Far Fetched

Day 5

I'm always sitting by the window if i'm in class. No matter what school i was in, i'll choose the table that is close to the window. I've never bothered to make friends or to socialise with anyone. I always kept things to myself. My focus was to study and that was the only thing in mind. When people walk up to me and greet me, like Mum, i'll give short but assuring greetings, compliment with a smile. Don't expect me to talk anymore after that. Slowly, people think i'm odd and began to distance themselves from me.

She's a killer..

She's a witch..

She's retarded..

I think she's mentally disturbed..

Rumours about who i am and how i am was spreading like wild fire during the first few weeks of school. I didn't care much about all those. I kept my head low and forget all together of my surroundings and focus even more with my studies. I spent most of my time facing my only true friends, books.

I was happy that i was independent and knowing, this time, we were out of hell's reach. Mum's smile lighted up again and her weight slowly increased. She looked more relax now. We were living in a small two bedroom apartment on a second floor. Its about 20mins drive to my school. The best part is that Mum worked next door. In an elementary school just down the street. Every lunch time i would walk over to her place and we had each others company all the time. I never want to lose sight of her. We would laugh, talk and tease at each other as if we were best friends instead of mother and daughter. We could see those envious eyes looking at us every time we sat, having lunch, under an old oak tree.

As we chat along, Mum's long brown wavy hair dance in the breeze, her wide light brown eyes sparkle everytime she laugh and her red, plum lips gave out the brightest smile. Mum loves sun dresses and the colour yellow and blue. Most of her outfit she made it herself. A way to safe money, she said. Nearly my entire wardrobe was designed by her and she knows what i love to wear too.

Her dresses always compliment her figure and you can see how all the guys turned heads as she walk by. Many would say she's my sister because of her youthful looks. But i know, behind her smile and appearance, she is hiding pain. Mum was my only source of light, she knows that if her light switches off, i would be lost and may crash. To prevent that, she put up a show so that i would always think that everything is alright. Nothing will harm us and together, we are stronger than any fort ever built.

Mum knows i have difficulty in socialising in school. I'm not as bold and cheerful like her. I was nearly an opposite of her character. A dark side of Mum's cheerful nature. She never force me to make friends.

" If a person sees who you really are, that would be a true friend. If they approach you looking at you as you, not the person they think you are, then that is a friendship worth fighting. Don't get discourage if others talk bad about you. Stay strong and always stay humble. Remember, your sole purpose is to focus on your future, studies. Only with a bright future, all web will be untangle and we are free. "

By those words, i became stronger. Day in, day out, my only driven purpose was to make Mum happy. I didn't care of how classmates would distance themselves from me. I didn't care when teachers made fun of me. I was determined. I won't let Mum's bright smile fade away again.

Another 2 years past and i'm so close to graduating. Counting days. I was sitting by the window as usual during second period when i saw a man was hitting a lady at a pavement in front of the school. As i was at the third floor and was quite a distant away, i could only see figures. But i'm certain one of them is a lady because she was wearing a dress. A tree blocked my view of the lady's face and a man was facing his back towards me. The dress that the lady wore was so familiar but i can't remember where i saw it. Few minutes later, a group of five formed up around the fighting couple. I can see the man beat the lady mercilessly. Then it snapped to me. That's Mum. I stood up suddenly and start running out of the class. Everyone in class was bewildered. I ran as fast as i could, whispering 'Mum, hold on' as i dash my way out of the school. I tripped a few times but i didn't care. I knocked over the principal as i stumbled out of the front door. I continued running till my legs hurt. By the time i reached to where Mum was, she was face down on the pavement. Blood around her. The man that was hitting her was Dad. A few man restraint him on the road. I stood there dumbfounded, frozen. Only tears came running down my face.

I slowly approached her, trembling and hard breathing. Hands were stopping me but i didn't care. Muttering 'Mum' as i drop down next to her motionless body, not daring to touch her. I cried out so loud and yet i could still hear Dad cursing and in between a devious chuckle from him. My heart must have stopped when i moved a few strands of hair from her bloody face. I know she was still breathing but it was shallow. All of a sudden, everything went black.