–What a drag – I thought – the days continue without much change.
Although I'd like to change jobs, the idea of looking for a new one seems boring to me, but I don't want to stay in my current one either. I'm responsible for my mother's expenses; after all, she's the one who gave me what I have, and I'd like her to have what she wants.
My father abandoned us when my mother, Anna, became pregnant. This devastated her, but she decided to carry on for both of us.
Thanks to her, I was able to get into a university. It wasn't very expensive or prestigious, but it was enough for me. I didn't want to put in too much effort either.
I was considered intelligent, although I don't think so. I just want to get things done as quickly and efficiently as possible, so I can sleep or play more, which are my favourite activities.
—Hmph — I exclaim with a sort of sigh, as I walk toward the office about to start another day at the job I no longer want .
I currently work for a medium-sized company dedicated to implementing engineering projects in various fields.
In high school, even though I don't like complicated things, I chose mechatronics engineering. I wanted to know how things work and how I could optimize existing machines, so I'd have more free time and be able to play or sleep more, but clearly, that didn't happen.
Just as I'm entering the office, I run into Iban. A co-worker who constantly annoys me because I always want to be lazy. He's really into sports and knows I practice some martial arts because of my bullying. He always tells me I should practice more with him, since he thinks I have a good build and would have an excellent career, but that would mean dedicating too much time to sports, and that's not something I want right now; I just want to sleep more. This is why it's annoying to run into him, even though he's still a good colleague.
— Hey Erik! Be careful. The boss is in a bad mood because we're behind on the project that's due, — Iban said as he greeted me . — Since you were the one who bought the coffee last time, I'll buy the morning coffee this time, because it's going to be a long day .
" Thanks ," I replied. " It'll be the same as always. Working overtime, without pay, and being mistreated by the boss. It's a shame we have to keep working here. I'll see you upstairs, Iban. By the way, thanks for the coffee ," I said as I climbed the stairs, which led to my usual spot.
I keep repeating over and over in my head that I have to work for my mother, because it's for her that I'm working hard to pay off my college debt and be able to give her the luxurious life I've always wanted her to have.
I arrived at my small workspace, where I spend most of my day. A cubicle measuring one meter by one and a half meters wide, the only space in which is my computer, my pile of work papers, and myself.
—At least there's still room for my coffee cup , I thought.
While I was sorting out the day's paperwork and the projects I need to dedicate more time to, I hear my boss entering my small space, which was just filled with his enormous belly that's overflowing to the top, repeating my name and saying:
— Erik Mcfield, you're behind on your work and you'll have to stay on for overtime because of it. The last project is due this week, and you haven't even submitted the progress report for review yet. I expect to find it on my desk first thing tomorrow morning — he says, pointing with his finger and waving his hand up and down — if it's not there by the time I get there, you'd better not come back.
— Yes sir, he will be in your office tomorrow — was all I could say in the face of all this workload.
At the same time, many thoughts ran through my mind, especially those of renunciation and detachment from this slavish and suffocating job. It was my mother who was always there to give me support and the strength to continue.
After my big-bellied boss left, I continued with my paperwork to meet the crazy request to deliver the project first thing tomorrow morning, which meant I had to let my mom know I'd be late for dinner.
Time continued to tick by; I couldn't wait to get home. While I was working, I heard a hissing noise coming from the cubicle next door. It was Iban, handing me coffee with a grim face, as we both had to stay late to deliver the project.
While we were having coffee, Iban asked me about my girlfriend, or at the moment ex-girlfriend, since we broke up a while ago. He always told me I'd rather be in bed than do anything together, that I should dedicate more time to her than to work or my video games. And it's complicated, because she's a very demanding person, and my desire to rest, play, and, added to that, my undesirable job, don't leave much time for us to spend together as a couple.
I told Iban about my breakup with my girlfriend and asked him about his. Iban is a strange but fun person, and the lucky guy is good-looking, but he's more focused on work and martial arts than on his relationships.
— I broke up with her a while ago too — she said calmly while taking a sip of her coffee — she told me she was tired of me inviting her to work out, that she didn't like martial arts and had grown bored of having to put up with my extensive work and exercise routines, that she couldn't continue living that way, always expecting something she wasn't going to find in me.
The only thing I could find to respond to him with was a small smile and my support in the form of consolation, although he didn't seem very sad about his breakup.
After a long day, it was almost 11 p.m. and we were just leaving the office. Iban has a very nice sports bike. He asked me if I wanted to go with him since he could take me closer to my house, which I declined, as we're not far away and the shortcut through the construction zone makes the walk shorter.
After saying goodbye, I continued on my way home, where my mother would surely be waiting for me on the couch where she always waits when I arrive late.
As I was walking, I heard a loud bang, my vision blurred, and my body began to ache. I felt wetness running down my head; it seemed like something had fallen on me. I was regaining consciousness, trying to understand what had happened.
I looked down at my legs and what I saw left me cold. I had a big bruise from a bean that had fallen from the construction site.
— I hope my mother is okay and doesn't have to wait too long — was what crossed my mind — with the insurance money and my savings she'll be able to have a comfortable life — I thought next.
These were my last thoughts in the short time I was still conscious, or so I thought.
Several minutes passed after I stopped feeling pain, and I realized I was still conscious, thinking about my mother, Iban, and the silly project that had forced me to stay longer.
— I hope Iban doesn't feel bad for leaving me alone and my mother can move on, I'll miss her — I kept telling myself in my head, knowing that what awaited me was death.
After a while, the next thing that met my eyes was a tunnel with a dazzling white light. When everything cleared, what I saw left me speechless. I was standing in front of an elderly woman who looked quite wrinkled and seemed to be worried, as she was frowning, which made her look funny. As I looked at her, she sighed in relief and said something, in some language I didn't understand, to a young lady standing next to her. From the look of things, it seemed like everything was fine.
As I shifted my gaze to another side, I realized that I was in a small body, as everything seemed enormous.
— It seems I've been reborn — I thought.
They left me with the young lady, and the frowning old woman began to examine the woman who looked like my mother, as she continued to yell at the old woman.
*Unknown language* — Grandma Thea! How's the baby? Why isn't he crying? — she said to the old woman.
Grandma Thea turned curiously to see the new member of the family.
" I'm checking it with white magic," he said with a frown as he approached.
Grandma was making my body glow strangely, which surprised me.
*Unknown language* — Everything is fine, the analysis shows nothing wrong with him, but I don't know why he's not crying.
At that moment, I realized they were talking about me, and they seemed concerned. I don't know what the frowning old woman did to me, but that gleam felt good. Suddenly, Grandma patted me on the bottom and looked at me curiously.
— Apparently he's trying to make me cry, but I won't — I thought.
I felt my stomach swell, and I strained to get whatever was in there out. The next moment, a loud sound accompanied by a rather nauseating smell filled the room.
*Unknown language* — Oh! Hahaha, it seems the little devil doesn't want to cry but he does pass gas quite heavily. As you can see your little one is fine Emma, for now let's concentrate on your recovery — said Grandma Thea.
The old woman placed me back in the arms of a young lady, who seemed to be her assistant. After that, I watched as the old woman sang something, and my new mother was enveloped in a yellowish-white glow. Seconds later, she was in much better condition. There was still blood, but it was from her clothes and sheets. There was no trace left on her body.
It's like magic. It did the same thing to me, and I felt so much better. Looking back, it's wonderful and effective.
— I wish I could feel that again — I thought.
The old woman said something, and the next moment I was carried into the arms of my new mother. She tried to breastfeed me, but I felt very embarrassed, as I was a young woman in her 20s, and I still had all the memories of my previous life.
*Unknown language* — Grandma Thea, Sam doesn't want any milk! What should I do? — my mother asked.
*Unknown language* — Oh dear, you should glue his lips together to make it easier. This is your first child, I understand it must be difficult for you — Grandma Thea said.
I felt her forcing me to latch onto her breast. To get out of this awkward situation faster, I began to suckle. The milk filled my mouth, and I had to swallow it. I was very hungry, so I suckled even more eagerly. After a while, I fell into a deep sleep due to exhaustion. Apparently, this little body is quite weak.
*Unknown language* — As you can see, there are times when you will have to force him — Grandma Thea said while cleaning the room — You should also rest, although the healing spell I cast will alleviate most ailments, you should rest, it was a difficult birth and your vital energy is at low levels. Take a good rest — she paused.
—Frank , don't let him overexert himself in the coming weeks. Right now, he should focus on getting better and taking care of the baby. I congratulate you on your first child, and it's a boy. I hope everything continues to improve. I'll say goodbye here , she said, gathering her things . —If you have anything else, you can find me. I'll give you a discount just for you , Grandma Thea said, smiling at the couple welcoming their first child.
When I woke up, I was in my mother's arms, who was apparently afraid of hurting me because I was in a position that didn't look comfortable at all. Just a movement from me was enough for her to wake up and check on me.
He looked at me and caressed my cheek with his watery eyes, while telling me things I didn't understand, since he was speaking in a completely unknown language.
The only way I could find to calm her was to use my small hands to try to grasp one of her fingers that was still touching my cheek. At this, she smiled, and a few tears came to her eyes.
Just then, I heard someone shout, which made me turn my head toward the entrance to the room. It was a man in his 20s. He seemed fit, with a defined body. He was someone I thought was attractive. He had honey-coloured eyes, a defined jawline, and short hair, which made him look attractive enough to match any magazine model. But his skin lacked colour, as if he'd been having trouble with food lately.
*Unknown language* — Emma, are you okay? What's wrong? Why are you crying? Is Sam okay? — the man said from the doorway.
*Unknown language* — Frank, everything is fine. He's just beautiful, look how he tries to squeeze my hand with his little fingers — my mother said while continuing to cry.
I watched as the man leaned closer to the tentative bed we were lying on, allowing me to see his face in even greater detail. This made me think that if I had had that body and face in my previous life, everything would have been much easier.
My mother is also a very beautiful woman, with a curvaceous figure with just the right proportions in every part. Her face was even more beautiful, with emerald eyes, a pert nose, and straight black hair that seemed to reach her hips. Her semi-circular face was a perfect match for her delicate body.
After my new father approached, he helped my mother stand up as she took me in her arms. We headed to the kitchen as they placed me in a small chair and began using some kind of magic that removed all the dust from the small house we were in and seemed to live in.
The house barely had a table and two chairs; it looked like it was under construction, rustic and made of freshly hewn wood. It had two rooms: one where my parents were sleeping and the other where some food and tools were stored. It also had a small kitchen. It looked like a small wooden farmer's cottage, but it was missing many things.
What surprised me most was seeing them use magic without having to use any chants and leave the house spotless in just a few minutes.
I tried to sense what they were doing to achieve that, but all I could perceive was a slight breeze.
They sat down to eat. While they ate a mixture of soup and porridge, my mother pushed me toward her breast. It was something that still embarrassed me, but I was very hungry.
— It's better to finish this quickly — I thought.
When I finished sucking my mother's milk, I noticed my new parents' worried expressions as they looked at the food, but I didn't think much of it. After they finished dinner, I fell asleep; this little body uses more energy than it can store.