Once Yours

06

Why do you look like that?" their father broke the silence and asked, looking at Mara.

"This morning, it was raining heavily, Dad. I got out of the cab, and a fast car passed by me, and this happened," Mara answered, looking at her clothes and then continuing to eat.

"Did the driver stop to apologize?" their father asked again.

"Unfortunately, no," she answered. "I'm fine, by the way. Nothing happened except that my clothes are dirty," she added and continued eating.

"Go change your clothes, Mara, and rest," her mother said while cleaning up the table with Lara. "You also go upstairs, Lara," her mother added.

"I'll wash the dishes and go upstairs, Ma," Mara replied, then started washing the plates.

"Ma, who will bring Dad to the hospital tomorrow for his check-up?" Mara asked her mother, who was now wiping the table.

"The therapist will come in the morning," her mother answered. "So, I think he doesn't have to be in the hospital today. But if necessary, I will send him with your Uncle," her mother added.

"I hope Dad will get better soon," Mara answered while putting the last plate that she washed on the rack.

"I am going up, Ma," said Mara. "Good night," she added. "Dad, good night," Mara shouted and went straight to their room. She didn't get the chance to hear her father’s reply to her goodnight.

She went straight to the bathroom as soon as she reached her room. She looked in the mirror and talked to herself. "You're pretty," she told herself. "I know," she answered, then smiled and went to shower. After the shower, she went downstairs to put her dirty uniform in the washing machine because she only had three pairs. Then she went upstairs and prepared to sleep.

"Beep, beep, beep." A loud buzzing of an alarm woke Mara. She reached for the alarm on her left side and switched it off. She stayed in bed for two minutes before getting up. She didn't want to be late for school. She went straight to the bathroom and took a shower.

She was in front of the mirror when Lara knocked on her door. "I’ll go first, I’ll be late," Lara said.