If you love me, why would you leave?

*Bang* 

*Thump* 

"What did you break this time, Ace?" Ace's dad strode into the room and stared down at the young boy. Dressed in a black tee-shirt and jeans, his dad stood at 6 feet tall. As he inspected the area behind Ace, his face started turning red. He crossed his arms, waiting for the boy to utter a word.

His mom had hurried behind his Dad. It wasn't as if his dad would hit him, still, she wanted to be there for her boy. 

We don't realize it often, but Mothers have always stood between us and anything that has the slightest possibility to hurt us. Even when we grow up, Mothers would treat us as small children. Any cut, any bruise, and she are the first one, who sheds tears, even before we do. 

Ace was a naughty boy, but for his mother, he would be as pure as a saint. So anything he did, couldn't be wrong. And if someone is innocent in her eyes, she could fight for him with all she has. 

It would be wrong to say, but women are more fragile than men, yet the power of their emotions won't let them waver, even if she was facing hundreds of them.

"Let me talk to him, it has been the fifth time this week. I can't afford any losses at this time" Ace's dad said in a stern tone, trying to look straight in the eyes of the lioness who stood in front of Ace.

"He..he is a kid, kids play and make mistakes," she said with shuddering lips. She had been preparing herself for what was to come. She knew how important the project was for her husband and how serious he was for it. She knew he was right, he wasn't in a position to lose time. 

"ACE, COME FORWARD NOW" losing his patience Ace's father yelled. 

The shivering young boy took a step forward, his mother's hand still on his shoulder.

With the red eyes, which threatened to pour tears any second now, he looked at his mother.

"Mom...I- It's okay. I will" *hiccup* "I will talk to" before he could say anything his father had already grabbed his shoulder. 

"There is nothing to say. You are leaving for the boarding school today" His father declared and the first tear rolled down his mother's eye. Her grip on Ace tightened. 

"Let's talk first" she took a step but Ace's father had already raised his hand, asking her to stop.

She dropped to her knees as Ace's father looked again at the broken equipment, shook his head, and left the room.

Ace didn't move for a long time. His legs hadn't stopped shaking even after his father had left. His gaze fixed at the door, which he had left open.

He blinked his eyes a couple of times before turning back to his mother. The tear hidden miles behind. 

Taking small steps, as if making a lot of sounds would break something delicate, he approached his mother. 

Ace's mother had shredded lots of tears making her vision blur. 

"M-mom," he said in his low brittle voice. 

Seeing the one person he loved the most in the world, cry for him, made something inside him move. He knew, if he didn't act strong, it would break her further. He couldn't do that. He couldn't cry, even though every fiber inside him wanted to. 

He had just heard some strange noises coming from the equipment and had approached it. It was acting strange, and he knew if he didn't stop it, it would blow up. He had only turned it off and was about to go call his dad when it made a loud noise and broke. But how could he tell his dad the truth? He was scared. His dad could have hit his mother too in the fist of anger. 

"Mom," he said again, the soft thumb pads of his hand, wiping the tears off his mother's face. He could only wipe some, as his fingers were small and his mother was still crying.

Finally, his mother looked at him and took him in her arms. 

"It's not your mistake, Ace" she cupped his head from behind and patted it softly. 

He could feel her heart pounding against her chest. 

"Mom..I- I am going to be okay" He took a deep breath trying not to cry. 

"It's all my fault. I should have" *hiccup* "I should have spent more time with you" her hold around him tightened more. 

There was nothing to talk about that day, so Ace, along with his parents sat in front of the TV. No one was hungry, it was only cheese dips they ate that night and watched a bunch of cartoons as Ace's father put his arm around Ace.

It was the last time, Ace's mother had tucked him in, kissing his forehead softly, as he entered the dreamland.

The ride to the boarding school had taken them almost all the morning and noon. It wasn't too hot, so they didn't need air conditioning and only pulled down the windows. 

"What about the g-" Ace's father had shot just one look making his mother stop mid-sentence. 

"They will take care" 

The ride had gone smooth without further discussion on any topic except the food breaks. 

They parked the SUV a little away from Ace's room and had helped carry all his belongings to Room 09. Between his father and mother, it hadn't taken long for all the things to be placed in his new room. 

Ace's mother unpacked his PlayStation first, as she knew, how much he loved it. 

"Mom. I can unpack the rest" Ace said standing near the bunk bed. His face was blank, even though his fingers were fidgeting behind his back. He didn't want her to see it. 

To know how nervous he was. Even though he was a naughty kid, he had never thought he would be punished like this. But if that's what makes his parents happy if sending him away will give them peace, it means that he never belonged there. 

He could see his Mom's eyes which were going to flood again. He had heard her sob all night and the constant 'it's the right thing to do, he is getting attached' by his dad. 

Both of them hugged him and told him 'i love you'. It had felt weird to him. 

*If they love him, why were they leaving him? 

If they love him, why do they want him to be alone? 

If they love him, don't they feel the pain, he is feeling right now*

He thought but didn't say it. He put on a brave smile as he bid them goodbye.