It's You

6

Few years later

"You got everything you need, Helen?"

"Yes, Janet. I got them all."

"You sure? You know you can always come back. Don't be a stranger, okay?"

"I know, Janet. I know. Thanks for everything. I really owe you and Ryan everything in my life," I said as I hug Janet.

"Oh, tush! You don't owe us everything, darling. You're like our own daughter. Right, Ryan?" Janet said as she hold my shoulder arm length."

"Right. You know we love you as our own. There's no owe in family, remember?" Ryan said and hug me.

"Yes, I do. Now, where's my little Sabrina?" I change the topic before Janet turn into tear mass. Sabrina is Ryan and Janet's daughter. They got married 5 years ago when I was 13 and got a cute daughter called Sabrina. Ryan and Janet really raised me like I'm their own daughter. Even better than my real parents. They never treat me differently with Sabrina and she grew attach to me.

I never get any news about my parents anymore. The last news I heard from them  was from the local news which reported that my dad was found dead from drugs. They said he overdosed himself. Well, you can call me ungrateful child or whatever you want but I don't feel sad. I don't even come to his funeral 7 years ago. Ryan and Janet persuaded me to go but I don't want to. I'm still hurt that he abused and blamed me for everything bad that happened to him. I don't even know what was wrong but he beat me like I was just a punching sack. I'm not even surprised that he was dead. And my mom? I never heard nor look for her anymore. I close the door to my heart towards her. She betrayed and lied to me. She said that she loved me but yet she threw me away. Not only her. I shut everyone else except Janet, Ryan, and Sabrina. I'm still afraid towards male. I'm afraid that someday they will beat the crap out of me again. I don't trust anybody else. If my mom can betrayed me, then what about strangers? Friends? Lovers? Sure they can too and I won't let it happens again.
"I'm pretty sure she was here just now. Where is she going? Sabrina! Where are you? Helen will be going soon," Janet called. Then I heard a pair of little feet running down the stairs.

"Helen, wait!" I heard her shout. Then a little girl emerges to the living room and she try to catch her breath.

"Where were you, Sabrina? I almost dying from old age waiting for you," I teased her.

"Um-mm... Sorry. I was getting this," she said giving me a card with her drawing then look at her feet awkwardly. Isn't she adorable? I open the card and read:

'Dear Helen, don't forget to come home and play with me soon, okay? I will miss you. I wish I'm big enough to go with you. I love you, Helen'

Gosh! I love this kid very much. I kneel down and hug her tight and try to bite back my tears. I won't cry before I can't stop. "Thank you, Sabrina. I will keep this with me. Always." I release her and then ruffle her hair a bit.

"Do you really have to go?" she said with teary eyes.

"Sorry, pumpkin. I have to go. You know being a lawyer is my dream," I said as I look into her eyes and slipping strands of her blonde hair behind her ears.

"But, come home often, okay? Pretty please? I'll be lonely if you're not here," she asked once more. Her eyes reminds me of cat in boots from Shrek movie.  I adore her very much.

"I promise to come home every holiday, okay?" she sniffled but nod her head. I hug her briefly and stand up. They're good to me. Too good. I feel like I can trust them. Also a burden. They raised me well. They paid for my school tuition and helped me a lot. I can't be a burden for them anymore. I already felt that I have owe them for life and I will repay that as much as I can. With my straight A for all subject, going to Harvard wasn't a big problem. I got a full scholarship so they won't have to pay for my tuitition anymore. Another reason, I hope by moving far away, I can forget all those horrible memories. Every day, I will wake up in the middle of the night. Drenched by cold sweat because of dreams. Dreams about my dad abusing me. I know it's kind of impossible to forget and it'll haunted me everyday for the rest of my life.

After all the good byes and cries from Janet and Sabrina, Ryan helped me with all my luggage and we set off to the airport. I'll be on my own. Ryan had her job and Janet had to take care of Sabrina while she had to go to school. Even I know that Sabrina will be more than glad to be absent from school. Well, who doesn't? But, I won't allow that and finally can convince them to let me go alone. On the way, I look out the window. Mesmerizing the view, knowing that I won't see it for a while or ever. I know I will miss this place. So much. But I can't dwell in the past so I have to move on.

The trip to the airport feels so short and soon we are putting all the luggage to the trolley. Janet is checking all my belongings.
"You sure you got everything? I think you left your toiletry," Janet said to me with super worried eyes.

"Janet, relax. I got it in my bag. I've checked my room twice plus the bathroom. Nothing left. Don't worry about me. I got this," I said as I hug her. She hug me back.

"I can't believe you're going away. Promise me, you'll be back. Okay?"

"I will try, Janet. It's not like we're parting forever. I will meet you, Ryan, and Sabrina again. You have my word."

"But it seems you're going away forever. I don't want to lose you. You're like my own daughter," she said as she lets me go and holding my shoulders. I can see tears in her eyes.

"No, Janet. You won't lose me. You can keep my word for this. Trust me."

"Passanger of BT 054 to Boston, please proceed to check in counter..."

"Well, I better go. It's my flight. I'll see you guys," I said hugging them one by one.

"Take care, Helen. Call me when you reach Boston. We'll wait," Janet said and hug me for the last time.

"Okay, Janet. I'll call."

Next, I hug Ryan then Sabrina with all the 'take care'. Then, I'm off. I walk to the check in counter and all the checks. After all done, I walk to the waiting room and sit in a chair. I sigh. I feel excited but also afraid. I'm always used to be bullied. Being a straight A nerd and a no-club kid. Having no friend at all. I don't have a sociophobia. Do I feel lonely? Yes, I do. But, I can't let anyone come near me. I can't trust them and they think I'm a weirdo. I don't belong anywhere. Janet, Ryan, and Sabrina were always there. They support me all the way.
After waiting and thinking to myself, the announcement to board the plane is heard. I take a deep breath then get up, walking in plane, and sit in my seat. And a new chapter of my life begins.

***
Author's Note
Yay!! Another update! Thanks for reading and please don't forget to Vote and comment!
-WJ-