Every 5 am in morning, my mother would always comb my hair. Growing up seeing less of the world, I depended on my mother. She would always tell me stories about her younger self and would sing me a song, she was quite a talent.

I grew up living in a rented room together with my mom. Honestly, I'm thankful to the landlady for allowing us to stay despite being late paying our rent. However, it's disappointing that sooner or later we'll be leaving this neighborhood.

(10 pm of October 29, 2004)

Mom woke me up with her usual soft voice, but she seems to be in a hurry. It's as if she was running from someone, or like someone is chasing her.

"Hide behind the closet. Never come out unless you heard Aling Susan's voice and the pattern of her footstep," she said with a voice trembling in fear.

"M-mom" I nervously called her. I'm afraid, I'm afraid for my mother's safety.

"I love you, Sia. Mom will always love you, my dear daughter. I am so proud to be your mom, always and forever. Baby, let's meet again in our next lives hm?" I can hear her sobs in between saying those words.

Never in my whole existence did I feel incomplete despite being blind. I was never jealous of those who can see the beauty of the world all because I have my mom with me.

But now, I feel completely useless. I feel hopeless. How I wish I can see this moment. I wish I can see my mom, I wish I can see what situation we've gotten into.

"Bang!"

"Bang!"

"Bang!"

Three gunshots. I heard three gunshots before I heard my mom's breathing vanish.

Holding my mouth with my hands trying my best not to make any sounds from crying, I can feel my chest breaking into pieces.

At the age of 4, I witnessed the death of my mother. At the age of 5, I lived on the streets. 8, someone picked me up. He said he was mommy's friend. At the age of 10, I suffered from a type of assault and human trafficking. At the age of 13, I was kidnapped and thrown into a river. 16, Suffered from bullying and disease. Now that I am 20, I guess it's time for me to take the world into my own hands.

I remember my mom's last words.

"Sia, take the world and change it into how you want it to be. You deserve happiness, always choose it."

Of course mom, I'll be keeping my promises. It's now time to stop hiding from this world.