The Girl Named Mirage

It’s been a month since Mirage decided to enter college. She’s been busy preparing for her college admission exam and everyone is showing support that sometimes ticks her off.

” I am fine. ”

” My wound won’t open if I read for an hour or so. ”

” Stop being overly dramatic! ”

Those were her lines. But she gets tired of telling them off that she just glared at them whenever they tried to ask her if she’s okay, at least hundreds or thousands of times a day.

‘ Why do they have to be so annoyingly caring? ‘

She thought smiling inside but still slightly annoyed.

And even though she’s busy with studying and all, she still makes it a point to spend time and look after her daughter, Euphemia. She’s her everything, after all.

Her grandpa is always there, giving her advice and Chloe comes by often, cheering her up. Nicolo is always making sure she eats properly and explaining some lessons she’s having a hard time to figure out. And her personal doctor, Travis, takes care of her wounds that are almost completely healed.

They all recommended good universities for her to attend and they also warned her about some universities that she doesn’t want to get into.

Her school records from the Philippines were all taken care of by Attorney David Mendez. They were all changed from Arabelle Vernon to Mirage discreetly.

So yeah, some things have been straightened out and there’s still some things she needs to worry about, but she knows she can handle it. She will survive college and get her diploma.

In the end, she decided to go to Fulham University and eventually passed the admission. A low-profiled college but with high academic standards, which has a lot of students from different countries and backgrounds. It also has some very diverse professors. And it’s just an hour drive from the mansion so she didn’t have to stay in the dormitory. She doesn’t have to be separated from her baby girl for too long.

That’s what she always wanted. To take care of her and to be with her always.

Euphemia was already sleeping peacefully while hugging a soft toy. She smiled when she saw her peaceful expression, stroking her hair gently, watching her chest rise and fall with each breath. Her skin was paler than before and it looked like marble in the sun. Her beautiful brown locks looked like they were combed with some product that made them glossy, even though they’re already that way. Euphemia really looked like a delicate porcelain doll.

Mirage sighed happily, caressing her little cheeks lovingly and kissing them one by one before she drifted in her own slumber.

—

It’s the middle of the month of June and Mirage only got a month before the class started. She will enter college in the Fall semester. Making a lot of time for studying and reviewing lessons that thankfully she doesn’t forget. Her lost memories were all about herself and those whom she’s been with.

She woke up earlier than usual. And she can’t explain how empty, sad and painful she’s feeling at the same time. It’s not her head… it’s something inside her chest.

It hurts to think about the things that happened to her and it makes her feel like there’s something ripped out of her body. There seems like a hole that keeps getting bigger somewhere inside her. Thinking about it doesn’t make her head hurt, it’s her heart that is suffering an excruciating pain she couldn’t explain.

There are many questions in her mind but every time she starts thinking about it, she stops herself at once. Afraid of the consequences it might bring.

But as the day passes and as she slowly remembers the simple things that she likes and dislikes, she starts to gain courage and decides to face the questions that have been haunting her one by one. But she’s taking precautions, not wanting to overdo it or make a stupid mistake. But she remembered nothing.

Mirage took a deep breath to calm herself down. She got out of the bed and she happened to look at her reflection in the mirror. The person she is now, isn’t the one she was before. There’s a lot of changes, physically and emotionally. She’s somehow certain of it.

Wearing her pair of pajamas, she went out to her balcony and stared at nowhere. She’s feeling extremely sad beyond something she can’t figure out. She’s not being her usual self. She’s empty, if she could ever be emptier than she is now without her memory.

She takes another deep breath. Then she closes her eyes and tries to calm her breathing down. But she can’t. Not even the wind is helping her to relax. Instead, it only brings more pain to her heart.

It felt like she was being stabbed in the middle again and again.

Mirage knew this wasn’t right. She can’t stand the way she feels. It hurts and she doesn’t fvcking know why.

She doesn’t like how she feels, to feel so scared? of what? How she couldn’t control her emotions. This is helplessness. This is making her insane.

Nicolo entered her room after knocking a few times without getting an answer. Euphemia is in his arms again, a little bit sleepy. He visits her in her own room and she wakes up when she feels his Uncle Nicolo’s presence.

Nicolo was surprised to see her silhouette outside. He thought she was still asleep.

” Hey… ”

He softly called out. Not the usual head start of their bickering sessions. He noticed there’s something off.

She doesn’t budge. She doesn’t realize he was there with the baby.

” Mommy… ”

Euphemia sleepily calls out. Mirage was startled. She quickly turned around and found Euphy with Nicolo standing behind her. The way she reacts seems like she was dragged back to reality.

” H-hey. ”

Mirage said absentmindedly.

” What’s wrong? ”

Nicolo said straightforwardly. Mirage shook her head.

” Nothing. Really. ”

” You want me to call Travis? ”

” No.” She quickly responded. ” It’s not necessary. I’m fine. I’m just a little… ”

She can’t find the right word. She doesn’t even know what’s going on with her.

” Can you go out with Euphemia today? ”

This caught Nicolo by surprise.

” Sure. ”

He answered. Not asking anymore questions.

” Thanks. ”

Mirage said, still a little bit dazed.

With the assistance of Rosita, the nanny, Mirage prepared everything Euphemia needed. Nappies, water, feeding bottle, milk, change of clothes and essentials were slid inside the bag. Rosita was also asked to accompany Nicolo and Euphemia today.

” Are you sure you’re alright? ”Text property © Nôvel(D)ra/ma.Org.

” Yeah, don’t mind me and enjoy your day with her. ” and then she kissed her baby goodbye and watched them drive away.

They were long gone when she decided to go back inside the mansion and locked herself up in her room.