Influence (GirlXGirl)

Chapter 36: The End

TW: MENTION ABUSE PAST AND MENTAL ILLNESS

*PIC ABOVE IS AN ILLUSTRATION OF THE HOSPITAL AND SPECIAL SONG FOR THIS CHAPTER*

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"Hey," Aiden greeted me with his deep voice. My mom took my hand and caressed it. She has eye bags that looks like she has been crying.

"Is that you, Aiden?" I successfully spoke four words. I need to cut back on words because I felt like I was in a marathon when I speak.

"Yeah, of course, it's real-life. You're not in your dreams anymore," Aiden said teasingly, but I know he's trying to hold back his tears.

"Since when did you become smarty pants?" I asked back, and they laughed, but Aiden failed to hold his tears.

I let go of my mom's hand and took Aiden's cheeks, "why are you crying? Aren't you supposed to be happy to see me after many years?"

Aiden bit his bottom lips and wiped his tears with his sleeves, "I got dust in my eyes."

I chuckled even though it hurts, "okay, whatever you say, Aiden."

The conversation died down a bit. We were looking at each other but comfortably until my mom spoke, "Aiden, can you leave your sister and I alone for a second? It'll be quick," Aiden nods and excuse himself to the door.

My mom sat on the chair and took my hand. As much as I want to let go of her touch, I miss it, "How are you?"

"I feel like ran over by a bulldozer," I said sarcastically, "why did you come, mom?"

She looked taken back when I went straight to the point. She released the breath that she didn't even know she was holding, "Your dad called me that you've got kidnapped. I- I'm just worried that-" I cut her sentence.

"You worried just now?" I asked and narrowed my eyes at her, "where were you when my dad abused me for years?"

She stopped talking, and there was a bit of silence until I spoke again, "what made you have a change of heart and come to me?"

She sighed, "I owe you an explanation, huh?"

I let go of her grasp and look away, "yeah."

"It was hard going through your dad's abusive past," she spoke in guilt.

"That makes the two of us," I said, rolling my eyes.

My mom ignored my remarks and continued, "ever since your father abused me. I had... Suffered depression and PTSD. Yes, I went to psychology and got the help that I needed. When I left you and your father... I have no good reason for leaving you, but all I want to say is, I'm sorry. It's was an unacceptable action, and I will never be proud of it."

"It took five years for you and dad to apologize," I muttered.

A great sob escaped from my mom, and she covered her face with shaking hands, "I'm so- so sorry. I would say a million apologies for you to make it up for you."

Honestly, as much as I'm irritated with my mom, she's still my mom who fucked up. She's still a human with emotion. I can't imagine her bearing the guilt for leaving her daughter alone with abusive parents.

"Can you answer a question for me, mom?" I asked, and she nodded, "how do you feel when you left the house?"

She stops crying and looks up to the ceiling to stop the cry, "That day, it was the day I had enough of your father's nonsense and took a lot of guts to leave you there. I hesitated at first, but my demon defeated me."

It reminds me of my dreams with my mom in my room. She said about acting fast without hesitation. The life lesson that she gave me... I've been doing it for the past years.