Karma! Thou Hath No Fury

I jolted awake at the blaring sound of my alarm clock. Sighing, I pressed the off button.

Groggily, I got out of bed and walked out of my room toward the bathroom. Opening the faucet, I splashed water on my face and stared at the mirror for a few seconds.

I tied my Auburn hair in a messy bun and proceeded in brushing my teeth. Once done, I made my way to the kitchen first.

My mother and I lived in a two bedroom apartment which I was responsible for keeping spotless.

I scrambled into the living room after preparing a steaming cup of coffee for mother, leaving it to cool for a while.

After cleaning the living room, I proceeded to the kitchen to make breakfast before mother awakes.

"Myra!". I heard my mother's voice.

"Myra!, get your stupid ass here!". She yelled again.

I rushed into her bedroom, being cautious not to spill her coffee. Closing the door behind me, my eyes scanned the interior of the room. Dark curtains covered the rays of sunshine threatening to spill through.

The dark curtains gave the room an eerie feeling which mother seemed to like, so there was no changing it.

Moving further, I found her seated at the edge of her bed with her hands in her dark curls tugging aggressively at it.

"Good morning mother", I greeted in a low tone so as not to startle her. She just scowled at me.

"My coffee?", She inquired.

"Here", I replied handing the coffee mug to her while avoiding eye contact. She waved her hand dismissing me.

I turned on my heels and left to complete my cooking. Ten minutes later I was done and also had breakfast.

I stacked pancakes on a plate and placed it on the counter for mother. Placing a bottle of syrup beside it, I left to prepare for work.

After showering, I threw on a pair of blue ripped jeans and a white t-shirt. Walking over to the vanity, I wore a little makeup consisting of mascara and lipgloss.

Brushing my hair thoroughly, I plopped down on the edge of my bed and slipped on my black combat boots.

Once done, I looked around my room to see if I was forgetting something. I caught sight of my sling bag and grabbed it together with my denim jacket.

I walked down the narrow hallway to the living room only to see mother slouched down on the couch eating a packet of Oreos.

Her ebony curls were messy and all over the place. I looked over to the kitchen counter to see she had eaten all the pancakes.

"I'm leaving now, mother", I informed her to which she shrugged her shoulder. I continued my walk to the front door when I heard her shrill voice.

"I need two hundred dollars", I halted in my steps when I understood her statement. Slowly I turned to her with a neutral expression albeit I was seething inside.

"I don't have that amount of money now mother". I replied calmly and she chuckled dryly.

"I knew it!", she said through gritted teeth.

"I knew you wouldn't give me the money".

"It's just fifty dollars, damn it!". She exclaimed and I flinched.

"After everything I did for you".

"You little brat!", She spat venomously.

"It's not what you think mother", I tried to explain calmly.

"Cut the crap", she seethed.

I knew mother so well, she wouldn't stop until she got what she solely wanted.

With a defeated sigh, I replied:

"I'll get you the money".

"And when would that be?", She asked scowling deeply.

"As soon as I get my paycheck". She just rolled her eyes and looked away mumbling about how irritating I was.

Her words cut deep inside but there was nothing I could do after all. Getting out of our apartment, I walked towards the elevator and pressed the button.

In a few minutes, the door slowly opened and I walked in. Pressing the last floor button, I sighed in relief as the soft humming of the elevator music reached my ears.

Reaching the last floor, the elevator door opened and I stepped out and walked towards the exit.

Stepping out, the fresh air slammed unto my face with full force fanning my hair in all directions. The early morning sun shun brightly into my emerald orbs making a sigh content escape my parted lips.

Mother never liked it when our eyes met. She always complained that my green orbs seemed to look into her soul.

Since I was a kid I had to avoid eye contact with her. I hadn't inherited any of mother's features because I had pale skin compared to her naturally tanned one and her eyes were were a dark grey colour

She always reminded me of how wasn't her real daughter any chance she got. When I was a kid, I would always ask about my birth mother but she'd tell me that my mother didn't want me so she took me.

I would always always question myself. I didn't know why a mother wouldn't want her own child.

I was grateful to mother for taking care of me so I felt obligated to pay her back.

I had to get the money one way or another even though I knew she'd gamble it all away. Mother was addicted to gambling.

Even when she had incurred countless amount of debts through this, I was responsible for dealing with every single one of them.

I knew the money would shorten my savings for college, if only there was another way. The savings was much more important.

"Myra, my dear", Mrs Flora's calm voice pulled me out of my thoughts. I plastered a quick smile on my face.

"Good morning Mrs Flora", I greeted, moving closer to her. She stood outside her flower shop which was beside the apartment building.

"Morning child".

"I hope Lucinda didn't throw one of her fits this morning". She chuckled and I shook my head.

Let's just say Mrs Flora wasn't too fond of mother's attitude towards me sometimes.

"She didn't", I replied politely. She walked over to the shed of her shop, towards a bouquet of red roses and pulled out a single rose flower.

Mrs Flora was well aware of my love for red roses. She held it out for me to take. I smiled genuinely and accepted it. Immediately, she engulfed me in a warm embrace and I hugged her back.

We pulled apart and she caressed my hair reassuringly.

"Go now child and have a great day". She said

"Thanks Mrs Flora".

Smiling, I turned around and adjusted the bag on my shoulder, before walking away...