Aurora Borealis

Chapter 32 - Elixir of Art

>> • LAUREN • <<

"

Since you have a record or recurred torn ligament, it might take a long time for your leg to recover. It might mean that you should avoid overexerting yourself vigorous activities. As much as I hate to say this, you should probably avoid playing basketball."

Had not I got this injury, I could've stood in disbelief and exasperation while arguing with the doctor.

Deep inside, I admit that this is my fault. I knew that this might happen, but I still risked it. The extreme annoyance latched in me now is for the reason that I just don't want to hear it directly from someone's lips.

"That's preposterous! I still wanted to play basketball-"

My mom looked at me with a provoking stare. It's clearly challenging me with the unsaid words, 'I dare you, Lauren Esperaunce.'

"Thank you, Doc. Kailangan ko lang munang makausap ng masinsinan ang daughter ko. Please give us a moment."

The doctor excused herself and closed the door shut. That moment I knew that things are about to get messy.

She remained silent, and it must be because of her unbroken stares in a daze with her arms crossed that I understood that she demands an explanation from me.

"Kailan pa 'yang injury na 'yan, ha?" she interrogated brazenly.

I tried my best not to meet those sharp glares. Those are not enough to kill but sufficient to break your soul.

"The truth is, I got it in highschool. It acted up after one of the games on the ninth season, but I definitely came out fine-"

"Fine?" she fumed. "Matagal na pala 'yan tapos hindi mo sinasabi sa 'kin? If that injury is trivial, then you wouldn't be here right now."

Pakiramdam ko, umurong ang dila ko sa bawat pagtaas ng tono ng kaniyang boses. She's usually calm and collected.

"I just don't want you to worry-"

"You don't want me to worry?! Let me shove this in your thick skull, Lauren Esperaunce. I am your mother and not some colleague that will buy your load crap of excuses when you're clearly hurting! Do you not trust me?"

I am hurting, but I can see a different pain in her eyes.

"It's Lorenzo's fault for introducing you to basketball." her voice were trembling. "I've been trying to stop him to induce influence but he never listened. Look what happened to him. Soon or in the far future, you'll end up with the same fate."

"This is why I never told you." I whimpered softly. "You'll keep pinning the blame on him just because he passed his legacy. Can't you be a little more considerate, Mom?"

She looked more pale as ever. She must not be expecting that I'll talk back. Even so, it's not something that I'll be proud of because for every stab that my words bring to her heart, the cuts also appear on me like a double-edged sword.

I cleared off my thoughts and tried not to break my voice, "All this time, you've never been pleased with the choices that I made for myself. You're always telling me that I should've done that, this or whatever like your words are the absolute, infallible truth."

"Ha. And now you're rebelling against me? Don't indulge yourself, Lauren. Didn't I allowed you to play basketball despite my opposition? Didn't I let you to go to that university even if others are eyeing on you to be their alumni? To top it all, that delinquent suitor of yours-"