HOPE

It's been a week and I can sense that something was not right. Dad seems to be worried about something. I hope there is no problem with his work. It's so hard for him to raise both me and my sister with his low salary. We both go to the same school, and I know he is struggling to pay our tuition fees. My sister is only a year younger than me. But we are in the same class as I was admitted a year late to the school.

"Dad, is there something wrong?" I enquired. He was sitting on the sofa. His hands were supporting his head and his eyebrows were furrowed. He was completely lost in his thoughts.

"Oh, Luna!" he said as if he was not expecting me to be there. "No, everything is fine." He stated with a nervous smile.

"But you don't look good. Are you sure there's nothing wrong? You know you can tell me anything?" I said. I was not satisfied with his answer.

"No Luna, Everything is fine as long as you are with us." He said as he approached me and stroked my hair.

"Then, there is nothing for you to worry about. I am not going anywhere soon." I assured him. He nodded at me.

"Why are you standing here?" my mother asked with a serious tone.

"I am just talking to Dad," I replied.

"You are always useless." She said as she was irritated. "No help for others." She continued. "Study something from your sister." she finished and stormed back to the kitchen.

Mom was always mad at me for no reason. She never showed me any care. I was always compared to my sister. I don't even remember a time when she ever spoke to me in a gentle tone. She treats my sister with all her love. She buys her clothes, dresses her, and always support whatever she does. Sometimes I get jealous of her. I do every single thing so that my mom notices me and appreciate me. But it never happened. Whatever I do, I am always useless to her.

My sister is also no different from my mom. She also hates me. I am a slave to her. I do all her chores. In our school, no one knows that we are sisters. She belongs to the popular gang whereas I am an ordinary girl who no one pays much attention. She never leaves a chance to humiliate me. She always harms me. She is my family so, I always stay quiet and didn't let anyone know, especially, my dad. He'll get worried about even very small matters. I don't want him worried because he is the only person, I love the most in this world.

"Don't mind her words," Dad said.

"Yeah," I told him with a sigh and proceeded to my room.

I closed the door as soon as I entered. I tossed my school bag near the study table and let myself fall on the bed. I shut my eyes and drowned in my thoughts.

I haven't slept well for a while. I sleep late and wake up early. After finishing the household chores and running my sister's errands, it will become midnight. After that only I get to do my homework and have time to study. In the morning, I have to wake up first and make breakfast for everyone.

Even with all these difficulties, I got good scores in the school. My studies are never affected by my personal life.

I opened my eyes and studied the time. I brushed away all of my thoughts and go ahead with my daily routine.

***

"Hey, Luna." I was greeted by my best friend Anna.

"Hi, Anna." I greeted her back.

"You are early today. What a surprise?" she teased me.

"Why? Can't I be here early?" I asked her.

"Yes. You can." She giggled. "and I'm so blessed to see you so early." she laughed hard.

"YOU!!!" I called with a mad face. Now she laughed even harder.

Seeing her laugh, my lips formed a small smile and I also started to laugh with her.

With her, all my worries vanish. She makes me smile every time I feel sad. She is my motivator.

We are presently sitting in our classroom. The class hasn't started yet. There is still little time. Everyone is busy occupying their seats. So, we both enjoyed our little chit chat.