Can I Fall Again?

CHAPTER ONE

"Elif, come down stairs sweetie!" I called my daughter while preparing her breakfast for today. I am preparing her favorite banana pancake that is shaped like her favorite Disney Character. "Coming, Mommy!" I heard her shout as she run down stairs. "Careful!" I reminded her.

Elif is turning one year old tomorrow and I couldn’t help but think about how we will celebrate it as we are very tight on money right now. Elif always told me that on her first birthday she wanted it to be grand like how she sees it on televisions. It is heartbreaking seeing my daughter dream about extravagant birthday celebrations and I know that I couldn’t afford to make it happen.

“Mommy?”

“Yes, sweetie?” I looked at her innocent face. Oh, my precious baby. I’m so sorry you have to go through this with me.

“I’m turning one tomorrow, right?” She asked while raising her point finger as a sign of one. I nodded at her and smile.

“Will I be having a party like those princesses?” She asked innocently. I sighed and sat beside her and began stroking her hair.

“Sweetie, Mommy doesn’t have a lot of money right now. But I’ll do everything to make you feel like a princess tomorrow baby!” I said, Trying to cheer her up.

“It’s okay!” She said and hugged me. How thankful I am to have this baby girl. At such a young age she’s already so understanding of our situation right now.

After eating breakfast together. I cleaned Elif and prepare to drop her off to my Mother’s apartment. I’m going to work over time today so I could treat Elif to whatever she likes for her birthday tomorrow.

“We’re going to grandma?” She asked while playing on my phone. I nodded at her and start my car’s engine. Elif keeps singing the Frozen’s theme song since it is her favorite song. While driving I saw a familiar figure that passed in front of my car. I shrugged my thoughts off. It ia just his look alike. His face is very common. Come on Aera Zirene get back to your senses!

We finally arrived at my Mother’s apartment. Elif is excited to see her grandmother today. It’s been a while since the last time we saw my family. It’s been a while since I decided to live on my own.

“Aera! Oh my goodness, my baby!” Mom greeted me immediately and hugged me. She immediately pick up Elif and give her hugs and kisses. “Am I not your baby too grandma?” Mother laughed at my daughter’s curiosity.

“Of course you are my baby too! Mommy is just my first baby!” She explains to her. Elif nodded as if she got what my Mom is trying to say. For all I know she just nodded because she did not understand it. She is indeed my daughter.

“Did Aera and my granddaughter arrived?” I heard Dad’s voice echoing from above. I immediately run to him and hugged him. Oh, Daddy. How I missed being in my parents’ arms. How I missed being taken care. How I missed my old life.

“Oh my baby…” He hugged me back and wipe the tears that are flowing down my eyes. “It’s so hard, Daddy.” I told him. That exact words of mine broke his heart and made him shed tears. “I’m so sorry baby. Daddy is sorry that he couldn’t protect you from that bastard.” He apologizes to me multiple times.

“It’s okay. You should not say sorry, Daddy. It was me who chose this kind of life. It was me who disobey you and Mom.” I explained.

“Everything is going to be fine, my baby. Daddy and Mommy is here.” He comforted me. He wiped his tears and smiled at me. He also wiped mine and guided me to go down.

“Is this my granddaughter?” He asked excitedly and pick Elif up. “Hi Grandpa!!” Elif greeted him then immediately gave him hugs and kisses. He laugh, “Oh my sweet granddaughter! You are indeed your Mom’s Daughter!” Dad pinched her nose and put him down.

“So what are your plans now Aera?” Mom asked me after we all sat down in the sofa. “I’m going to work today Mom. Can I leave Elif here with you and Dad while I work?” I asked them. I don’t have anybody else to leave Elif to. Except for my parents. No one knew about my pregnancy other than them. Even my friends had no idea why I disappeared for over a year.

“Of course sweetie! Who could say no to that munchkin?!” Mom looked at Elif who’s busy playing at all the toys they brought for her when I was still pregnant with her.

“Thank you Mom, Dad.” I held their hand and gave them a tight hug. “Aera, Don’t you want to work at our own company?” Dad asked me. I shook my head and smile. “Dad, you know the reason why.” I simply said.

“Aera, It’s been over a year. That asshole must’ve forgot about you and Elif. He’s living his single life as if he is not a married man!” Dad said furiously. Mom tried to calm him down as Elif is here and she might hear something about her Dad.

“Dad, Let him live his own life. I’ve cut our ties already over a year ago. And I just don’t want any spot light on me and my daughter. Business world is not just all about business. You know that.” I gave them an assuring smile so that they will not worry about me and Elif.

Although we are suffering on financial issues. I don’t want to ask for help from my parents yet because I wanted to stand on my feet. I wanted to establish my own empire for my daughter. I don’t want to feel like a burden to my family again.

“What about your financial situation? Are you doing good financially?” Mom asked. I couldn’t look into their eyes straight because I am not used to lying to them.

“Uh… Y-Yes. Of course!” I said while avoiding their looks.

“Mommy? You said you don’t have enough money for my birthday earlier right?” I sighed. Elif is really talkative sometimes.

Mom and Dad gave me a suspicious look. “Err… Okay fine. I’m not doing well financially. I couldn’t even give Elif a proper birthday celebration tomorrow.” I admitted to my parents. They look so shocked and worried at the same time.

“All this time you were struggling yet you didn’t called us?” Dad asked sadly. “I…I just don’t want to bother you and Mom.” I explained.

“Oh sweetie. You will never be a bother to us! You are our princess! Imagine what we feel right now about your situation.” Dad looked at me sadly.

“We’ll give you and Elif an allowance every month okay? We won’t accept a no as an answer. And about Elif’s birthday we’ll arrange that. Don’t worry about it.” Mom said and gave me an assuring smile. I don’t have any other choice but to agree to what my parents wanted.

“Mommy, Daddy. I have to go now. I shouldn’t be late at my first day of work.” I told them so I could go to work now. It’ll be unethical if I show up late.

“Elif baby, Mommy’s going to work now okay? Be good at grandma and grandpa. I’ll see you after my work.” I bid my good bye to my daughter.

“Mom, Dad. Please take care of my daughter. She’s troublesome sometimes but that’s how a child acts!” I wink and wave my hands.

Okay, the new Aera is here to conquer the world. But this time with plus one. I’m willing to risk everything for my daughter. This time, I won’t let anyone destroy me again. This time, I'm doing this for my daughter not just for me. To my husband, I want you to see how good we are doing even though you are not part of our lives now. We are doing okay without you, Devan Pierce.