"tell me about the most courageous thing you've ever done in your life"

It was hot and she was starting to sweat but she kept on stirring, all the while trying to shut off the world around her. Her dad was panicking from an incident that she refused to absorb. No, not today. Mommy's going to drink this soup and she will be glad that I kept my word.

She had to commute. She had no choice. Her dad had to fetch her grandmother. She had never done this alone before. Not without her mom. It was swift, but after alighting the jeepney, she felt like an adult. I did it.

She couldn't contain her feelings. Above anything else, she was nervous. Happy nervous. Will mommy like my soup?

Her steps were quick. She wanted to run. She reached for the door. Men in white greeted her in disarray. It was pandemonium. She dropped that one precious thing that she thought would make her mom smile that day. No. No. No.

The little chapel became her fortress. For how long, she didn't know. She was praying silently, speaking to Him in a way that even surprised her. If it's her time, if it's Your will, I'll accept it.

Half-knowing, half-embracing the fact that she'll soon face the fear that she was trying to deny earlier in the day, she took small steps toward the calm. She saw her little brother sobbing and it broke her heart. She knew, but she didn't shed a tear. Mommy's in heaven now.

She was 12.

She was about to step into a dark unknown. She needed to stay strong. She needed to be brave. She needed to start being independent. She needed to become the woman her mom wanted her to be. She needed to make her proud.

She did.

Or I guess I did.

This post is part of a series of blogging challenges by the Wanderrgirl herself, Arriane! I thought about what to write for six days and was thisclose to posting a pathetic "I don't even know!" But here it is. Anyway, check Belsha's take on this challenge!