CHAPTER THREE : THE DAY

I was still surprised till this morning. The feeling of receiving a charity-like funds from someone who willingly shares an amount without even asking for it. I jump in joy as I couldn’t get over with sudden sent money that night. I could see how my lips were about to rip while still widely smiling in front of the mirror. The moment he asked me for my number, and now sending me a money that I didn’t expected.

“Oh, what’s with jolliness?” Mom asked while I enthusiastically ran downstairs and head towards the kitchen to get a glass of cold water. I quickly sip on it as I was still smiling while facing the opened window. The area of our house was peaceful, since it’s out of the city. The sound of the flying birds and dancing leaves are mere noise that can be heard around here. I usually sit on the swing that my father tied up under the acasia three that seems ten meters away from our house. I saw how it jocund itself by the whiffs coming from the sea.

My mother, Melina, approached me and showed me her confused look while grinning. “Have you got a boyfriend in that University, Anne?” She asked that makes me choke from the water I’ve drink. I walked passed by her and walk through the dinning table and put the empty glass. “You seem in new character today. Wasn’t that the reason?” She added while trying to tease me over and over again. I even told her the reason of why I don’t like to study there, it’s because I don’t fit with the standards of students who really able to be on the same vogue every year.

I usually have the visit there once when Camila was asking for company to have herself enroll there for high school. I’m glad to even have a peek inside the campus, since it was very huge. The buildings are even around four floors. There are lockers, different hallways, and rest departments that are painted with their motifs, colored blue and white.

I shook my head in disagreeing her speculations. “I just feel energetic today. I honestly feel vibrant since last night. And it’s a great improvement,” I faked a laugh as I make an alibi. I really rock the bottom and lie indubitably. I just couldn’t tell her about my part-time thing. But still, I have to ask for her permission to independently live in Western City. In order for me to have the temporary job I causally think about. “Oh, by the way, I actually have to stay in Western City for about two weeks before the classes, ma.”

“Are you gonna stay there?” She asked that makes me feel nervous while biting my lower lip. “We can give you an allowance for your commute.” Her facial expressions definitely feel suspicious about my plan. She don’t like the idea that I’m going to be away from them. And honestly, I couldn’t have the fact that leaving this house makes me have a heavy heart. I cherished this place so much.

I followed her with my stares till she sat on the seat and raised her eyebrows. I tried to calm myself being emotional for this matter. I’m not usual of being away from them. Realizing I have to face and solve an obstacles myself. There is no great with dependency and merely hiding cause of fear. “I have to stay there so I could get used with the movements in the study. Don’t worry. I have my part-time. Camila offered me a job to her working place,” I explained referring that everything will be alright though I have my stay-in job waiting now.

“Okay then. Just contact us whenever you need help. I’ll communicate both of you,” she said and hugged me. I stood up and reached the sink to wash for my hands. “Right now?” She sound irritated and impatient. I just nod and plastered a smile to my lips.

“Take care both of you,” I said and reached for her to give a tight embrace. I did the same thing to father, Rene, as he just walked in the kitchen while holding his newspaper and pencil. “You too, pa.” He was stunned to speak about what’s going on. This makes me feel sad and lonely. The emotions always consumes me but I tried not to be teary after I have to lie of where I am going to head to.

I waved my hands to them and rushed through upstairs. There I released the tears I’ve keep the whole minute. I don’t want to be away from them, but I’m desperate for reaching the dreams I want to fulfill as early as I can. Thus, even I feel my eyes soring I still tried to face them after a pretty retouch to my face and settling my dresses in backpack.

“Have a breakfast. Good luck for your job!” Father gladly said as he was now chewing to his bread and show a thumbs up. “You grew up, huh.” He complimented that makes me flatter the moment I realized I was wearing the crop top and high waist trousers then paired it with a sneakers.

“I really have to go pa and. . .ma.” I saw how mother’s eyes was soring red as well. Probably felt how unusual it will be if I’ll be absent here for a while. “Don’t worry I’ll have a visit here if there’s day off. I have to go. Need to catch up with a bus,” I said and lastly peck to their cheeks as I tightly grip to the shoulder padded straps. I awkwardly smile and turn my back to them.

I quickly ran and tried to quit off the drama I’ve been thinking. “To Western City’s Ngarap University, sir.” I said and reach for the pole after I gave him my fare. I took a step up through the vacant seat near the left side window to the edge part of the bus. I looked out to the window and grimace after I got to think about Carx Gomes again.

From tall trees and hill into built structures to some part area of Western City including markets, shopping malls, hardware’s, varying shops, and banks. I suddenly press the red button to ring a signal for stop. I saw how Ngarap University are still having a lot of students in their blue stripes below the knee plates skirt and blouse with a striped necktie as well. They’re getting more busier during last semester. I just have a peek on it and waited for the bus to leave.

I sneaked out and cross the streets to go through Gomes’ residence. I press on the doorbell and peek inside this huge house. I tried to look to my phone screen and saw that it’s already eight o’clock in the morning. Probably Carx is not home already. “What’s yours, miss?” The handmaiden asked while still hands with a gloves. “Are you Annette?” She asked and seems examining my gesture. Her looks makes me scared to her. The way she looked at me from head to toe, it was like I’ve been pinned with her death stares.

“Yes. I am,” I shortly replied and that makes her to nod two times. “Are there people inside?—” I asked but then got surprised to see Carx standing to their garage while wearing his clean uniform. I feel extreme cold and the way how my lips tremble and unable to utter a word after I have an access to their entrance gate. I looked away and pretend to be calm. The handmaiden poked my cheek and smile.

“You’re being too ambitious for him. He isn’t the person that you’ll dream about. Even though, he got a girlfriend the same average as you,” she teased and smirked. I didn’t intend to fantasized about him. It’s just about his money that been sent to my SaveCash account. I don’t want to label anything between us. He’s typically a son a of my boss, absolutely a person out of middle class life.

I gently walked inside their home but before I have reached the doorstep. He just called my name and I saw how he smiled so wide. “You’re so pretty with your outfit. Are you going to work or stroll somewhere?” He suddenly asked that causes my confidence to recede. The way he’s criticizing me, there’s some sort of imply indicating his own opinion and conclusions that sound offensive.

“I-I don’t have any shirts,” I stammered and bit my lower lip in embarrassment. I don’t have any intentions to suit myself well and presentable through their eyes. I didn’t think I made this as fashion. But I could say that I’m going to live in a city. Thus, I have to look myself more neat. “I apologized. But I assume maids have assigned uniforms to dress, aren’t they?”

“Probably. But you seem not working here. You look like a visitor,” he said and mischievously grin. “Are you?” He teased and mocked. He’s totally insulting me, the way his eyes are even rating my taste in fashion.

“Don’t worry. I’ll have it change,” I replied and left him there. After all of his kind-like attitude yesterday, he’s definitely different today. He didn’t even fit with his manner that only knows how to belittle and judge someone’s posture. He really triggered me. Just I thought he was kind-hearted, but let’s opposed that thought for he isn’t.