After struggling a lot I finally managed to get out of my bed, I hurriedly made my way towards my bathroom when I realized I was probably going to be late again for the school, and I probably didn't want any detention after school today, as I planned to visit mom before going to Gym.
I took a hasty bath and threw whatever clothes my hand could catch at that time. After strolling here and there for 15 minutes in search of my things and assignments in my small dorm room I finally made my way out and ran towards the school campus.
"Run, Run, Run, Alicia." I mumbled to myself.
I finally reached my locker as the bell rang signaling the start of lecture, so I quickly collected my books for my classes and hastily made my way towards the first class.
I carefully opened the door to see that professor was still not in the class indicating that, no Detention, I sighed in relief, and made my way towards the chair available at the end of the room. I absentmindedly sat on my chair and took out my books and pen to take some notes. I was about to zone out when I heard Mr. Hankin's voice, my Ap. Physics' teacher.
"Good morning class, I'm sorry class I'm late I just had some stuff fo be taken care off, since I'm already late let's start right away..." he started his lecture and I successfully tuned him out, and started doodling on my notebook absentmindedly so that he might not be suspicious of me on zoning out and I would not be bored either, I mean I have already done them, these topics are just that easy.
After surviving three more lecture and bearing my teacher's sweet lullaby. I made my way towards the cafeteria to take my usual sandwich or fries. I collected them and turned around without noticing anyone around me.
"Watch where you are going!" I heard a shallow shriek behind but payed no mind to it. I was that distracted. " You dumb as*, I'm talking to you where do you think you are going?" I found myself being turned around forcefully by a hand on my shoulder towards the voice I heard prior to it.
I followed the hand with my eyes to train my eyes on our usual 'miss mosquito' with her fellow insects. I rolled my eyes.
'Ofcourse that shriek would belong to someone like her' Alice mused.
"Yes," I asked sweetly keeping my temper under control. "You see, " she pointed towards her feet. I looked confusedly at her and then at her noodles covered feet and legs, 'well that happens when you wear your younger siblings dress, you know.'
"Hey I just bought this dress, and I'm an only child." She whined.
'Oppsie, you again mused in a high voice Alicia,' Alice said in a laughing tone(conscience)
I pulled a straight face and asked nonchalantly, "why are you showing me this? I'm probably not your baby-sitter and I hope you are grown up enough to take care of your mess?"
"Well, you created that." She argued.
"So what?" I said shrugging. She opened her mouth to say something but I cut her, " as much as I want to argue over the fact that why we should not dump trash in the bin. I'm really not in the mood." I said and quickly turned around before she could say something.
"Hey, what does that mean?" She shouted after me but I walked away towards my usual spot to eat my sandwich.
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I walked in the hospital. "Hey,Alicia." Jasmine said. She has been the receptionist in the hospital since mom has been here, so from my frequent visits I know her and everyone here pretty well. I waved back at her and continued walking towards mom's room.
I was about to knock at her room when I saw that door was already open. So I guessed that some nurse was already there to give her, her medicines. I opened the door quietly just in case she might be sleeping. But what I saw shocked me instead.
My mother was sitting in front of the small mirror in her room with a razor in her hands, and right beside her lied her once beautiful brown locks, the same hair I had inherited from her, the same hair I used to braid whenever we had girls day out.
I felt tears again in my eyes. I softly wiped them and looked at my mom's face to find her eyes completely devoid of any feeling. I found myself looking at the same lifeless eyes I had seen in my dreams.
I quickly turned around and ran towards the bathroom. I locked the door behind me sat there crying once again. I was tired. I was weak. And most of all, I was useless. I could not bring her happiness. I shook my head. I cried for my fate once again.
I opened the door and washed my face again and again to clear my face from any kind of tears and moved out of the bathroom to make my way towards Mr. Watson's room.
I softly knocked at the door. "Come in, " at his muffled voice I turned the doorknob and made my way towards his cream colored room in which he sat in the middle at his desk with some files in front of him.
I cleared my throat and said, "Good afternoon, doc."
He finally looked up from his files.
"Oh Ms. Walters, it's nice meeting you here. I might ask you what it is for?" He said directing his attention towards me.
I again felt my heart getting heavy. But I tried to keep it in me and said, "I came to visit my mom here after 2 to 3 days. But I see her bald now, doc?" I asked him accusingly.
"Miss. Walters I hope you know your mother is a leukemic patient for past two years and she is no more showing any recovery from her treatment. I had already told you she has no more time left." He said in a monotonous voice at which I lowered my head and nodded.
"She has been losing her hair a lot in these days, and she herself suggested that she removes them altogether so that she might not see all the mess daily. Miss, I know it's probably not easy for you. But that's just how it is. " unable to say something I again nodded my head.
"Is that it ?" He asked a little kindly this time. "Yes, thank you doctor." I finally croaked and moved out of his office.
I again approached her room and this time prepared. I entered her room to see her calmly sleeping on her bed, Bald.
I sat on the chair beside her and took her hand softly in mine. And looked through teary eyes at her with love, affection, sadness, and regret.
"Mom, I'm so sorry," I sobbed looking down at our co-joined hands.