There was a little girl, so cheerful and hopeful of life. She stated she want to be a doctor, everyone around her smiled and patted her head.

There was a young girl, barely a teenager, who just lost her beloved grandma. She decided, that she want to study hard and be a doctor. She promised she wouldn’t let anyone died in front of her again.

There was a young woman, well into her twenties, with a mastery in her hand. In her face, a large smile for her success. Everyone was proud of her, and soon she was accepted into one of the biggest hospitals. She was so happy.

A few years later, the woman’s name became famous. She was soon called as one of the youngest and most capable doctors on the country. She never failed a patient, never been wrong. She was the pride of her family.

Two years later, the doctor meet a man. He was a normal guy with a normal job and a normal life, but she found him interesting. She was a career woman, she never had a relationship before. And she was glad she met him that day.

They exchanged numbers, had a few dates between her busy schedule, and slowly, they fell in love. There were moments shared; as the rain showered the earth, as the smell of jasmine and coffee trickled into their surroundings, between the secret shy smiles and hands holding.

They were happy, the happiest they’ve ever been. And a year later, they married.

Life was even more perfect when they were gifted by a baby. ‘Congratulations, it’s a girl.’ a colleague of the doctor said, and the newly wed were over the moon. ‘A princess; I swear I’ll cherish and protect her.’ her husband declared, and she was sure, nothing could destroy this happiness.

Something did, a few years later.

‘What do you mean, you’re cheating?!’ the doctor yelled, in her mid-thirties now.

‘I’m sorry, I never meant to, but that’s the truth.’ replied the man, his hair the colour of salt and pepper now.

They had a big fight, and then, a divorce. Their young daughter watched it all, distress on her face and tears down her chin. She had to be carried away by her mother to their new house.

Everything changed. The doctor buried herself in work, the man busy with his new family – and so, the daughter raised herself. Money in her hands, empty fridge and dark house were all she knew of. Her mother rarely spoke to her, and it felt like they were strangers living in the same house.

‘I don’t mind, it’s fine.’ was what the daughter reassured herself, but all she felt was the deep abyss inside her.

And without realizing it, the daughter was a teenager now. She was on her last year of high school, and the mother thought she’s fine.

One day, she found her daughter bleeding from her wrist on the bathroom floor.

And the mother realized how foolish she was. Because not all wounds are visible, not everything can be seen. Or perhaps she was just too blind.

The daughter was saved, but she was so angry at her mother. ‘Why did you save me?! I want to die, I should’ve died!’ she yelled. The mother was silent, before she said, ‘because you’re my daughter. How can I let my daughter die?’

The daughter couldn’t say anything else after that. And so, a few days later, they went home together.

There was a broken family; the father, cheated and had a new family. The mother, brokenhearted and buried herself in work. The daughter, alone and attempted suicide.

A few years later passed.

And now, there is a broken family; the mother, buried deep underground. The father and the daughter busy with their own lives, but they never forget about the mother.

The daughter let out a tear and a sad smile while she gazes to the white stone where her mother’s name is written, a fresh bucket of flowers in her hands. Next to her, her father held her tight.

‘Mom, how are you? It’s been two years since you’re gone, but I have a good news, mom.’ The daughter smiled, ‘I finally did it. I’m a doctor now.’