It was a time when Melissa had decided to start afresh. Getting united with her family was a whole new feeling to her, one she had craved for a long time. It was a moment of providing cause her mother and her splitting the bills for their upkeep.
Most times, she would be lost in thought on how to foot her sisters' treatments. No! 'I can't lose another family, she would say as she day dreamed of a better life for her and her sisters.
"The world has taken a lot from me. Hence, no chances. Even the auction job i tried getting failed, I won't give any changes still." She said as she complained to no one in particular
As the days passed by, with more of its offerings, there was always a bead of hope in Melissa's heart, she tried to never feel downcast or helpless, she always believed a beam of light would appear at the end of the tunnel.
That faithful day she had decided that she would take a walk and as she prepared to talk the walk she observed the weather.
The weather was quite warm and relaxing, she glanced from her window, she didn't want to be drenched by the rain as it had happened the other day and she didn't want to take an umbrella along either, she considered it a baggage she wasn't ready for.
Whenever it rained, the urge to run came to her, but life's exposures were enough to burn out every inch of fear in her.
It was dark and as she prepared to leave her house, she saw an image and fear engulfed her. She knew she was supposed to run but, curiosity got the best of her. She summoned courage and began walking towards the image she saw, with her toxic hair puffing out, she snuck up behind the image, she shun her phone touch and her eyes widened in terror and surprise.
'MUM!' Melissa screamed. "You still do drugs? WHY?" Melissa asked as She sobbed.
'hey, baby, I can explain' her mother said as she struggled to sound all right, making a gesture to reduce the smoke cause it made Melissa cough.
'Mum!" Melissa called out to her, "you still do drugs? I'm disappionted!!!" She said. "You brought me into a life of pain and agony, now you want the twins to dine in same fate? We barely have enough to feed with but, you can always find a way to squeeze out money to quench your irresistible desire to get high" Melissa shouted!
Melissa was shattered as she made her way back to the house, and slammed the door behind her. Her mother staggered, trying to catch up but her but she couldn't match up to Melissa's speed.
"Melissa!" Her mother called out to her, "Baby wait, I can explain"
Melissa stopped abruptly, turned to face her mom and then asked her, "Explain what?"
"Baby, it's not what you think" Her mom said, letting out a sob that sounded fake to Melissa.
"Oh, please spare me the drama! Stop your emotional blackmail, it's not working" Melissa blurted which made her mom stare at her in surprise.
"You're being mean" her mom said
"You're being irresponsible" Melissa shot back at her mom.
"Sit down dear and I'll explain" Melissa's mom said, trying to convince Melissa to sit and listen to what she had to say.
"I do not have time for this, I do not have time for you" Melissa shut back at her before heading into her room
The twins were seated on the dining table, eating their cereal quietly as they stared at their mom and Melissa in surprise. They'd didn't know what was happening and they were engulfed in their own little world.
Melissa had gone into her room pack up her things, she made the hard decision to leave her mom and the twins. "We're in this condition because of her, It's her mess, let her fix it" Melissa said to herself as she angrily threw in unfolded clothes into her box.
"What are you doing?" Her mother asked her as she walked in on Melissa packing her bags.
"What does it look like I'm doing?" Melissa shot back at her angrily.
"You're not leaving are you?" Her mother inquired.
"We would see about that" Melissa shot back at her mother angrily!
"Allow me explain, give me another chance to prove myself and do better" Melissa's mom pleaded with Melissa.
"It's too late for that" Melissa shot at her as she closed her suitcase and zipped noisily almost ripping the zip off the bag.
"Please, sit down let's talk" Melissa mother pleaded and Melissa reluctantly obliged.
"I'm listening", Melissa said impatiently.
"I know you're angry and disappointed but, I just need sometime to get my life in order" Her mother pleaded.
"You had all the time in the world to have another set of children but, you didn't have the time to get yourself In order" Melissa shut back angrily.
"Don't speak to me in that manner, I'm your mother" Her mother screamed back at Melissa who stared at her in horror.
"You're not my mother!!" Melissa replied angrily, "My mother is Mrs. Dior and she's dead!"
"She's not your mother, she's your foster parent" Melissa's mother said in response as she chuckled.
"I get to say who my mother is" Melissa fired back unamusingly, "Foster or not, Mrs. Dior is my mother and she's more of a mother than you would ever be! Atleast she didn't abandone me" Melissa shouted as she broke down in tears and sobbed uncontrollably
"Don't speak to me in that manner" Her mother said as she broke down in tears, "I have my own problems. I didn't choose this life, I didn't choose any of this" She said as she slumped down on the flour and wailed.
'In fury, Melissa got up to leave, not until her mother gave a life-thinking words, saying; 'If anything goes wrong with the twins, let it be known, their blood is in your hands.'
"You have so much gut" Melissa said as she picked her things and left her mother in the room, when she approached the main entrance of the door, she saw the twins standing there with terror in their eyes as they watched her turn the latch of the door.
Melissa instantly became confused. Their eyes stared pleadingly at her and she could see tears that were about to form. She wanted to hug them in a tight embrace and assure them that everything was fine but, she also wanted to live her own life and she wasn't sure of how long she would be able to tolerate her mother.
In the midst of all says, Melissa couldn't re-do the mistakes by her mother. Two wrongs can't make a right; there should be a surrendering party, and she was ready to talk the surrendering role despite the bitter down-casting feeling it brings.
She raised her gaze to meet her mum's glaring, for it was obvious she wasn't happy with her mum at her facial expression, as she weakly said; ' Let's get to the hospital'.
It was quite a drive to the hospital in silence as the twins sat quietly at the back seat staring out-with the window which got Melissa teary.
It has always been a family where they can all be together, laughter and laughter again, living life each day. Even though there isn't anything to be thankful for, living everyday above the sand is an opportunity to start anew; the rise of the morning sun is another day of trial and to create memories.
Melissa's life been moving in jeopardy, and the fact that life isn't giving her, her piece of cake; all desires unreached made life frustrating to be lived.
In brief of such moment of thoughts, heavy rain spreads the floor.
As they got into the hospital, Melissa made her way to the receptionist's desk as she opted for a sight of a doctor.
It is a day the lord has made, and there were thundering and the wind took a heavy hold on all trees, as they move in unstable motion, swaying from left to right, with sounds of wind making a whispering sound to the hearing.
'go have your sit, madam. You'd be called upon soon' the receptionist said, as Melissa had her way back to where her sisters were seated.
wrapping them in a warm embrace, as she got lost in thought, staring at nothingness with blurry view cause her eyes got teary, as her lips shudder.
'you both will be all right, I promise laying kisses on their forehead as she wraps her arms more tighter in stable hold, with a little squeeze.
'A Tall man with a black hair well styled, spreads a wide smile on his lips as he steps forward to them. 'hello, madam, this way please. Making a gesture of direction to where they are to go through.
Getting into the room, as the doctor made all necessary checkups while Melissa and her mother sat outside waiting for a feedback.
'once again, I am so sorry I have to put all these on you, Melissa. I am sorry I wasn't there for you. I am sorry about all pain I've caused you. You know, I strive each day to give you all the life you wanted, but I just can't help my addiction.
'you are all I've got Melissa, and I really do not want to lose you again. Please, hold me dearly and never let go Melissa, and I'd do same to you, as tears drops from her mother's eyes.
If forgiveness was in human form, it would be in the boy of Melissa. She is brave and knows the key to unlock love and all its offerings.
Love isn't a place where we can be all safe cause we risk being acted upon outside our control. And, the fact Melissa knows what life entails to some extent, and that this is really a trying point, but reconnecting with her family is divine and all she has for now, it is worth giving all she has to make it last.
The doctor stepped out, and Melissa and her mother rose in force, staring as they shared gaze with the doctor.
'after the whole process with the twins, I am sorry to tell you that, they have last-stage cancer"
" What?!!" Melissa screamed before heavy tears formed on her eyes, this was the beginning of torture.