DAY'S DESTINY: ZOYA'S CHAPTER

CHAPTER 18 – HOME

                The 5-hours’ drive home was quiet but inside my mind and heart is a turmoil. It always had been like this whenever I’m on my way home because I am always scared of what I would find or what I would see. However, all I could do is keep going because I am Day’s mother. The gods and my family know that I can’t always mentally handle watching Day and they all have been very considerate of it but I know that I have to overcome it somehow. Zyla had explained it once in an attempt to comfort me months ago. The way I bore Day was not normal if compared to all species of the supernatural world. All expecting mothers, no matter what species she is, would always have months to prepare herself and also bond with the child inside her body, forming that special connection between a mother and child. Zyla explained that my jumbled emotions are all normal considering the circumstances of Day’s birth. I was heartbroken (because of Josh), scared and confused when I found out that I was pregnant then what followed was the tragic roller coaster that led to the present. The explanation is head-on but it cannot change the fact that I am a coward in so many ways.

                A lot has changed this year, one those changes is Day and mine’s moving out of the family house or rather my parent’s house after my own house was built but I still kept it close to my parent’s house since when I’m out on missions, my parents or one of my siblings or Abigail would watch Day. This is kind of like the perks of having a very caring family. When I arrived in town, I drove straight to my house and just mindlinked my parents that I had arrived. Zyla is not around this time, she’s probably somewhere with her research. Zane and Abigail are off to their city for work and missions so the only ones home are my parents as always. My father is still involved with the pack in the absence of my Alpha brother while my mother had went from an all-around doctor to only managing the hospital at the moment, she insisted it had something to do with her supposed human age but I know that a big part of her reason from withdrawing from being a hands-on doctor owner of the hospital is so that she could get all the time that she needs to take care of Day. My mother never really stopped being a mother even if she is the grandmother this time.

                When I arrived in front of my Victorian house, I hesitated outside the entrance of the house but went in after a deep breath. The house is quiet as always but it’s filled with my mother’s scent. There’s also the strong smell of curry which means that my beautiful and kind mother is in the kitchen. Before I could go straight to the kitchen, I received a message from one of my packmates that I usually go to missions with and I grimaced at the message. It seems that mom had found out about the attack at the hotel. It’s eventually fine to her if I was the one attacking and ambushing but when the rogues take the offensive side, it’s a “near death” experience for my dear mother.

“Mom?” I called out when I got near the kitchen.

                 When I saw her, her back was facing me as she busied herself with the curry she is cooking but she’s my mother. As a naughty child before, I became good at reading my mother’s mood and this time, she’s probably a bit angry because of the earlier incident.

"Mom don't be angry. I'm alright aren't I?" I assured her as I removed my jacket and approached her.

"You silly child. I know you're strong but don't take it too far. I don't want to be the annoying mother who still nags at you at your age but I'm your mother, I worry." Mom answered as she finally turned around after a sigh.

"Mom, have you forgotten that I'm also already a mother. I don't honestly experience the works of being a mother but I feel it. I worry about Day every single second."

"Then just stay Zoya. You know as well as I do that your brother and Abigail can handle those rogues by themselves. We’re only cleaning up the remains of the Raw Blood, there’s nothing else that major to handle anymore. Zoya I'm already finding this unfair for Day that you're running away like this, making those rogues an excuse. Zoya don't be despicable. I'm sorry but I have to say these words to wake you up. "

                I could not help but feel my heart tighten and this only means that my mother is very right. However, a year of running away has given me enough time to think and get ready to be a real mother from now on.

“I know mom. It’s just a bit hard for me back then and even now but I’m here to stay. I promise.” I said and mom hugged me.

“I hope so darling. I really hope so because you are Day’s only parent.”

                I thought about Josh and our meeting earlier, falling into a deep thought. It’s something that I somehow found myself doing these past few days. When I came back from the world of my thoughts, mom was already gone. I barely remember her reminder to eat before she left but I want to see Day first. I left the kitchen and took the stairs to go upstairs towards Day’s room. I forgot how we assumed that Day would like lavender but most of the stuff in her bedroom, her linens, pillows, blankets, the furnitures and even the rug is colored lavender. Her room is basically a lavender world. The only sad thing about it is that it’s decorated for child, not for a toddler.

“Hi sweetie.” I greeted quietly as I approached the bed where a beautiful child is sleeping.

                I sat down on the bed and leaned down to kiss Day’s forehead, she even smells like lavender. I looked at her properly and realized that she haven’t changed that much since I last saw her, only a bit but even this kind of news is similar to taking home victory.