A Way To My Dream

Chapter 18: When children travel far, a mother worry

"When children travel far, a mother worry."

"Please, be careful. Remember to update us. You can either call me, your dad or your brothers. Don't let yourself starve. Always wear your jacket when cold came. Maybe your dad can visit you there? No? Follow the rules. Don't ever get in to troubles. Don't let anyone court you when you're there. I hope you brought you books, that way you'll remember us. Will you visit us during Christmas? What about New Year? Did you bring all the herbs and medicine I packed? No flirting. No smooching. No vices. No fake friends, they are toxics."

Leona let her mother prattle. She would touch her face. Would  suddenly hug her, brush her hair, and smell her hair. She giving her all her love. Something that she'll dearly miss to the bottom of her heart.

"Yes, Mom. I'll remember all of it." She assured her mother. That's the only thing she can do to somehow elevate her worries and fears.

"No boyfriend until 20, okay?" Leona nodded. It's not that she'll go there to find a lover.

"I've talk to your principal. He said he'll update me in regards of your certificate. If I could only stop you, I'll do it. You're gonna stop studying for only God knows how long." Mrs. Stratford sniffed. She dabbed her white towel on her nose.

"Mom, I know your dreadfully worried. Trust me on this one, okay? I'm not letting you guys down." Her mother nodded. As there is no traffic in the urban, they fast approaches the airport.

"Baby, we love you so much. Always remember that." Mr. Stratford hugged her daughter tightly. He studied her face for he is certain it'll took years in able to see her princess again.

"I love you too, Dad. I love you all. I'm gonna miss you all." Leona hugs her brothers.

"No boyfriend." Kevin reminded.

"Not even girlfriend." Mark added.

"Mark! She's not like that." Kevin interjected.

"Better to remind her now than be sorry later."

Leona laughed at their antics. She hugs her parents again.

"We already put our gifts in you bag, if you decide not to come home this Christmas." Kevin ruffles her hair and kiss her head. 

"I'm gonna miss you, baby." Leona was sure she heard her brother choked and sobbed.

"I'm gonna miss you too, Kevs." She whispers on his ear.

She took one last glance and wave at her family. She entered the airport with tears, her heart feels heavy. It's gonna be the first time she'll be away from her family longer than two days.

"Good morning, trainees! I'm Mr. Lee. I'm the one who will supervise your progress. Your mentors, Ms. Ella, Ms. Nancy, Ms. Mandy, and Mr. Lewis, will guide you through your journey as trainee. Mr. Chan will discuss the rules and regulations you must abide by during your time as trainee."

Leona nods and listen carefully.

...

"Miss, wake up! We will be landing at any moment."

She groggily wipes her forehead, mouth and eyes.

"Thank you," She turned to the side and yawned. 

The stranger smiled at her before she gets back to reading a magazine. 

Meanwhile, at Stratford house. Ms. Stratford sat on Leona's favorite couch. She's missing her daughter like crazy. She fells a piece of her heart being taken away. It hurts with every beat. It's gonna be the first time Leona will be away from home. Her first time to sleep somewhere she doesn't know the exact location. She doesn't even know if Leona's will get to sleep on a nice and soft bed. She doesn't know what food she'll going to eat-- if it will be healthy for her or not. She doesn't know how is she doing. Had she got a friend yet? What if she'll get fooled by a fake friends? What if she'll get in trouble? She can get Leona out of her mind for even a second. Every beat of her heart screams her daughter's name.

"Honey, want some coffee?!" She heard her husband shouts from the kitchen.

"A glass full of hot fresh milk, thanks!"

Hot fresh milk, Leona's favorite drink. From morning to bed time, she'll ask her mother for a glass full of hot fresh milk.

"When did you become fond- I'll warm your milk, honey." Her husband might have noticed her silence. No one misses her daughter more than the way she does. Their house feels so silent all of the sudden. She can hear the rattling sounds of a nearby brunches dancing with the wind blow. She can hear the moo-ing of their cattles, the dog's barks, cat's purre and the sheep.

"Your glass full of hot fresh milk, honey." She wass probably in dazed for long. Her husband took a seat on their sofa, in front of her.

"I know you missed her already. I missed her too. Come here." She got up and scooted over, closer to him. He hugs her from behind.

"Our princess is brave and determined. She'll be okay. Trust her, you raised her after all. Did you not?" Sobs sounded out of her throat, hardly. She clutched unto him like she's holding for her dear life. Mr. Stratford eye tears up. It's best to just comfort and console her wife. He hugged her tightly, more closer to his body possible.

"I..."

"Take a deep breath, honey." He soothingly caress her back, drawing circle on it.

"I... I miss my baby." She sobbed harder.

"I know. I know. I know you misses her like crazy. You're her mother after all." He whispers on her ear. Her wife is the most closest and attached to her daughter and vice versa. He'd actually teases the mother and daughter every chances he gets. He remembered, there's this happy day that he hugged her wife very tightly. To their surprise, Leona cried very hard. She gave him a few blow straight on the face. Thankfully, she's still little that time. They couldn't stop laughing at how adorable their daughter was. She's the family princess. Yet she doesn't act like one.

"I'm scared to fall asleep thinking she wouldn't be here when I wake up. Will I ever get use to her absence?" She asked.

"You don't need to worry. And you don't need to get use of her absence. We just need to endure. She'll come back one day."

"I missed her..."

"I know,"

"I missed her hard."

"Yes, I know."

"I miss her like crazy."

"I'm aware, honey."

"I'm going crazy."

"I know- wait, what?!"