Once Yours

07

Ok, take care," she answered and continued preparing herself, staring at herself in the mirror. She looked at her small face, glass-like skin, almond-shaped eyes, prominent nose, and her pinkish lips. At her age, no one believed her when she told them that she was 24 years old. She could pass as a 16-year-old with her innocent looks. ”Mara!" her mother's voice caught her attention, and she proceeded to wear her uniform. "You will be late. It's already 8:20," her mother said loudly.

"Yes, ma, almost done," she answered, picked up her bag and books, turned off the lights, and left her room. "What about you, Ma?" she asked while going down the stairs.

She saw her mother in her teacher's uniform. "Who will be with Dad?" she asked while putting on her shoes.

"We're waiting with your uncle Pete. He is on his way here. He will go with your dad to the hospital for therapy.

"I'm going, Dad," she said, kissing her dad on his forehead, then turned to her mother. "I'll go, Ma. Take care on your way to school," she said as she walked. "Love you both," she blew them a kiss and left.

"No sign of rain, thank God," she whispered to herself. She was thankful because she needed a three-minute walk to reach the taxi stand. She prepared for sunny weather because of her uniform. She reached the taxi stand and got lucky to find an available cab to send her to school. "Hello, Austin University, please," she said and put her books beside her to fix her hair. It would take 30 minutes to reach the school, so she decided to put on her earphones and listen to music.

"And baby, you're all that I need when you're lying here in my arms," the music played. "I'm finding it hard to believe we're in heaven." She remembered all of a sudden those groups of students she encountered yesterday and silently prayed they wouldn't cross paths again. She reached the closed street, got out of the taxi, and walked to reach the university while listening to music.