Chapter 32 Start Of Being Fake

Chapter 32 Start Of Being Fake

April 3, 2012 (Old Life)

My birthday was fun. No, our birthday was fun.

We enjoyed the time at that panda theme park. That was the last time we were genuinely happy as a family.

As night fell, we headed back home. I noticed that the plushie panda in my hands was gone. I must have dropped it while we were walking, lost in my drowsiness.

I looked around and spotted it on the other side of the road where we had come from. My parents were preoccupied with their tasks; my mom was on a call, and my father was searching for the car keys.

I crossed the road and picked up the panda plushie from the ground, unaware that a car was accelerating toward me.

In the very moment that I was about to be hit by the car, my father acted swiftly, pushing me out of harm's way, at the cost of his own life.

My dad's push was forceful, and I hit the ground with a thud, sustaining a small wound on my elbow.

"D-dad?" I stammered, trying to process what had just happened.

Struggling to stand, I saw my mom running towards us, tears streaming down her face. I followed her gaze and witnessed a heart-wrenching sight.

My dad lay on the road, covered in his own blood, twitching and gradually slipping away from life.

"DAAAAD!!!!" I screamed, my voice a mix of panic and sorrow.

I rushed to his side, alongside my mom who was desperately trying to hold on to him. Overwhelmed by fear and uncertainty, I felt utterly helpless. My mom pushed me away, her anger directed at me.

"GET AWAY FROM HIM!!!" she shouted, her grief and frustration palpable.

The well-to-do man from the car, accompanied by his driver, got out. To my astonishment, it was our Mayor. I had anticipated concern, but instead, he was fixated on his damaged car.

The car's owner yelled at us, "What the hell?! I just bought this! Do you have any idea how much money I spent on this?! I bought it just a couple of weeks ago, and now look at it, it's damaged! Are you all a bunch of morons?"

I stood in shock, grappling with my grief, and watched as my mother's anger was directed at me. Even those who I had expected empathy and support from were proving to be callous. The Mayor's behavior left me furious and bitter. His selfishness and indifference were unforgivable. I despised him deeply.

An ambulance was called by the driver, but it was too late. My dad was gone.

The driver faced no legal consequences; my mom agreed to settle for compensation instead.

With my father's passing, my reality became surreal, as if I were caught in a dream or hallucination.

My mom's anger and blame towards me persisted. Our lives changed irrevocably. She was no longer the same person. She quit her job, sinking into depression, drowning her sorrows in alcohol even before the sun rose. She stumbled around in an inebriated haze, spending nights not working but indulging in vices – gambling, drinking, even drugs. Our family seemed to no longer exist for her.

And as for me, I felt as if I had vanished, ceased to matter.

April 3, 2012 (New Present)

"Okay! I'll finish my work quickly today so we can head to the panda theme park much earlier!" my dad announced with enthusiasm.

No. No, I can't go back to that theme park. Not again. Never.

"Yeah! I've taken the day off work, so make sure we can leave early, alright?" my mom added.

Please, not that theme park again.

My dad scooped me up, his excitement evident. "To my little birthday princess, I know you're eager to visit the theme park, but be patient, okay? I promised I'll be back soon so we can spend more time there, alright? Hehehe."

It's like déjà vu... no, it's more than that. These are my memories, from thirty years ago.

Could it be that I've traveled back in time? If that's the case, then I have a chance to alter my future. But what consequences might that bring? No matter, it's an opportunity to change my destiny, and I won't let it pass by.

CHAPTER 32 - END-

To be continued.