. Evicted
The days passed by so quickly. Before she knew it, ten years had gone by.
Dusk was beginning to fall that day. The sun was nearly setting on the western horizon when Maura returned home, her body exhausted.
For the past week, Maura had been working as an impromptu helper at the house of a neighbor from the next block, who had moved in just a month earlier.
At the house, Maura helped clean up, wash clothes, and even cook. She wasn't a housekeeper—just temporary help whenever they needed an extra hand.
That evening, Maura was hoping to rest as soon as possible. But the moment she arrived home, she was startled by a sight that immediately broke her heart. A nine-year-old boy sat in front of the closed door, hugging his knees. Two bags of clothes lay on the ground in front of him.
“Ammar. Why are you outside, sweetheart? Why is the door locked, and what are these bags for?” Maura asked in a panic, rushing over to Ammar.
The boy named Ammar then stood up with his mother's help.
“Uncle Burhan said we can't live in this house anymore, Mom,” Ammar replied sadly.
Maura froze, suddenly remembering the obligation she hadn't fulfilled for the past three months.
“Why are we being kicked out, Mom? Isn't this our house?” Ammar asked, his eyes brimming with tears.
Maura's heart shattered. Ammar was still far too young to know that Maura had mortgaged the house they'd been living in to Burhan to pay for his mother's medical treatment. She had used the rest to cover their living expenses while she was pregnant at the time.
The urgent and ever-growing cost of living had forced her to take a shortcut.
“I'm sorry, sweetheart. This really isn't our house,” Maura said hoarsely.
“If this isn't our house, then where are we going to live now?”
“Mommy will find a way for us to have a place to live again. You don't need to worry.” Maura's frail hand gently stroked her son's back, accompanied by a smile meant to keep him from worrying.
“Maura, I've offered you a way out several times, but you keep refusing.”
A man's deep voice suddenly startled Maura. She was forced to turn around and found Burhan, a stocky, middle-aged man with a thick mustache, standing there arrogantly. He was the man Maura had mortgaged her house to, with the agreement that if she couldn't repay him within the allotted time, the house would become his property.
However, over the past few months, Burhan had offered to ease Maura's burden on the condition that she become his wife. Fully aware of what she was doing, Maura had of course refused, even though she was carrying such a heavy burden.
“This is what happens when you reject my offer. If you become my third wife, you and your son will have a secure life,” Burhan said with a sly smile.
“Well, Maura? Have you reconsidered my offer?” Burhan asked, a cunning grin on his face.
“I'm sorry, Mr. Burhan. I'd rather be evicted than marry you,” Maura replied firmly, wrapping her arms around Ammar.
“Stubborn woman. Do you want your son to live on the streets, Maura? Wouldn't it be better to marry me?”
“I refuse. Go ahead and take the house. I'd rather lose my home than lose my dignity.”
“You stupid woman. Poor and arrogant on top of that. If that's what you want, get out of this house now. I don't want to see you either. Go!”
Unwilling to argue any longer, Maura picked up the two bags of clothes Ammar had packed. Holding Ammar close, she left the house with her heart completely shattered at having lost their home.
“Ungrateful woman. I gave you a break, and you still had the nerve to act so arrogantly.”
Burhan's insults reached Maura's ears, but she paid no attention to them. The only thing that mattered to Maura now was finding shelter for the night—just for one night.
Night crept on. The cold air made Ammar's small body tremble, forcing Maura to find shelter as quickly as possible.
Maura had no one left after her mother died from the illness she'd suffered. No matter how hard Maura had fought to save her mother, in the end, she had been forced to let go when her mother could no longer hold on.
“Excuse me,” Maura called as she knocked on the door.
Maura had no relatives or close family friends. The only person she could ask for help that night was the neighbor from the next block—the one who had recently been calling her in whenever she needed temporary help with laundry and cleaning.
“Maura.” Santi, a woman in her forties, was startled to see Maura and Ammar standing at her door with bags of clothes in their hands.
“Come in, Ra. It's cold out here. Poor thing,” Santi urged, taking the bags Ammar was carrying.
“I wanted to ask you for a favor, Santi. If you'll let us, Ammar and I would like to stay here tonight. Just tonight. Tomorrow I'll look for a place to rent,” Maura said awkwardly.
Maura had been forced to ask her neighbor for help because Santi was the only option she had.
“Of course. You can stay, Maura. But... what actually happened to you? Why did you leave your house so late at night?”
“It's a long story. Mr. Burhan threw me out because I couldn't repay my debt.”
“My God, Ra. How could Mr. Burhan throw you out in the middle of the night like that? Where will you go tomorrow?”
Maura sighed, then weakly shook her head.
“I don't know either.” Maura had resigned herself to the path her life had taken. She couldn't even be sure she could afford a place to rent, let alone find somewhere to take shelter.
“It's all right. Get some rest for now. I feel sorry for your son. We'll figure out tomorrow when it comes. I'll prepare a room for you.”
Maura nodded. “Thank you, Santi.”
That night, Maura felt at peace because she'd been brought to Santi, who was willing to help her and give her a place to stay, even if it was only for one night. But as for the next day, Maura had no idea where else she could turn for help.
“Eat something before you go, Ra. I've prepared food for you and Ammar,” Santi said the next morning when Maura was ready to leave.
“Thank you. I've already caused you so much trouble, Santi. Ammar and I can just find something to eat outside,” Maura declined gently.
“It's okay, Maura. You're like family to me. Oh, right—do you already have somewhere to go?”
Maura weakly shook her head. “Not yet. But I'll try to find a place to rent. And a job, too. I need both to survive now. It would be terrible if Ammar had to drop out of school.”
“I actually have a solution for you. That is, if you're willing.”
“What is it?”