Hell

"Honey, wake up." a soft tender voice told me.

" It's time for you to wake up, dear." It said again.

Who is this? Who could wake me up?

OH! IT'S MOM.

I opened my eyes and saw her sitting on my bed. A soft look on her pretty face.

her long silky hair is in a messy bun, her soft green eyes that always held that look of concern, care, softness looked dull and tired, dark circles around them.

She wore a white t-shirt and blue jeans, seems like she just arrived home.

Oh, how much I missed her? If only she knew what I am going through in her absence.

" Goodmorning, my princess. It's time for you to go to school," she said scooting closer to me, caressing my hair softly.

I have to go to school.

Life is cruel, it's my mom's free day, but I have to go to school.

I smiled at her, loving the soft yet heartwarming touch of hers.

"dear?" she said, 

"Hmm," I replied. " It's been so long since I last saw you." She said, tears dancing in her eyes. 

I exhaled, "Yes, mom. It's been almost a month." I spoke.

If only she knew how bad it was, a month of tears and helpless cries.

A month of sadness and nightmares.

" I am sorry, I was so busy at the hospital." She looked down ashamed to meet my eyes.

" It's okay, remember what my dad always tells you when you say that," I said, smiling at her.

" What matters is the number of lives that you saved," she said, tears streaming down her face.

"Yes, so don't worry about me, Mom," I said, squeezing her hand.

" If it's okay, why do you seem so sad then?" she replied, I closed my eyes holding back my tears.

" I just miss you that's all." I lied.

" I miss you way more, my dear." she grabbed my hand and pulled me into a hug.

OH, GOD!

We started sobbing into each other's arms, a mother and her daughter, both hiding unrevealed secrets.

" Now, you have one hour to get ready. I am driving you to school," she said, pulling back, wiping her tears.

" Mom, can I stay with you today?" I said, hoping she would say yes.

Wishing she would save me from another nightmare.

" Honey, I wish you can. But you have school. I promise I would make time to come home this weekend." I looked down at my hands defeated, knowing she always says that but ends up coming back after another month.

" Now get ready, and come to eat some breakfast, me and Ayman will be waiting for you." I flinched.

Uncle Ayman. The man mom considers as a hero when actually he is a zero.

The man that made my life a living hell.

My mom's husband, My stepfather.