Can't Help Falling in Love with the Opposite

Thirteenth Encounter

"What's the meaning of this?!" Mom shouted as soon as I got inside her office. She threw a piece of paper in front of me and even though I don't read it, I know what it contains.

"You only have one thing to do Emily. One thing! And yet you can't do good on it! You were even called in the guidance office!" she fumed.

"When did I ever do good?" I mumbled.

"What?" she said with irritation when she did not hear what I said.

"You never see the things I do, mom. You're always busy with your work!"

"And now you're answering back, too. How ungrateful child you are!" she shouted which made the veins on her neck appear.

"Isn't it true? You drown yourself with your work that you have no time for your only daughter. You always forget important events in my life, you even forget every birthdays that I have. You even have no idea what's happening in my life right now! Now who's ungrateful between us?!"

A strong slap landed on my face after I said those words. My head turn sideways from the strong impact. I glare at her with my tears which are about to fall as I hold my cheek.

"Everything I do, I do it all for you," she said in her gritted teeth.

"I know, mom," I said as tears begin to flow down my cheeks. "All I ask is your attention, that's all. Is that so difficult to give?"

She open her mouth but shut it right away. She was taken aback by what I said. "You are not allowed to go out of the house after school hours. You are also not allowed to talk with your friend. I'm confiscating all your gadgets even your cellphone. Starting tomorrow all you are going to do is to study!" She said when she regained her composure.

"What? You can't do that! That's so unfair, mom!"

"Try me, Emily!" She warned.

My chest rise up and down from too much anger. Anger that I can't get out because I know I won't win against her. I'll never will against her. I roughly wipe my tears with my hand and stormed out of her office. I heard Baba Nancy call my name but I refused to look back.

I lock the door as soon as I entered my room. While tears stream down my cheeks, I grabbed my bag and stuffed it with clothes. I want to get out of here but I don't know where to go.

I wipe my tears roughly with my palm and sit on the edge of my bed. I dialled Chad's number but I can't get through. I was about to dial again when I heard a knock on the door.

"Honey, it's me," it's Baba Nancy's voice. "Can I come in?"

I stared at my bedroom door, contemplating on whether I'll open it or pretend that I'm doing something.

"Please, Emily. Let's talk," she pleads.

I grabbed my bag and hid it under my bed. Even though I trust Baba so much, I still don't want her to know I'm leaving. I walk towards the door and open it, just a little for her to see me.

"Are you alright, dear?" She asks with worry.

"I'm fine, Baba," I weakly said.

"Your mother wants to have dinner with you. Isn't it nice?" She tries to sound cheerful.

"I'm not hungry," I simply said.

She sighed and held my cheek. "I understand. I'll just tell your mother you're not feeling well," she smiled and starts to walk away.

"Baba?" I called out. She looks at me dearly. "Thank you...for everything." She smiles warmly which made her wrinkles visible.

"Anything for you, Emily," she said and continued walking down the stairs.