The clear night sky gave birth to a heavy downpour immediately after I left the graduation party and headed home.
It was as though Flame's presence was the only thing keeping the countryside from the storm. I walked through the dark street, my bag strap dangling from my left shoulder as I got soaked by the rain.
I knew I was supposed to take shelter or, better still, run as fast as I could toward home but then, can I even call that a home?
I don't think so. Not even after the heat of Flame's kiss. I could still feel it. His hand around my waist, his commanding presence, his taunting smile. I can't believe how sad I am now that he's gone… forever.
I swallowed hard when my father's almost-fallen roof came into view. There was a lamp on inside the house.
I slowly paused before it to stare.
Love.
That was why my mother had stayed with him for seventeen years, hoping he'd change. But he didn't. Every day, she got beaten up. Every night, she cried. Every single second with him was spent in fear and bated breath.
Love had made her miserable and steered her to the brink of madness. That was why I'd developed a mindset. Love is cruel, and I won't indulge in it.
I was lost in thought, my eyes on the lamp inside, thinking about how my life would be now after graduation.
Alina mentioned she was going to the Grand City, probably to join the Sinaway Rescue Team (SRT). Nelly said she would move in with her boyfriend in the Grand City too, and definitely get a job at the SRT.
But I… I can't even have that thought. It's expensive. No one would want me there.
That was it. The thought in my mind until I suddenly saw the lamp inside flicker, and a sharp, desperate scream rang above the storm.
My heart stuttered when I saw the shadow of my father grip my mother's neck, and instantly I rushed into the house.
"Mommy!"
She was pinned down against the wall, and my dad was over her, as usual but this time with a murderous look that said he was ready to snap her neck.
In my early years, I would have burst into tears, helpless in a corner, or rushed out with my heart pounding in fear. Other times, I'd be in my bedroom, palms closed over my ears to block out the voices and the sound of agony But this time, something snapped inside me.
"Get away from my mommy!" I screamed, pushing him away and standing in front of her.
She was already bleeding from the forehead, and her eyes were starting to swell. I rushed over to her, eyes wide with horror.
The house reeked of alcohol and the stench of cold wood.
"Mommy? Mommy?"
"Now you've turned my own daughter against me, you harlot," my father snarled. Iturned to see him straightening, his gaze locking with mine as he glared. "She's been sleeping around. Are you also aware?"
My heart stilled at that moment, but before I could turn to my mother for an explanation, she had already rushed toward the corner.
I looked to see she had packed luggage. My bags and hers. With a defiant expression on her face, she nodded to me.
"Come on, Goddess. We are leaving."
Without another word, she walked out, limping all the way toward the tired, creaky door.
I suddenly became confused. Wait. What happened before I arrived?
"Bring her back." My father's voice pulled me back to reality, and I turned to stare into his bloodshot eyes. "Go and bring her back, you moron!"
I burst out into the rain just in time to see my mother at the end of the street.
I ran after her, my heart racing, but before I could catch up, she had already sat down on the space bench at the bus station, clutching the two duffel bags on her lap.
We were both dripping from the rain and shattered. Slowly, I walked toward her and lowered myself beside her.
For a long time, we didn't speak. We just stared on, wondering why life had to be so cruel.
"You look beautiful in that dress, Goddess. It was my favorite when I was your age. Good thing I took care of it," she said at last and I turned to see her smiling.
"Mommy… let's go home."
Against everything I wanted, I knew we had no choice. We had to go back home.
My mother, the beautiful Azura, stared at me silently, and I saw tears well up in her eyes. Then she blinked and looked away, sighing.
After a few seconds, she unzipped the duffel bag on her lap and pulled out two bus tickets, which she gave to me.
"I sold the last of my knitted bags at the market today, Goddess. To buy these tickets."
I stared at them, and my heart began to thud in confusion.
"Mommy…"
"It's a ticket to the Grand City," she explained softly, then reached out and looked into my eyes. "Goddess, listen. I have never once cheated on your father. Not once did I give up on him but… just these past weeks, I came across a man.
"And he is everything I have always wanted. I put myself first. I won't lie to you. He showed me kindness, respect, and love. I talked about you to him, and he readily accepted my baby.
"He has children of his own. I don't know how many but… that's it. He lives in the Grand City, and we'll be going to him."
I never felt cold after Flame kissed me, but upon hearing my mother's explanation, a chill ran down my spine.
"What?"
"Think about it, Goddess. The Grand City, with a new father who loves you. With your mother being happy. A new beginning where no one will look down on us. What do you think?" she asked, her breath heavy now as she nodded, tears trailing down her cheek.
"But then… if you choose to say no… so be it. It's your call, Goddess. It's your choice."
At that moment, the sound of a bus pulling up reached my ears, and I went still.
Grand City.
A new father. New step-siblings. Even… a new beginning, new opportunities and to crown it all… my mother would be happy.
I looked past her toward the dark street that led back to my father's house and there, I saw no hope anymore. Slowly, I shifted my gaze to my mother's face and nodded.
"If you are happy with…"
"I am happy, my love." She cut in eagerly as she nodded. "I am."
"Then let's go, Mommy. Come on."