"Talia.", a feminine yet soothing voice echoed unceasingly.
"On my way Mom", said a young energic lass exuding the aura of a bright teen.
I was born in South Africa, in a province called Gauteng. I lived with my father and Mother there in a city called Johannesburg. Honestly, we lived a pretty decent life and we never really struggled to make ends meet, well my mom worked as Accountant. My father originated from Spain but migrated to South Africa when he was teenager and had to work as a laborer to make ends meet because he essentially had nothing when coming here. He worked hard, got a nice apartment, got a small car and during that time he met my mom. Well Dad told me it was "love at first sight" and he did everything possible to get her and 3 years later they got married.
Naturally my mom's family couldn't agree at first to the marriage because of my dad's background after all dad came to the country with no family and nothing was known about him but Mom always stood up for him and Dad decided he would work even harder to gain the trust of my mom's family which he did. Eventually everything fell into place and they got married and as the years passed, they had me.
But I guess happily ever afters don't happen often. Dad was diagnosed with Stage 2 brain cancer. I was only 3 years old then and didn't know anything about it so I essentially never grew up with him. Soon after Dad was diagnosed, he passed away….
It hit my mom so hard that she cried for weeks, grieved for years. I realized that Dad wasn't just a man Mom married but he was her entire world. Someone she truly treasured with every fiber of her being and when that was lost, she didn't know what to do.
7 years after Dad's death Mom naturally told me everything about her past and it was then I made a promise to myself, "I'll always be there for My Mom, no matter what".
"Hurry Up. You'll be late for school.", Cheryl, Talia's mom frantically prattled about, moving in all directions to get all of her daughter's school equipment.
"Okay, okay Mom.", screamed the young lass in excitement.
Cheryl chuckled and proceeded to pack all the necessary items in a black school bag. She turned towards her daughter who was hugging her with a gentle smile on face.
"Just on time", Cheryl's African aestheticism showcased its true significance with the corners of her scarlet lips raising themselves in response to her daughter's excitement. Her scarlet exotic eyes made her prone to stereotypical endeavors that segregated her from society which was also made evident with her daughter. She obviously wished such a burden never fell on her daughter's shoulder but fate seemed to have other plans for her. She eventually grew to accept such an outcome. Being personified as the devil himself truly made her feel like all that there is to life is misery and havoc yet even then she still believed that things could change but not for her but for the little one who looked up to her. That fragment of light that gave her way was the only reason she remained alive even when her husband died.
"Mom let's go", Taila smiled happily as she took the bag in hand and ran towards the door.
Cheryl chuckled once again. She was extremely proud of this daughter of hers, even after everything they went through, she still kept her head held high and moved forward with the belief that things will get better.
"Si, vamos a ir mi hija," (Yes, we're going to go, my daughter). said Cheryl catching up to her daughter as they then proceeded to leave the apartment. They entered the sedan and drove to her school.
"Excited?", Cheryl asked in a light tone.
"Kinda but I'm honestly scared about the other people might say about…."
"I know … but you have to believe that things can be different and who knows you might get surprised.", Cheryl said with a smile. She took another look at her daughter and she was a near splitting image of herself when she was young. Scarlet hair and crimson eyes wearing a blue long dress and an otherworld beauty that brought envy to many.
"Mom, why were we born like this?", she asked with a tinge of sadness after all she actually had to move from 5 public schools because her appearance caused too much chaos amongst students. She was often bullied, ostracized among her peers. There were times she was labeled as the devil, most times that not she was accused of witchcraft. Her mother resolutely decided to take her to a private tutor where she could home-school because she did not want her daughter to grow up with trauma, regrets and sadness.
"I don't really know. According to your grandma our crazy appearances all started with our Ancestor and apparently only the females in our family were ever born with it.", she said after a sigh.
"We are kinda of special, huh?", Talia chuckled.
"Well…. Let's just say cosplaying is easy for us?", Cheryl smiled.
"Right on, Mom.", Taila chuckled.
After a few minutes they arrived at place. It looked like a mini- villa which made Taila's eyes pop open.
"Woah?",
"I know right. I had the same reaction when I first came here.", Cheryl chuckled and proceeded the car to the front gate. She honked at the gate.
"Mom, it says not to…", before Talia could continue, they saw a woman walking quickly to open the gate which allowed the car to go in.
"You always do that you know….", the woman with blonde hair, brown eyes and peach skin said with a tinge of annoyance in her voice. She wore a grey suit with a white shirt and black high heels. In the eyes of many she could seen as some type of secretary but was in fact an educational tutor.
"How are you, Kerri?", Cheryl said with a smile waving at her from the window.
"Park the car first,", Kerri also smiled and gestured for her to park.
Cheryl and Talia exited the vehicle and went to greet Kerri.
"How have you been?", Cheryl went in for a hug which Kerri reciprocated.
"I've been alright. You know how work is. So, is this her?", Kerri asked and looked at her.
"Yup, my little Talia."
"Hey, name is Kerri, an old friend of your mom.",
"Hello…", Taila was quite shy as she responded half-heartedly.
"She is just like you when you were her age …", Kerri said to Cheryl with a teasing smile.
"Yeah… I guess the apple never does fall too far from the tree."
"Well, no worries. All the paperwork is complete so after she finishes her studies under me, she'll definitely be certified.", Kerri.
"Thank you.", Cheryl said.
"Alright let's get started. ", Kerri said with a smile.
"Can I talk to her for a moment?", she asked Kerri.
"You have about 5 minutes before we start our first session. Also, there is someone I want to introduce to Talia", Kerri said and turned away from the mother and daughter and entered the building through the front door.
"Alright no problem.",
"She seems nice", Taila said out loud which caught her mom off guard.
"That's rare to hear from you but just for you to know Kerri is very trustworthy person. She is also my best friend and I know she will make you feel right at home. I know how much you've gone through and not many people have accepted you but there is always someone out there who won't judge you for what you are but who you are and Kerri is one of those people.", she said rubbing her head.
"I know mom and thank you for always looking out for me.", Taila said with sincerity and true thankfulness.
"Ill always be there for you." She hugged her daughter tightly.
Alright its time for you to go learn, get smart and make this mother of yours proud. What you think?",
"Haha. Definitely", Taila let go of her mom and rushed to the door and entered.
Cheryl just stood there looking in the direction her daughter left in with a smile.
That was probably one of the happiest days of my life not because I had an open conversation with mom but because I met my first and only friend. The person my mom said will never judge me. She was an energetic person and I think she was the coolest person in the entire world.
"Woah!!!!!!, your eyes remind me of a certain anime character that could create fire with their eyes. How COOL!!!", a voice of surprise and bewilderment expressed itself without reserve. It undoubtedly was genuine and seemingly hid a hint of envy.
Immediately entering the building Taila's peripheral vision was occupied by a short and very energetic young lass. Her lightly toned skin easily made her distinguishable as a child born from parents of two different races. Her comical brown eyes sprang into view which was accompanied by her ragged hair that was tied into two pony tails. It was obvious who her favorite cartoon character was just by her appearance. Currently, this girl was wearing the same clothes as Taila.
"Uhhhhh, Thanks", Taila responded in a shivering tone. Her social anxiety lit up, all the insecurities about herself completely overwhelmed her psyche. She obviously did not speak much outside of her home because of the bullying, hate and prejudices she would suffer because of her exotic appearance. In this instance, she predetermined that this girl was merely making fun of her through a façade of kindness.
"So awesome, what Is your name? Mine is Zora", she said with a bright smile.
"Uhhhh, its... Taila", she stated whilst stuttering in between her words.
Zora chuckled.
"Taila, Zora lets go the study. I've prepared everything", Kerri said to the duo as she led them to a room with two desks and chairs. There was a whiteboard and projector inside with many educational utensils present.
"I think we are going to great friends." Zora whispered in Taila's ear and quickly took a seat.
"Yeah…", Taila was confused because this was all new to her. Nobody she knew greeted her in that way and as Zora kept talking to her deep down, she didn't feel any discomfort. All the worries on her mind began to vanish into the wind and she began to grow more comfortable with the area.
"Alright let us begin… We will start with Algebraic…."
And so, the day went on, we talked a lot with each other. Funny enough she was a real otaku just like me. Apparently, the reason she was there with me was because a traumatic experience she went through in a public school. I think the reason we became such good friends was not because of what we mutually liked but because we went through similar experiences and we grew comfortable to talk about them with each other. We were always together and when things went wrong, we always talked it out and for the first time in my life I felt accepted, I felt alive, I felt like someone, I felt life.