Enemies by Fate, Lovers by Choice

Mira only took one piece of luggage. It took her an hour and a half before coming to the airport with Maria.

 

Maria cried again after seeing Mira off with her friend, Liona.

 

" *sniff* Honey, you should eat properly when you get there, okay? sniff If you're having a hard time, just call me. And also, take good care of yourself. Your aunt, Liona, is also there, don't be shy to ask her," Maria said as she couldn't help but worry about her daughter.

 

Liona, who was watching on the sideline, lightly shook her head, "Maria, Mira is a smart and reliable child. You're the one who should take care of yourself."

 

"Mom, I will call you when I get there. Don't worry about me. Take care of yourself too. I love you so much," Mira said softly. Then she hugged her mother. She felt uncomfortable parting with her mother, leaving her alone, but she knew they could handle it.

 

"I love you too, honey," Maria hugged her daughter tightly. This is the first time her daughter will not be with her, so she's worried but at the same time happy for her daughter's bright future, unlike her.

 

"Okay, you two, it's not like you won't be able to see each other again. Maria, I will also call you from time to time. Take care of yourself. We have to go now," 

Maria nodded, "Yeah, take care."

 

Maria watched Mira and Liona departing. She turned around and went home. Being alone made her sad and made her think too much. She also started questioning her decision to let her daughter go work abroad.

 

She went to Mira's room, she sat down, lightly caressed the bed, and lay on it. She knew her daughter wanted to attend the graduation ceremony with her to present her medal as Magna Cum Laude. But because of some changes in Liona's flight, who introduced Mira to a Business Company that is doing well internationally, they had to adjust and follow others' schedule.

 

Maria cried until she fell asleep.

 

...

 

Luna, who had just come back home, saw her mother with her arms crossed on her chest, sitting in the living room.

 

Seeing her mother with a serious face, she knew she was in trouble. She walked towards her mother and kissed her on the cheek.

 

"Sit down," Lilith said.

 

Luna sat, waiting for her mother's next words.

 

"Where did you go?" Lilith started.

 

"I ate outside with my friend."

 

"Whose friend? Prima called me earlier looking for you because she couldn't reach your phone, and Tina also came here just as Prima called. So, whose friend are you talking about?"

 

"Mom, it's not like I only have two friends. I also have a friend in school."

 

"Name it."

 

Luna hesitated. She knew she was really bad at lying.

 

"Is it Mira?" Lilith asked again, seeing her daughter not answering only meant one thing, "Didn't I tell you not to talk to her? Don't make friends with her? I told you, no need to thank her, so why?"

 

Luna, who had been told not to approach Mira many times, couldn't help but talk back anymore because she believed that Mira is different. "Mom, she's kind and a good person."

 

"What do you know? Do you know her well enough?"

 

"No, but you said to me when I was younger, believe in myself and my judgment, and I believe I have the right judgment."

 

"Wrong! I know what kind of person her mother is. I also thought I knew her the best, but I was wrong!"

 

"Mira is not that person, Mom. You know that. I know what Mira's mother did hurts you, but it's not Mira. Mom, please," Luna said as her eyes started to redden.

 

"Look, because of her, you're talking back to me now. Isn't this showing her influence on you enough?"

 

"Mom, it's not like that."

 

"I already talked to her before not to approach you, but look, she must have said something to you about me," Lilith said angrily.

 

Luna, who was also getting excited, could still analyze her mother's words. Her eyes widened, she remembered Mira suddenly becoming cold to her like the old days, and hearing what her mother said made her tears start to fall.

 

"Y-you actually talked to her?" Luna asked and suddenly didn't know what to say. Suddenly, she became worried about what Mira could be thinking about her now.

 

"Yes, I talked to her. I said not to approach you because you two are different! I don't want you to associate with her!"

 

"Mom, enough! I'm not a child anymore that you can dictate who I get along with! I already saw Ms. Lilith before, but she's different from what you said to me! And the same with Mira!" Luna couldn't help but raise her voice out of complex emotion. Then she continued, "And maybe all this time it's you who's in the wrong because you judge people without knowing them, without asking them! Have you asked Ms. Lilith before what happened? You didn't! Because in your eyes, she's nothing! She had just one mistake, and you didn't ask her what happened, ONE mistake, Mom! And everything you've been through together became nothing to you because of ONE mistake!"

 

Lilith was shocked and scared of what her daughter said. She trembled out of anger and also Luna's words that triggered her doubts and feelings that all this time she had been wrong made her so excited that she unconsciously slapped Luna.

 

Luna was shocked as she tried to raise her hands to touch her cheeks, then she felt pain.

 

Lilith was also shocked at what she did. She didn't mean to hurt her daughter. She tried to open her mouth, but words wouldn't come out as she looked at her daughter's eyes that were in pain.

 

Luna quickly went to her room without looking back.

 

"I-I'm sorry," Lilith murmured as she gathered the strength to speak, but no one could hear her now.

 

Lilith didn't move for a while as she really couldn't believe that she hurt her own treasure. After a moment, she came back to her senses, quickly took out ice and a clean towel.