Lullaby of Eria

While mom was heating the food and preparing salad, I decided to take a bath. I put my clothes in the washing machine and went inside the bathroom. After cleaning myself with soap and water, I went inside the bathtub filled with hot water.

"Ahh, it feels so gooood.."

My eyes glanced outside the window and noticed how calm and slow the night seemed. And after a few seconds, snow started to fall. No wonder, as it was freezing as hell outside. I rest my head on one side of my shoulders and lose myself in the sky, where snow's falling at a very steady pace.

"It was quite a day.." I slowly murmured.

First, our class got cancelled, then that embarrassing encounter with Elyana, and now even Dad isn't home. But I do get to see Sir Rain's Infusion. It was one hell of an experience. I wonder if I'll ever be able to pull off something like that. *Sigh** Life can be surprisingly good and very hectic at the same time. I should stop expecting too much from life all the time, I guess.

"Nothing is in my control anyway." I sink in, closing my eyes.

I remember how, when we were little, Elyana and I used to go to hot baths together.

She used to lie upside down on the surface of the water, playing dead. At times, I used to scream and call Mom and Dad. Then she used to lift her head with a pesky smirk and laugh at us. Those were some days.

I raised my head back out of the water and came out of the bathtub.

"Now she won't even bother to sit in a room with me."

I wear my turtleneck, long green sweater, and black tracks.

Mom had almost finished plating the food. I saw water was missing from the table, so I opened the cupboard and took out two glasses for us.

"Come and sit. I'll bring it. You don't want your food to get cold." Mom said.

"It's ok, Mom. I can at least do this much."

I filled the jar with water and bought glasses, holding each in my hands. As I couldn't use my hands, I dragged the chair out with my legs to sit.

"Ahh, Mom, you made paella today."

It's one of my favourite dishes. It comes with a mixture of meat and seafood. The saffron-flavoured rice with paprika and other spices always makes me go Awe. My mom's paella is better than the one's that we get from outside food courts.

"You like it, right.?"

"I love it."

I sat and placed myself properly on the table. The first bite of rice melted in my mouth, and it felt like all the stress from the day suddenly started leaving me.

"It's so good."

"Hehe"

"So, Mom, where did Dad go suddenly.? I thought he was going to spend at least one month here." I asked.

"I don't know Elea. Even I thought he'd stay, as his recent shift was over. But suddenly he was summoned by the elite knights, and then he went for the palace."

"I see." 

"Leave it. It's normal for your dad to go out like this."

"Yeah, you are right." I said.

I mean, even I knew that he wouldn't be at home when I returned. It's the usual thing now. Goodbye to the infused weapon he was going to show me.

"So how was your day today.? You were going to learn infusion, right?" Mom asked.

"Hmm, about that.! About that!" I replied fast and soundly. "You know, Sir Rain demonstrated his Infused archer. It was soo fantastic to look at. He just fired one arrow in the sky, and the rain showered many arrows at once. I had never seen anything like that before. An-And before he released his arrow, the light started coming from the ground and started to collect at the tip of the arrow, and-

"**Chuckles*"

"Mom, why are you laughing.? I honestly mean it. It was all real." I said.

"I know. I've seen Rain's Infusion before. I am laughing because of how you talk about it."

"Hmm.? What.?" I asked while pouting and chewing my food. I feel like I am being teased by my mom.

"You were so silent just a moment ago, and now you are energised again. Haha. "

"Ehhh... Don't tease me. You know how much I wanted to see it. I've been waiting to see it for 3 years."

"Haai Haai. I am not teasing, just saying. Like, we just need to talk about knights and all that to cheer up your mood. I guess." Mom said while again laughing.

"Mom.!!..Hmph.!" I pouted while turning my face towards the other side, towards the door.

"Aww, Elea..I am joking. Relax; you are really my cute daughter."

Even though Mom consoled me by calling me cute, for some other reason, my eyes were fixed on something else.

"Elea..?" Mom said as she saw me zoned out looking at something. "What happened? Where are you staring at.?"

"Mom, I think someone's standing in front of the door.? " I said.

I see it. I see the silhouette of a woman. Our doors are wood-made, but the middle part is thick glass, so we can see the shadow of the opposite side.

"Really.? Let me check." Mom said this as she got up and went towards the door.

I took a spoonful of rice in my mouth while looking at Mom's back, going towards the door to open it. I was normal, but it felt a little weird, like, Why isn't she knocking or saying anything.? I know that's not Dad. That physique is completely that of a woman.

**Clack* As soon as Mom opens the door-

*Fwooosh* I could hear the chilling winds and also saw that no one was standing there anymore.

"Hmm.? No one's there, Elea." Mom said this while peeking outside.

....

"For sure, I saw someone there." 

"It must be your imagination or maybe some reflection due to the snow. Now eat, eat, and let me eat too."

"Yeah, you are right." Maybe she is right; I must be seeing things. I continue to eat my food, letting go of that thought.

"Umm, it came out tasty." Mom said.

"See, I told you."

It's rare for Mom to appreciate her own cooking.

"And yes, yes, I forgot. You decided on your weapon.?" Mom asked.

"Na, not yet. There's still time for that. We are given 3 months before we can finalise one." I said.

"Ahh, I see. I'll suggest you go with your dad's."

"Huh.! You know his infused weapon.? But he never bought it at home, did he.?"

"Calm down. I am his wife. What do you think.? I know everything about him." She flicks her hair on the side in a very cool manner.

"Whaa, what is it, then.?" I asked.

"Hmm.. I guess he had three last time, Umm..I don't remember exactly. Let him come; he'll tell you by himself."

"Oh, come on..why everything go on a cliffhanger in my life? Sigh* " I said that, and I continued to eat.

And just like that, some time passed. I ate my food, we cleaned up, and we shared conversations together. It was just me and my mom in the entire house. I know it would've been more cherishing if Dad and Elyana were to be here, but I said to myself earlier that I could not ask for everything to go my way. I should learn to make the most of my present. After cleaning dishes, I sat on the table facing towards Mom until she finished her side of the cleaning. I knew I was exhausted, both mentally and physically, today. We were talking and chatting, but I lost myself somewhere there. I don't know what happened after that, but I felt a soothing, gentle hand over me. It was as if someone was caressing my hair, and I was lying on something really humbling. I opened my eyes and found my head on Mom's lap in my bedroom upstairs.

Normally, I would've jolted away from embarrassment and shock. But now I don't. I didn't want to. It was too comforting and relaxing. The room was dark, and only my orange table lamp was gently glimming from the side. Mom continued to caress my hair.

"You are awake. Eleanor.? " Mom asked in a very low pitch.

"Umm, hmm." I answered.

"How did we come here.? Did I faint?" I asked

"That doesn't matter anymore, and no, you didn't faint."

"I see."

There was a long silence after that. I didn't realise if I was going back to sleep or not. But I do know that Mom didn't let go of me. I wonder if her thighs hurt because I don't know since we were in this position.

"You know, sometimes I feel like, What if this entire infusion and knights thing would've never existed.?"

"You are saying this because Dad is rarely at home.?"

"Don't get me wrong. Your dad is a wonderful person. Whenever he is with me, he'll treat me like a queen, and I respect his line of work. He is very important for this kingdom's well-being."

"Then.?"

"It's just... sometimes some random thoughts cross my mind in my dreams, which I could never understand. Or maybe yes, I feel like if all this hadn't existed, then your dad must've spent more time with us, and soon, Elea, you'll be gone too."

"Relax, Mom, It's too early to say this, and I don't think Elyana has any plans for becoming a knight. You'll have her when I am not here." I said, placing my hands above her hands.

"I hope so.." she said.

"Yep!"

"May your journey take you to all the fulfilments of life. It'll be a long one. Sometimes it'll be lonely. Sometimes it'll be scary. But no matter what, do not give up, my strong child. The light shines the brightest for those who are made to crawl inside the darkest tunnels in their lives. Our love will always be with you."

"Mom.."

"Yes.?"

"Thank You."

"Don't mention Elea."

"Ok, now sing a lullaby." I said.

"Ehh..No.?"

"Why not.? You used to sing for me and Elyana when we were in school."

"It's been so many years now. I don't know if I'll even remember that now."

"I am not expecting it to be perfect either."

"**Sigh* Such a demanding girl you are. Ok, let me try."

I close my eyes. I could hear my mom's beautiful voice singing the lullaby as I remain rested on her lap. It always comforted me and Elyana when we were kids. My heart was at calm. The headache and fatigue I was having earlier have completely vanished away. I am sinking deep..deep into eternal contentment. a haven where the soft cadence of her song hugged me in a cocoon of warmth and love. Each word was a gentle caress, and at that moment, the world outside faded into insignificance, leaving only the soothing moment that bound me and Mom together. This is a type of solace I don't want to wake up from. I wish...I wish if this moment could go on foreve-

CREAK* SHATTER* THUD*

"UHh..HUHH..?" I jolted and sat up on my bed; my eyes were wide awake in shock.

What was that.? I looked around. There's a bedsheet on me, Mom isn't here anymore, and the table lamp is off.

"Did I fall asleep.?" How much time has passed since then.? I heard glass breaking. Was it in my dreams.? Or here in the house.?

"MOM..!!"

I called her, but I didn't get any response. Is she asleep.? 

"MOM.! Is everything okay?"

Still no response. I should go and check on her. I removed the bedsheet and got myself up from the bed.

After leaving my room, I slowly turn right, looking at the pitch-black staircase that goes down to the hall. Even the dim lights on the staircase weren't on.

I slowly started to step down from the staircase. One step at a time. It was too dark for me to balance myself properly, and I was still a little bit dizzy.

After going down, I turned my head left, towards the door. It seemed as though it was all locked up properly. I turned right towards Mom's room to check if she was asleep or not. I stood outside of her door and knocked.

"Mo-" As I knocked, the door got pushed inside. The door seems to be open. It's all dark. I turned on the light, and-

There was no one inside the room. Where did she go?

I remembered the glass-breaking sound. So I started walking towards the kitchen. As most of the glass items are kept there.

Just so I reached outside of the kitchen, **Ouch*

I stepped on something that pinched me hard on my reflex. My left leg stung very badly. I lifted my leg and saw a small piece of glass stuck inside. Blood was coming out. I removed the glass and continued to walk inside the kitchen, as the wound was less of a concern to me. I wanted to see if Mom was okay or not.

As I entered the kitchen, just beside our dining table, there was a big glass jar broken on the floor, and just ahead of that, in the corner of the kitchen, I saw the silhouette of a woman sitting on the ground, laying her back against the wall, and both of her arms spread out as if someone had kept a doll.

I step myself towards it. Slowly and steadily, as I walked closer, the lying doll revealed itself to me.

She was surrounded by a pool of dark red liquid. My eyes started to feel heavy. The tears started catching up on me. I didn't want to assume anything more, like I couldn't. My mind drifted in silence. My heartbeat wasn't stopping. The anxiety in me arose, and concurrent huffing took over. Even though I wasn't able to open my mouth.

"Mo-m..." I punched those words out of my mouth.

I sat down in front, to see the body properly.

There was a big piece of glass inside her chest and two small pieces in her right eye, which was open wide. There was blood everywhere. She wasn't moving or breathing.

"Aaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa...!!!!!!!!!!!!"

I screamed my lungs out.