Chapter 2 : Reality

“Hello, earth to Rosa?” Rosa blinked and gasped softly when she notice that the floor has already been mopped clean and all the chairs have been flip and rested on the table. She turn her gaze to Clara.

“I’m so sorry. I didn’t mean to leave everything up to you.”

Clara chuckled and sat on one chair that hasn’t been arranged. “It’s alright, babe. I notice you were rather distracted. What is on your mind, Rosa? Were you thinking about that dream again?”

Rosa sighed as she nodded with a tired smile.

“Yeah, the same dream I’ve been having for almost a month. I don’t know what’s going on with me. It’s robbing me of my sleep and making me...”

“What? Horny?” Clara grinned and when Rosa looks shock, Clara laughed. 

“Clara!”

“What? I was just kidding but truth to be told, you holding on to your virginity like Spongebob holding on to his Krabby Patty in yesterday episode...”

“My virginity will rot? That’s….ew.”

She was referring to a Spongebob Squarepants episode where he created a Krabby Patty and rather than eating it, he kept the patty until it rots and become all worms and rotten.

“Me and my cartoons. I can’t help it. The kids are forcing me to watch their shows. I even bought Netflix and they are overpowering the TV.”

Rosa laughed. “And what does hubby thinks about this?”

Clara grinned. “Tim likes them getting distracted with TV because it gives us more opportunity for some sexy time.”

“Wait, wouldn’t the kids like check on you or something? That is risky isn’t it?”“That’s the trick, baby. Keeps the marriage spicy. Plus, my sister has been living with us after she was kicked off from her factory after it was close down. She helps to distract them. Heard some investors from Europe came in town and bought the land. Mr Richie-rich so you should come and check out the Town Hall sometimes. Heard he has been having a meeting there. I’m sure if you walk passed by there, you might catch his attention with that gorgeous green eyes of yours.”

“And why would I need to do that? I’m happy being single and able to take care of my family. I don’t need any man. I am perfectly fine on my own.” She pursed her lips with humour in her eyes and wipe the bar table top while Clara sat beside her.

“But your dreams sure proved otherwise. Maybe it’s like a hint, or a destiny. You know? Giving you a sign that a new adventures awaits you soon. Like Harry Potter shit.”

“Clara, Harry Potter didn’t have a dream where he wore a sexy red nightie and a gorgeous blue eye running his hands all over him.”

Clara gasped loudly, her hands both cupping either of her cheek and a wide smile took over her lips.

“You never told me Mr Dreamy-dream touch you. Was it erotic? Please tell me it is? Oh, gosh. I’m so happy for you. I wish I could have that dream too.”

Rosa laughed. “Darling, you have the real deal. I’m still a virgin remember?”

“You won’t be if you actually took up Eli’s offer and be his wife. I’m telling you, the guy maybe older but he has that Hugh Jackman look, he’s rich and y’all definitely will have cute babies.”

“Not to mention divorced three times because he was caught having an affair three times. I don’t care about his money or if we’ll have cute babies. I just don’t feel anything for him. He kinda creeps me out. I’ll stay a virgin forever if he’s the only guy in the wolrd.”

“Ah, ah, ah. Be careful what you wish for, Rosa.”

Oh, she has a wish alright but Eli Valderrama is not it. Not only has he been pestering her since she finishes high school, she even bothered her sick mother and gave her an option of marrying him and then he would aid Rosa’s sick mother.

Poor woman has been suffering with weak lungs after got into a car accident which leaves her father dead and mother with bad lung infection after a metal rode spears into one of her lung.

She survived of course but her mother is robbed from doing any activity and work to raise Rosa and her siblings so Rosa pick up the gravel and help her family instead. It’s not a problem really. She loves her mother very much and helping her was no problem at all.

…

Coming home just like every other night, Rose would check up on her mother who was watching TV in her bed that is placed in her bedroom. It works as her only entertainment in the house while her little brother, a twin is both still in kindergarten.

Like her, her little brother inherits her mother’s brown hair and their father bright bold, green eyes that looks almost grey under the sun.

She enters her mother’s bedroom and switch off the TV and almost jumped from fright when she sees her mother smiling and staring back at her.

“Mom, you almost gave me a heart attack! What are you doing at this hour. Why haven't sleep yet?

“Baby girl, I was waiting for you. You didn’t think I’d go to sleep knowing that my daughter is not in her bed, sleeping right now, do you?” Her voice was hoarse and sounded painful. Nevertheless, her beauty, right at the peak of 40 still stands out even when she is lying on her bed and sick. 

Rosa smiled and went to kneel down beside her mother. 

“Mom, I’m fine. It's almost 2:00 o'clock. It’s not like I never done this before. Plus Mr Kimble is next door still playing with his banjo so I’m sure that I’ll be fine going back at this hour. There’s nothing for you to be worried about, mama.”

“Mr Kimble is a 70 year old man who gets drunk every night and dead to world every morning till 7pm. I doubt he’ll be strong enough to save you or protect you when the situations come by.”

Rosa went up to her and knelt down beside her bed.

“Mom, I’m telling you I am OK. Plus, Clara has been sending me home remember? It's not like I’m walking alone to our house. I promise that nothing bad will ever happen to me. With your blessings, I will be fine.”

Her mother smiled sadly and cup her cheek.

“I love you so much, baby girl. I’m so sorry for troubling you. at this age. You should’ve been going out or just enjoying your life right now. Not helping me to support your siblings and take care of this household. You’re supposed to go out, have fun and found love.”

Rosa giggled. “I have all the love that I need in this room, mama.”

“And that’s why I love you so much, precious girl.