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IBC WC: Contestant #40

Contestant #40

Story Title: The Harbinger

Wattpad UN: Dbluemoon

Genre: Science Fiction

Theme: Try and try until you die, although you die at least you've tried.

THE HARBINGER

October 19, 1998

Some people measures happiness with wealth, some with the numbers of their friends but Lily and Marshall is delighted for Lily just safely bore their first child - and it's a boy.

Mateo Rivera is the arms of his mother; cradling him. He can also feel the love from his father happy stares. He might not remember this moment but from that day, he was loved.

And I wonder if that's the reason why he grew up not so quite well - no, in fact, he become selfish, stubborn, ungrateful, and all sorts of bad. Sometimes, he says he feels unloved.

Now, I don't have a right to tell you his story but it's less painful if you'll hear it from me rather than his mother.

The day Mateo was born comes with my existence. I am there to see the smiles, tears and giggles of both his parents. And I am sure if he only saw the happy tears of his mother he will not end his life.

Of course I was angry because his death will be the same fate as mine. But I was at fault too, my effort was not enough, his mind was too crowded with dark thoughts that he can easily dismiss whatever I say.

So maybe I deserve it because I cannot save his soul. And now, gone the happy tears of his mother on the day he was born, it was soon replaced by sorrowful cries.

••••

THE Rivera family neither owns a huge house nor a big circle of friends but they do have enough of what they need; enough to raise a child with humility - or so they tried.

They both have a job but when Mateo came, Lily decided to quit so she can focus on raising Mateo. Though there were times I can tell she misses teaching children. Or she just misses her students. One time I caught her in dazed while looking at a class picture. But that longing will quickly vanish whenever she hears Mateo's laughs and giggles; those will be affirmation that what she did was right.

No doubt that it was right; Mateo deserves a mother figure and her care. That cute little boy can be great if you'll only guide him to where he belongs and Lily can lead him there. She has a good heart and a steady mind at least until she started thinking lowly of herself.

She was doing well with Mateo. He's already nine years old and well-loved. Until Lily wants to be in action again; she wants to teach once again. But Marshall disagreed, he says Mateo needed her and she should just stay at home. That set her mood ablaze. She felt insignificant to be left at home while he was working.

I don't know what made her feel like that because I can clearly see what a great person she was without her work but she can't see this, of course, whatever's bothering her she should shove it out of her mind because she has a son to take care of.

Sure, Mateo had me at his side but it was still her job to keep him out of any danger.

It took a lot of persuasion and disputes before Lily chose to stay at home and take care of Mateo. The true reason why she did rest her case was because Marshall promised her that when Mateo is old enough to take care of himself only then she can go back to work again.

It should be taken into consideration that Marshall said this in the middle of irritation and exhaustion from their fight, but I'm thankful that they can finally take a hold to it although the topic can never be forgotten and will rose again some other time.