Running away from home.

That was my first time running away from home. I was only 10 years old.

I went to play with kids in the neighborhood and I forgot what happened in home as I used to call it hell.

When the night came I followed two kids to their home because I didn't want to go back to my home.

Those kids' parents asked me where was my home and I told them my aunt would kill me if I went back. I told them how she has been beating me up. I showed them blue marks on my back and there were old and some new.

They took me to the police station and explained my situation. And then they left me there. One police woman asked me to tell her my home address where I didn't want to go ever so I guided them to one random house far away from home and I told them the name of my aunt so they could call the name out. Because of the wrong name and information, somebody came out, they argued and went back inside.

We went back to the police station. One of the officer decided to take me to his house. I was still wearing my uniform. I was a little scared but not that much. He gave me food to eat and told me to sleep on the couch.

Next day they started to investigate my aunt. It was my bad luck that they found her. They got to know that I lied to them. A police woman beat me for lying. How can police who are suppose to stop child abuse are abusing me? My trust on police completely shattered.

My aunt took me back home. She beat me more then usual. Blood was flowing from my head and my nose. She tear my uniform and make me naked. She threw water on me and used the belt to give me a beating.

Even now I can't forget that night when she left me half alive and sent me to bed without eating dinner. My body was in pain. From that day onwards I stop talking to everyone and started hating her more and more.

Due to her mistreating I ran away from home but this time I went far. No one know where I am.

I lied to everyone who ask me about myself by saying that I am an orphan and I don't have family. They believe me and send me to orphanage. I started staying with other kids.

Things were going well until one day a kid from orphanage steal money from "mother" and said I did it. I tried hard to defend myself but they didn't believe me. They throw me out of the orphanage by saying they can't raise a thief. They told me never to come back again.

I didn't have a choice. I got in the bus that was going to the capital city and it stop at a small village from where my uncle stay. I got down and went to look for him.

I waited until he came back. I hide from my elder uncle because I knew he hates me and he will not believe me if I told him what his sister did to me.

My younger uncle came back in the night. I waited for him to open his door and I followed him inside and I hug my uncle and cried in his arms.

He asked me, "why are you crying and where have you been mum?" He used to call me "mum" because I was named after grandmother. He always said that I remind him of his mom.

I told him what my aunt used to do to me and show him marks although there was not much like before. He told me to stop crying and said he will take me to grandpa. That is the day I knew I had a grandfather.

He made food for us and said, "I can't stay with you but I promise that I will take care of you but right now I am not able to do that. I will take you to grandpa and I will be coming to check up on you. Be a good girl and go to school."

I was sad that I won't stay with him but I understand him because he can't take care of me. He was still young and wasn't mature yet. I didn't have a choice and I didn't want to stay with elder uncle. He hates me and I hate him as well.

Even now I am an adult and I still hate him. Even if I forgive them - it was very difficult thing - I never visit them.