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- Go mother, I promise I will take care of everything! Said the Romanian girl with the newly received ID in her hand as she just turned fourteen.
Weeping slowly the mother failed once again to cover her sorrow; she was looking at her still freezing hands that started to pus after so many icy-cold evenings at that café where she worked as an accounted also. She struggled so hard to provide her house, searching for motivation in the smallest things, like the gas supply for the old lamp used for lighting up the modest apartment during electricity cuts for non-payment. Having it was a certainty Sara could do her homework.
But as opposed to the other children from school, this was not Sara’s only task. By the age of nine, she already knew the basic of first aid, although this only involved some cold water and ‘slapping’, so that every time her mother would collapse due to exhaustion and a weak heart she would be the one ‘waking her up’ with shakes and water. In her innocence and lack of knowledge, she could never make use of the ‘slapping’ part of the ‘training’. With time fading away, Sara already felt like a grown-up and was excited about that. She took initiative in running the errands of the house, managed to gain a first-hand cooking experience and always waited for her mother return with a huge pot of boiled water that would warm her up.
In exchange, the mother tried beyond her powers to provide Sara with the best childhood, yet time and resources were not in her favor, and now, they were at the verge of losing the apartment because they could not afford it anymore. Thus, when the opportunity to be a caregiver in Spain arouse from a friend, she felt broken. Suddenly she was faced with a reality she could not bear: to stay with her precious girl or to leave to can afford giving her a chance.
Already few months have passed by now, and the cold winter proved to be a challenging companion. The mother remembered all the years trying to have a child, the disappointments, the trauma of multiple miscarriages, her painful marriage that she could not share with anyone. The dreams of having a big family, with all members around the dinner table sharing the stories of the day, were shattered by an unlucky fate when the man she idolized and seen as her protector ultimately left her for another woman while she was still pregnant. She knew her life would not be even closer to her aspirations. But how could she leave her only daughter? Who will look after her and what if something happens? Crying wasn’t comforting anymore and the feeling of being powerless became paramount.
- I can be her legal tutor! Told her the neighbor living at the 1stfloor.
From her misery the mother found the courage to think about all the opportunities her leaving could bring. She was taught that big things came with great sacrifices. She trusted Sara. She raised her well and was a happy child who managed to develop a strong character. She had so many dreams for her…
- Mi nombre es Sara y tengo 14 años. Me alegra poder ayudarte in tu casa. ¿Cual es tu nombre? Said Sara laughing as she tried to teach her mother few words in Spanish. You should have watched ‘novelas’ with me, instead of your boring documentaries.
The mother could not listen, her mind was too loud with worries. Faking a smile, shyly continued packing her modest clothes in the borrowed luggage.
- I love you mother, don’t cry! Screamed Sara as her mother went towards the seven-seater that would take her away… for the next seven years.
Note: The name has been changed to protect the privacy of individual.
