The Colors In Her Voice

☆Chapter 23☆

Quickly getting ready for school, I jogged downstairs with a wide smile on my face. After the revelation I'd had with myself yesterday night, it was enough to lift up my tiny spirits to a high level. For the very same reason, I was excited and looking forward to going to school today. To see Mason in a different light. Not just a fascination but a love.

'I have officially lost it, haven't I?'

I couldn't sleep properly last night. Thoughts about whether he likes me or how I would be facing Mason from now onwards and how he would react after our kiss were gyrating through my head. We didn't get to talk about it but I was kind of relieved to be free from the awkwardness. 

As soon as I reached the last step, I almost called out to my mom but stopped abruptly when I heard her hushed voice. Seemed like she was speaking to someone on the phone because I couldn't hear the other end of the conversation.

I tip-toed my way outside the kitchen door. I wouldn't have eavesdropped on the conversation if I hadn't caught the word ‘Benjamin’ in her talks.

“I need the money, Benjamin. You've got to understand. It's been over a week now. All my bills are pending,” she said frustratedly and paused, probably listening to his end. 

Benjamin is my father but after he left my mom and I alone, my relationship with him has always been scratchy. I didn't say this out loud but it was an unspoken agreement between all of us. He never tried to contact me which had hurt me in the beginning but I was over it now. Somehow, I knew that mom contacted him although I never questioned her.

“Look, I don't have to answer you about where I work, okay? You had promised to help me out here because she is our daughter.” She purposely stressed out the word "our" and sighed in distress. I peeked through the door to see the worry lines evident on her face. She was leaning against the kitchen counter and looked outside the window.

I know that we have financial problems but I didn't care enough to know how bad it really is. I never realized that the sole bearer of this huge burden is my mom. Up until now. 

Right now, she seemed really troubled with the way she was rubbing her forehead. I pushed back the tears that were threatening to fall. I didn't even take any initiative to talk to her about these money problems.

“Why don't you ask her yourself?” She asked. I quickly understood that I had missed out a part of their conversation as I was busy controlling my tears. “I don't think she'd wanna meet you.” She sighed again. “Fine, I'll talk to her.”

'Talk to her? Does she mean... to talk to me?'

“You just send me the money. Yeah… yeah… yeah, you do that. Bye.”

I quietly went back up a few stairs and pretended to just come inside the kitchen. Plastering a fake smile, I greeted her, “Good morning, mom!”

“Well, someone seems to be in a good mood today,” my mom remarked with a teasing smile. 

I had forgotten all about my good mood as soon as I'd heard her conversation. It was enough to dampen my happiness. If I'd known that she's been taking help from "Benjamin" then I'd have found a job ages ago. 

Seems like I wouldn't be leaving it after a month then. The idea of working there didn't seem so bad to me anymore though.

“Yup,” I said and smiled again. She passed me my bowl of cereal. It was silent after that. She was in deep thought as she sipped her coffee so I decided to start a conversation. “Hey, mom,” I began and she looked up. “You okay? You look a little worn out.”

“Oh.” She breathed. “It's nothing, just some work stress.”

“That is not nothing, mom,” I reprimanded with a stern look.