16 Years Away

My name is Kalien Silva Maldonado I hate Mikhail Volkov ever since he made my life hell in preschool till 1st grade. He would always bully me, purposely pushing making me fall making me get stitches leaving scars till this day. I've lost count how many times i've went to the hospital because of him minusing the fact i have Arrhythmias ever since i was born that would get even worse when I was around him. After 1st grade my parents decided to move to California, it's been 16 years since my parents moved i'm now 23 in Berkeley University studying Architecture. I've decided to transfer schools to MIT (Massachusetts Institute of Technology) after a group of classmates threatened my life, I haven't told anyone even my family I haven't said anything. I told my parents and my siblings that i'm transferring schools a few weeks ago moving my belongings out and shipping it off to Massachusetts. Today was the day I move out, grabbing my suitcase and my carry-on walking downstairs to meet my family in the living room. "Mother father" I said smiling slightly My parents and siblings look back at me with teary eyes. "Baby" my mother cried running to my arms hugging tightly "Mamá" I exclaimed "I can't breathe" She looseness the hug a bit before saying "I'm going to miss you" "I know, so will I but i'm going to visit during breaks I only have 2-3 years left plus you guys are taking me to the airport so you didn't have to say goodbye yet" My father and siblings walk towards us, I just smile slightly. "I'm going to miss you guys too" I let go from my mother's hug but was quickly embraced by my little sister "aww" i started getting a bit teary, kissing her hair "I don't want you to leave" she mumbled I look up to my parents and older brother with a sad smile smoothing my sister's hair softly "I'll be back before you know it, it's going to be okay. I'll call every day okay" "You promise" she looks up at me with sad eyes "I promise" i lift up my pinky finger and she slowly took my pinky with hers agreeing "okay then let me hug dad and Marco" I embraced my father and then lastly my older brother. He whispered in my ear so only i can hear. "I saw you the day you said that you were going to come home late, i know something happened but I respect you're decision of leaving but just remember i'm here" My eyes widened not expecting that he saw me that day. I smiled to ack like nothing happened but i kept looking towards him even after we stopped hugging, scared that he'll find out what actually happened. My mother took me out of my head calling my name. "Let's go before you're late to your flight" I nod agreeing. Looking at my brother again before I walk to the car them accompanying me to the airport. The drive was filled with laughter and talking but I mostly stayed quiet still thinking about how my brother knows something but I don't know how much he knows. I kept glancing at him like if that would give me an answer. Each time i would look he would catch me looking at me with a knowing face. After a while we got to the airport, I grabbed my suitcase from the truck dragging it with me to the entrance but before I leave i turn around facing my family with sad smile. "Come" i gestured them to hugging me a tear slipped out They all embraced me in a big hug like they didn't what me to leave and even more tears slipped. I felt my condition getting triggered by my emotions. It used to be stable before until my classmates threatened my life it has gotten worse and unstable again just like when I a little girl. "Marco" i plead needing some air to calm down Marco quickly noticed and pushed my parents and sister away holding me steady "shh it's okay, it's okay" he caressed my hair to calm me down. My parents just look at us then to each other worried for me it's been a long time since that has happened. After a few minutes I calmed down holding my brother shoulders to stabilize myself. "Thank you" i whispered taking a deep breath "well i have to go now, i'll see guys soon enough" I look at each of them, lastly looking at my brother biting my inner cheek suppressing my emotions. I look away waving blowing kisses. Walking away slowly inside the airport I looked back one last time before continuing to walk looking for my plane. Few minutes later I find my plane looking at the time realizing that there's 30 minutes until boarding. Sitting down waiting I decided to distract myself by playing a game in my phone. "Passengers gate A53 will now be boarding" a lady spoke in the speakers Realizing that it's my gate I get up with my suitcase and carry-on walking towards gate showing my plane ticket before entering. Taking a deep breath meanwhile I find my seat finding shortly putting my luggage away before sitting down. Hours have passed we are almost at the destination of my past childhood. There were good and bad memories but it was mostly bad especially since Mikhail was the cause of most of them. I hoped to myself that he had moved long ago so I wouldn't have to see him ever. My thoughts got interrupted by the pilot announcing that we have landed. Passengers slowly grab there luggage leaving the plane while I just wait patiently taking advantage for the time to order an uber. After waiting for an Uber for 15 minutes she finally arrived I hoped into the car looking out the window remembering all the memories that i have of being in Massachusetts. Smiling slightly looking at the new and old buildings that we're passing through. 45 minutes have passed and i'm almost there in my childhood home, a home that was pass through generations.