ONTF- 2

JOANNA’S POV

I woke up late the following morning. I checked on the time in the clock at my bedside table. It was half past nine in the morning. I checked on myself, I was still wearing my graduation dress last night.

I went straight to the bathroom and looked at myself in the body length mirror. My eyes were red and puffy because of crying last night. I had not cared to change my dress but to hopelessly burst out in tears in agony and desperation.

I hurriedly took a shower and felt the dripping cold water in my skin. It felt relaxing, calming and soothing. Somehow the cold shower brought easeness to my weary heart and mind.

I wore my favorite hello kitty pajama and top and lazily combed my wet brown hair. I did not put any skincare on my face and lotion to my body. I just don't feel being vain today. I don't have any plans for today but to lock up myself here in my bedroom and sleep the whole day.

But just as I am about to lie down in my bed again, I suddenly feel hunger pangs in my stomach. I remembered I had not eaten my dinner last night. My mind was too preoccupied with so much emotions-betrayed and manipulated by my own father, that I had to run away from my own party.

Although I don't want to go out but I had to, I am not yet crazy and frustrated to let myself die in hunger. I went out of my bedroom and silently walked down our grand staircase.

Our home, or shall I say house because I can't call it my home.For me, a home is a place of rest and joy, its where family get together in happiness and in pain. All these years, this house was void of those things. Papa was never been a home buddy. He always went home late at night. Whenever his around, he just stayed in his office and burn the midnight candle in making himself richer.

When I reached the bottom stair, I looked around to see empty spaces.There were vastly furnitures and decorative in our mansion but none of them made me sane each day, and stay vibrant despite of the loneliness that fills this house.

I went straight to our kitchen and saw Nana Yoyeng and the other housemaids cooking and preparing ingredients. When she saw me walking near her, she had offered me a brand new smile of the day and opened her arms to embrace me.

"Oh, dear, you are awake now, come to the dining, I have cooked your favorite breakfast. Let's eat," she held my hand and me led to the table.

"Seat down dear, I knew you are hungry, I made you a combo breakfast , omelette and bacon with fried ice, eat now," she smiled sweetly.

I gladly accepted her invitation and ate the food in my table. She just smiled and looked at me while I was eating lavishly.She also made a fresh-squeezed orange juice me which I emptied the glass right away.I thanked Nana Yoyeng for the good breakfast.

When I finished eating, I excused myself from her but she handed me a gift box. I felt delighted at the same time confused for why she is giving me a gift.

"Congratulations dear, I knew you would make it with your studies. My apology for not attending your party last night, that's my simple gift for you. I hope you like it. Hurry dear, open it," she excitedly beamed.

I happily opened the gift and I saw a sketch pad with a box of pencils. I was teary-eyed to receive such presents. Nanay Yoyeng really knew me all along. I embraced her tightly, my heart leaped for joy and gratefulness.

"It's about time you give yourself a break and put your heart to your passion dear," she stressed out.

"This is the best gift ever Nana Yoyeng, thank you so much," I lastly said before I went back to my room.