When Everything Glooms [One-Shot Stories Compilation]

MAMA

My mother was only 17 when she gave birth to me. No wonder we're like sisters. We also look so much in common.
When I reached 17, she's 34 when I introduced to her my first boyfriend who's 19 years old. He's name is James.

She always supports us and welcome James everytime he visits me in our house. She's my mother, but she's the one who give space and privacy for the both of us. I'm so thankful to have a mom like her.

Despite of being a victim of a tragic relationship with my father, she still manage to love me and let me feel that we're not a broken family.

Months have pass, the moments are still the same. My mom will leave us and enters her room everytime James come into our house to give us privacy. After that, James will go home after dinner. He visits me for at least twice a week. We are going stronger and better.

One night, I can't sleep for no explainable reason. I'm tired of my modules but still, I can't sleep. I decided to take a look outside, and sneak out to buy food.

When I reached 7 eleven, I saw James together with Ammiecya --my new friend. They were laughing together while eating.

When I reached home, I almost got heart attack when I saw my mother standing in front of me with her weird look.

"Hataki, where have you been?"

"I just bought some snacks, I can't sleep Mom," I answered. She just laugh at me and helped me to carry my food.

"Are you okay?" She asked. Honestly, I'm not in my mood, I have a headache and I still have to finish my modules.

"Yeah," I answered normally but it sounds like being bored.

"Everything will be fine, hija," She cheered. I just hug her and leave a heavy sigh.

Weeks have passed, James didn't visit me anymore. I understand since being a college student is way much harder and more frustrating.

Friday, when Ammiecya and I suddenly met at the market. She approached me and I just give her an 'ey wassup' look. She first leave a heavy sigh and starts up the conversation.

"Girl! Are you not aware about your boyfriend having an affair with another girl?" She blurted. I creased my brows in disbelief.

"Oh yeah?"

"Just follow me and discover it by yourself!" She said and dragged me to nowhere until we reach home.

"Hey! This is my house, would you like to come in?" I invited but she quickly refused and covers her mouth in disbelief.

"What the hell Taki?" She blurted.

"What are you talking about Ammie?!" I said but she didn't answer.

"A-ammie? Hataki?" It was James.

"Love! You're here!" I said as I hugged him tight.

I losen my hug when I realized that he never hugged me back.

"What's wrong?"

"Who's this girl Taki?" Ammiecya interrupts while pointing to my mother.

"She's my mother, say hi!" I said.

" . . . And mom, why are you wearing my clothes?" I asked my mom, but she never answered.

"B-but, she's the one who James is being affairs with," Ammie explained. I look at my mother in disbelief.

"I t-thought both of you broke up," my mother said. She's trembling.

"No Mom, how come?!" I frowned.

"The night you went to 7 eleven, I followed you, Hataki. I saw James and that girl together. You didn't mind them, so I thought you both got broke up," my mother explained while pointing Ammiecya.

"Mom, I didn't mind them because they are siblings!"

"Then why are you not in the mood that night?"

"Because I'm tired of my studies!" I answer her until she shuts up.

"James, why did you do this to me?"

"I lost my glasses, I thought she was you... I'm so sorry" she kneeled down begging for my forgiveness.

Now I understand. My mom knows that James has a very poor eye sight. She hides his eye glasses and wear my clothes and acted as if she's me.

I tried to forget all of this and forgive my mother. I considered her childishness and immaturity. However, their one mistake bares an offspring . . . my mother got pregnant.

Because of that, James and I need to break up.

I was 17 when I got betrayed by my mother, and stole my lover.