Ruins of Our Love #wattys2015

Chapter 41

"Hello, mum, daddy," I greet them politely.

"Aww, honey. I'm so glad you're awake," my mother says warmly while hugging me. My father pats my hair too. I haven't had this much affection from her since I was a little girl.

My mother immediately prepares the eating table and places my soup so that I can eat. "Hungry?"

I nod and say, "I'm famished," and I dig in into my meal. Other than eating like I've never eaten before, I also wondered. Why are they acting like nothing ever happened?

"Eat up, we can talk after you finish eating," my mother urges. They sit in the visitor's chair next to my bed while I eat. This is awkward..

To break the silence, I ask, "Where's Leeya by the way?"

"She went to pack up some of your stuff. And run a few errands. I thought you got her message?" my mother replied.

I shake my head and said, "No, I didn't. My phone is at Stephan's house,"

"Oh. She'll get it then," she reassured me.

Soon after I finished my meal, daddy was the first to speak up, "Alexa, we both owe you an apology. In fact, I think more than one," This is it. You've been waiting for these words for years, Alexa.

"Your father is right, Alexa. Leeya explained everything, and we are so sorry. I know words can never give you back the love and care you deserved then, but we'll do our best now. We promise," mum explained further.

"Alexa, my dear girl, we are probably not the best parents in the world, but we are so proud of you. I knew you worked hard to impress us back then, your grades in school, your achievements. We were just too caught up grieving in Nathan's death that I, we, abused you emotionally," my father says.

Hearing their words of apology, bring me to the brink of tears, after all this years, finally..

You've been abused, tormented, whipped, beaten, for many months. That is what it took for them to finally realize how much you've been in pain? My subconscious says bitterly. That is the cold hard truth. But I'm not going to let it ruin my moment.

My mother hugs me tightly, "I don't expect you to forgive us immediately. I can't even forgive myself for saying all those terrible things to you. I am so sorry, love,"

Tears slip out of my eyes at the intensity of the emotions. I say, still in my mother's arms, "It's okay. Just let it go. We can start anew,"

"Thank you, princess," my dad says again. He used your pet name when you were younger! They really do love you..

"Okay, this is getting very mushy. When we should really be celebrating and welcoming you back home! When could you leave?" my mother lets me go and asked excitedly. Back home?

I gulp in nervousness. I am not fully cured from all this, I am not sure I want my parents to see me breakdown every night, no matter how much they love me. "Uh.. home?" I ask.

"Yeah, you're gonna stay with us after this right?" my mother asks, narrowing her eyes at me.

My father gets the drift and quickly stepped in, "If that is what she wants, dear. Do you want to stay with us, princess? Or would you rather, stay with Leeya perhaps?"

I exhale in relief that they get it. I guess you no longer have to hide from them, Alexa. It's okay.. tell them the truth.

"I am grateful for the invitation but I can't. There are so many details to what I've been through, and I am not sure you guys are prepared to see me breakdown every night, so is it okay? If I be by myself to recover?" I say tentatively, cautious of their reaction.