I see her.
She's my older sister of 6 years but she raised me and took the role of a mother. I see the way it takes a toll on her, she's tired.
I want to help her, I want to wrap my arms around her shoulders and say "It's okay Meera."
She fakes a smile when she walks over to me, it doesn't reach her eyes like it used to. We lost our mother to drugs when I was born and our father left us when Almeera was 12.
I see her.
But she doesn't know that I see every tear that has left her eyes, the slight redness to them. My sister was doing drugs like mom, she hides it from me.
I wonder if she can stop.
"Almeera." I say as she comes over and ruffles my hair then checks my homework. "Good job Kaniko."
A sticker is placed on my folder that reads "Kaniko Joe, Homeroom Folder. Class 6."
She walks to the kitchen and I hear pots and pans being moved around which could mean dinner was being made.
I see her.
Put the vegetables together and the meat before letting it cook and getting the seasoning added. She rubs her eyes before turning to smile at me and says "Come sit Kaniko. Let's eat."
She's trying for me.
