I descend the stairs, each step heavier than the last. The aroma of freshly cooked breakfast wafts through the air, a futile attempt to mask the tension.
In the kitchen, Mom busies herself with cooking, her eyes avoiding mine. Dad sits at the table, scrolling through his phone, his expression a mix of indifference and annoyance.
"Happy birthday, Evara," Mom says, forcing a smile. "Your favorite breakfast - pancakes and eggs."
I manage a weak smile, feeling like a stranger in my own family.
Dad grunts, not looking up. "Yeah, happy birthday."
The silence is oppressive, punctuated only by the sizzle of eggs and the clinking of utensils.
I take a seat, trying to ignore the elephant in the room - their constant arguing, the source of my anguish.
Mom attempts small talk, inquiring about my plans for the day. I shrug, unable to muster enthusiasm.
Just as we finish breakfast, the doorbell rings. It's my aunt, Mom's sister, with her son, Rahul.
My stomach twists into knots.
"Happy birthday, dear!" Auntie exclaims, bearing a gaudy gift.
Rahul's eyes meet mine, a fleeting glimmer of guilt before he looks away.
I feel a familiar nausea, the memory of his hands on me threatening to resurface.
"Evara, beta, open your gift," Auntie urges.
I force a smile, unwrapping the box to reveal a cheap necklace.
"Thanks, Auntie."
The visit is a blur of awkward conversation and strained laughter.
As they leave, Mom whispers, "Be nice to your aunt. She's family."
Family.
A word that once brought warmth now feels like a suffocating shackle.
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TRAPPED
FanfictionEvara, once a vibrant child, succumbs to depression as she navigates adulthood. Her smile hides the scars of a tumultuous childhood, marked by witnessing her parents' violent fights and her aunt's son attempted molestation - a secret she kept hidden...
