A Nagas tale

Is this freedom?

I had spent my life trying my hardest to please my mother. I sought her approval for everything I did, despite my oldest sister getting the approval without much fuss. As a child, I always thought she was just particular. Once I grew I understood her controlling my weight, the food I ate, the clothes I wore, and the person I dated was not right. 

I stand in front of my mirror as I get ready for work. My black hair feels stringy and my face is too pale. My cheeks were too sunken, and my eyes looked like the dead's. "Hey! Are you done in there!?" I flinch turning to the man walking into the room. "Oh! Andrew..." I chirped trying my best to be a happy girlfriend. He scoffs "Don't call me that, I told you before that it grosses me out." his words are ones I'm used to hearing. "S...sorry." I quickly leave the restroom and take the cup of detox tea my mother always gives me and my bag. "Audrey! I want you to be back tonight by 8 pm! none of this over time." Mother shouts from where she sat. I nod "I'll try tonight Mum." I answer before passing my older brother and leaving the house. I spot my beautiful Jeep waiting for me in the driveway. I take my usual route to work stopping at a cafe to get something to eat. I walk into the shop "Welcome!" I take in the fresh scent of coffee and baked goods. 'ah! I have been given a few more hours.' I smile seeing my friend managing the bar. "Oh! Audrey! Are you here for the usual?" His husband shouts out from the register. I nod "Yeah! but don't worry I came with more time today!" I walk over to my usual booth. I lean back on the seat looking out at the morning sky. My phone dings as my mother checks my location all the time. "Why are you in that coffee shop? you're not supposed to eat anything until noon!" Her text message again set a time for my first meal of the day to such a stupid time. "Your mom still giving you trouble?" I look up at my friend and give him a bright grin "She's such a piece of work." I scoff. He sighs "I can't believe you still try to get her approval." he grumbles setting down my cup of cinnamon roll latte and a breakfast sandwich. I shrug "I stopped when I was in high school but, if I gain any more weight than I do now... she'll throw a bitch fit." I groan. I pick up the latte and snap a picture. I sent it to my mother with the caption. "just picked up a quick caffeine boost." This always calmed her down. "Fine, don't eat anything when you shouldn't." She reminds me. I nod tossing my phone into my bag. "Audrey, you need to move out of her house, we are already 27, don't you think it's time?" He asks worriedly. I sigh "I've tried but she always spins it to Dad like I'm deserting them." I pick up the sandwich. "Hm, I wonder why your dad doesn't do anything about it.." he sighs finding a spot across from me. "I mean, last time I met your dad he seemed like a kind man, why does he let your mother do this?" he asks. I shrug "Dad's always gone on his archeology digs and working with the museums so he doesn't know anything other than what Mom tells him." I answer swallowing down the sandwich. "geez you're scarfing that down did you have dinner?" he asks. I shake my head "Mom always makes me skip dinner." I answer savoring the sauce in the sandwich. "Uh, man your food always restores my soul." I compliment him as I take another huge bite of my food. "I swear! If you didn't stop me I'd give that witch a piece of my mind!" He huffs. I giggle at his anger "I'll be out of there before you know it." I give him a grin as my phone beeps. I pull it up and see its dad asking me where I'd be moving. I knew better than to give him my address. "It's a safe place near my job." I told him which was a lie but it was safe. "Oh! By the way are you still with that idiot Anderson?" he asks. I nod "Yeah, I've given up being the perfect girlfriend for him though." I answer. He nods "Good! That guy's a piece of trash." He huffs again in anger. The anger on Aaron's face gave me hope that I'd be fine once I escaped. "If you need any help! Just call me!" he offers. I nod seeing the cafe started getting busy. I wave him off as he tries to apologize. That day was normal working at my office the passing comments of my coworkers complimenting my figure. They asked for my routine to keep this size to which I would sarcastically answer "Don't eat a thing." They Always took my answer as a joke before demanding the right information. I just shrugged and told them I worked out at the gym and counted calories. Their reactions always varied between 'Oh I've tried that before it never worked.' or 'Oh! I should give it a try.' The time hit 7.50 pm when sure enough the boss walked up and offered overtime for us. My phone dings "Audrey remember to get home on time your dad is coming back tonight!" I would normally accept overtime to avoid home but this time I turned it down. I packed up my things and walked out of the office. I walk by a hotel that is used normally for businessmen on trips. I stop in my tracks seeing Anderson walking out of the hotel with a girl. He did not seem to care that I was standing in front of him. The obvious marks on his neck and the clingy girl. I take a sharp breath before I turn and keep walking to my jeep. 'This is it... I need to leave tonight.' I grab the engagement ring on my finger and toss it into the swage drain I walk over. 'it was trash.' I think as I jump into my jeep and head home. I get home and see his car is already out front of the house. I take a deep breath and walk in to find my dad talking with my brother and my sister. She came over with her kids just to see Dad. I step into the room seeing Anderson sitting in the lazy boy nearest the door to the dining room. A smug smirk on his face "Dad, It's good to see you." I quickly walk over to him and give him the biggest hug. "oh my! Audrey, you're too thin!" he points out. I smile nervously "I didn't think this eating disorder would follow you into this age." he sighs. I shrug "Eh old habits die hard." I answer. He takes my hand "What happened to the ring Anderson gave you?" he asks. I nod "Oh that old thing? I tossed it out." I answer which confuses my dad. "what? why? you two seem so happy." He asks I nod "Yeah Anderson and I agreed it would be best he take his cheating ass out of my life." I answer to which Anderson stands up. "Oh, thats... not good." Dad mutters. I nod "so I broke off the engagement. Also, I'm not having dinner here tonight," I answer as mom walks out of the kitchen. "what? Audrey, why are you being so childish? All men are like that!" she hisses. I look at Dad "Are you like that?" I ask to which he frowns "No! What crazy things are you saying!?" he demands from Mom. "Welp I just wanted to let you all know I'm leaving don't bother looking for me." I toss my old phone on the sofa and walk out. "Audrey! get back here!" My mother shouts as she chases me down the hall. I ignore her and walk out the door. I get into my jeep and drive off to the parking garage I had planned. 'this jeep was given to me by mom, no doubt there is a tracker on it.' I changed to the motorcycle I bought a few days ago. I drive to my new home hidden in the farthest district from my parents. I park my motorcycle and look up at the little house I bought. I saved enough money to leave and now I am free from that hellish house.

The first few weeks were chaos as I tried setting up my new furniture after work. Aaron and his husband came over a few times to help me with the decor since I suck at home decor. Those nights I felt so alive! Drinking and eating as much food as I wanted. I did not have to be mindful of the food I ate. I did not have to leave half the plate of an already small portion of food. I could drink soda and beer. I lay in bed till 2 pm for the first time giving myself time to rest. I had enough energy once I started gaining a little bit more weight to go out hiking with Aaron and Milton. We hiked the mountains just outside of the city. The first half of my 27th year of life had started well. I stand over the weight seeing the number bump up to 115 Ibs. I cheered as this was the heaviest I'd been in years. I turn to the mirror loving the fullness in my face and the tan my skin had taken on. My vacation is coming up in a month for me to rest and do all of the things I never got to do. It's in October so I wanted to start with getting a costume and booking tickets for the Renisans fair a few states away. On the first days, I planned for a two-day long hike and camping trip on my own. I would follow the trail Milton and Aaron showed me so I didn't get lost. I packed enough food and water for 2 days. I packed a tent and a survival kit with a fire starter and an axe. "this is going to be so fun!" I cheered.