The Bound Between Us

Chapter 15

After many years, the school reunion brought everyone back together. They’d all been hustling in the real world, and now that they were all back together, it was inevitable that comparisons would be made. She used to be top of the class but look at her now. This was one of the reasons she was reluctant about attending the reunion.

Monica asked on the other end of the line, “Anastasia, you there?”

“Yep.” Anastasia snapped back to reality. “I heard you, about the reunion on Friday. We’ll see, if I have time, I’ll show up”

Monica heard Anastasia’s hesitation, so she didn’t push further and just relayed the message. After hanging up, Anastasia was lost in thought on the balcony, not even noticing when Herman had snuck up behind her. He handed her a glass of water.

“Thanks” Anastasia took the glass, clearly preoccupied.

Herman, hand in pocket, looked at her, “What’s eating you?”

Anastasia hesitated before revealing, “Monica just called, there’s a reunion next week, she asked me to attend. A teacher who was quite nice to me will

also be there”

“You don’t want to go, but feel like you should, so

Anastasia nodded.

your heart. It’s

place to comment. He didn’t know Anastasia’s past. Anastasia couldn’t exactly tell him that her

get some

Anastasia locked her door. Everything was calm that night, and all her previous worries seemed overblown. She

Herman had eaten, he left for work. She stayed home to clean and do housework. Since she didn’t run her stall the previous night, she lost

in the evening. He couldn’t always come home for dinner. If he had to attend a business dinner, he would text Anastasia to eat without him, no need to wait.

stall at the Night Market at 5 p.m. in the evening. But most of the time, Herman wasn’t home when she got back. He often came back late at night, reeking of alcohol.

the next day. Seeing Herman stagger home drunk, Anastasia realized how tough it was for him to hustle in the big city. Women could find a good partner if they couldn’t support the family, but men had to provide for the family, and hold up the

home.

the midst of all the hustle, the day of the reunion finally arrived. Monica called first thing

Anastasia was anxious all day. At 5 p.m., she put on a simple dress and light makeup. She couldn’t just roll up to the reunion looking

Harmony Meadows. That was when Monica found out Anastasia had

guy’s income, it would take forty to fifty years of not eating or drinking to afford it”