I Never Asked ..

Chapter 1

(Edited)

"Never let your head hang down.

Never give up and sit down and grieve.

Find another way.

And don't pray when it rains if you don't pray when the sun shines."

- Leroy Satchel Paige

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Will, I ever know

Misha's POV

RING...

The shrill sound of my alarm clock interrupted my restless night's sleep, and I groaned, realizing that morning had arrived too soon. Sleep had eluded me, and my thoughts had been consumed by the turmoil of my life and the longing for my dear mother.

Today marked the anniversary of the day I lost my entire family.

Flashback...

I was twelve years old, living in India for the past two years. I couldn't remember anything from before that time, thanks to an accident my mother mentioned. She never provided many details, only explaining that I had suffered a severe head injury, resulting in memory loss.

People around us often remarked that we looked like foreigners, and I couldn't help but agree. I once questioned my mother about it, but she brushed off the topic without offering an explanation.

"Mishu, where are you? You'll be late on your first day. Please come out," my mother's voice called from outside my room.

I remained silent, hoping she wouldn't find me, and that I could escape attending a new school where I would likely have no friends, be subjected to my sister's bullying, and endure daily punishments for Tanya's actions.

"Mom, she's being awful again. Why do you always favor her? Even though I'm running late, you only care about her," my sister Prisha complained.

"You know that's not true, Prisha. Why do you hate her so much?" my mother countered.

"I just do," Prisha replied, and I felt a pang of hurt. Was I causing my mother pain? She and my younger brother were the only ones who showed me any love in this world.

"Fine. Come on," my mother conceded, instructing Ms. Shanti to keep an eye on me.

I felt a glimmer of relief. I knew it was only a temporary reprieve from school, but I couldn't avoid it forever. I loved learning, and it was unfair that my sister's actions prevented me from attending school.

...

Two hours had passed since my mother left to drop Prisha off at school, and she still hadn't returned. I wondered what was taking so long when the front door slammed open, and in walked the two people who both terrified and loved me the most: my father, holding hands with my now-pale-faced brother, Sahil.

As soon as I saw Sahil, I rushed toward him, concerned. "Sahil, what's wrong?" I asked, but my father pushed me away before I could reach my brother.

"You will not come near my family anymore, you witch. You've already caused enough suffering to others, but I won't let you harm my son," he spat at me, leaving me bleeding as my body collided with a table and shattered a glass.