Into the nights

As a child, my mother frequently told me enthralling stories - portraying the never-ending struggle between darkness and light. I would always look forward to her stories, which would be very entertaining. Her constant message was that darkness holds malevolence while light embodies positivity and virtue. Her belief was that the power of light was the sole means by which darkness could be defeated. The resounding message she would consistently convey in her stories is that light will perpetually prevail over the darkness.

"Don't worry, Alassandra, light always wins," my mother would say, as she kissed my forehead and tucked the blanket around me.

Now that she's gone, I miss those stories.

As I reflect on my upbringing, one of the most prominent memories I have is observing my father, who had a career as a lawyer. Dedicating countless hours to his work, often working late into the night. In all of Moro County, my father worked for one of the most well-respected law firms. Given the widespread speculation about his unmatched talent, it came as no surprise that they gave him all the captivating cases, so to speak.

Within our small town, my mother had ownership of an herbal store. While she also worked hard, it was my father's career that truly captivated my interest. One of my biggest aspirations as a child was to grow up and be exactly like him. He was my idol, and I was unwavering in my commitment to walk the same path as him. I can proudly say that during my academic journey, I consistently worked hard and gave my all, resulting in me consistently earning top grades. Because I was determined to make my father proud.

When I was ten, my father assumed the responsibility of a massive case requiring him to be on the road often. It wasn’t until around summer that I overheard my parents arguing about something that my mother called “The Valerious.”

When I approached them with my inquiry, they responded by silencing me and advising me to erase any recollection of what I had just heard. I was determined to find out what was happening, so I snooped around and found a file in my father’s briefcase with the word “Valerious” written on it. Just as I had taken the file to my room and concealed it under my mattress, my father's voice echoed through the house, summoning me downstairs.

"Alassandra Khairi, come down, sweetheart," my father called.

"Coming!" I yelled as I closed my bedroom door and rushed downstairs.

"Yes, father," I said as I entered the living room.

"Ahhh, there she is," he replied with a smile as he walked over, took my hand, and led me to the couch.

As I glanced over, I realized that my mother, who rarely exhibited such a serious demeanor, was standing by the fireplace with a grave expression on her face. I was so engrossed in deciphering my mother's expression that I completely missed the woman standing in the corner of the living room.

"Who is she?" I asked my father as we sat down. My father smiled and patted my head as he gestured for the woman and my mother to take a seat. As soon as they did, my father began to explain.

"Your mother and I wanted to tell you in person rather than in a note like we normally would that we have to go away for a while for work purposes," he said.

I furrowed my brows in confusion. My parents never traveled for work together. My father always would leave, and my mother would stay with me.

"Why are both of you going?" I asked.

He glanced at my mother and replied, "Your mother has to help me with this case.".

I turned to look at her, and at first, I thought I saw a faint hint of fear in her eyes, but as quickly as I saw it, it disappeared.

"Mother, who will watch me?" I asked her, placing my hand on top of hers.

With a smile on her face, my mother turned her attention towards the woman who was seated on the other couch. The woman's hair, a beautiful shade of silver, was skillfully braided into a neat French braid, complementing her bright green eyes that gleamed against her creamy white skin. Her pink pouty lips were beautifully accentuated by a small smile, while her attire, comprising black leather pants, a tight black shirt, and a long black coat, exuded an air of sophistication. In the dimly lit room, her nails stood out with their deep maroon polish, while her jewelry shimmered and caught the eye. There was a certain aura about her that radiated confidence and grace.

"This is Yadhira. She will be taking care of you while we are away," my mother replied. I turned and looked at Yadhira. She smiled politely as she spoke.

"Hello, Alassandra, my dear. It is nice to finally meet you," she said. The woman's green eyes stared into my hazel brown eyes, and as I looked into them, they seemed to glow.

I smiled at her and returned my attention to my parents.