I Agree

My mom stared at me blankly. She dropped her mouth on her jaw and moved her lips to and fro without uttering a word. She was obviously shocked by my abrupt change of decision.

I had no choice but to agree. If I stated my reasons, she'd definitely pass out, or even pass on. I wouldn't be able to bear the pain of seeing the only person I loved, die off, just like that.

"Is the reason so terrible that you've decided to get married to a total stranger instead of stating it to me?" She asked wearily.

I frowned as I forestalled from our stare, and gazed at the window. "You've been asking for this, and now, I've agreed to it. What else do you want?"

"I don't want you to get married anymore. All I need is the reason why you changed. Tell me now. What's wrong, or what went wrong?" She asked as she moved forward and gripped my hands.

"Mom." I called, pulling my hands away from hers. "I've told you already, nothing's wrong with me. This is how I've chosen to live my life. Let me continue like this, please."

"But I know my boy so well. Tell me. What changed you to this jerk you truly aren't?" She refused to accept my excuse.

I needed to stop this conversation. The more she asked me, the more my pain was aggravating. This needed to stop.

"Mom," I called and gave her a fake smile. "Nothing changed me. This is how I've always been. I don't have time for anything. I'm always screwed up with work. I also don't have the time to like anyone. That's just it. Time is the problem."

"Ace dear, I came here to convince you, but now I feel I shouldn't have. I feel I should have asked you for what bothers you. I feel like we are all being greedy. I feel like I'm not a responsible mother but a greedy one," Her tone sounded faint like she was about to cry. 

"Mom, mom!" I cried as I grabbed her hands. "This is the thing about you. When will you stop fretting over unnecessary things? I told you I'm fine."

"So why did you change your mind when I asked you for what bothers you?" She retorted, still not seeming like she believed me a dime.

I exhaled. I had nothing to say. I just needed to cook up a story.

"Well, I think what you said might be true. I might change if I have someone beside me you know? And besides, I know my mom so well. You won't let me marry a bad person

." I said as I winked at her and shrugged

"Hmmm, ok then. I'll leave you to relax." She stated, and moved close to embrace me before walking to the door. "Come downstairs for dinner ok?" She added, and stepped out. 

"Ok."

Finally!

I clenched my teeth and tightened my fingers into a fist, hitting it hard against the strong wall. I couldn't believe I was going to get married to a person I didn't know. But if that would save my mom, I was more than willing to do it. After all, I didn't have to be committed to the stupid marriage or something. That's the point.

***

MIA

I stood in front of the dressing mirror in my tiny closet, and brushed my hair gently. I had hardly brushed it in days. I was so stressed out that I didn't even remember to. Well, it wasn't my fault. I couldn't share my pain with anyone, not even my parents. And the only person I liked, Drake, hadn't called since that night. I tried calling many times but he didn't pick up. I hated my life!

"Mia!" My mom hurled from my room.

I rolled my eyes at the thought of her coming prattle, and stomped out of the closet.

"Yes ma." I answered her as soon as I was in her front, trying to be as respectful as possible. 

"Here! Have this. I need you to go to the market and get me these stuff." She said as she threw an old bag at me, shooting me some dirty looks. 

"But I can't do this now. I need to go to work. It's Monday." I protested, almost sounding annoyed.

She flared her nose in irritation, and moved closer to me, tugging my jaw so hard with her hand, which made me let out a cry. But, she didn't care as usual.

"You fool!" She yelled as she hit her hand against my face. "How dare you refuse?! I'm asking you to do something and you're refusing to? Huh?"

"What's going on here?" My dad's voice sounded from the door.

My mom pulled away and ran to him. "Nic!" She cried. "Our daughter has started refusing to go on an errand. Can you imagine?!"

"What?!" He screamed as he walked to me. "You refused to go on an errand?"

I quivered as tears were already stuck in my eyes. I was so nervous. I was pretty sure he would hit me in no time.

"N--no. I..." I stuttered as I tried to speak, but then, my mom cut me in.

"Oh my goodness!" She whined, and hurried to stand beside my dad. "Are you trying to say I'm lying?"

"N--no ma. I'm just..." I tried to speak again, but my dad interrupted with a slap across my face. I was expecting that though. 

"You refused huh?" He started spanking my shoulder as well.

"Dad!" I cried, tears ardently rolling down my cheek. "Stop hitting me please?!"

He wide mouthed and tugged at my arm, hitting me hardly again. "You still have the gut to yell at me?"

"Nic." My mum called as she hurried to stop him. "Don't waste your time on her. And besides, this is very bad for your health. Let's leave the bastard alone now."

She held my dad and grabbed him to her, glancing at me as they walked to the door to take their leave. "You had better do what I asked you to do or you'll get a second round of this scenario." She added, and turned to the door to take their leave. 

I dropped on my bed, broken. I was used to all the punishment, but I was more hurt for some reason I was unsure about. I was so devastated.

They had been like that since I was little. I always doubted if they were even my real parent. They had never expressed love towards me. All they could ever do was hit me all the time. 

Whenever anyone was around, they would pretend to be the most caring parent in the world. I tried to report them to one of my aunts one day, but they almost killed me for it. They refused to feed me for a couple of days, until I passed out and was admitted to the hospital. They hated me so much for some reasons I didn't know. They called me bad luck and all. I really hated them.

I rubbed my hands against my face to clean the dumb tears that ruined my it, and stood from my bed. I walked to the closet to finish what I was doing. I had no choice but to go on the stupid errand. I was used to their hurt and had stopped crying over it, but it seemed like something was hurting me more. Maybe it was Drake.

About to step into my closet, my phone rang from the side table, and I turned to it without wasting any time. It could probably be my boss at work. 

On seeing the caller, I gaped, and my heart stupidly raced faster as a result of my sudden nervousness. It was Drake.