Day 2:

After a teary night, I wake up from another nightmare. I sit up, wiping the sweat from my forehead, and take a deep breath, trying to steady my racing heart.

"Mom, one day I will earn money and buy you that dress," I whisper, pointing to the beautiful sea-green dress with block prints on it that I keep hanging in my closet, a memory of her.

I know my mom liked those handwoven ones. She used to say they were comfortable and made her feel at home.

"Don't you think it's too late?" Her voice echoes in my mind, accompanied by the sad smile she used to wear.

I shake my head, trying to dismiss the lingering feeling of unease. "What are you talking about, Mom? We have a lot of time!" I say aloud, but the world around me suddenly turns hazy. I feel a weird pull, like I'm being dragged away from reality. I jolt awake again, realizing it was still dark outside.

I recollect the dream and my heart turns heavy. I regret not telling her how much I loved her. I regret everything I didn't do for her. Every time I think about her, guilt fills my heart, making me spin with emotions. My eyes turn blurry, and I struggle to hold back the tears.

I try to fall asleep, but the thought of another dream with my mom scares me. Not because I don't want to see her, but because I lose her every time I do.

With a sigh, I pull the blanket tighter around me, savoring the cozy warmth. "The weather finally matches my mood," I think, my eyes drifting to the book on my nightstand. Perfect for a lazy weekend. I get lost in the pitter-patter, imagining myself spending the day wrapped in this cocoon of comfort.

Reluctantly, I push back the blanket and slide out of bed, the chill of the room making me shiver. I pad downstairs, drawn by the enticing smell of pancakes. The kitchen is lively, everyone gathered around the table. I grab a plate from the counter and start to serve myself.

As soon as I sit down, fork poised to dig in, my brother's voice cuts through the chatter. "Get the chocolate syrup from the fridge," he orders, not even looking up.

I let out a heavy sigh, pushing my chair back with more force than necessary. "Fine," I mutter under my breath. As I retrieve the syrup, I shoot him a glare behind his back.

"What are you fussing about?" Dad asks, his eyes narrowing at me over his coffee mug.

"Nothing. Here's the syrup," I say, placing it on the table with a bit of a thud.

"Good. Now hurry up. Once you're done, you need to mow the garden," he adds, not giving me a chance to argue.

"What? It's raining!" I protest, astonished.

"It was. Now it stopped," my brother chimes in, smirking.

"Ask him to help me!" I plead, glaring daggers at my brother.

"He's sick. Don't you want him to recover?" Dad's tone leaves no room for argument.

"Fine," I say, my voice dripping with irritation. I snatch my jacket from the hook by the door and head to the garage to get the mower.

As I step outside, the chill hits me, and I pull my jacket tighter. The grass is damp, and the mower's wheels keep getting stuck. "Screw this life," I mumble, my knee throbbing with every step. No one noticed I hurt it, and I'm not about to bring it up now.

Two hours drag by in a blur of pushing, detangling wires, and muttered curses. By the time I finish, I'm exhausted and my stomach is growling. I limp back inside, hoping for a decent breakfast, only to find two lonely pancakes left on the plate.

Silently, I scarf them down, my frustration mounting with every bite. It's close to noon by the time I'm done. I retreat upstairs, craving peace. As I search for my book, my eyes land on the whiteboard, covered in a daunting list of assignments.

"Urgh, I have to finish these too," I groan, feeling the weight of the day pressing down on me.

I have to complete them but my brother is using the laptop we have. It left me with nothing but my phone.

"Argh, phone!" I sigh, tired and vexed with this day already, remembering that it is broken and I have no other option, except to get it repaired.

FML!

"I have one day to enjoy and now I have to go out!" I say, bawling, searching around for my phone, when I realise it is still in my jeans pocket.

Given my mild obsession with cleanliness, touching dirty laundry is a big task.

Even the photos in my room are arranged in a proper order. I smile when I look at the photos in my room. A few with my mom and dad, back when she was alive and a few photos from our trips.

I walk to the local market near the beach, which is the closest place to find a mobile repair shop, with my phone carefully placed in my jeans pocket. Thankfully, it is just a fifteen minutes walk from our place. My leg hurts, but the pain isn't as bad as last night.

Dad thinks I'm an awful driver and doesn't let me go anywhere near the car. 

The wet roads and the water-stained glasses of the cars parked on the side cover most of the empty roads.

I head to the shop, 'Mobile Planet,' which is just across the beach. 

As I step inside, a bell jingles by the door. The shop is filled with mobile phones, posters on mobile plans, SIM cards, and various mobile accessories and gadgets. Walking over to the counter, I see a guy around my age, engrossed in a video game.

"Ahem," I clear me throat. 

Startled, he looks up. "Oh, hey!" His brown hair falls into his eyes, and his high cheekbones catch the light.

Those cheekbones.

"What do you want?" he asks, putting his mobile down and eyeing me curiously. His eyes seem to light up the moment they meet mine.

"Um, the screen cracked. Is it possible to please replace this?" I plead, hoping it's repairable.

My dad would never in a million years let me buy a new phone.

"Let me check," he says. I nod, watching him as he carefully opens the back cover of the mobile. After some investigation, he looks up.

"It can be repaired, but it might be expensive. Come back tomorrow, and I'll have this sorted," he says.

"How much would it cost?" I ask, hoping I can afford it.

"About 3000," he says.

"Okay," I say, feeling a bit somber.

I'll have to spend every dime I earned over the summer. Damn you, phone!

"Come back tomorrow, and I will have it ready by then," he says, smiling to himself.

"Okay," I say, already wondering how to make ends meet until my next job or my birthday, the only time my dad gives me extra money. He does pay for my daily needs and gives me money for food and school work but nothing more, unlike with Derek.

Still pondering how to cover the cost, I exit the store.

I see an ice cream store on the way home and go in to one, hoping it helps me like it always does.

"We Are Hiring!" says a board hanging outside.

Wow, finally something good.

"Finally, I'll get some help here," says the girl serving ice cream, Naina according to her name tag.

"Happy to be here," I say, smiling at her. I'm sure my smile doesn't light up my eyes, like her smile does, but nevertheless I am trying.

"Do you have any prior experience," he asks, looking at me.

"Not much. But I am a quick learner," I say already feeling defeated.

"So you will work after school hours right?" asks Jacob, the manager.

"Yes, and I can work on weekends too," I add.

"Great. Naina here has been cribbing about working on the weekends. Maybe you can work for two weeks, let's see how that goes and then decide," he says.

"Sounds great," I say, happily.

"You can come join work from Monday," says Jacob.

I buy a chocolate ice cream cone and leave. 

"Heyy.." comes a voice. 

Turning around I spot Naina, running . "Hey. What happened?" I ask unsure of why she was here. 

"I wanted to get your number so I could add you to the work group,"  she says out of breath, " Plus I wanted a break."

A small smile plays on my lips, "Oh,"

"Don't worry. I don't skip work all the time. Just some times," she says walking along. 

"Won't the manager scold you ?"

"Who Jacob? He is such a sweet heart. Wouldn't hurt a fly, plus he wouldn't know when I skip work," she says her eyes full of mischief. 

"Oh, that's -- umm-- nice , I guess." 

"Yeah. Anyway which school do you go to ?"

"Spring field high and you ?"

"Daaammn. I go to St. Martin's,"

"Oh, that's like ou--"

"Rival school, yes!"

"But--"

"Don't worry. I don't let those silly politics divide us. We can be work friends, I suppose" 

"Oh --  that's nice," I say surprised. 

"Okay. Got to go, Jacob might actually get angry this time. Bye. See you on Monday!" she says, after taking down my number

"Bye!" I reply, my voice a little perky. 

The greenery around, the cool breeze fanning my hair, the silent surroundings all seem great and have a lulling effect on me.

The memories I had in this place come rushing by. This time I don't cry, but let them all in. They were all bittersweet truths', and I have to face them one day. It is blazing now, the cool breeze that was present earlier this morning disappeared.

Maybe, it is true; the sun shines the brightest before it rains. I cover my face with my hoodie and stroll home.

Maybe my life is worth it and I might after all make it through.

Author's note:

Hey guys? What do you think of this chapter?

Feedback and suggestions are welcome :)

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Until the next update.

Lots of love,
~ Lakshmi Vaishnavi.