The Offer

I stared at the kitchen clock that was placed on the wall on my left side. I can hear the tic-tac of the second hand. I always wondered why time is so long when you want it to be short and so short when you want it to be longer. Time is so short for me. I'm 23 now, and I couldn't believe it. I still have no boyfriend since birth. How unfortunate!

Why am I so dramatic? Will this happen to people whose lives are very boring? How crazy! I laughed at that thought.

I stood up suddenly, and it made my mom jump from her chair. I saw her eyes widen in shock. I looked at her with questioning eyes.

"Why did you suddenly stand up?" my mom said, irritated and continuing to eat. I shrugged and responded, "I just had a random thought that made me laugh." My mother rolled her eyes and returned to her meal, evidently uninterested in my musings.

I went back from sitting and just stared at my food. I suddenly lost my appetite. I looked at my mom, who is eating without a care in the world, and just watched some videos on YouTube. I smiled bitterly. She really didn't care about me or the people around her. That's why my father left us when I was still a kid. Yes, I came from a broken family.

I got up again from sitting and left the kitchen. I didn't even see her looking my way. Well, I'm used to not being cared for and loved. When I was a kid, I never leaned on her when I had problems. Ever since the first time I told her my problems, she hasn't shown any interest at all. All I have is my dad, but he left us. So, since then, I have learned how to build up my walls to protect myself. I became independent. I don't have anyone besides myself. That's why, until now, I still didn't have a boyfriend. I don't have any experience in such relationships. I really want to experience it, but I have trust issues. And also, boys are intimidated by me. They can't get close to me because they think I'll ignore them if they say 'hi'. I'm not that rude. They judged me by how I looked at them. They thought I was going to eat them. My friends said that I'm scary. Well, it's okay. You see, I don't like cowardly men.

I went to my room and jumped on my bed. Tomorrow is my college graduation, and I think I'll go alone again. I sighed. Of course, you'll go alone again, Alexandra. When did your mother or father attend the special moment of your life? I looked at the picture frame on my bedside table and smiled sadly. I didn't realize that my face was wet from my tears. I wiped it with my hands. I took the picture frame from my bedside table. I couldn't stop my tears from falling. This is our first family picture. I miss this. I was one year old here. My father left us when I was 7 years old. He endured my mom's attitude for 6 years just for my sake. I never blamed him when he left us. Even if I'm used to my mom's attitude, it still hurts me. As I flashback all those memories, I don't realize that I'm already drifting off to sleep thinking of my sad past.

Time flew by so fast, and here comes my graduation. I will be the next graduate to come on stage. I'm still looking in the crowd for someone. I know it's useless to think of her coming because it's impossible, but I'm still hoping here. Maybe she'll have a change of heart. This is my last graduation in my life, and I thought she'd come.

How stupid of me! Why do I always hope for nothing? I sighed. I'm stupid for being disappointed. How can you still hope for that, Alexandra?

"Martyr, Alexandra"

That darn last name again! Tch. I walk to the stage and receive my diploma. I forced a smile and looked at the crowd, clapping their hands for the graduates. I wish my mom was there. I sighed again.

Then suddenly, I saw a woman in the crowd who's shining—literally shining! Wait, am I seeing this right? I rubbed my eyes and looked at the woman again. I saw her smiling at me and waving her hands at me. Am I hallucinating?

I'm going to check if what I just saw is true. I walked down the stage quickly and went to the crowd to see if that woman was really there. I looked for her in every corner, but to my disappointment, I did not see her. I guess I was just hallucinating back there. I sighed for the third time today. I'll just go home. I'm not interested in joining the graduation song now, and besides, I already received my diploma. There's nothing for me there. My mom really didn't show up. What a sad life!

I was walking towards the gate when I saw the shining woman near the gate, smiling at me, and gestured to come to her. This is not my imagination, right? I stopped walking and I rubbed my eyes again. That woman is still there! I'm actually looking at the shining woman back there!

"Come, Alexandra."

Her voice sent shivers down my spine. What's in her voice? It's like I'm hearing it from a goddess. Well, she really is like a goddess. With long, wavy, blonde hair, blue eyes, and flawless skin, who wouldn't mistake her as a goddess? And the fact that she's literally glowing!

"Who are you, Miss? Why do you know my name?" And now my trust issues are acting up again.

She sweetly smiled before answering me. "I am Adara. I know who you are, Alexandra. From your strengths down to your weaknesses, what you need, and what you want in your life, I know it all. I'm here to give you an offer."

My eyes widen in shock. I was speechless. I felt a lot of mixed emotions right now. Her answer gave me goosebumps and I feel scared at this moment. What's her offer?