Enjoy!

1

"Ahra! Huang Lee Ahra! Come down here this instant!" 

Ahra looks up from her textbook, and frowns slightly, but closes her lamp light and exits her bedroom.

I wonder what mother wants... She thinks anxiously, scared of getting a beating once again but keeps a straight face on as she walks into the living room.

"Yes, mama?" She murmurs quietly in Mandarin.

"How dare you be disrespectful and let us and your sister leave without a proper goodbye?" Her sharp tone fills her ears and makes her flinch.

Her older sister, Xiao Tian gives her a sympathetic look, and places a perfectly manicured hand on her shoulder. "Mama, she was studying-"

"It does not give her an excuse to act so disrespectful." Their father interrupts in irritation and her sister closes .

"I'm sorry." She apologizes and keeps her eyes on the ground.

"I expect more from you." He says with a disappointed tone.

"Yes, baba." She says, monotonously. 

"Good. We'll visit you in two weeks, and I expect a 10-page report about what you've learned in school in those two weeks." Her mother adds.

"Yes, mama." She cheers internally for the easy assignment. 

"In Hanzi." And those final words, she walks out of the house with her father in tow and leaves Ahra there, standing still with an open jaw.

"Ahra..." Xiao Tian says amusedly. "Close your mouth before a fly gets in."

Ahra frowns at her. "Sister, I can write a 10-page report...but I can't do it in Chinese!" She whines, then buries her face in her hands.

She rolls her eyes. "You can do it Ahra. I trust you. Now, I'll see you later alright?"

Ahra nods, and gives her older sister a hug. "See you soon."

"Bye, Ahra. Remember to lock the doors, check the windows, and-"

"If there's a stranger in the house call the police, yes, I know, sister." Ahra finishes, and rolls her eyes playfully.

Xiao Tian sticks her tongue out at her and flicks her forehead. "I'll set up your appointment when I get out from the plane tonight. Are you sure you'll be fine by yourself? I can call one of the maids from Han Bi-"

"No, no it's alright!" Ahra says a little too quickly when she mentioned your cousin. "I'll be totally fine! It'll be like no one's even home!" She turns to walk to the front door and picks up her sister's bags.

Xiao Tian frowns, but that's exactly why I'm afraid. She thinks sadly, and watches as her younger sister spares a scared glance towards their mother and father. Then, Ahra braces herself and starts to march towards the expensive car that they were waiting in and avoids eye contact with their parents. I don't want to let you live here alone.

-

"Ahh.." Ahra breathes in relief and leans back in her chair whilst stretching her cramping hands.

It's been three days since her older sister and parents left the house. Three peaceful days. The house was quiet and still, unlike it's usual bustling and hustling when the maids and her family was here, she immensely enjoys it well despite the fact that it was sometimes lonely. However, all she has to do is focus on her schoolwork and grades, and with that, time goes by fast even if she was alone.

Ahra looks at her black clock, and reads the numbers on the pad. 7:27PM...I should eat now. She marches down the stairs and opens the kitchen lights, flashing grey upon the white tiles. She opens the stove and pours some water into a pot and places it upon the stove. While she waits for the water to heat, she sits upon the counter and stares into space. It somehow feels like her body was in the kitchen, but her mind and soul were occupied elsewhere. Specifically, Gangnam International Hospital.

The cause of her distress, her loneliness, and lack of affectionate attention from her parents were all because of that hosp