THE BEGINNING
The rain started before sunrise.
It tapped against the rusty roof of the small house, slowly at first, then harder, until the sound filled every corner of the room.
Maya opened her eyes.
For a few seconds, she stayed still.
She stared at the ceiling, watching a tiny drop of water gather around a crack.
Then it fell.
Right onto her forehead.
Maya sighed.
“Seriously?”
She wiped her face and sat up.
The room was cold. Her phone was beside her pillow, displaying 5:47 a.m.
Another day.
Another battle.
She reached for the phone and saw three notifications.
One from her best friend, Daniel.
Daniel: You awake?
Another from her mother.
Mum: Please don't forget your interview today.
Maya smiled faintly.
The third notification was from an unknown number.
She ignored it.
She had bigger things to worry about.
She got out of bed, dressed quickly, and stood in front of the cracked mirror.
For a moment, she didn't recognize herself.
She looked tired.
But behind the tiredness was something else.
Hope.
Maya touched the mirror.
“One day,” she whispered.
“One day, this will all be different.”
From the kitchen, her mother's voice called.
“Maya!”
“Yes, Mum!”
“Come and eat before you leave!”
“I’m coming!”
She grabbed her bag.
Before walking out, she looked at the room one more time.
She didn't know it yet, but this would be the last morning she woke up believing her life would go according to plan.
