Mami awoke slowly. She blinked in the bright, morning sunlight. She grabbed her cellphone, sat on the bedside cabinet next to her. The time read, "08:30." It was also Saturday, a weekend. Two days of not working. She sighed and put down her cellphone. Maybe she could sleep in today. Her eyes fell on the calender on the wall. Today was the 6th. She read the event she has scribbled and sat bolt upright. Today was the day she was going to see Haruka. The time read, "10am." Mami climbed out of bed. She had an hour and a half to get herself and her apartment in a suitable condition for her daughter.
The clock on the wall read "9.55" It was almost time for her daughter. The apartment was spotless. Satisfied, she down on the sofa and waited for the imminent arrival of her daughter. The minutes ticked by silently, each one longer than the last. Then finally, "10am". Zero hour came and went. Mami began to get anxious. Then suddenly...knock, knock on the door.
Mami leapt up, almost like she'd tried to sit on a hedgehog. She went to the door and pulled it open. She beamed widely as she saw her daughter standing in the doorway. Behind her was a tall, burly man holding a Hello Kitty backpack. This man was Mami's ex husband.
"Mummy!" squealed the little girl, running headlong in Mami's arms and receiving a huge hug. She was no older than about 8.
"I'll come get her tomorrow evening," he said in a voice that leaked authority. He thrust the bag into Haruka's hand and turned to leave.
"See you tomorrow," he said gruffly.
"Bye daddy," she said.
In one movement, Haruka bounded into the apartment. She made a beeline for Mami's bed and leapt onto it. Mami dropped her bag as Haruka began jumping up and down on Mami's bed. Usually, she would discipline her daughter but she was so happy to see the sight of her that she refrained, and simply stood watching her jump up and down in excitement.
"Haruka," she said. "Did your father feed you?"
"No," replied Haruka. "He didn't have time. He knew you would do it, so he didn't bother."
Little children were incredibly honest, and she had no problem bad mouthing her father.
"I see," said Mami. "Well, what would you like? We can go to KFC if you like."
Haruka jumped off the bed and went over to her mother.
"Mummy," said Haruka with a serious look on her face. "Daddy and his girlfriend always take me there. I want to have some of Mummy's cooking."
"I don't have the ingredients to make it now," said Mami. "We'll have to go to the market."
"Okay mummy," said Haruka. "I'm ready."
It was a symbol of her affection for her mother that she was so excited to go to the market with her.
"Alright," said Mami. "Let me just get ready."
Being a Saturday, the market was crowded with people. Old people, young people and families. Haruka walked next to her mother, she clutched her hand tightly afraid that her mother would accidentally let go in this large crowd of people.
"It's very busy today," observed Haruka.
"Well yes," said Mami. "It's Saturday, everyone is buying the things they need for the week."
"I see." said Haruka. "It's exciting."
Mami chuckled.
"Doesn't your dad ever take you out shopping with him?" she asked.
"No," said Haruka. "His girlfriend has all the things delivered and when I'm hungry he takes me to a restaurant."
"What does he make you eat?" enquired Mami as they passed a stall selling large, juicy apples.
"He says I can eat whatever I want," replied Haruka. "But it's not the same. I want to eat home food."
"I think you're the first kid in the world who doesn't like eating hamburgers and fried chicken," said Mami.
"I like eating it," replied Haruka. "But not all the time."
Mami stopped at the stall.
"Shall we get some apples?" she asked.
"We shall," said Haruka.
Half an hour later, their arms were full of shopping bags of various fruits, vegetables and some cakes. Haruka insisted on carrying as many as her little arms would allow her. They trudged home, Mami was tired but happy. To many people, shopping with their daughter was a regular thing, but to her; it was special.
"Good morning Ken," said Mami as she passed a man sweeping up the street outside her house.
"Good morning Mami," he replied. "Who's this little helper of yours?"
"I'm Haruka," said Haruka proudly. "I'm her daughter."
"How old are you Haruka?" asked Ken.
"I'm 8 and a half," she replied confidently.
Ken smiled.
"Smart little girl you got there Mami," he said. "She's charming."
Mami smiled.
"Thank you," she said. "See you."
He nodded at them both and continued to sweep the street.
"Mummy," asked Haruka as they climbed the stairs. "Why do you sweep the streets?"
Mami didn't reply until they reached her front door. She laid down the bags on the floor and reached for her keys.
"Well someone has to do it," said Mami. "Otherwise the streets will be dirty."
Haruka smiled.
"You know what I mean mummy," she replied. "Why do you have to do it?"
Mami opened the door and picked up the bags.
"It's a long story," said Mami as she entered her home.
"Please tell me," said Haruka.
Mami looked straight at her daughter.
"I will tell you tonight," said Mami. She sensed that her daughter was too smart to fool, besides she was owed the truth. "Let's make lunch and I'll tell you tonight."
"Can we go to the park after lunch?" asked Haruka. "Walk around and buy some silly hats?"
Mami smiled to herself.
"Yes," said Mami. "We can. That will be fun."
Time flies when you're having fun and it was just the case with Mami and her daughter Haruka. Before they knew it, the day was over and they were laying in Mami's bed together, tired but happy after their day together. In the lounge, the TV was playing to an audience that wasn't watching it. Haruka was wearing a hat that resembled a stet-sun with a huge pink feather. Her mother had donned a witches hat with the "Hogwarts" seal on it.
"Mummy," said Haruka. "Thank you for a wonderful day."
Mami kissed her daughter on the cheek.
"My pleasure honey," she replied lovingly.
"What will we do tomorrow?" asked Haruka.
"Whatever you want," said Mami.
"Can we stay at home in our pyjamas?" asked Haruka. "And eat junk food until we feel sick?"
Mami chuckled.
"Are you serious?" she asked. "Don't you do that enough at home?"
"No," said Haruka. "Daddy just sits me in front of the TV. But I have to watch what they do. If I don't they send me to my room and then I'm all alone."
Mami couldn't accept her daughter living with her ex husband, but this made it harder to bear.
"I don't think his new girlfriend likes me very much," said Haruka.
"What makes you say that?" asked Mami.
"She likes to discipline me," said Haruka quietly.
Mami sat bolt upright.
"What do you mean?" asked Mami. "She doesn't hit you does she?"
"Only when she thinks I'm naughty," replied Haruka.
"Which is how often?" pressed Mami.
"Quite often," said Haruka.
"Let me see," demanded Mami.
Haruka hesitated but slowly lifted up her sleeve to show a several days old bruise.
"Why did she do that?" asked Mami.
"I dropped a plate by accident," answered Haruka. Her little eyes were starting to fill up with tears.
Mami instinctively grabbed her daughter and pulled her into a tight embrace. Without warning, Haruka began sobbing uncontrollably on her mothers shoulder.
"I'm sorry mummy," wailed Haruka.
"Ssh," soothed Mami. "It's okay. It's okay."
"Mummy," said Haruka as she sobbed. "Can I stay here with you?"
Mami pulled off from her hug. She looked at her daughter.
"Oh Haruka," she began.
"Please mummy," she said. "I don't want to go back there again."
Mami grabbed her daughters head and forced her to look directly into her eyes.
"Haruka," she said firmly. "Listen to me."
Haruka nodded.
"I'm going to do whatever I can to get you back," she said. "Do you understand me?"
Haruka nodded. Mami pulled her into a tight embrace.
"You must go back there, just one more time," instructed Mami.
Haruka shook her head.
"I can't," she said.
"You must," said Mami. "You must. Go back there just one more time. It will be the last time, I promise."
"What are you going to do?" she asked.
"You'll see," said Mami.
It was 2 am. Haruka was sleeping peacefully with her mother. But her mother, however wasn't sleeping. Mami was wide awake, watching her daughter sleeping. Haruka stirred slightly, and rolled over onto her side. Mami got up quietly and crept towards the lounge. Mami picked up her phone. She scrolled down to Tomomi's number and pressed "dial."
She waited as the phone rung. Haruka snored and rolled over, her sleeping was undisturbed. Mami watched her and wondered what she was dreaming.
"What?" asked a sleepy voice.
"Tomomi?" asked Mami. "Are you awake?"
"Well, I am now aren't I?" she replied abruptly. "What's wrong with you? Why can't you call at a decent time like normal people? Why you got to..?"
"It's urgent,"said Mami.
"Look if it's another giant cockroach, you can get it yourself," said Tomomi. "Go use that can of Raid I bought you."
"No," said Mami. "It's about...Haruka."
"What about her?" asked Tomomi. "She okay?"
"I can't talk about it now," said Mami.
Tomomi was relieved to hear it.
"Can we meet somewhere tomorrow?" asked Mami. "After Haruka's dad has come to collect her?"
Tomomi sighed.
"Okay," she said. "1pm in Yoyogi Park, by the shrine."
"Thank you," said Mami.
Tomomi sighed and hung up. Mami followed suit a few seconds later. She placed her cellphone carefully on the bedside table and turned to watch her daughter sleeping. Haruka stirred and rolled onto her side facing her mother. Her mouth lolled open as she slept. Mami smiled and kissed her daughters forehead lightly.