Chapter 1 Inception

Chapter One

HALLOW

"It is a new day, another shiny morning in my little bubble ", I thought to myself as the sunlight broke through my tiny purple window covers. "Hallow!!" my mother's voice came splashing through the hallway. I immediately knew what she wanted to ask of me. Immediately, I jumped off my bed and began arranging my room making sure it was nice and tidy, just the way she liked it.

Holding a pile of clothes in my hand, the door of my room flung open and there stood my mother. My ever-precious mama, her petite body stood and the entrance of my little room, the rays of the sun shining around, making her chestnut hair appear as a burst of precious and expensive fur. She makes my world full complete each time. "Hmm, you're just getting up aren't you?", Mama asked. "Oh Mother, " I said trying to distract her from the matter at hand.

She helped out in cleaning my room as we sang, laughed, and talked. After the arrangement had been completed, my mother asked "What are your plans for today". Sincerely, Mama, I planned on staying home today and spending time with you and father. There was silence in the room and a little bit of tension.

"Your father is out", mama said, and" I want to be out before noon as well my dear Hallow". I was conflicted and surprised about how Mama sounded. I wasn't surprised either that my father was out as well. He was never around, well almost felt like it. But Mama? She has always been around and always wanted me around, so what has changed today? "Okay Mama, I will go over to Zoey's place after breakfast I said". She smiled and patted my head in response.

I got all ready and dressed up for breakfast, walking into the dining room, I could perceive Papa's scent. "Why is he home so early" I thought to myself. Breakfast was already set and all I had to do was to help place each plate on our little table. Walking into the kitchen, I found Mama talking to herself, all sweaty and looking burnt out. It must be a sunny day, I thought to myself. Grabbing her arm, I turned her around wiped the droplets of sweat off her round face, and said "Go have a sit Mama, I will take it up from here ". She nodded, pecked my cheek, and said " I will always love you, my little girl, thank you for being in my life and for showing me what it feels to be a mother". She walked out of the kitchen immediately before I could utter another word.

Since Father's scent still roams around the room, I decided to place his favorite plate and cutleries at the head of the table. Though we didn't have a lot of cutleries or serving dishes to pick from, Father loved eating from a little white round bowl with a silverware spoon. Mr. Ivanov the neighbors would always call him. A tall, huge man who kept to himself most time, he was out before the cock crows and comes back when the bat has almost retired from its nocturnal journey. He walked into the dining room, pressed a light kiss on Mama's head, and patted my back before taking his seat. Mama went ahead in dishing the meal, it is something she does not allow any other person to do. She would say "I love the feeling of placing meals on everyone's plate, it gives me joy to know I feed the ones I love "

We ate silently until Father cleared his throat and said, "Hallow, you should be out of home by 11:50am, I hope your Mother passed the message across". Confused, I answered "Yes, but Father-", Papa raised his hand, signifying he didn't want to hear more or indulge in any further conversation. I shook my head and ate quietly as well. After breakfast, I did everyone's dishes, and while standing in front of the sink, I kept thinking, "Why would Mama want me out, and now Papa is placing a time for me to be out of home" "Why is Papa home this early, shouldn't he be out?" I kept on thinking. "Well maybe they want to have their alone time together and not feel like holding their selves back since I'm home," I said and giggled.

Going on to the pathway that leads to my room, I heard Papa and Mama whispering, almost felt like Mama's voice was at the point of tears. I wanted to knock on their door to check on Mama but decided to walk along as Papa didn't like to be disturbed. I grabbed my phone once I got to my room and put a call across to Zoey to inform her I would be coming over to hers before noon. "Hey girl," Zoey said on the other end of the phone, I smiled and responded to her ever-high-pitched voice. I have known Zoey since third grade, while others complained about how high-pitched her voice was, I don't because I have listened to her speak more than I have heard myself speak. "Be expecting me before noon girl, and make sure there are enough snacks to munch on as we play our board games ", I said. " Count me in " Zoey giggled and we said our goodbyes.

Preparing to go to Zoey's, I wore a yellow sundress that hugged my arm, placed my hair in a loosed bun, and decorated my arm with accessories I got on my 11th birthday from my Mother. " I wonder what I'd get this year, my 12th birthday " I squeaked. I glanced at myself once again in the mirror, twirled, and smiled. I was happy with how I looked. Checking the time it was 11:46 am and I had a few minutes to leave before Papa's stipulated time. I grabbed my purse hurriedly and got out of my room. Shutting the door of my room, my eyes met with Mama's, she stretched her arms towards me, inviting me for an embrace and I walked right to it. "You look beautiful Hallow, ever so, " Mama said. I smiled and said thank you. "I should be on my way, Mama, I don't want to disobey Papa, you know how he can be," I said to my mother as the time was now 11:48am. She laughed, shook her head, and responded "Okay sweetheart, don't stay out so late " " alright Mama, I love you" I said " I love you my lovely daughter" she responded while waving at me.