CHAPTER 2 — The Words That Broke Her

Ariana woke up with the same heavy feeling in her chest. She felt tired even before standing. She looked in the mirror and saw a girl who wanted more from life but did not know how to get it. She blamed her mother again. She whispered to herself, “Why is everything so hard for us?” She walked out of her room with a cold face. Linda stood in the kitchen with a soft smile. Her hands moved slowly. She said in a gentle voice, “Good morning, sweetheart.” Ariana did not reply. She only nodded and sat down.

Linda placed a plate in front of her. Ariana looked at it and sighed loudly. She said, “This again? Why can’t we have anything nice?” Linda held her breath for a second. She said softly, “I am trying my best, Ari.” Ariana pushed the plate a little and said, “Your best is never enough.” Linda’s eyes filled with pain, but she looked away. She whispered, “I am sorry you feel like that.” Ariana felt anger rise again. She said, “You always say sorry. But nothing changes.”

Linda sat down on a small chair. She looked tired. She rubbed her forehead. She said, “Ari, please talk to me with love today.” Ariana looked at her and said, “I do not have love right now. I am tired of everything.” Linda placed her hand on Ariana’s arm gently and said, “My child, I know you are hurting. I want to help you.” Ariana moved her arm away. She said, “You cannot help me. You never could.”

Linda’s face fell. Her lips shook. She said, “Do not say that. It hurts me.” Ariana stood up and said, “I say it because it is true.” Linda looked at her daughter with eyes that carried years of silent sacrifice. She whispered, “I have given you everything I could.” Ariana replied, “Well, it was not enough.” Those words cut deep. Linda lowered her head. Tears filled her eyes, but she blinked them away quickly. She said, “Okay, Ari. I understand.” But her voice was breaking.

Ariana walked out of the room, but a guilt she didn’t understand followed her. She sat on the couch with her arms crossed. Linda walked to her slowly, holding a small towel. She said softly, “I packed your lunch. Please do not forget it.” Ariana looked away and said, “I am not hungry.” Linda stood still for a moment. Then she whispered, “I wish I could make your life easy.” Ariana looked at her mother and said, “Then try harder.” Linda closed her eyes in pain. She whispered, “Ari… I am doing everything.” Ariana answered, “Well, it does not feel like it.”

Linda walked back to the kitchen. She held the counter to keep herself steady. Her hands were shaking. She whispered to herself, “Why does she hate me? What did I do wrong?” She wiped her tears fast when she heard Ariana walking back. Ariana came into the room and saw her mother’s red eyes. Instead of feeling soft, she felt irritated. She said, “Are you crying again?” Linda said, “No, sweetheart. My eyes are just tired.” Ariana said, “You say that every time.” Linda looked at her daughter slowly. She said, “I cry because I love you. But you do not see me.”

Ariana felt something sting her heart, but she pushed it away. She said, “You make everything dramatic.” Linda stepped back as if the words hit her. She whispered, “I am sorry you think that.” Ariana picked up her bag and said, “I have to go.” Linda said softly, “Please be safe today.” Ariana opened the door and said, “I always am. You do not need to worry so much.” Linda bit her lip. She whispered, “I cannot stop. You are the only person I have.”

Ariana walked a few steps, then turned back for a second. She saw her mother standing alone in the doorway. Linda looked small. She looked fragile. She looked like she was fighting her own body. Ariana felt a tiny crack inside her heart. But she did not return. She simply walked away. Linda closed the door slowly. Her hands trembled. She whispered to the empty room, “I hope she finds peace.”

When Ariana returned in the evening, Linda was sitting in the corner with a small blanket around her shoulders. She stood when Ariana entered. She said, “How was your day?” Ariana replied, “It was fine.” Linda tried to smile. She said, “I kept food for you. Please eat something.” Ariana said, “Later.” Linda nodded. She whispered, “Ari… can you sit with me for five minutes?” Ariana looked at her mother’s soft face. She looked at her thin hands. She felt something move in her chest again. But she said, “Not now. I am tired.”

Linda sat down again. She whispered, “I miss you. You live with me, but you are far from me.” Ariana looked at her and said, “Please stop saying that.” Linda said, “I only want to talk to you.” Ariana replied, “I do not want to talk.” Linda lowered her eyes. She whispered, “Okay, sweetheart.” Ariana walked to her room. She shut the door. She sat on the floor. She felt angry. She felt lost. She felt empty. She whispered to herself, “Why do I say such things? Why can’t I stop?”

Linda sat in the other room. She held her chest. Her breathing was slow. She whispered to herself, “I hope she does not regret.” She wiped her tears again. She closed her eyes. She whispered, “God, keep my child safe. She is all I have.”

Both of them sat alone. Both were hurting. But neither knew how close they were to a moment that would change everything.