Chapter 7-Mother's love

***present day world***

Mira's POV

I came back home in rags, running for my dear life for several long minutes, though there was no immediate threat. Good old reflex, I guess.

I turned my keys and the door flung open.

I was about to jump right in, pulling my disheveled hair behind when I heard my mother speak,

" Mira, you are not coming back straight from school! "

She had her back towards me and she had something in her hand. As she slowly turned, I noticed that she had a letter between her palms, which she was reading.

Did my school write a complaint already? It wasn't that long. And what was my mother doing, coming home at this time, without informing me?

I held my breath as I kicked my shoes open and slowly locked the door after walking in.

I was cooking up excuses in my head. A possible thing that could convince my mother that leaving school for the time being, was the best thing.

But then she smiled and her right hand landed on my shoulder with a pat.

What on earth was happening?

Was she praising me for quitting school? That was impossible.

" Never in my life did I ever imagine that my daughter would be traveling abroad, all alone, without me, to study. "

My eyes were blinking rapidly.

What did my ears hear? Where did my mother get the money to send me off to a foreign land for education?

" Congratulations Mira, you have been selected as an exchange student. "

Oh! F*ck! So that was the case.

" Really? "

I snatched the letter from her hand and went through, thoroughly, to make sure there was no mistake.

I was in fact selected to represent my school for the exchange program. I would have to pack my bag for almost half a year, which was actually a very welcome situation.

I would get to continue my studies, yet I would be able to stay away from the students.

I was wondering why I was the one selected amongst all the other people, when I remembered that we had our grading exam at the end of this year. The privileged students must have opted out of this invitation.

I didn't care. This was a lifetime opportunity which I would never miss.

" You didn't know? I thought they kept you back extra hours to prepare you before your departure. "

My mother's question took me off guard again as I was lost in my thoughts.

" Departure? When is that? "

I asked, going through the letter again, looking for the dates.

" Tomorrow. You leave tomorrow. That is why they called me urgently , to get my consent. I left everything and hurried back here. "

My jaws dropped as she chirped and hopped towards the fridge, probably looking for ingredients to cook up a farewell meal. My mother was that kind of a person who felt that resting was a sin.

She would insist on cooking her own food even when she ran a high fever or tripped on the floor the day before.

I let her do whatever she wanted as I looked at the calendar, the clock and the planner in my phone.

I spent the next few seconds making calls, looking for bags, looking for my stuff, downloading packing lists, printing my tickets and more messy things like that.

I was a first time flier.

I was about to travel alone .

It was my first time out of the country.

It would be my first time living without my mom.

And I had less than twenty four hours to get all my shits together.

" Here, keep this. Your school is paying for everything but it's good to have a little money with you when you are in foreign lands. "

My mother came back from the kitchen. She pressed the little bundle of old notes, which still smelled like wheat flour. I knew she hid her savings in that jar but I also knew that it was meant for dire situations. I couldn't take that, especially when I would not be around. She needed to take care of herself in my absence.

" No! " I bluntly pushed her away and kissed her hands, " All I need is your love and your prayers. That would be enough to keep me afloat. Did you not teach me that we did not need to be dependent on money?Rest assured mother, your daughter learnt well through the years. "

Her eyes twinkled as she looked at me with pride, as we sang in chorus, "Love is all we need. "