Chapter 2 Hell

"Honey, wake up." a soft tender voice told me.

"It's time for you to wake up, dear." It said again.

Who is it? Who would wake me up with such tenderness? I opened my eyes and saw her sitting beside me on my bed, a soft look on her face.

My mom.

Her long silky hair is in a messy bun, her soft green eyes that always held that look of care within looked dull and tired, dark circles around them, dressed in a white shirt and jeans she flashed me a smile making a similar one curve on my face.

Oh, how much I missed her?

She just arrived from work tired and sleepy. Yet, her tenderness is always there. If only she knew, how her absence turns my life into a nightmare.

"Good morning, my princess. It's time for you to go to school," she said, scooting closer to me, planting a kiss on the top of my head.

I have to go to school, this sentence kept circling in my head, why does life have to be this cruel? Why do I have to leave on my mom's free day?

I smiled at her, loving the soft yet heartwarming touch of hers.

"Dear?" she said,

"Hmm," I replied. "It's been so long since I last saw you," She said, tears dancing in her eyes. I looked away from her broken stare, I took a deep breath before saying,

"Yes, mom. It's been almost a month," I spoke.

If only she knew how horrible it was, a month of tears and helpless cries, of sadness and nightmares.

"I am sorry I was so busy at the hospital," She looked down, ashamed to meet my eyes.

"It's okay, remember what my dad always tells you when you say that," I said, smiling at her.

"What matters is the number of lives you saved," she said, tears streaming down her face.

"Yes, so don't worry about me, Mom," I said, squeezing her hand.

"If it's okay, why do you seem so sad then?" she replied, I closed my eyes, holding back my tears.

"I just miss you that is all." I lied.

"I miss you way more, my dear." she grabbed my hand and pulled me into a hug.

Oh god!

We started sobbing into each other's arms, a mother and her daughter, both hiding unrevealed secrets.

"Now, you have one hour to get ready. I am driving you to school," she said, pulling back, wiping her tears.

"Mom, can I stay with you today?" I said, hoping she would say yes.

Wishing she would save me from another nightmare.

"Honey, I wish you can. But you have school. I promise I would make time to come home this weekend," I looked down at my hands defeated; knowing she always says that, but ends up coming back after another month.

"Now get ready, and come to eat some breakfast, me and Ayman will wait for you." I flinched at the sound of his name.

Uncle Ayman. My stepdad, the man my mother considers a hero while all he really is a waking nightmare is the reason I wish I would never live to see the next day.

She flashed me one last smile before heading downstairs leaving me shaking to face the devil that would wait for me for sure, so he can ruin my day.