The Morrow's Yesterday

Chapter 4: Is this Really Home?

Chrysan’ POV

I was walking like a zombie when we decided to say goodbye to each other. We came from different areas here in Canada. That’s why I’m so glad that they manage to go here to Velvaduera― where I finally live right now. It is frustrating to think that after all the fun I’ve had earlier, any minute from now, I need to deal with the reality.

It's like waking up from a fantasy dream.

“I’m home,” I mumbled as soon as I step inside the house.

I haven’t even taken off my shoes when a huge palm land on my face. I stiffened. I couldn’t move as if I was frozen where I’m standing right now. I could feel how my cheek turned numb from that slap. I bit my lower lip to prevent myself from crying., but it was no use, tears started rolling down my cheeks. Even though I played this scenario over and over again in my head, it still hurts. Having your father slapping you as if I’m just an animal.

Why?

That’s the only question I have right now. Why do they need to do this? Why are they like that? Why?! Why? Do I deserve to be treated like this? I’m tired of pleasing people.

“Where are your respect, Chrysanthemum, huh? I didn’t raise you like that! Rudely answering your father?!” Dad thundered referring to our conversation earlier.

I flinched and closed my eyes― for me to not see his stormy face. I want to cry even more. I want to scream but I know I couldn’t. Aside from myself, I know I had no one. My mom’s mentally ill. My dad hates me. Uncle Samson is always busy. My friends are far away from me. I want to go to the afterlife― to end this pain, to end my sufferings. But at the same time, I also don’t want to. I want to live. I want to feel happy. I want to feel those butterflies.

“I’m sorry.” Two words that I’m tired of saying over and over again. I’ll always say sorry― even if I don’t need to. It doesn’t matter. Dad says; when something doesn’t go right, it’s my fault. It’s always my fault.

“Go to your mom. She’s in the kitchen,” Dad ordered and huffed. I was about to go where mom is, when he suddenly added in his sentence, making me breathe heavily.

“Remember, Chrysanthemum, you’re mine. You’re ours. No one can own you― only us, understood?” Dad said in an authoritative voice.

There’s a deep silence that enveloped us before I answered him while not moving from the place I’ve been since I arrived here. My hands were shaking uncontrollably, so as my lips and knees.

“Yes,” I answered lifelessly and walked away from him.

I didn’t bother to wipe the tears on my cheeks and go straight ahead in the kitchen, where Mom was. I was greeted by different kinds of food as if there was a feast or an achievement that needs to be celebrated. A lady with short black hair approached me, she was wearing her favorite green apron with a spatula in her right hand.

“How are you, sweetie?” she asked me while having a gentle smile on her face. I didn’t bother to respond and just sit on one of the seats here.

“Oh, I see. Adrian gave you your reward already?” Mom asked once again while keeping that annoying smile on her face.

“Yeah,” I mumbled and started to scoop up the rice with a bunch of pills and supplements in it.

Mom giggled because of my answer. “Oh, my! I’m sorry, dear. I saw your room was empty so I just called the security,” she said while still giggling.

That’s their routine here. Mom will check on me from time to time, and if she didn’t see me, she will automatically call Dad. Is that teamwork? Corny.

“Go on and eat. You need to take your meds after this,” she grinned.

I was just staring lifelessly at her heterochromia eyes. One of her pupils is violet, while the other one is blue. Unfortunately, I inherited it. Every time I remember all of the things that they did to me, I despise my eyes even more.

People even called me a monster because of these eyes.

“You’re so pretty, sweetie. You’re really my daughter,” Mom mesmerizing said while combing my long and silky black hair. I didn’t respond to her and just continue eating.

“If anything gets worse, it’s your fault,” she whispered exactly right behind my right ear, making me stunned and my body starts shivering. I unconsciously dropped my spoon and just stared directly at nowhere.

There it is again. The hypnotizing sweet voice of my dear mother.

“It’s for your own safety, sweetie. Blame everything on yourself. It makes you stronger,” she whispered once again but this time, it’s on my left ear.

I couldn’t move. I can’t move my lips either! As if I was under a spell of my own mother. I can’t oppose, I can’t do anything.

“I’m worthless, I’m powerless, I don’t deserve to live,” I unconsciously whispered while still staring at the air.

I heard her soft chuckle because of what I said. “That’s right, sweetie. That’s right. You’re doing well. Mommy’s proud of you,” she said in a gentle voice and suddenly let out an evil laugh.

That’s the moment I was awakened from the curse of my mom. I can move freely again and I’m in my usual self. I stood up without saying anything, making my mother gasp.

“You’re not my sweetie! My sweetie won’t oppose her mommy!” she whined like a child and started crying.

I just looked at her, emotionlessly. I was about to exit the kitchen when the huge figure of my dad blocked my way. He was staring directly at me, without any trace of emotion. Like me, he’s like a living dead.

“It’s almost time for your medication, Chrysanthemum. Where do you think you’re going?” he asked in a monotone voice.

“I’m going to bed,” I politely answered while looking at him.

I needed to lift my head a little bit just to look directly into his bright diamond eyes. I was just staring at him for a couple of minutes when his facial expression suddenly changed. From emotionless to a glimpse of amazement was painted.

“Flora, you see what did I see, do you?” Dad suddenly asked Mom who already stopped crying, while sticking his gaze on me.

“Na-ah! But I think Fauna did!” she exclaimed. Any second. her expression changed. Her face became more serious than her normal one.

“I saw it too, Adrian,” Mom answered Dad while having a grin on her face.

I have two moms. First, is Flora and the second one is Fauna. Flora is the childish one, while Fauna is the manipulative type. She has bipolar disorder. That’s why Dad fell in love with her because she’s her.

Weird.

“How did it happen? How did her eyes suddenly change colors?!” Dad exclaimed while looking at me directly.

My eyes widened because of what he said. My eyes did what?!

“It looks exactly like yours. Maybe her body finally accepted it? Remember the mouse?” Mom whispered to Dad. He nodded multiple times as a response.

It? Mouse? What the heck are they talking about?!

I looked at them every time they exchanged some sort of alien language. I can’t understand what they’re talking about! My eyes changed its colors? How? I mean, which eye? My eyes already have two colors and they changed into different ones?

“Do you think it’s successful? Your experiment is successful?” Mom asked in a hyper voice.

Dad puts his hand under his chin and starts thinking deeply. “After 18 years, why now?” he whispered.

“We’re getting rich!” Mom exclaimed and jumped like a kid while clinging to Dad’s arms.

I’m full of questions. All I need is answers. Who am I? I’m tired of living in a home that’s full of secrets.

Or… Is this really home?