Morning came sooner than Rania had expected.
The sun had not yet fully risen when Rania woke to Alena's crying. She opened her eyes, her body still heavy after working all day the day before.
For a few seconds, Rania simply lay there, staring at the bedroom ceiling.
The ache lingered in her back and both hands. Even when she tried to move her fingers, her body seemed to be asking her to keep resting.
But Alena's crying sounded again.
Rania immediately got up.
“Yes, sweetheart.”
She went over to the small bed beside her and picked Alena up.
“Are you awake?”
Alena squirmed slightly in her arms.
Rania smiled, even though her face still looked tired.
“Sorry, Mom took a little long.”
She carried Alena into the living room, then sat down with her in her arms.
After making sure Alena had calmed down, Rania began preparing everything she needed. She had to go back to work that morning.
Rania glanced at the clock.
She didn't have much time.
She quickly prepared a simple breakfast for herself. She managed only a few bites before stopping because she had to get Alena ready.
She knew she should eat more.
But work was already waiting.
Before leaving, Rania took Alena back to Ms. Sari's house.
“I'm sorry to trouble you again, Ms. Sari.”
Ms. Sari smiled.
“Enough. Don't keep saying that.”
Rania handed her a small bag containing Alena's necessities.
“I might come home a little late today.”
“That's all right. Just do your work without worrying.”
Rania nodded.
Then she kissed Alena's forehead.
“Mom's going now.”
Alena looked at her with innocent eyes. Rania smiled.
“Mom will be home later.”
She turned and left.
But after only a few steps, pain returned to her body. Rania stopped for a moment.
She held her lower back.
She drew a deep breath.
“It's okay.”
Once the pain had eased a little, Rania continued walking.
She couldn't be late.
That day's work was harder than before.
Rania had to clean several rooms, wash clothes, and help with other tasks assigned to her.
Several times, her hands stopped because they were aching.
But whenever she saw work that remained unfinished, she started again.
Her employer, a woman, noticed Rania.
“You look tired.”
Rania smiled.
“I'm fine, ma'am.”
“If you really can't keep going, take a short break.”
Rania shook her head.
“After I finish.”
The woman didn't pressure her.
Rania went back to work.
There was only one thing on her mind. Alena.
The more work she finished, the more money she could bring home.
And the more money she had, the easier it would be to meet her daughter's needs.
That was what kept Rania going.
It was already late afternoon when she finished working.
Rania wiped the sweat from her forehead.
Both her hands felt heavy.
But as soon as she received her pay, she gave a small smile.
It wasn't much money.
But it was enough to buy some of Alena's necessities.
Rania hurried home.
Her steps were slow, but her thoughts were already fixed on one place.
Ms. Sari's house.
When she arrived, she saw Alena being held in someone's arms.
Rania's face immediately brightened.
“Alena.”
She went over to her daughter.
Alena moved her hands when she saw Rania.
Rania immediately took her and held her close.
“Mom's home.”
She kissed Alena's cheeks again and again.
“Did you miss me?”
Ms. Sari smiled as she watched them.
“It looks like she really was waiting for you.”
Rania let out a soft laugh.
“Even though it's only been a few hours.”
“For a baby, a few hours can feel like a long time.”
Rania hugged Alena tighter.
Then Ms. Sari looked closely at Rania's face.
“Have you eaten?”
Rania fell silent.
“Yes.”
Ms. Sari stared at her.
“Really?”
Rania finally gave a small smile.
“I'll eat at home later.”
Ms. Sari sighed.
“Don't push yourself too hard, Rania.”
Rania nodded.
“Yes, ma'am.”
But deep down, Rania knew that her body was starting to feel tired more and more often.
She simply didn't want to admit it.
That night, after Alena had fallen asleep, Rania sat in the living room.
She opened her hands and examined her palms.
Her skin was beginning to feel rough.
Several spots had turned red from her work.
Rania gently rubbed them.
For a moment, she felt sad.
She had never imagined that she would live a life like this.
But then she looked toward the bedroom.
Alena was there.
Rania smiled.
“It's okay.”
She looked at her hands again.
“Even if Mom's hands get rough, they'll heal eventually.”
Rania stood and went over to her daughter.
She sat beside the small bed.
Alena was still sleeping soundly.
Rania stroked her hair.
“What matters is that you're all right.”
She fell silent for a moment.
“Mom is allowed to get tired.”
“But Mom isn't allowed to give up.”
She said the words softly, as though reminding herself.
Rania knew the road ahead was still long.
Alena had only just been born.
Her needs would continue to grow.
And Rania didn't know how long her body could keep up with all of life's demands.
But that night, she made a simple decision.
As long as she was still able to stand, she would keep working.
Not because she never got tired.
But because there was someone who made her feel that exhaustion was no reason to stop.
Rania bent down and kissed Alena's forehead.
“Sleep well, sweetheart.”
“Mom will try again tomorrow.”
Then she turned off the light.
In that small house, a mother lay down to rest once more, her body exhausted.
Beside her, a tiny baby slept, unaware that her mother was spending every ounce of her strength on a future she was not yet old enough to understand.