Chapter 3: Nightmare Unveiled
Nancy's flight to Saudi Arabia had been long and grueling. Her heart was heavy with the thought of leaving her family behind, but the promise of a better future for them drove her forward. As the plane touched down in Riyadh, she could feel a mixture of excitement and anxiety building within her. Her new life was about to begin.
Upon arriving at the airport, Nancy was greeted by a representative from her employment agency. The woman's face bore a warm smile, and she introduced herself as Amina. Amina's initial warmth put Nancy at ease, and she felt a glimmer of hope.
"Welcome to Saudi Arabia, Nancy," Amina said. "I'll be your guide as you settle into your new life here."
Nancy nodded, her heart pounding. "Thank you, Amina. I'm eager to start working and send money back home to my family."
Amina led Nancy to a car waiting outside the airport. As they drove through the unfamiliar city, Amina offered some reassurance. "I know it can be challenging at first, but I'm here to help you every step of the way."
Nancy appreciated the support but couldn't shake the anxiety that came with being in a foreign land, far from her loved ones.
After a journey through the bustling streets of Riyadh, they arrived at her new employer's residence. Amina helped Nancy with her luggage and introduced her to her employer, Mrs. Fatimah. Mrs. Fatimah appeared to be a stern, middle-aged woman with a face that bore the weight of responsibility.
Nancy offered a polite greeting, "Salam, Mrs. Fatimah. I'm Nancy, your new domestic helper."
Mrs. Fatimah's expression remained impassive as she replied, "You will do the work I assign, and you will do it well. Follow me."
Nancy followed her employer into the house. The grandeur of the house struck her; it was far different from what she had ever seen before. Mrs. Fatimah began to outline Nancy's duties, and Nancy listened carefully, eager to be a good worker.
Over the following days, Nancy's life in Saudi Arabia became a routine of cleaning, cooking, and tending to the needs of the household. The work was demanding, but Nancy was determined to excel at her job.
However, it didn't take long for Nancy to realize that Mrs. Fatimah's initial coldness was a sign of what was to come. Her employer's demands grew increasingly unreasonable, and her words became harsher with each passing day.
One morning, Nancy woke up early to start her daily chores. As she began cleaning the living room, she accidentally knocked over a vase, shattering it into pieces. Her heart sank as she hurriedly tried to clean up the mess.
Mrs. Fatimah stormed into the room, her face twisted with anger. "You incompetent girl! How dare you break that vase!"
Nancy stammered an apology, "I'm so sorry, Mrs. Fatimah. It was an accident."
Mrs. Fatimah's eyes bore into Nancy, and her voice was laced with venom. "You will pay for this. I will deduct the cost of that vase from your wages."
Nancy was taken aback by the threat. She knew she couldn't afford to lose any part of her meager earnings.
Days turned into weeks, and the situation only worsened. Mrs. Fatimah's mistreatment of Nancy became unbearable. She would often berate her for the smallest mistakes, and the workload grew beyond what was reasonable for one person to handle.
One evening, as Nancy was preparing dinner, Mrs. Fatimah entered the kitchen and began to criticize the way Nancy was cutting vegetables. The criticism escalated into a full-blown tirade. Nancy tried to maintain her composure, but the relentless verbal abuse took a toll on her.
"Mrs. Fatimah, please, I'm doing my best," Nancy pleaded.
Mrs. Fatimah's response was a slap across Nancy's face. The sting of the blow left Nancy stunned, her cheek red from the impact.
"Know your place," Mrs. Fatimah hissed. "You are nothing more than a servant."
Nancy's spirit was crushed as she finished preparing the meal in silence. She had hoped for a better life in Saudi Arabia, but the nightmare she was living had become unbearable.
Late one night, as Nancy lay in her tiny room, she couldn't hold back the tears any longer. She missed her family desperately and couldn't understand why her employer treated her with such cruelty.
She picked up her phone, hoping to hear the voices of her loved ones, even if just for a few moments. Her fingers trembled as she dialed her daughter Besilda's number back in the Philippines.
Besilda's voice, filled with innocence and longing, brought both comfort and heartache. "Mama, when are you coming back? I miss you so much."
Nancy's voice wavered as she replied, "I miss you too, my love. I promise, I'll come back as soon as I can."
The bond with her daughter was the anchor that kept Nancy from completely unraveling in her dire circumstances. As she ended the call and wiped away her tears, she knew that she couldn't endure the torment any longer.
Nancy had heard stories of other domestic helpers who had faced similar abuse and had found a lifeline through their embassies. She knew it was time to seek help and end the nightmare she was living.
Determined to escape the clutches of her abusive employer, Nancy mustered the courage to contact the Philippine Embassy in Saudi Arabia. It was her first step toward finding a way out of the torment she had endured in this foreign land.