Chapter 2 Leave to live

While my mom and I were eating, I suddenly thought of asking her what I had longed for.

"Mom, I'm already 24. And I haven't gone to college yet." I asked calmly.

She suddenly dropped her spoon on her plate. "So? If you want to study, work for it." and took a bite of her food. "I told you that there is no money left for your studies. And if you are going to ask me again about your father's savings, it's gone."

I sighed. I knew this is what she would answer. "I will work." I answered proudly.

She raised her eyebrows and turned her gaze to me, and she laughed. "Seriously? haha. Do you think anyone will accept you? You just finished senior high school, Nadia. You are dreaming too high. Why don't you just stay in this house? You're going to die here anyway. No one will accept you out of this house."

She took a glass full of milk. "What the fu*k is this?" she suddenly shouted. "Who put it there? You know I don't drink like this! I want coffee, dimw*t!" she shouted violently.

My face was full of confusion. "I put that there."

She looked at me directly. "Really? You're so sweet."

I smiled at her. "Yes, mom. It's your favorite, right? You didn't drink coffee before."

I breathed a sigh of relief when her smile widened.

I was about to eat my food when suddenly someone poured hot liquid on me.

"Don't act like you know everything!" she said furiously.

I faked a laugh. "What happened to you, Mom? Is that you? You weren't like that before!" I shouted too.

She froze, "What? Have you come to your senses? Mom? H-how many years have I put up with your treatment of me? I-i understand you… b-because I know the incident that happened to you then. I saw it, mom! You were shot in front of me. Dad died that day, but I didn't ask for comfort from you. I didn't. All I did was to understand you, extend my patience, and love you! Because even though your treatment of me has changed, you are still my mother!"

I burst out. I said everything I resented. "Can you change the past, mom? Can you just die and not be dad? Can you just not survive in that inc-"

“Ma’am, Nadia!”

I stopped when our maid hugged me. "That's enough, Ma’am p-please."

I removed her hand that was hugging me. And I came in mom's direction.

"M-mom..." I slowly held her face.

I saw her beautiful face.

It's like I'm in a mirror.

She looks like me. No wonder she is my mom.

When I looked into her eyes, I saw her irritation. She wasn't even bothered by what I said.

I was about to speak when I felt a pain in my neck. "Ouch!"

Our maid immediately ran towards me, "Ma'am, are you alright? Your neck is red. I think it's the one that got burned earlier when Ma'am threw the coffee on you."

"You deserved it! You are too rude. That's why I don't wonder why you scold me like this and ask me what happened to me. Is it you? Is my daughter like that? No manners!” my mother said before she left.

I cooled the burn with running water for 20 to 30 minutes. And now I'm lying in bed holding our picture.

"Dad, I'm sorry for what I said to mom earlier. I couldn't stop myself from letting out all my anger. I didn't expect it to come to this. I hope mom can forgive me."

That was the last thing I said to my dad before I fell asleep.

I woke up to a knock on my door. "Wait, I'll open the door."

Our maid came to me. I was surprised by her appearance. She has a bruise on her lip and messy hair. Her clothes are also torn. "What happened?" I asked in shock and let her enter my room.

"M-ma'am Nadia... someone a-a-attempted to r-rape me." I was shocked by what she said. I immediately took some water and gave it to her and immediately calmed myself down. "Who did this to you?" I asked while I gritted my teeth in anger.

"Ma'am, I don't want to say this to you because I know you will get into trouble again because of me." She said while crying.

"No, I don't care. You live here in our house, so whatever happens to you, I'm here. Tell me who did this to you? How did the person who did that to you get in here?"

"Ma'am was with two men earlier. She took one to her room. And the other went to the living room and asked me for water. I gave it to him. After that, he followed your mother upstairs, and Ma'am called me after a few minutes. When I knocked on her door, I was surprised because the man who asked me for water opened it. He pulled me in and tried to kiss me there. I fought, so he beat me."

I gripped my fist at what she said. "Where was mom when that happened?"

"She's in another room, Ma'am."

"Does she know that the man tried to rape you?"

"Yes, Ma'am. She even called me fo-" she started crying

I hugged her. "Shh.. stop crying okay? we're leaving this house. Get all your things. Where are they now?"

"They already left with your mother."

"Okay, pack your things now. Before mom catches us."

After that, we packed up things. I left a letter for Mom.

Dear Mom,

I don't know what's going on with you. But what you are doing is not right. We are leaving this house. And we will file a case against the man who did this to her and also against you because you knew what was done to her but you did not stop it. I know you are laughing while reading this letter. We have no money and no place to stay. But that doesn't mean we'll stop there. Wait for me, Mom. I will be back. I will fix you. Take care of yourself.

From: N. M