Chapter 1
“Fate is a very weighty word to throw around before breakfast...”
Alaina
“Sweety, go and help Aunt Lyla. Don’t stand here.” I gave an awkward smile to the old lady an awkward smile and started walking towards the kitchen. I don’t know who is Aunt Lyla is. I met them when I was a five-year-old kid, and meeting them now is alien.
A sigh left my mouth as I picked up the juice glass and silently wandered around, not wanting to meet any Lyla. I was humming a song when I saw my mum.
“There she is, baby, come here.” I heard my mom’s sugar-coated words gesturing for me to come closer. I placed my fruit juice glass on the table before padding towards where she is. My hands started sweating as I saw a group of people observing my every move.
“She really grew up; she was so small when we last met.” One of the women commented.Well, you met me when I was five, and everyone was small at that age.
“She is going to start her senior high school this year.” My mom said, and I clearly know my mom is acting in front of these people. She never speaks to me this politely.
“That’s good. Have you thought about your college? Which stream did you choose?” a fair-looking lady asked. Before I could answer her, my mom beat me to it by opening her mouth.
“Oh, she is going to a medical college like her elder sister Chloe. We have already planned everything for her.” I watched as my mum took a sip of her wine before continuing. “She will be staying with Chloe, and I’m happy that Chloe will be there to take care of her.”
I stood there awkwardly as the woman asked my mom a few questions, and she answered while I listened to their words.
“My kids and everyone are in the backyard. Why don’t you go and join them, honey?” the fair lady said with a smile. She seemed to be a lovely lady, but who knows? I nodded my head, smiling a little before looking at my mom. She nodded, and I walked away from there.
I took a deep inhale and observed the interior of the house we were in. My mom took me to a get-together party with her friends. The house belongs to one of the rich ladies Mum went to college with. Mum said they have been married to rich brats while in college.
I believe she was tired of her circumstances and resented her decision to marry my father instead of the wealthy man who once proposed to my mother. She’s envious of her friends’ wealth, despite their husbands’ openly infidelities. I had to listen to this all through the drive here—how beautiful she was and how easily she could have had a different life if she weren’t so naive and blinded by Dad’s love.
I wasn’t aware they were married out of love. I never saw them sit peacefully without arguing. My Mum disliked that my Father didn’t earn enough or that we lacked wealth. We’re not exactly poor; both earn a decent income, and we live in a good neighbourhood in our own house. It’s just that, according to Mum, we don’t make enough money for her to show off.
The classes will be starting next week, and I’m not yet ready for them. I will be a senior this year, and I’m unsure about my future. I don’t want to go to medical school. Honestly, I’m not passionate about medical school.
I wasn’t even in the mood to be here. I tagged along with my mom because I didn’t wanna anger her. Isn’t it funny that when we are kids, we make a checklist or bucket list of the things we want to do when we grow up? As we grow up, those things fade away.
I don’t want to attend medical school, but my parents have already arranged my future. No matter what, they will send me to medical school, just like they made Chloe do. Chloe wanted to pursue interior design, but they forced her to go to medical school. It took her two years to clear the entrance exam.
My dad owns a small grocery store, while my mom is a head nurse at the Hope Hospital. Right from my childhood, everything was decided by my parents. What dress you wear, where you go, where you need to sit, what you have to eat, and when you have to sleep. Sometimes I feel like running away from everything.
I massaged my head as I could hear noises coming from the pool area. The kids, I guess, were friends all along as they decided to hang out without disturbing the mothers.
This gave me the space of think of everything. It mainly took me to Chloe. I saw how Chloe cried every night chasing something she didn’t like. She wrote me emails saying how hard and frustrating it is there, and I don’t want to go to pursue something that would make my life hell.
I have my plans, and I know I’m going to risk everything to achieve my goals. I’m just waiting for the right time until my senior high school ends. I know Chloe is going to support me in whatever decision I’m going to make. We have a deeper connection and understanding. I lean against the wall and cross my arms, hoping that the fates take a break and let the luck touch my head.
