I was in shock. “I did set my alarms! I don't know how they were turned off!” Just as I was about to leave on foot, my 8-year-old brother Jason shouted, “I KNOW WHO DID IT!” Then, police sirens blared outside. Two officers entered the house and headed straight for my stepmom.
That evening, as I was getting ready to go to bed and have some good night sleep, I set my alarms just to be sure I won’t oversleep for my college entrance exam. It was my dream to become a doctor ever since my mom died of cancer. Becoming an oncologist would mean I could save people who battled the same disease, and I felt like it would be the biggest tribute I could pay to my late mom.
In the morning, I woke up without the sound of the alarms disturbing my sleep. But when I grabbed my phone, I realized my alarms were turned off. The entrance exam was starting in a matter of minutes and I was about to miss the only chance of ever enrolling medical school.
I put on my clothes and rushed downstairs. My stepmom, Linda, was having her morning coffee. I told her what had happened and begged her to take me to the exam center. Looking at me with a smile on her face, she said, “You should have set your alarm. But maybe this is a sign that you’re not cut out for med school.”
I couldn’t believe her words. It was as though she was glad I wouldn’t make it.
With no options left, I decided to walk, knowing there was no chance of ever getting on time.
But at that moment, I heard my little brother Jason saying, “Em, I got you covered. Help is on the way.”
I had no idea what he was talking about, but I could hear the sound of police sirens getting louder and louder.
“Em, it was Linda who turned your alarms off. I saw her entering your room during the night.”
Linda then turned to me and said she did it and she didn’t regret it because my dad paying for my medical school was nonsense.
She planned of opening a beauty salon and she believed my dad should have invested the money in her business venture.
At that moment, police knocked on the door and Jason explained the situation, begging them to help me get to my entrance exam on time. One of the officers, a kind woman full of understanding, asked Linda if what Jason said was true. Of course, she denied it.
The two officers looked at each other, and the woman said, “Well, we are here now and it’s our job to help people. Get in the car.”
When we got to the exam center, the exam was about to start. Luckily, something happened and it was delayed for a couple of minutes, but the doors were closed already.
One of the proctors noticed us and approached, looking confused. “Madam, the entrance exam is starting soon and you are late.”
I was still shaking and was unable to explain the reasons behind my lateness. Luckily, the officers stepped in and explained that I was sabotaged by a family member. The proctor’s stern face eased as he listened. He hesitated a bit, but he then nodded his head and let me take my seat.
A few hours later, I exited the entrance room relieved. I was proud of myself and my little brother who was my forever hero.
Once home, my dad gave me a hug and apologized for his wife’s actions. Jason had already explained everything to him, but he wanted to hear the story from me too.
As I spoke, he’s face grew red with anger. He turned to Linda and told her to pack her things. She didn’t belong there any longer, and although my dad was aware of that long before, this was the last straw.
She didn’t even try to apologize. It was obvious she wasn’t sorry and I didn’t feel any compassion for her.
Please SHARE this article with your family and friends on Facebook.