Chapter 9 A Dream Come True

Shania remained in her room crying since the day of the suspension that was going to last for five days.

Mr Jack had caught her red handed with the chemistry cheat notes in the last test.

There was nothing she could say in her defense as principal Peters declared her guilty of the allegation.

Mrs Jimmy returned home.

She moved to Shania's room first.

Shania chuckled softly as she opened the door to behold her mother.

"What a surprise mom! Welcome home."

Mrs Jimmy pushed open the door and walked into the room, glaring at Shania with hostility.

Shania's eyes darted around the room maniacally.

Her diary lay open on her bed. Some sheets of paper were on the table with her laptop.

Shania scratched the back of her neck and avoided eye contact with her mom.

"Mom, don't you think you should have some rest. You shouldn't be in this part of the house by this time."

"Why not, Shania?"

Her mother clasped her hands together behind her body.

"No mom, it's not what I mean. It's your house anyways."

Shania twisted her lips with a half smile.

Her mother plodded towards the table. Shania couldn't help but pray inside herself.

"I heard your scores dropped."

"What happened?"

Shania remained motionless and silent. She only stared in a preoccupied manner.

"What's this?"

Shania swallowed in a gulp. Her lips quivered.

"What's what, mom?"

Her mother hissed. Her pupils shook violently which made Shania turn her gaze away.

"Oh, don't play dumb with me. I'm not blind. It says ' rules and regulations of the 2022 WSA writing contest.'

"Mom, I didn't see that. Maybe someone dropped it off."

Shania put her hands in her pocket.

"Who can it be? It's just two of us and Sam in this house. She doesn't write."

Shania sneezed.

"Maybe she started, you can never tell."

"You're still doing this. You've to quit."

Her mother spoke coercively.

Shania stood transfixed, staring blankly.

Quit wasn't a word for her.

"Mom, I can't quit. It's the only real thing I have."

Mrs Jimmy shook the papers in her hand violently.

"Oh really, what's more important?"

"Writing some crap or making satisfying grades to get into a prestigious university?"

Trace of sorrow crossed her face.

"Mom, writing might be crap to you but it means more to me. It makes me happy. It's the only way I can express myself; the only way I can create magic with my hands and mind."

Her mother glanced at the papers again. She stared wide-eyed.

"Did you sign up for this contest with money?"

"Yes, mom."

Shania bowed her head.

"You've been stealing money from me?"her mother questioned.

"Mom, no. I'd never steal money from you."

"How did you get the money for it?"

Shania closed her mouth tightly.

"Answer me,"she yelled and tightened her fists.

"Mom, I...I took on an after school job. I'm sorry I didn't tell you,"she stuttered.

"An after school job?"

"Mom, I couldn't tell you because I know you won't accept it. I didn't have a choice. I needed to join the contest."

"Oh shut up! What do you know about choices?

Your exams are in two weeks and you're only interested in a writing contest.

Is this some sort of rebellion?

Your grades suffer everyday because of one stupid contest you got into behind my back.

You won't do this and it's final."

She stomped out of the room, throwing the sheets of paper on the table.

Shania choked on her breath as tears welled up in her eyes.

In the literal sense, there was nothing left of her being asides writing.

This scene looked familiar.

The memory of her being whipped by her father because she didn't want to become a lawyer till she bled filled her head.

Their mother would just sit and watch her; and most of all she would do nothing.

He usually started with numerous deft slaps.

She would grit her teeth and endure while letting out shrieks of pain.

Her father was a monster!

****

Shania sulked the entire time they ate dinner.

"What's up, lollipop?"Sam asked while sipping the orange juice.

Shania didn't speak.

"Your cheeks are flushed, are you sick?"

"Did mom do something?"

Shania sighed, her complexion turning pale.

"Sam, sometimes I wish you were my mother.

That woman never understands me."

Sam rolled her eyes.

"Well, that woman is your mother. I know she wants the best for you."

"The best? Sam, everyone has something unique in them - a talent. Jane sings and dances, James and Nick has basketball. Mary, although a total jerk paints.

These things are fun and I can't do any except write. I've learned to accept it and put my love in it. Yet, she continues to forbid it as if it's a taboo. Mom never shows interest in the things I truly love. I wish she could support me in what I really want."

Sam laughed softly and spurted vegetable from her mouth onto the table.

Shania gagged. Wrinkles formed on the side and bridge of her nose.

She didn't want to remind Sam to stop talking whenever she had food in her mouth.

"Mind you, miss, everything you mentioned are hobbies. Hobbies aren't careers."

"Sam, I just want to carve my identity, whichever way. I want to build my own empire."

"Look who's speaking, plenty zeal."

She winked at her.

Mrs Jimmy coughed to make them aware of her presence.

They stared at her speechless, they had no idea she had been standing behind.

She sat opposite Shania as she remained quiet.

"I heard everything."

Shania breathed heavily. She had made up her mind to do the contest with or without her mother's permission.

She had spent almost all her life for her family, and they weren't satisfied yet.

She won't put an end to one of her biggest dreams.

No!

Even if she would, it would never be for her family.

She must have fought a good fight before she would give up.

"Now, Shania, I want you to know that you have my support."

Her mother's voice pulled her out from her thoughts.

Shania gasped, tilting her head.

Her narrowed pupils glanced at her mom as if it wasn't true.

It wasn't happening, was it?

The opportunity she had been waiting for was here.

She was going to live her life and dreams with support again.

"On the condition that you won't let me down."

To Shania, this didn't seem like a condition.

It was a dream come true.

She had never let anyone down, why would she now?

"I promise you, mom. I won't let you regret this."

"Thank you, mom."

She ran, tears trickling on her young face, into her mom's arms for a hug that lasted for a long time.