Knock… knock… knock…
A persistent knocking pulled Karen from the depths of her dream, a beautiful, peaceful place where her alarm clock didn't exist. She tried to burrow deeper under the covers, but a voice, warm yet firm, cut through her sleep.
"Hey, sleeping beauty, you're still not awake at this hour?!"
Karen groaned, her voice muffled by the pillow. "Mom, please can I get a little more sleep?"
"Get a little sleep? Do you know what time it is?"
"What time is it, Mom?" Karen asked, already knowing she wouldn't like the answer.
"It's past 7 a.m.!" her mother's voice rang with mock horror. "And you're still in there asking for more sleep?"
Karen's eyes shot open. Past 7 a.m.? A wave of panic washed over her. "Mom, can I at least sleep for 10 minutes? I promise I'll wake up just in time."
"Were you not the one who told me you have a presentation at school today?"
The word "presentation" hit Keren like a splash of cold water. "Oh my god, Mom! I totally forgot about this presentation!" she shrieked, scrambling out of bed. "Why didn't you wake me up early?! I have only an hour and a half left, and I'm not even ready for school!"
Her mother's voice was softer now, but with a familiar sigh. "I told that big-head Jenny to call me, and she didn't, not knowing what time I slept last night. And Mom, you should've also woken me up early…"
"Oh, so you stayed up all night again?" her mother interrupted. "How many times have I warned you about that, young lady? Only God knows how many times I've been knocking on that door, and no one responded as usual. Don't you know staying up all night drains up your blood?"
Karen walked to the door, a sheepish smile on her face. "I'm so sorry about that, Mommy. It won't happen again."
"Yeah, I know. And that's what I don't want to hear because anytime you say that, you just do it even more." Her mother's stern expression gave way to a loving smile. "Alright, stop talking now and go take your shower. I'll help you prepare your attire and your school things. Even your younger brother is already ready for school, and here you are asking for more sleep."
Karen wrapped her mother in a hug, a genuine expression of love and gratitude. "You're the best, Mummy. I love you."
"And please, cut down some of the time you use in the bathroom today, I am begging you," her mother said with a laugh. "I need to drop you and your brother off before I head to work. When you're done, join us downstairs. Your breakfast is already packed for you. We can't wait for you to finish eating your breakfast, you can eat it in the car later."
"Noted, Mommy!" Karen said, already running towards the bathroom. Her mother's endless love and support was the one constant in her life, a foundation she never wanted to lose.