Ruby remained silent, feeling a slight discomfort. She didn’t ask for much in life, just one simple wish.
Three meals a day, with family, sharing warm food together.
She remRued, as a child, handing her exam papers to her mother, hoping she would pat her head and offer praise. She imagined her father lifting her onto his shoulders for a stroll. But she rarely saw her father, and the idea of the three of them sharing a meal felt like an impossible dream.
On the rare occasions he did come home, her mother would wake up early, prepare an elaborate meal, only for them to end up arguing halfway through dinner. Ruby’s bowl would be shattered on the floor before she could finish it.
After every argument, her father would leave, and all that remained was the chaos, her mother’s tears, and the
