"Gosh, I'm so exhausted".
Momo opened the door of her apartment, peering into the darkness, and then switching on the lights, she looked around and sighed..
She knew her dad had just been here.....
Stack of bottles of beers were scattered everywhere and the whole room stenched of cigarettes and alcohol.
"This man is going to be the end of me" She said aloud.
Closing the door behind her, she stepped in. Immediately dropping her backpack on the floor she dashed into her room and checked her cabinets and as expected, some moneys had gone missing. She wasn't so surprised. She totally knew he wouldn't just barged in without stealing anything, that's why most of the time she kept her money and valuable things somewhere else he wouldn't find it. She intentionally kept few moneys in the cabinet to avoid him ransacking the whole house for money. She took a trash bag and started cleaning the whole house. Finishing that within ten minutes she plowed onto the sofa on her back, staring at the ceiling.
Momo had been feeling depressed lately with everything going on. Her dad getting worse day by day and getting into more debts daily, she finding it hard to keep up with her studies, working multiple part time jobs and being a loner. She was so stressed with everything.
She only had one person to trust and rely on, Shan Shan, who was her childhood friend. But she recently wasn't in China. A wave of sadness swept through her. She wasn't enjoying her life the way she wants.... Putting that thought aside she stood up and went to have a shower. At least the shower was a place where she doesn't have to think about her problems and just think about what she wants to be.
"That was nice" She said after stepping out of the shower drying her hair with a towel.
"I better FaceTime Shan Shan. I wonder what she's up to".
Dailing Shan Shan's number, she waited for her to pick up.
"Hey Momo, how are you doing?" Shan Shan asked.
"I'm ok, I hope I'm not disturbing you or anything." Momo said.
"Not at all. I was just about to eat my lunch before you called. See." she replied showing Momo the ramen she had prepared.
"Uuuuh, that looks tasty".
"I know right. My skills in preparing ramen is top notch".
"I miss you so much Shan Shan. When are you coming back? It's not the same without you".
"I miss you too a lot but I'm not done with what I came for yet. I'll probably return next two weeks".
"Two weeks is far from now. Can't you just come back tomorrow"?.
"No I cant".
"Fine, but I still miss you".
"C'mon I'll be back soon. For now just occupy yourself with something else".
"I'll try. I've been pretty occupied myself which is making me really fall behind in my grades".
"That's because you take up too many part time jobs. Let some go".
"I can't. I really need the money. You know my dad isn't of that much help".
"I know, but I'm still quite worried. You might not be able to bear the stress for long".
"When that time comes we'll see".
"No I don't want that time to come. Like they say Prevention is better than Cure".
"Don't worry, I'll be fine. Anyways I gotta go. I have a project to prepare for tomorrow's class".
She actually didn't have any project to prepare but she just said it, not even knowing why.
"Ok, go do your thing, Bye Momo".
"Bye Shan Shan".
Momo turned on the TV in the attempt of watching a TV series but came across a news being broadcasted.
"It's just being announced that the marriage of Meng Lu and Gu Wei Yi has been agreed on by both families. Two of the most powerful families have decided to join alliance through the marriage of their offspring. Well we don't expect anymore less of the marriage from two of the most powerful families in China" The news reporter said.
"Wow, it seems the rumors where really true. I guess they're really getting married. The elites are really one of a kind. I doubt the both of them agreed to this marriage. Anyways wishing them the best, I've gat issue to deal with" Momo said to herself.
Switching it back to the channel she wanted to watch, she brought out a can of beer from the fridge to entertain herself. Starting with one can at first she eventually gulped down more cans that she couldn't take in making her drunk and blacking out.....
Momo woke up with the morning lights almost blinding her. Her head was spinning so hard due to the amount of alcohol she took last night.
"Gosh, my head hurts. It feels like it's about to spilt in two" She said holding her head with both hands.
She took a hangover medicine to reduce the pain in her head but it didn't help that much. Looking at the clock, she jerked up due to the fact that she was late for class. And the professor wasn't the students favorite due to how strict he was.
She suddenly stood up and immediately felt nauseous. Rushing to the bathroom she literally threw up all what she drank.
"I should really stop drinking to a stupor".
She prepared and dressed up in a rush forgetting to lock up her apartment and that's where everything went totally wrong.
Momo opened the door to the classroom slightly and peeped. She would have entered from the back door of the class but it was locked. She knew it was the professor that locked it to prevent any latecomers from sneaking in through the back. So their only choice was through the front door.
They were also three others who where also trying to sneak in. Noticing that the professor back was turned towards the class she and the three others tried to sneak in quietly but it was a failure. He caught them and with a loud voice ordered them to stop.
"So you think you guys can outsmart me and enter without me noticing? What do you take me for? He shouted at them.
"We're so sorry sir" They replied in unison bowing their head.
"And you" He said pointing to Momo "This is not your first of coming to class late. Nor is it your second or third time. You're such a habitual latecomer that your face is already engraved in my memories".
"I'm really sorry sir. It won't happen again".
"I'm sure it will. The rest of you can go to your seats except you. What's your name"?.
"Momo".
"You're expected to stand at the corner till this class is over".
"But sir"...
"Do not but me unless you want to receive a more heavier punishment".
"No sir. I'll do as you've said".
Momo stood at the corner for four agonizing hours to the point where her legs where wobbling so hard that she was sure it would break any moment.
Her redemption finally came when the professor was done with the class. On his way out he looked at Momo and gave her an advice.
"If you continue this way, you'll end up failing this course and probably the whole semester. So whatever is making slack off in your school works its high time you cut it off" He said and walked away.
Momo knew he was right since he wasn't the first person to tell her that but she had no choice or options. If she didn't take any part time jobs, she'll be screwed.
She looked at her watch and gasped. She had just 15 minutes to get to her part time job or else she would be late. Dashing out of the class she ran as fast as possible, making it in time...
Entering the convenience store, she took over from the other part timer.
"I'll take over now. You've done really well" she said to the girl, wearing the convenience store jacket which was blue in colour.
"Yeah, I'll go now. See you tomorrow" the girl replied going out.
Momo looked at the clock and sighed. She had three other part time jobs to go to after this and her body wasn't really ready for it. Her legs were still wobbly due to all the standing she did in class which made her exhausted.
She rubbed her neck and felt a sharp pain there making her flinch.
"I guess I need to buy more relief pain patches".
Momo spent the remaining nine hours of her time going from one part time job to the other. She was so exhausted to the point where she thought she would collapse.
After nine long painful hours she finally had the chance to go home. All what was in her mind was to get a really good sleep.
She got to the elevator of her house and saw a notice posted there.
"Sorry but the elevator is under repair and out of reach as of this moment" the notice reads.
"Nooooooo, don't do this to me, I have no strength to climb the stairs".
She had no choice but to climb the stairs eventually if she wanted to get home.....