Her Destined Ride — Chapter 19: HER STORY

Sunny's POV

"These are your worksheets," My mom smiled as she carefully placed the papers on the dining table. I shifted my gaze on her face and to the papers.

I noticed that she handwritten all of it. I have five worksheets and it has numbers from front cover to back. Did she really sleep last night? It's like she did all of the work herself all night long. I noticed that her eyes were a bit red.

"Mom, you don't have to do this,"

"Don't complain. After all, it is for you. I already asked Mr. Athkinson that I will be taking my two days off. I thought it would be good for me to teach you on my rest day. I don't want to miss this moment."

I looked at her and she's really serious. I swallowed when I realized that I am keeping her my secret of going to the library to learn all by myself. Now, it felt really awkward to hear it from her. Wow, she will be teaching me for the first time, if ever.

"Thank you so much mom. I appreciate it."

"I want you to start answering this for me." I looked at her and she looked very happy in teaching me step by step. I never thought that mom could be this patient in teaching me how to add simple numbers and subtracting them as well. She's better than Miss Marlyn in teaching me the step-by-step way on how to do everything. However, Miss Marlyn is more patient compared to mom. She is teaching me in the calmest way possible. While mom? She's easily irritated when I commit little mistakes. She would repeat all the process again. For me, she's taking too much time doing it.

"How was it?"

"It's all clear to me. Thank you mom." She smiled as she sighed with relief. She looked accomplished when she heard my answer.

"It is my obligation. Now, I want you to recite what you have learned from tenths to hundredths."

"T-tenths to hundredths?"

"Are you deaf? Do it." I nodded and followed her right away. If I won't do it, she will surely get angry at me for not trying my very best at it.

I admit, for more than three hours straight of her, teaching me, I appreciate her presence. I suddenly regret hating her too much several days ago. Knowing that I was not enrolled even in a primary school and not knowing a lot about reading, numbers and the basics of learning shook my past world.

I realized if I will be back to the year 2020 again, this year is one of the bittersweet memories I will bring with me. Of course, nobody wanted to become illiterate or a non-reader. Even in this year alone, people are trying to be educated as much as possible. I could see many children dressed in fancy vintage dresses and colorful hats. They bring their slingbags with them as they walk their way to school. Others take a bike, especially men.

I sighed as I continue answering my own worksheet. I glanced at mom who is busy cooking in the kitchen. I couldn't help but smile because she's cooking fried chicken. When I checked on her, she turned her back to see me, too.

"Are you done with your worksheets?"

"Almost, mom. I am just checking what you're cooking for lunch." I said as I glanced at our wallclock. It is already half past one in the afternoon. We'll be having our late lunch this time.

"Well, I am cooking one of your favorite foods. Mashed potatoes, the way you liked it." My eyes glistened as I heard mashed potatoes. Yeah, she's right. I really wanted this food more than anything. It is because of its rich, milky flavor and the fact that it is soft to eat.

"Thank you mom!" I almost clapped my hands. I could see that she's also happy with my reaction.

"You better finish everything and in ten minutes, we'll be eating lunch."

"Yes mom! I will finish all the remaining worksheets."

I returned to my worksheets and answered all the remaining items in a flash. Being excited to eat at lunch prepared by mom is the best feeling, so far. I never thought I'll get happier like what I am feeling now. How I wish mom will always have a day off for us both to bond like this.

Two days off ended like a flash. The day after tomorrow came and mom has to work again for the both of us.

"Will you be okay here?"

"Yes mom. I will. Please take care as you go to work."

"Of course I will. Don't you ever dare go outside. Please follow me and what I want you to do. Staying outdoors is very risky. You never knew what some people will do to you..."

'I hope you can tell that to Mr. John,' I just kept the last words to myself.

"Yes, mom. I will. Please take care."

"You cook stewed meat and vegetables again before seven in the evening. Wait for me and we'll both eat for dinner."

"Yes, mom." As soon as I was sure that she's far from my sight, I started getting ready to go to the library. I looked at my left and right side of the road as I rushed to the heart of town where the library is. It's a seven-minute walk from our house. When I arrived at the library, Ms. Marlyn almost hugged me tight. I also saw Tyler stood behind her.

"Hey! You're back! You're two days late!" Tyler said. I couldn't help but giggle as I poked his arm with my fist.

"Long story," I smiled. We all sat on one of the vacant tables. I told them everything that happened and they all looked at me with happy faces.

"Wow! I do believe in miracles now!"

"Silly! Do you think that's a bit too much? Of course, she's her mom. She will always think of what's best for Sunny."

"Not really," I frowned as I cut what Ms. Marlyn had to say. She kept quiet and listened to me instead.

"I have to say it because not all of her decisions would benefit me sometimes."

"I'm so sorry to hear that, dear."

"Don't mind it, Ms. Marlyn. I guess it's just normal. It happened that I got this kind of family."

"Hmm, won't you mind if I ask about your father? Where is he, by the way?"

"Well, my mom didn't mention him much to me. All I know is, they were already separated when I was five years old."

"I am so sorry to hear that from you, dear." Ms. Marlyn said.

"No, miss. It's fine. People would eventually ask questions like that from me, anyway. It's okay." I slightly smiled as she tapped my arm gently while looking into my eyes.

I could see their faces full of gloom. Funny how other people became sad for me but my own mom can't.

"I guess that's also one of the reasons why she didn't mind me much at all. She preferred working hard for her to forget him I guess? I really don't know."

"We're very sorry to ask about that. How about rereading the previous lessons you have missed? Let me guide you again." Tyler said as he smiled at me while handling the book that contains basic, simple words to remember. I nodded as I smiled at him. If he is very willing to help me read, who am I to refuse? I will always say yes to a handsome and thoughtful personal tutor.

"Yes, let's cope up all the lost times you have missed for two days."