NIGHTMARE : Lie Lies In Eyes

11. Change Of Calender

Fortunate for my lucky fate, I managed to evade the torment. Caught in the grip of a mild cold, that room resembled a polar freeze. I sat on the couch, sipping a warm cocoa drink. Just then, the doorbell rang.

"Mom, you've returned," I greeted her as she hurriedly made her way to her room.

"Darling, go put on something nice. We're going out for dinner," she urged.

I responded anxiously, "But Mom, you just got back, and now you're leaving again."

She stated, "You're joining too."

I asked with a hint of doubt, "Is it your Kitty party again?"

She replied, "No, baby. It's a gathering of homies. Don't make me wait."

I never succeeded in finding out the difference.

I carefully selected a high-necked, black chic mini floral frock, cinched at the waist with a stylish bow. The air buzzed with my mom's friends engrossed in lively gossip, their well-mannered children radiating an air of ethical and high-end standards. Amidst the sophistication, I felt like an outsider, the one who struggled to find her place. The overwhelming sense of isolation and social disconnect left me feeling nauseated.

As the group confidently placed orders that suited their refined tastes, I found myself lost in contemplation, staring at the menu card for the fourth time.

"So, Emma, have you received any recent offers?" inquired Shine Aunt, one of my mom's friends.

Before I could respond, my mom interjected, "Yes, she received an offer for an anime cover this April. However, I hesitated. She's in the prime of her youth, and I believe she should focus more on her studies."

Why did she even lie?

Mom redirected the conversation, asking, "And what about your son?"

The son replied, "I've joined Dad's business and am also immersed in learning management lessons. This September, I'll be preparing for my very first interview."

Mom lavished him with praise, a gesture she had never extended to me since my setback. This gathering swiftly rose to the top of my list of dreaded activities. Among the assembled kids, one was a professional doctor, another a dancer, and a third a postgraduate student, casting my own perceived shortcomings in stark relief. Amidst the chatter and accolades, Mom subtly signaled for me to accompany her to the restroom, leaving me to navigate a sea of insecurities and unspoken disappointment.

Mom remarked, "I can't believe my child is the only one without a job there. Did you hear about all their successes? Don't you feel embarrassed? Work hard, darling. I want you to surpass them so that, in the next meeting, I could boast about you."

I responded, "I got it, Mom."

Was it my fault that people had lost interest in me?

The meeting resumed, and in an attempt to detach from their unsettling gossip, I decided to order a cup of hot cocoa. Lost in my thoughts, I stirred the warm liquid with my straw, seeking solace in the rhythmic motion.

Someone shook me gently to bring me back to the present. As I lifted my head, my gaze fell on the person in front of me. A female voice pierced through my contemplation, asking, "What do you think about it?" I shifted my attention to the source of the voice and found Ashley. Once again, I felt myself slipping into my fantasy. Strangely, there was a sense of relief, as if the timing of this diversion was oddly perfect.

Ashley:. What's occupying your mind? Are you not feeling well?

Emma:. No, not at all. It's nothing. I'm just trying to clear my head. Actually, I wanted to escape from my thoughts, and I think I succeeded.