Chapter One: The Suffering
Buttery sunbeams streamed through the gap of the curtains.
They danced across Sai's face.
Trying to pull him from the sweet arms of slumber.
Mama Melita, as reliable as the rising dawn, began her daily ritual.
Mama Melita, with her melodic yet resolute voice.
Mrs. Melita
"Son... ☀️ It's time to wake up and smell the fresh aroma of coffee."
It was followed by a tinkling giggle that sparked comfort and familiarity.
Still, the calls fell on the defiant ears of Sai.
Who was wrapped comfortably in his world of dreams.
Wrapped comfortably in his world of dreams. Bubbles of slumber exhaled from his nostrils, a silent yet playful rebuttal.
Mama Melita swatted the air, her frustration mounting.
The words cut sharply through the peaceful morning, shaking Sai from his dreamscape.
Rubbing the sleep from his eyes, Sai blinked.
Sai
"Oh ma there you are..."
The grumbling tone was lightened with a groggy smile from her son.
His mother's affectionate gaze softened his grumbling.
Mrs. Melita
"Oh, my buttered pancake,"
She cooed, relieved at her victory.
Mrs. Melita
"I love when you wake up and refresh our morning."
Sai
” You're smooching me!"
Sai scoffed, but his annoyance was short-lived.
His eyes caught the daunting sight of the clock.
Sai
"Why didn’t you wake me up earlier?!"
Sai
"It’s my first day of being a highschool!"
Each word tumbled out disjointedly.
His panic rising with each tick of the clock.
Mama Melita stayed silent.
Her smile nothing short of ominous.
And a laugh that chilled Sai into silence.
The laugh echoed ominously in the quietness of the room.
She giggled, the sound oddly contrasting the eeriness of the moment.
Sai sprinted towards his destination.
As far back as I can remember.
Mama Melita was always the strong figure in our family.
She often recounted tales of her own teenage years, colored with shades of innocence and rebellion.
Melita found herself in the throes of an unexpected emotional whirlwind.
One evening, after much pleading and promises of utmost caution, her parents agreed to let her attend an end of semester bash.
The conditions were clear:
With a gleam of exhilaration in her eyes.
Mama Melita dolled herself up.
Her elegant demeanor radiating newfound maturity.
The charm of his smile masking the intentions lurking beneath.
Memories blurred, the night took a turn that would change her life forever.
Inside a dimly-lit and secluded room.
Their destinies entangled in a rush of emotions and stolen moments.
Morning light unveiled the harsh reality of her situation.
Draped in shards of her broken innocence.
Melita returned home to the stern faces of her waiting parents.
Their fury was swift, reflected in the week-long grounding and the disappointment that furrowed their brows.
Soon, physical changes began;
Breakfast was pushed aside.
Replaced by bouts of nausea.
Her taste buds rejecting food.
Transforming regular meals into episodes of discomfort.
The realization hit hard.
Could she be carrying Leo's child?
Hoping beyond hope that he would stand by her during this perplexing phase.
Their meeting was fraught with anxiety.
Melita
"I... I'm pregnant, Leo,"
She finally mustered the courage to divulge.
His initial joy was washed away by fear and panic.
Despite his promise of commitment and shared responsibility.
Leo's words flip-flopped.
Leo
"No-no I can't, sorry"
Saddled with the weight of their decisions, the product of their supposed love.
Melita carried her increasing burden along with an expanding belly.
Seeing her reflection was a painful reminder of what was lost and what was yet to come.
Reaching the point of no return.
Melita decided it was time to reveal the truth.
In the midst of the stunned silence.
Her parents made the heart-wrenching decision of sacrificing her education for the sake of her child to be.
She would have to leave school—her dreams, pushed to the sidelines.
Melita, my mom, gave birth to me a year later.
A beautiful new hope born out of turmoil.
Despite the circumstances.
She never bore any resentment towards me.
She bestowed upon me the torch of her dreams—to continue her interrupted education.
Sai
"Or I swear I'm going to be late!"
Sai urged, drumming his anxious fingers against the cool bathroom door.
His pleas fell on Noah's deaf ears.
Came the muffled response.
Giving Sai a sight of Noah.
In all his bare glory that could have been missed.
Hastily retreating from the mortifying sight, and slamming the door shut behind him.
Breakfast time was usually a cacophonic symphony.
Noah's eyes bore into Sai.
Trying to decide whether to react with embarrassment or amusement.
Sai, unfazed, met his gaze with an exaggerated roll of his eyes.
The clear voice of mama Melita echoed in the room, admonishing them gently.
Mrs. Melita
"Please, boys, no quarrels at the table"
Mrs. Melita
"It spoils the food."
Noah
"I'm not a 'kid', mom!"
Noah protested, his countenance visibly pricking at the diminutive term.
Mama Melita only chuckled at his claim, her eyes dancing with a twinkle of mischief.
The twin terrors as they preferred to be called, contributed their chorus of gleeful hoots.
The day was unfurling, and school was waiting.
An eager energy radiating from him.
Sai
"Alright, see you later mom, Jerry, Terry!"
Her goodbye was punctuated with a cheeky brow wiggle at Noah.
Mama Melita called their back, holding out their day's allowance.
Mrs. Melita
"Have a fantastic first day, ok?"
With a loving peck on her cheek, Sai and Noah replied,
Noah called out from behind him.
His hurried voice echoing in the whole neighborhood.
Comments
Shayean
another chapter, another career can't wait to share more episodes with you guys/Kiss//Whimper/
2024-04-11
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