I woke up and looked around myself, my room smaller than before, my surroundings unfamiliar.
It took me a minute to gather myself.
Right, this was my new life my new house.
It still felt like a dream. I never would have imagined that I would be the first in my family to be sent out of town to study.
When I first got accepted, I was excited and overwhelmed with happiness.
Finally I could live my life the way I wanted.
Finally I could get a taste of that sweet, sweet freedom.
You see, I have always felt like an outsider.
I don't share the same beliefs as my family and friends
And for some reason they can't coexist with people who think differently. Nobody can't.
When I speak my thoughts out loud I get suppressed, I get mocked, I get treated like I know nothing just because I am younger.
And even if I dare to speak my thoughts, I could never dare to act on them.
Because I am dependent on them.
Because they control my fate, my future and my life.
I know that they love me , that they are worried about me.
I know that their beliefs aren't extreme or harmful they are just a result of the environment in which they grew up in.
But this love is heavy.
Even being hundreds of kilometres apart it still chains me.
But maybe one day in the future, that will change.
But for now, let's put on a mask one more time.
My thoughts get cut off by a phone call. It's from my dad.
A businessman who built himself from the ground up. A person who goes to great lengths for his families.
I pick it up and smile brightly to him.
Hey dad! How was your morning?
Don't even ask. Your mother is hell bent on killing me. She made me exercise for a whole hour with her and she even put a ban on fried snacks in the house.
He spoke in an exaggerated tone and for a moment I almost felt pity for him. Just when I decided to secretly buy some snacks for him I heard my mothers angry voice on the phone.
Don't lie to him, you secretly ordered and ate a pizza yesterday. You think I wouldn't notice? Also the doctor has said no oily food for you since your cholesterol is so high. Don't act like a victim.
Wait , this is fun let me get my popcorn. I spoke giggling at their banter.
You brat, you think this is funny. My dad spoke in an annoyed tone while my mother laughed with me.
Don't take out your anger on my son and learn something from him. Look at how much he takes care of his diet even without me. Knowing my mother was going on her lecture mode I spoke quickly.
Yeah dad, don't make mother angry, she is doing this for your own good. Anyways, I will call you guys later I need to cook breakfast and get ready for college.
Just as I was about to hang up my mother spoke.
Oh yeah Tez, don't eat eggs during this month.
Why? You said that for last month as well. and it's not like I eat them everyday. I only eat them twice a week. I protested weakly even though I knew it was probably some religious thing. Suddenly my fathers slightly stern voice came.
Listen to your mother Tez, she is already allowing you to eat eggs even though all of us are vegetarian. The least you could do is show some respect to our religion and not eat on during some time. Its not like you will die without an omelette.
I didn't want to drag this conversation any longer so I quickly said. Okay I won't eat eggs this month. I am hanging up now it's already 9. I need to reach the college by 10.
Bye, love you.
I quickly hung up the call, they might have realised that I was slightly upset but they knew I wouldn't disobey them.
Because I am a good son. They sacrificed so much to send me here and the least I could do is this. Its just one food item anyways.
But still , even though I tried my hardest to avoid talking about religion or food somehow both of them came up during the call
I sighed as I quickly prepared my breakfast - rolled oats in sweet milk. My favourite.
At least I could eat this happily.
By the time I got ready I got a call from my friend.
Hey Jake! What happened?
Hey Tez! Don't wait for me today. I am going to Emma's house to pick her up today. Sorry for informing at the last minute. Although he apologised his tone was the total opposite.
Abandoning me for a girl you started dating only a week ago huh? I spoke in a sarcastic annoyed tone. To be honest I didn't care much about it. It wasn't like the first time a friend bailed out on me to be with their girl.
Just say you are jealous of me man! If you want I can be your wingman. Jake spoke in a smug tone making me want to punch his face.
Shut up you piece of shit. I spoke in an irritated tone.
Yeah, Yeah but I am speaking sincerely Tez. I know your parents are a bit stuck up but it's not wrong to have a little fun right. And besides you can just hide it from them.
You motherfucker. I told you I wasn't interested in dating. If you talk about my parents like that one more time I will tell Emma about your 'glorious past' . I spoke truly angry this time. Jake had hit a nerve.
Jeez don't be dramatic and don't you dare tell Emma anything. I am a changed man now. Shit, Emma is calling. See you in class. Jake hung up the instant Emma called him.
I was speechless at his shamelessness. To be saying that I was completely uninterested in dating is a lie. But I can't pursue relationships right now. Now is the time to grind and achieve something, to make my family proud.
Maybe sometime later.
But still, Why is my day going so shitty today.
Looks like I will have to binge another fantasy manhwa to restore my Joy.
It's time to reread the adventures of the great Lloyd!!
Suddenly, I heard a voice in my head.
"Tez do you want to be free?"