A Painful Struggle of A Kid Through Life.
'Baby, you've got to remember what I say alright? Remember that I love you always.'
Armed with her luggage full of her stuff, mom walked out of our lives. She never did came back. That was 11 years back- when I was nine years of age.
I am now 20. I came from a very happy and wealthy family. My dad was one of the richest man in the country and owns a mansion full of nothing but the finest antiques, furniture, arts etc that can never be found anywhere. My mom and dad got married and were the happiest couple. They had me a year later and there and then, I was their very own pampered, most precious only child. When I was six, mom and dad threw me the biggest party ever- cakes and pastries from the finest bakery in town, presents which were worth at least $1,000 and my childhood friends. At that age, I practically had everything and anything I wanted- beautiful dresses, toys, dolls, shoes, hairbands and much more. I felt as if I was on top of the world and thought that everything was perfect.
Little did I know that things would change. I was six, wasn't I?
Dad's business started to screw things up. His secretary used up most of the money they had and was left with less than one third the amount the business had. Soon, dad had to liquidate his company. He was only left with the mansion, a little money from his savings and us- mom and I. He couldn't accept the fact that he lost his source of fortune. Depression hit him and soon after that, he ended up in bars and clubs consuming alcohol. He even took drugs. Drug and alcohol addict, he became. It became a habit. Not long after that, everything was gone- his savings and the mansion. We then stayed in Aunt Lily's abandoned flat for shelter.
Mom had to advise him to stop but dad brushed-off mom's support and advices and continued his habits. Mom's efforts were of no use.
Mom went job-hunting and after a few days, she got a job as a waitress in a restaurant. They paid her quite well. Some customers even gave her tips for her good service. Years came, years past; yet mom and I stayed strong and continued trying to support dad. Everything went well until dad found out that mom had money. He took all the cash she had and used it for his beers and drugs. That went on for months and soon, no money was left for us. The hopes of me going to school crushed just like that. Mom couldn't take it anymore. It was too much pain and suffering for her to bear with.
She filed a divorce with dad with the help of Aunt Lily and had it signed. Dad didn't agree with it but with the evidence and proof they had, he was forced to sign the paper. He had custody of me though. Mom teared. Mom knew how much pain and suffering i would have to go through in years to come if I stayed with dad. At that point of time, I was still clueless about merely anything.
'Baby, you've got to remember what I say alright? Remember that I love you always,' mom said.
Armed with her luggage full of her stuff, mommy walked out of our lives. She never did come back.

I stayed with dad and yes, I didn't have a good life. Dad forced me to work and I didn't attend school for years. As usual, dad would take all the money i earned and use it all up on his alcohol. Aunt Lily knew all that was happening. Out of sympathy, Aunt Lily quietly paid my fees and sent me to school. Dad knew nothing about it.
I did that almost everyday for years and soon, I found myself graduating from high school. During graduation day, mom came. Full of tears of joy, I hugged her tightly knowing that she's back.
'Honey, I'm so proud of you. You've finally graduated! Look at you. All grown up now.'
'Mom, I'm so glad you're back! How did you know I'm graduating today? You're back for good, aren't you?'
I was filled with questions.
'Aunt Lily told me you were graduating today. She always keeps me updated about your life. I knew you would make it. Umm, I'm sorry sweetie. I'm not back for good.'
I was shocked. Why? Why wasn't she back for good? Didn't she miss me? Didn't she know how much pain and suffering I went through?
'But. But why mom?'
'I have a family now. Here, this is Iva. She's my daughter. Iva, meet my daughter, Ally. She's the one i was telling you about.'
She showed me her daughter. Iva said hi to me and ran off to her dad. I saw them- mom's new family. They looked so happy, much happier than I was with mom and dad before. I was devastated. I paused for a moment, almost breaking into tears.
'Umm, mom. She's beautiful. How old is she?'
'She's nine, sweetie.'
Nine. Yes, nine- when mom walked out of our lives and never did came back until now.
'Mom, I'm glad you've found a new family.'
Indeed I was happy for her, but I was crushed at the same time. I wasn't her pampered, most precious child anymore. There was someone else- Iva.
'Thanks, sweetie. Ally, you shouldn't stay with dad anymore. Come, stay with me. My husband and I had discussed it over and he agreed to it. He definately would be happy to have you around us. Iva would too.'
What? Stay with mom and her new family? That wouldn't be very nice, would it? I paused again.
'What about dad?'
'We'll send to the drugs and alcohol rehab centre. He needs help.'
'I know mom, but he needs someone to support him. If I stay with you, I won't be there for him.'
'Who said you won't be? We'll always come back together and visit him there.'
'Really mom? Alright, I'll stay with you.'
We hugged. I smiled, mom smiled too. I knew deep down, I will be that pampered child again. And yes, I will be happy.

-THE END-
[ Please be informed that this is NOT a true story. It is all made up. ]
Written by JOCELYN LEONG YEN FEN.
Copyrighted Copy.
. Jocelyn ♥