After a pitch-black cloudy night, morning has arisen. At this early hour, the airport is as serene as it ever is.
"Are you ready?"
"Yes! I'm so thrilled! I can't wait! My 'soon' has finally been replaced with 'finally'!"
Xyleen could feel her heartbeats as the wind caresses her and welcomed her to the airport. It was a day when the heat was flickering dazzlingly with a flash of sunlight even after the satisfying rain.
They are currently in the Duty-Free Shop, they have already check-in for the flight and have handed over their luggage. They still have 30 minutes before boarding the plane. They were already roaming around for over an hour or so because they have gotten off the house earlier than anticipated because of traffic and excitement.
"It was just raining yesterday but the weather came off to be good today," her mother said jovially as she observed the surroundings, one thing she noticed before entering the airport was the green grass that was still moist from the rain yet it was mesmerizing to see because of the water drops that are falling to the ground.
The hot sun came swiftly than they could have imagined as it was just raining four hours ago. It was up in the sky early in the morning.
"My beautiful mom! Don't you think it'd be awfully nice to buy some of these souvenirs from here?" Xyleen pulled her mother toward the section of the key chains.
"What? But we already have dozens of gifts and souvenirs? You crazy girl, stop going on a spending spree," her mother raised a brow at her with her arms crossed.
"What can I say? I'm your copy," Xyleen smirked at her mom and her mom grinned back, they then did a bro's fist and ruffled each other's hair which they then scoffed at since they hated being in a messy state as it is not fashionable for them.
"Alright, my 2.0. Let's just pick and get on the plane already or else we won't be able to go back."
"Na-uh! Bitch I'm gonna go wild when that happens, we must go back!"
"Xyleen your words, it's not fine to get used to words like that!" Her mother glared at her.
"Ooops sorry not sorry mom-Ow! Why'd you slap me in the arm?"
"Then how about his my 2.0? How about every single bad thing you say, I will spank you?"
"What? No! You were a volleyball player! It hurts even when you just laugh and kept hitting me, it hurts so bad that there will be red marks after, I don't even wanna experience your spank."
"Then don't! I'm done picking, what about you?" She asked her daughter, the daughter glanced at her, her expression saying 'How dare you change the topic?' which she returned with a giggle.
"Huh? Why'd you buy three?" Xyleen asked after seeing the three key chains wrapped in her mother's fingers.
"It's a secret, bitc- I mean my ugly daughter!"
"Ha! You were about to say bitch-Ow! Why'd you hit me?"
"You just said a bad word. It's a no-no remember?" She teased.
"Then can I hit you for revenge too? You just said that word too," Xyleen pouted.
"No, I didn't finish it though and no you can't, I'm going to use the 'I'm your mother' card!" Her mother smiled cheekily as Xyleen gasped.
"What that's unfair, why don't I have cards like that?! You are overpowered!"
"It is fair! AHAHAHA!" Her mother laughed like an evil villainess leaving Xyleen sulking.
"Now I see you have already chosen then we mustn't delay, to the cashier!" She enthusiastically pulled her daughter to the cashier and soon they have paid for everything.
After the long wait, they have boarded the plane and soon the plane took off. They were still embarrassed because as soon as they have reached their destined seat they fought on who to sit next to the window and it became out of hand so the flight attendant had to stop them.
In the end, they settled it through rock paper scissors and Xyleen won which her mom rolled an eye for.
They were both in their fancy princess pillow neck and a unicorn sleep mask.
"Are you going to sleep, my ugly lovely daughter?"
"Yeah, this is a 10-hour flight, I didn't get to sleep much last night so I need my beauty rest. I want to get back the years I have lost after this."
Her mother's eyes then glowed as her eyes became a caring mother's eye after hearing such a statement.
"Yes, thank you my Xyleen for not giving up. Thank you for surviving," she said as she kissed Xyleens forehead.
"Oh, mom you're such a crybaby! Here a tissue, don't let your snot get to me."
"Oh, I didn't even realize my tears were flowing, I can't help it my baby is growing up!"
"Wait! Ugh mom no stop kissing me all over my face, my make-up will come off and now my face is buried with kiss marks, thanks!"
"Hehe, I love you, my daughter," she kissed her nose one last time.
"Psh! I love you too mom," Xyleen said as she wiped her face. Even if she said it like it was nothing, Xyleen was positively thankful for her mom, she was one of the reasons why she fought bravely, she and her dad was the one who worked their ass of to pay for her treatment.
She missed her dad who was left in their hometown, she was disappointed when he couldn't see him for a year but shrugged it off. She remembered to give her dad a big hug when she sees him.
Without them, she would have already died, from the bottom of her heart she really loves them.
'Thank you, mom. Because of you and dad, I survived cancer.'
"Hmm? What was that?"
"I said I'm going to sleep, clean your ears mom!"
"Hey! I already did!"
The two then laughed together. After that Xyleen got ready to go to sleep.
The sound of kid's laughter and giggled apprehend in the playground.
"Alright kids, it's time to play!" The teacher granted permission to the children. Xyleen could only pout from behind the classroom.
"Xyleen are you okay being here?"
"Yes Ma'am," the kid pouted and the teacher cuddled her to comfort her. She pinched her chubby cheeks before assisting the others.
The 8 years old Xyleen who was left in the classroom was alone. She could only watch them play from the distance. Ever since her mother took her to a giant scary man with a flashlight and heartbeat music carrier, the doctor, she was prohibited to do a lot of things.
She easily gets tired and has swollen in some parts of her body. Ever since then her mother and father have been a bit sad and stressed, they were overworking a lot. There have been people with white coats visiting her home and checking her too.
Xyleen sighed and continued to watch her best friend having the most fun in the playground, she was fast, active, and jolly. As if she has infinite stamina she never got tired even after playing for hours.
They locked eyes and her best friend waved at her making her smile. She ran away and Xyleen couldn't see her from that particular view anymore.
Then suddenly a cute girl who was covered in some dirt and wrinkled dress entered the classroom.
"Xyleen!" Her best friend ran and hugged her.
"Navi! Hello, what are you doing here? This isn't your classroom."
"Yeah but I want to be with you!"
Unfortunately, Navi was a year older than her. She was unhappy about it but they were always together considering that they live in the same neighborhood, as well as they were friends since they were four.
Navier sat beside her and started a conversation with her. Navier didn't want to let Xyleen be left out.
Xyleen had always admired Navier. She could talk to anyone, she is extremely friendly and kind. She was athletic and can move her body without rest.
Not only that Xyleen admired Navi because her eyes always shine and she thought the way she smiles is cute. They were deep in conversation when Xyleen brought up a topic.
"Navi, I really envy you. I want to be just like you!"
"What? Why? I like you just the way you are tho," Navier smiled sweetly at her but the child Xyleen frowned at her.
"I don't like the way I am!"
"Xyleen?"
"I don't want to be the kid who's always weak and sick. I want to be just like you, I want to be the kid who can play!" Xyleen stood up abruptly and yelled at her with eyes forming liquids.
"I know!" Navier also stood and hugged her tightly.
"Navi?" Her cracking voice called out for her.
"You can! I believe! Mom said there will be magicians who will use magic on you! But to do that you must be away from me for a very very long time!"
"W-what?"
"I will miss you my best friend! I will wait for you to return, I will wait for your recovery. Please don't forget me. My best friend forever, Xyleen."
"Xyleen!"
"Wha- Huh?"
"Are you having nightmares? You keep mumbling and shifting in your sleep, look at your face. Quit frowning, you'll give yourself wrinkles."
"Ah, I was just dreaming of the past that's all. Mom, is there something to eat? I'm hungry," Xyleen said to ignore any more questions.
"Ah yes here."
It has been a long ride and finally, 12 hours have passed and they are currently inside the car, singing together. It was now dark, the moon and stars are out to shine.
"Waah! I'm so excited to see Navi! Navi likes it when the window is down, I'm opening it, mom."
"Okay!"
Xyleen could remember the places now, although it was a bit different the signs helped her, she was delighted to see their neighborhood sign when her mother took a turn away from that location.
Xyleen tilted her head as they were going the wrong way.
"Are we going somewhere else? Dad must be waiting for us now so we should really head home," Xyleen asked, she could see her mother stiffening up.
"Mom, we're supposed to enter there," Xyleen turned her head and pointed in the direction of the sign. She looked once again to her mom and noticed her expression turning serious.
"Mom?" Xyleen called out however her mom was not paying attention to anything right now. A new topic had confounded her mind.
"Xyleen I have to confess something to you," her mother slowly spoke.
"Hmm?" She curiously asked.
"But please promise me to not react violently or something between that line. This might be shocking and all but please... please understand. Try to understand, please, I beg you," her mother asked not looking at her.
Xyleen realized that something was off, her heart was suddenly beating fast from nervousness.
"Okay," Xyleen hesitantly said. Her mother took a deep breath as the tension became heavier.
"Xyleen, me and your dad broke up a year ago..."
The mother said straightforwardly not wasting any minute and any shenanigans.
Xyleen felt numb at that moment. She felt like her heart stopped beating and anger surrounds her. Her heart was in pain, her mind was confused and her anger darkened.
She took notice of the atmosphere to see if she was joking but the tears from her mom's eye confirmed.
"WHAT?!"
"Xyleen please listen first!" her mother tried to shout but her voice was cracked. Xyleen tried hard not to cry but her heart was aching too much. She never imagined this happening at all.
"A year ago? And you didn't tell me? Mom!" Xyleen cried, anger visible in her face. She wanted to get out of the car, she wanted to just wake up if this was just another nightmare.
"Xyleen please listen!"
Xyleen went silent her heart couldn't take this, her heart was in pain. She didn't know. The news suddenly came out of nowhere. It appears like her world was once again crumbling.
After a lot of years fighting for herself now, she has to fight for her family? How long will she fight? How long will she suffer? How long will she be afraid?
"We loved each other but we're not happy anymore, we would always fight at the end of the day and our relationship has gotten toxic. We talked it out with each other and both ends agreed to... give up," Her mother's voice quaver, Xyleen hates this. She didn't want drama to happen.
"Give up? Just like that? Then what about the years, the love you have had with each other for the past 17 years? What about that, Were the years you have spent with each other so easy to throw away?! What about me?!" Xyleen's voice was full of sorrow, she was practically begging for her family to not be apart. She only has them.
"Xyleen sometimes a long time can be destroyed with just one short mistake. There are times when sometimes it's better to let go to prevent any more harm done," her mother's voice was unsteady she was trying hard to have strength.
"Mom! Please, I hate this. Please tell me you're lying," Xyleen begged as she came closer to her mom with her voice heavy, her sadness weight down upon her shoulders.
"I was hurt too, everyone was hurt. Do you know when we asked if we still love each other, our answers would always end up in 'I don't know'. We're not happy anymore... A relationship does not only depend if you love each other, but it also matters whether you're happy to be together," When she spoke, it sounded like her voice was made of gravel. Her clear tone was undercut with a choking heaviness that forced her to pause several times.
The car suddenly came to a stop in a park, the only light in that park was the moon and the stand lights.
"Mom, then what about me? Am I happy? Maybe there's a chance, maybe it's just a little misunderstanding. Maybe there's still hope. Mom, please work it out again with dad. Maybe there's still some love, maybe you just need some time! Right! That should be it! Mom let's turn the car around!" Xyleen pleaded almost attempting to laugh but soon she bit her lips.
"Honey... No..." Her mother's voice was soft and fragile. Her eyes were in pain too, it was already too red. She didn't want to hurt her child but she just couldn't tell it to her. She kept telling herself that she will tell it tomorrow but that tomorrow goes on and on that lead to today.
"Why?!" Xyleen shouted at her. She knew she shouldn't do this to her mother, she knew it was wrong but her feelings were superior to her now.
"Because I already have someone I am happy with and he wants to love you too!"
Her mother felt much better after telling the truth to her daughter but her daughter was the opposite.
From the butterflies on the stomach to a sudden wound in the chest.
"Another man..."
"Honey, that man is very lovable. He already has a son but the mother died in an accident. We met and we felt happy. I felt happy, something that I never once experienced with your father. Your father... is also seeing another woman right now. Honey, I'm so sorry."
Her watery eyes closed and drops of tears, as clear as spring water flowed down her cheeks. She was really in pain. She can't take it but her mother hugged her. She felt her mother's warmth in her embrace.
She was still her mother who sacrificed everything for her. Eventually, she stopped trying and lowered her head in a quiet sob.
"I'm so sorry, I'm sorry, I'm so so sorry," the mother kept repeating to her while hugging her sobbing child.
They were both in pain but they had each other.
******
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