Chapter Forty-nine

Chapter Forty-nine

My eyes landed on my mom who stood by the doorway with a meek, apologetic look on her face. She held the gifts from earlier wearily as she slowly allowed the door to slide shut behind her, before she walked slowly in careful footsteps into the farther end of the room dropping the gifts beside my bedside table.

She walked back to my side and sank down into the bed, sitting beside me. She looked so humble and remorseful as she sat quietly beside me, blending in my thoughtful position. She cleared her throat gently as she nervously watched my reaction.

I looked away from her back to the open window opposite my bed, overlooking the lush greenery of the beautiful garden that gushed in candour over the glistening sun that massaged its leaves with bright charming rays. They seemed happy in the sun, waving their leaves and dancing to the upbeat music played by the soulful wind. They fluttered and beamed, twirling to the direction of the breeze, jittering with little to no cares in the world.

Some of the plants in the garden had flowers, beautiful flowers, and they seemed to be showing it off. The fruit plants budded beautifully and everything seemed nice and sweet, and from my window, I could almost smell the lovely fragrance of the flowers and leaves carried by the wind. Such an easy life to live, I guess. They grow, they dance, they spin, they live. It’s just their lives, and they are always happy, dancing to the song of the wind. Only these plants know what song the wind sings that make them flutter, blush and dance for joy.

For a bit, I wished I were a plant, or maybe a grass would just be enough. At least, there would be no way for me to forget my place because I would be rooted to one spot in the soil. All I would have to do is grow in one direction, spinning and dreaming, blushing against the wind.

At least there would be no Brandons telling me “you’ve forgotten your place.” These words still hurt like hell and I can’t seem to get it off my head. The more I try to forget it, the more it keeps ringing like an alarm on snooze.

As I looked on, I could see a few butterflies flutter across the garden, perching on petals, sucking on nectars. How cute it was to be a butterfly! Just fly, fly away like you have no cares in the world. But the process… the process, is it what I’m willing to go through?

“Honey…” my mom called in a meek voice with a sorry look on her face, pulling me out of my train of thoughts. Of course, I’ve been thinking a lot lately. “Are you still mad at me?” she asked in a strangled voice.

“Yes.” I said simply still facing the open window.

“I’m sorry.” She said in a small cute voice, as she took my hand and fondled it gently.

I didn’t say a word. Why exactly was she sorry? Was it because I got mad at them or because she was over-expressive, or for saying what she had observed? What was there to be sorry about anyway?

As she didn’t hear a word from me, she snuggled against my shoulder, leaning over me as she batted her cute brown eyes manipulatively at me.

“You know that doesn’t work on me right?” I asked dryly and she grinned widely at me.

“At least it works on your dad.” she said with a bit of excitement in her voice as she raised her head up from my shoulders.

“I’m not my dad?” I rolled my eyes at her, reminding her who I was, in case she had forgotten.

“But you have his hazel eyes?” she sulked.

“That still doesn't make him me?” I said again and a small smile escaped the curve of my lips, annoyingly.

“But it’s all hazel and cute? All I know, it’s his eyes.” she said victoriously.

“Mmm… you’ve been looking into other men’s eyes too, the hazel ones?” I asked sarcastically, teasing her.

“Jeez! No! I’ve got enough hazel eyes already. Don’t let your dad hear that.” she added in a whisper and we both laughed.

She heaved in relief as she held my hand with a smile. The tension between us had dissipated. She looked more relaxed now and I could notice a glint of pure happiness and satisfaction in her eyes.

“So,” she said in a calling voice, “I was thinking, we should visit a mall and shop for new clothes and shoes for you, and maybe, a new phone probably.” she suggested with a small smile on her face.

“I don’t want to go out mom.” I said sulkily with disapproval.

“Why not? You should exercise a little and see for yourself how much Washington has changed while you were away.” she probed further. That seemed to make so much sense but I didn’t want to come out and maybe a pair of grey eyes hanging almost a foot above me stood right out there waiting for me. That would certainly creep me out. Or worse, Roland Bones? Jeez! Roland Bones!

“Mom, it’s not safe out there. What if we met Roland Bones again?” I asked despairingly.

“Trust me. He won’t come anywhere near us. Alright?” she said assuringly.

“Mom…” I dragged further.

“Get ready. We’re going.” with that she stood up immediately and left, not waiting for me to protest.

Gosh! She would never give up when she’s determined, and I wasn’t ready to deal with this. Maybe, I should have just pretended to be mad at her still, at least I would not bother going out and fear what may become of it.

“Out of your cocoon Galena!” my subconscious chided.

But seriously, how did I even misplace my phone? Could it have fallen somewhere in the cab I entered? I haven’t even had time to think about all that had happened, ranging from how things got messy with Ethan and Mia, how I got entangled with Brandon and how things were going between us, how Roland Bones kidnapped be and brought me here with the aim of hurting me, and then, like I fell into another dream, he disappeared. How sure was I that he would not reappear again?

“Honey, are you done preparing?” my mom shouted from outside the room, jolting me from my reverie.

“Coming!” I shouted back and sluggishly stood up to dress up.