I was devoid of any respite for introspection, as upon arriving home, my emotions overwhelmed me, compelling me to shed tears. My mom still hadn't come back from her part time job where she works as a retail associate. This employment opportunity was pursued with the sole purpose of ensuring that she could be present for myself and my sister after school, offering us the undivided attention and care that we so deeply required.
Since the untimely demise of my father years ago, she has shouldered the burden of providing for me and my little sister single-handedly. Furthermore, the responsibility of managing my educational expenses has fallen upon my shoulders, owing to the benevolent scholarship bestowed upon me.
In the solitude of an empty home, I luxuriated in the opportunity to indulge in an uninterrupted slumber, free from any disturbances or disruptions.Deprived of the opportunity to ponder the myriad of "what if" scenarios, I found solace in the embrace of sleep after countless episodes of tearful release. And I believe that respite was truly deserved, a well-earned moment of tranquility and rest.
Awakening abruptly to the intrusion of a radiant beam of light, I was jolted from my slumber, accompanied by the persistent sound of the alarm I had automatically set. As the events of the previous day flooded my mind, a wave of emotions surged within me. However, to my surprise, no tears accompanied this surge. It seemed as though my reservoir of tears had been depleted, leaving me with a sense of emotional emptiness.
In a state of introspection, I found myself unable to fully comprehend the source of this newfound strength that emerged from the combination of tears and rest. However, this enigmatic power propelled me to confront the forthcoming challenges with unwavering determination, refusing to succumb to defeat.
With an unwavering resolve, I vowed not to waver or be deterred from pursuing and achieving my goals. However, a lingering fear crept within me, fearing that I might be denied access to the scholarship that has been instrumental in supporting my educational journey thus far.
As I drifted in my own thoughts, my mother's voice abruptly jolted me back to reality, summoning me to assist her with the household chores. In that moment, I couldn't help but question her understanding of the complexities of education and the competitive realm I found myself in. I wondered if she possessed the insight necessary to alleviate the burdens that weighed heavily on my mind.
My mother, perceptive as ever, keenly observed that something was amiss, recognizing that my typically cheerful disposition at home had been overshadowed by a lingering concern or burden. When my mother inquired about my well-being, I mustered up the courage to deceive her, assuring her that nothing was amiss despite the inner turmoil I was experiencing.
In a stroke of serendipity, my younger sister came bounding towards my mother, enveloping her in a heartfelt embrace. Her presence served as a welcome distraction for her to shift her thoughts of me.
Benefiting from the advantageous proximity of attending a school conveniently situated near our mother's workplace, she would diligently accompany my sister to school in the mornings before proceeding to fulfill her own professional commitments. After the conclusion of her workday, she would then graciously retrieve my sister from school, ensuring their safe return home.
It is possible that our mother may have been aware of the situation had she been able to collect my sister's report card. However, due to the recurring issue of outstanding fees at the end of each academic session at my little sister's school, she was unfortunately unable to obtain her card. This financial burden left no room for her to get any hint to ask about mine.
Perhaps, maybe under different circumstances, my mother would have inquired about my school report card, but her attention was consumed by numerous other pressing matters, preventing her from noticing it. Perhaps it was for the best that I didn't make an effort to collect my report card from our homeroom teacher. At that time, I lacked the courage to face her, and the thought of meeting her was daunting as I felt hesitant to have any encounter with her.
Just when I believed I would have a moment of respite from any school discussion,my homeroom teacher unexpectedly reached out to my mom with a call. She called to inquire about my absence during the report card distribution and mentioned that she had even sent a few students to search for me within the school premises.
My mom appeared taken aback, and I couldn't discern whether it was due to her own forgetfulness or my lack of eagerness to show her the report card as it had become a customary routine for me to share my report card with her whenever the time came. Without a moment's hesitation, my mom abandoned the dishes she was washing and swiftly turned off the stove, interrupting the almost-cooked meal she had been preparing beckoning me to follow her to the room.