With a heart brimming with joy after a fulfilling day at school, the young teen entered his home without ringing the doorbell.
However, his happiness quickly dissipated as he caught sight of his mother's lifeless eyes. Seated on the couch, she appeared lost in thought, her face etched by dark circles and an air of exhaustion. Her once-plump cheeks now seemed slightly hollow, hinting at the weight of her burdens.
The boy's mother had always been a steadfast pillar of strength, filling the void left by his father who had passed away before he was born.
She was a resilient and independent woman who had raised her four children with unwavering love and discipline, always prioritizing their needs above her own.
Intrigued by the man he never knew, the boy had sought information about his father from his older sisters. Their reactions, however, were devoid of any remorse or sentimentality.
Instead, they scoffed at the mere mention of his name, their subtle yet palpable anger suggesting that he had been far from an exemplary father.
Recognizing the depth of their pain, the boy chose not to probe further, respecting the unspoken boundaries that shrouded his father's memory in a veil of silence.
As the mother saw her son, her eyes momentarily widened in surprise before she quickly masked her expression and offered a warm smile. "Welcome home, Michael."
Michael approached her, bowing slightly and extending his arm to hold the back of his mother's hand. He pressed it to his forehead in a gesture of respect.
"Why didn't you ring the doorbell?" his mother inquired.
"I thought there was no one home," he answered, offering a faint, apologetic smile.
"You mustn't do that again," his mother admonished, her gaze unwavering and resolute.
Michael acquiesced with a subtle nod and asked, "Ma, are you all right?"
"Of course, I'm fine," she reassured him, patting his head with a smile. "Once you've changed, you should eat; there's already food on the table."
Michael couldn't help but think, 'How fake,' but he simply replied, "Ma, I plan to spend some time with Jonas and Andrei later."
"All right," she conceded, her tone gentle yet firm. "Just ensure you return home before nightfall."
With a nod of acknowledgment, Michael retreated to the sanctuary of his room, his thoughts a whirlwind of emotions.
***
Words and actions possess immense power, and their effectiveness hinges on the context in which they are used.
On the second floor of the Vasquez Residence, within Michael's room.
Michael contemplated, 'I struggle to express myself through words and emotions, and it often makes me cringe. I loathe myself for this inadequacy.' He continued, 'I'm only turning fifteen, so perhaps my words carry the weightlessness of a child's. What can I possibly do about her situation? Nothing…'
He sighed, gazing out the window. 'Yet, when I see my mother in such distress, my heart is laden with sorrow, my thoughts whirl, and my stomach roils with inexplicable unease, as if I'm suddenly besieged by multiple ailments.'
As he changed his clothes, determination welled within him, 'All I can do is engage in small, meaningful acts, for it is said that actions resonate more profoundly than words.'
With his resolve firmly established, Michael completed his wardrobe change and stepped out of his room,
***
As the afternoon unfolded, a blanket of clouds obscured the sun, casting a soft glow over the landscape.
Three young teenagers sauntered side by side, their laughter echoing through the air like a symphony of mirth.
Andrei cast a sidelong glance at Michael and tilted his head ever so slightly, inquiring, "What's on your mind, Michael?"
Jolted from his reverie, Michael chuckled nervously and replied, "Oh, it's nothing." He silently chastised himself, 'I mustn't reveal any vulnerability.'
"Really?" Andrei raised an eyebrow, a playful smirk gracing his lips. "Were you perhaps contemplating Abigail?"
Michael's eyebrow twitched involuntarily as he retorted, "No, I'm merely attempting to decipher those pesky algebraic fractions."
"You are attempting to divert the conversation, Michael, but it won't work on me," Andrei said with a knowing smile.
"Tch." Michael clicked his tongue and mused, 'I thought I had mastered the art of misdirection.'
Andrei then turned his attention to Jonas, who was engrossed in his GameBoy. "Jonas, could you please stop playing while we walk?"
He gently took the device from Jonas's hands, adding, "You know, it could cause an accident."
Jonas shot Andrei a pleading look. "Hey, come on, give it back. My parents are super strict about when I can play, and this is one of my rare moments of freedom."
Andrei returned the GameBoy, relenting. "Fine, but let's make the most of our time together; it's far more enjoyable. We're heading to Snake Road, where we can play and revel in the breathtaking dusk, the vast grassland plains, and perhaps even encounter a captivating woman."
Jonas and Michael exchanged a knowing glance, barely suppressing their eye rolls, as they realized their friend was simply searching for attractive women along Snake Road.
As they strolled, an arrogant, unbuttoned-shirted teenager deliberately barged between Michael and Jonas. Michael remained unfazed, while Jonas stumbled to the ground.
Five companions trailed behind the insolent teen, snickering at the scene.
One of them remarked, "You're quite the comedian, Benjamin. I didn't think you'd actually do it," as a grin spread across his face.
Benjamin snorted and boasted, "I could take on three of them with my eyes closed."
The group of young teens erupted in laughter at his comment before slowly sauntering away.
Andrei helped Jonas to his feet and quickly turned to Michael, placing a hand on his chest to block him. "Michael, calm down. They're not worth it, and you don't want to risk disqualification in the upcoming match, do you?"
Jonas spoke up, his voice tinged with bitterness, "I'm fine, Michael. Don't worry."
Michael silently watched the retreating teens, his anger palpable as he clenched his fists tightly.
As Andrei mentioned the upcoming match and Jonas said he's fine, Michael finally relaxed, his thoughts turning to the taekwondo tournament. 'There's prize money involved. Winning could help cover some of my expenses and ease my mother's burdens,' he mused.
"Thanks, Andrei," Michael expressed his gratitude for Andrei's intervention. Fighting here could have led to serious injuries for his friends, disqualification, and potentially more problems for his mother.
Andrei said to Michael, "No problem," and added, "Let's go, it's my treat," and began walking, with Jonas and Michael following close behind.
Jonas adjusted his glasses and suggested, "How about we try that new stand shop on Snake Road?"
"Isn't that the new, expensive food place?" Michael asked, a faint smile appearing on his face, knowing what his friend was up to.
"You two are going to make me go broke," Andrei joked as they continued to walk. Then, with a playful grin, he added, "But hey, at least I'll be the most popular guy in the poorhouse!"
The trio shared a laugh, their spirits lifted as they made their way to the new stand shop, ready to enjoy a well-deserved meal together.