Ch1: Daddy is leaving

Life had just become so difficult for me. Yes, it was very hard, harder than I could ever have thought.

My name is Mia Johnson. I was eighteen years old by then, and I had just joined campus.

I swear that living with my mother was some sort of hell. Imagine having a mother who never cares about you. She never cares if you are still living or dead.

I came home from school and I found my sister, Denny, in the living room, her legs on the table, munching on some snacks.

As usual, I did not have much to say to her. I nodded at her before walking to my room. That was what I always did whenever I was at home; staying in my room.

Denny was three years older than me. But with the way both mom and her treated me, they made me feel like an outsider, someone who did not deserve to dine at the same table as them.

I had just changed my clothes when my door was pushed open. Without second thoughts, I knew it was Denny. She had come to find trouble with me again.

“Save it, Denny,” I said. I was not ready for an argument with her. Knowing her, she would try to anger me, pick up a fight and report me to mom. As usual, mom would side with her, saying that I was lacking in manners by disobeying my seniors.

“Huh! What is with that pout?“ Denny asked as she took a seat on my bed. “Are you still mourning that stupid man? He left, he abandoned us…”

I immediately knew that she was talking about dad. Yes, dad left thirteen years ago, when I was only five years old. Of course, I was the only person who knew that he had left.

I shook my head and poured myself a cup of water. “Denny, that is in the past. I don't want to talk about him…”

It was already a surprise that she was willing to mention him today. My dad's name had become a taboo in our family. My mom would get so mad if he was ever mentioned.

Denny burst out laughing. “Says someone who used to be daddy's best. How do you feel now? No one to protect you? Wait… I heard mom say that with the poison in your blood,only that man could save you. And guess what, it seems like he is never showing up…”

I clenched my fists at those words. That was very true. My own mom had poisoned me after dad left. It was nothing like taking some food you did not know was poisoned. No! She told me it was poison and forced me to drink.

“We shall see if this will attract that man back. He should at least come to save his daughter,” she had said. Mom poisoned me so that my dad could come back.

“Tsk tsk,” Denny chuckled again. “You can't say anything, right? See, he doesn't love you like he claimed he did. Forget about him and do as mom wants. It is not too late…”

Anger overwhelmed me. “Stop it, Denny. I know that my own mom poisoned me. And I have at most two years to live. I will be dead soon. Why don't you just give me the peace I need?“

Denny chuckled again. “As you wish, Miss!“ She said and stood up. “Just know that that man is not worth it!“

I shut my door after she left and went to bed. I felt so bad after she reminded me of the past, the painful past that I had experienced in my mom's hands.

After dad left, things changed completely. My mom, who had always loved my sister and I equally, changed. She said I was the reason why dad left. I could never tell what I had done.

All I can remember was that morning thirteen years ago. It was on a Saturday, and I had not gone to school.

Mom had left for work, as usual, and Denny had gone to school. On Saturdays, after Denny came home from school, dad would take us to the park to have fun. I thought that today was not going to be an exception.

As usual, the moment I woke up, I rushed to my parents' room. Usually, I liked doing this every weekend. It was always so cool sleeping in dad's embrace for a few minutes before he woke up.

I ran to his room and pushed the door open, yearning for his warm and loving embrace. But I was shocked to see him fully dressed, standing in front of the mirror.

“Mia honey,” Dad called with a smile. “How is my little one today? Come here, give daddy a hug…”

With my short legs, I rushed over and dad carried me in his embrace, kissing my cheeks. However, everything seemed out of place. Dad had never woken up this early on Saturday.

“Is daddy going somewhere?“ I asked, looking at him in confusion. We were supposed to wait at home for Denny to come back so that we could go to the park.

Dad looked at me with a smile. “Yes honey, daddy is going somewhere today…” he said. I felt a little sad. Whenever dad had his briefcase packed, it meant that he was going on a business trip which would take at least one week.

“Will daddy go with us to the park when he comes back?“ I asked sadly. I was going to miss him all these days because he would be gone.

Dad kissed my cheeks. “Daddy will help Mia wash her face today,” he said, and carried me to his bathroom. He wiped my face and carried me back to the dining table. “Daddy has something to tell Mia after breakfast,okay?“

He personally fed me before carrying me back to his study. “Dear, daddy is leaving, but he won't come back soon,” he said. I felt like I saw something like sadness on his face.

Thinking that it was just one long business trip, I rubbed his hand. “Daddy will come back when he is done, right?“ I asked.