It has been eight years since that terrible encounter with Robbie. Though I made up my mind that I would fight till the end, I didn’t know where to start. I felt lost and confused. Since I still had to finish high school, I didn't have the money for college, nor did I have any extraordinary skills required to start a career. But I did not want to use this as an excuse to give up on my life. All I knew was that Robbie was now my past. Though his betrayal hurt me like hell, I couldn’t allow myself to wallow in sorrow.

I had no home. I lived in the Omega welfare centre. It was established to shelter stranded Omegas, as several male and female Omegas were abandoned. I was abandoned too when I was 12, right after the sub-gender examination. My dad and mum simply left me at the Welfare Centre. I couldn’t bring myself to believe that the parents I spent 12 years with left me just because of my sub-gender. It took me a whole year to believe I was abandoned. Since then, the Centre became my home which provided for all my basic necessities and helped me with my education. Most importantly, they helped me with the heat suppressant medicines. Thanks to them, I made it to high school. I just had a month until the final exams when all this disaster befell. I gave my high school exam when I was four months pregnant and thankfully, passed it with flying colours. The centre helped me with my pregnancy and helped me give birth to Twen too.

A lot of Omegas used to get raped and abused by those so-called Great Alphas, who have no control over their urges. So, my pregnancy was no surprise. They were, in fact, surprised that I wanted to keep the baby as most don't even want to see the face of the baby. Especially rape victims, who found the baby to be a painful reminder of their ordeal. In spite of the authorities' efforts to improve Omega's lives by giving them reservations in jobs and subsidizing heat suppressant medicines, society still looked down on Omegas. They saw Omegas as disgusting gold-digging whores, who had no other jobs other than finding a rich suitor. Those Alphas never received any punishment for the abuse. Most believed that it could not be helped since it was a natural Alpha-Omega attraction. While many blamed Omegas for not being vigilant enough and spreading their scent. To date, I never understood how can Omegas stop a normal biological process of their body. Isn’t it the same as asking the Alphas to stop smelling so that they do not get affected by an Omega’s heat? But that is how the society we lived in was, and Omegas, like me, had to tolerate it and accept and live our lives in it despite the narrow and awful mentality.

After Twen’s birth, I left the city with my high school degree. My days were not exactly all sunshine and daisies. The first few months after my arrival, I had no place to stay, and the little bit of money I saved was spent on Twen’s clothes and food. There were days when I had to beg on the streets just so we could have some food to eat. It was during that time, a boy helped me out. He was an Alpha, but I had never met a more kind-hearted Alpha than him. He helped me get my first job as a housekeeper. Later, due to several reasons, I had to leave that job and that guy. I started working several part-time jobs in restaurants as a dishwasher, cleaner or Commis. That's when I met Chef Samuel, who was then a young Demi Chef de Partie. He was a beta and sympathized with my situation. He was one of the few who never looked down on me for being an Omega without an Alpha. He helped me get a better job and also taught me all he knew about cooking. I stayed at his place for two years sharing the rent, till he got a girlfriend. He also helped me get a diploma degree in culinary arts. I owe him a lot. He was a very understanding person, and I saw him as my big brother and guardian. Thanks to all these kind people that I met along the way, I was able to build a life for myself.

Eight years is a long time, and many things have changed in my life since then. I never sat down and looked back at my past. Remembering the horrid dark days would only make me sad. I wonder why today, suddenly, all those memories came back to me. Is it a premonition? Or maybe because I am shifting? Or maybe my mind is just too free.

I looked at Twen, who was sleeping beside me. Automatically, a smile blossomed on my face. I bent down and gave him a good night kiss on the forehead before heading to the balcony for a smoke. I left my hair open letting the air blow it.

I really like this place. It is so peaceful here, and the people are not nosy. It was also one of the few places that did not bother about anyone’s sub-gender or, in fact, anyone in general. But now, I have to move. I hope I can explain this to Twen.

I saw the smoke disappear in the darkness. It was tough, but I made it. I have made a good life for myself. I don't want to remember the past again. The old city, high school, the encounter with Robbie, the welfare centre… so many bittersweet memories, but it's all in the past now. Presently, I am with Twen, and I am really happy. I have friends and a big brother. Yes, I do not have a partner, but maybe it’s better like this. In just a few more years, I’ll open a restaurant of my own. Then, my life would come to a full circle. As I smoked, I saw it forming several shapes.

"Haaaaah, I should start packing."

I came in, finished my smoke and looked at the photo frame where Twen and I were smiling. I hope to provide Twen with everything I can. I hope he doesn't ever feel the need for a dad. Because that is the one thing that I won't be able to give him.