“A shoT in The heArT Doesn’T MAke iT UnbreAk”
Lyrics by Mother Mother
“ Mariya! ” my mom called.
“ Coming, Mama! ” I yelled back. I turned to my room. It was nearly empty. Almost
all of my stuff had been stuffed into suitcases or trunks.
When my family and I found out we had 24 hours to pack everything and flee our
home, we were devastated. My siblings and mom didn ’ t waste any time packing, but I
held off on it for a while. I couldn ’ t bring myself to put anything away.
After a few hours of sitting in my room, wondering what would happen to us and
our country, I finally decided to get stuff done. I thought it would take my mind off of it, but
it did the opposite.
As I went through my drawers, I found keepsakes and pictures. There were my
school textbooks I was using only a few weeks ago, a game - winning soccer ball I had
used when I played, a blanket that my cousins gave me for my 16th birthday, and many
more things. I kept going, pushing down the feelings and memories that bubbled up every
time I saw something.
I was almost done now, just standing there. I walked forward and looked at my
dresser. It was full of pictures. I went through them, but stopped suddenly when I saw
one of the photos.
It was of me and my girlfriend, Natali. I was on her back, my eyes closed,
grinning. She was looking at me with a huge smile on her face. We were so happy, so
oblivious to the dangers to come.
I realized I would most likely not see her again, and the emotions pushed
through. I fell to my knees, sobbing. She had helped me through the hardest of times.
Whether it was my parents ’ divorce or my baba , my grandmother ’ s, death, she was
always there for me. I loved her, but never had the chance to tell her.
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