Crossing the Darkness Towards Happiness
CHAPTER 18
Jake is currently sitting alone at the dining table, his plate full of untouched food.
The empty chairs around him were a stark reminder of his lonely existence.
His parents, who were consumed by their own lives, seemed to have little time for him.
The emptiness of the house reflects the emptiness in his heart. He was used to being alone from childhood, he kept like this because his parents were always busy.
His parents, always preoccupied with their own lives, leave Jake to live his loneliness in solitude.
As Jake stares at the untouched plate before him, bitter hatred crawls into Jake's mind.
He longs for the warmth of family, the feeling of being cared for and loved.
But the truth is very painful. Her parents seem to prioritize their careers over her happiness, making her feel neglected and invisible.
"When is this over? I'm tired of the loneliness I've always felt."
Jake's eyes slowly empty as he continues to mutter about something, Jake still does not eat his food and just sits quietly on the bench.
A drop of tear fell on Jake's cheek, Jake quickly wiped away his tears and forced him to eat.
While eating, Jake's tears continue to flow as he continues to force to eat and swallow his food.
It all felt heavy, his heart was getting empty more and more due to loneliness, his body was slowly tired of all these things and wanted to give up.
Jake's father, Darion Eiliv Asterion, who is called Darion, is cold even with his own family.
Darion is a dedicated entrepreneur, tirelessly pursuing success and financial stability.
His long work hours in the office often lasted into the late hours of the night, leaving Darion constantly immersing himself in work, almost never present at home.
While Jake's mother, Sarah Versila Christe called Sarah, equally engrossed in her work. Sarah works as a very famous model.
Sarah often travels for important meetings and leaves Jake to fend for himself in their quiet home.
Darion and Sarah were actually married just because of an arranged marriage, since the beginning the two had never loved each other at all.
They both survive because of a family that wants them to stay together and not get divorced for Jake's sake.
But Darion and Sarah until now have no love for each other.
Although Jake was born, their feelings did not grow at all. The more days pass, Darion and Sarah's relationship is also increasingly stretched because they are also busy with their respective work.
Drowning in his mind, Jake barely notices when his father finally arrives home.
Darion's tired face and cold gaze were too familiar. Jake looks up at Darion and gathers the courage to speak up, longing to talk to his father.
"Dad, can we talk?"
Jake said his wish, then smiled at Darion, staring at Darion waiting for his answer.
"I have an urgent job to do. We'll talk later."
Jake's smile faded and Jake's heart throbbed in pain, his attempt to get close to his father thwarted once again. Jake watched his father disappear from his sight.
Leaving Jake alone again in a house that was getting cold and empty without any warmth.
Jake sighed and then chose to go back to the room, while in Jake's room lay down on his mattress.
Jake thinks something and then takes his cell phone and calls his mom. Jake knows maybe his mom might be busy but Jake misses the voice of his Mom who has not been heard for 2 months.
"Hi Mom," Jake spoke up hesitantly, his voice showing his longing.
"What-what"
Before Jake can finish, his words are cut off by Sarah.
"I'm busy Jake, don't bother me."
The conversation ends as quickly as it begins, leaving Jake with a deep sense of emptiness.
As a void of silence enveloped Jake's room, he felt his throat choking. The burden of loneliness weighed on his chest, and tears welled up in his eyes.
It seemed like everyone in his life had turned away from him, leaving him to face this alone.
Jake wonders if his parents will ever actually see him and notice him that he exists?
Would they ever recognize the deep loneliness that struck his heart.
Will they understand his feelings as a child who only needs a little affection and attention from them.
"Am I not their child? Am I just a stranger to them?"
Jake sighed thinking about it, then Jake stared at the roof ceiling, his mind filled with a jumble of emotions and thoughts.
He could not understand why his efforts to reach out to his loved ones were responded to with such a cold demeanor.
Feeling defeated and estranged, Jake huddles under the covers, seeking solace in the warmth of his bed.
The darkness of the room reflected the emptiness he felt inside. He closed his eyes, hoping that sleep would bring temporary relief from his problems.
I hope tomorrow will be better than before. Yes, only a hope that without knowing it is fulfilled or not.
In his dreams, Jake finds himself in a world filled with love and understanding, where he is embraced for who he is.
It was a short escape, but it was also what gave him hope for a brighter tomorrow.
And with that hope in his heart, Jake falls into a deep sleep, knowing that even in his darkest moments, there is always a glimmer of light waiting to guide him back home.
