"Jasmine hurry up, today is your first day after the summer and you can't be late especially when you are in your final year of high school."

"Mom, I'm coming." I rushed downstairs and she stared at me angrily saying, "Jasmine what are you wearing on your face?" Smirking at her I said, "Mom it is makeup. I'm in my final year so there is no problem with putting it on and I want to impress my boyfriend so pardon me this one time."

"Will you shut up and go clean that thing you call makeup on your face before you have an interesting morning with me;"

I pursed my lips and slowly went upstairs to clean the makeup. Some minutes later, she came downstairs smiling. "Honey, you look beautiful now."

I grumbled, "Mom, you are too principled. This is the 21st century, and most mothers listen to their children these days. Not to mention, I will be an adult very soon, so you can torture me all you like."

"Honey, you know your dad owns the richest law firm in the city and that we will do anything for you but we won't be here forever so we need to let you know what is good for you. Honey, I love you and you will understand one day that all I do is for your future. I am very grateful for you always and there is no single day I regret having you, you are the best thing that ever happened to me so please don't call my love for you torture."

With a misty eye, I apologized and sat in her car for school.

I stood in front of Wesley High School, opened my hands, and inhaled the fresh air as I entered into a new face of life as a final-year student when I heard someone calling "J! J!" It was Crystal and Bela, with their makeup on and their full gears ready to shake the first day of our final year.

"Girl, what happened to the plan to impress William?" I scowled saying Mom happened and they both burst into laughter.

"Girlfriends, how was your summer break?" We gossiped for some time and went to class.

After school, as we walked into the school lounge, I asked Bela if she had seen William since they were both in the glee club.

"J I saw him but he never asked of you. J I want to tell you something that will change your final year." "Bela, what is it?"

"Your mom told us she would get you a car on your birthday the day we visited during the summer break."

Yes! I knew it, my mom is the best in the world, and no one can replace her.

"But I thought you always said she has been torturing you."

"Crystal why do you always ruin the good moments, we all know I don't mean any of those words. I know my parents love me and they have always been there so I never doubt their love toward me."

I went home ready to apologize for what I said to Mom earlier since I felt bad and didn't want any mistake to damage her intention of getting me a car. As I entered the hall she was watching a documentary, I hugged her tight and said "Mom please forgive me for all that I have done."

From that day I started counting the days to my birthday with high expectations of my favorite car Mercedes-Benz C300. After two weeks and four days, the wait was over. It was a sleepless night, I was pacing in my room waiting for morning. It was dawn when I heard a knock on my door, I jumped on my bed and pretended to be asleep. Mom walked in with a birthday song and breakfast in bed. I asked with a sullen look where Dad was.

"Honey he is not in but I have a surprise for you and I promise you will love it."

"Mom, what is it I can't wait to see the surprise."

It was a little funny but I had to go with the flow or it wouldn't have surprised me. We went out to the garage and to my surprise, it was not my dream car but a Ferrari SF90. Oh my God Mom you are the best, I was astonished and kissed her on the cheek.

"Mom let go for a spin, I want you to be the first person I sit in the car with so please drop your principles this once, and let's make memories. It's my birthday so please grant me this wish."

"Jasmine, you just turned 17 and it is not safe for you to drive. Moreover, I need to let someone come and test the car even though it is new so please do it another time."

With a long face I said "Mom, you don't trust me to make this memory with you. Today is my birthday and you can't grant me this wish, I don't want the car."

"Let go for the ride Jasmine."

My mom sat in the car as I took her for a ride. I was enjoying the ride, at the maximum speed I could go.

"Jasmine slow down."

With a trembling voice, I said "Mom the brakes are not working."

"It is a new car so what do you mean by the brakes are not working,"

She shouted "Jasmine try it again. Don't you know the brake pedal?

Wailing, I replied, "Mom it is not working, I'm trying but it is still not working."

"Jasmine calm down please, it's a new car so maybe you are confused, relax and try it again."

With trembling and fear, I shouted, "It is not working and you know I know a lot about cars. There is something wrong with the brakes."

Jasmine everything will be fine she said slowly but I knew deep down we were not outliving this situation, we were going to die. I kept pressing the brakes but nothing was changing, the car was still moving fast and there was a road interchange 5 minutes ahead.

I shouted in frustration, "I blame you, Mom, why would you buy me a car on my birthday?" With tears in her eyes, she said Jasmine I am sorry, I love you so much.

With fear in both of our eyes, all I could think of was not being able to see William again and blaming Mom out of frustration and anxiety.