A Path To Happiness And Sorrow

11: Art Exhibit

"I'm so sorry.", the girl said to her whimpering Mother.

"No. Hindi mo naman kasalanan yung nangyari.", the  Mother replied to her daughter while tucking the girl's hair to her ears.

Even though the Mother is smiling, the girl noticed the sad look of her Mother's face. She wants to comfort her but, she don't know how. Heck, she can't even comfort herself let alone other people. The girl watched her Mother packed their clothes to the suitcase in a hurry.

"Do we really have to leave here?", the girl asked. This made her Mother stop and look at her.

"Yes, we have to...or else...", the Mother didn't finished her words because tears are starting to form in her eyes.

'It's really my fault. If they didn't discovered the truth, our life will still remain normal.', the girl thought to herself. She can neither feel sad nor angry about her situation. Her face may not show it but, different things are running in her mind which lead her to confusion. So as to not worry her dear Mother further more, she stood up from her seat. She gently pushed her Mother aside to take over the packing of clothes task.

"Take a rest. Leave this thing to me.", the girl smiled to her Mother after she said that.

"Kei...you.."

"It's alright, Ma. We need to do this to avoid possible worst situation, right?", the Mother didn't say anything instead she hug the little girl tightly.

"I love you, Kei. You know that, right?", even though her Mother wouldn't be able to see it, she still smiled at her Mother's remark. She wrapped her arms around her Mother to hug her back.

"Mm, I know. And I love you too, Ma."

Little did the girl know, her miserable life didn't just end there. Instead, what she had experienced before running away with her Mother and siblings is just the beginning of her endless suffering.

***

Kei's POV

"Mommy! Mommy!"

"Yes, baby?"

"Play! Play! Let's play!"

"Okay. Okay, hahaha. We'll play after we get off the train, alright?"

"Promise?"

"Promise, baby."

I slowly open my eyes only to find different people around me. I even heard the conversation between the Mother and child who are sitting beside me.

Ah, right. I fell asleep that I forgot that I'm currently riding a train.

It's Saturday today and I'm supposed to be at home, resting. But, thanks to a certain someone I'm dragging myself to come at school. 

'Yeah, that's why...at least accept my invitation to art exhibit. If you accepted that, I wouldn't ask for more.'

"Damn, annoying.", I muttered to myself as I removed my glasses to massage the bridge of my nose. Just thinking what happened last night gives me a headache.

I can't believe that he really waited for my shift to end just to give me the fucking ticket for that damn exhibit.

I jolted when someone tap my left shoulder. I turn my head to look who the hell touched me. But to my dismay I only saw blurry faces near me except to the people who are quite far from my place.