ARLENE MARIELLA's POV
When I arrived at the house there was no one there, they were there Manang, but only in their rooms. I went straight to the library to return the book I picked up this morning. I laid my sling bag on the table, only to be stopped by someone who remembered.
No, no, no. Please, no, Pa. The voice of begging Arlene flashed back in my mind. I begged for my virginity.
[Papa: Daddy]
"Arlene?" Grandma, from behind.
I immediately wiped the tears that flowed down my cheek.
"Yes?" I smiled in response as I faced her.
"Come on, let's eat." She smiled as well.
"All right, I'll be next."
"All right, we'll serve." She nodded and closed the door.
I immediately put the book back on the shelf, before going out and going straight to my room. I sighed, and took a fast half bath first before going downstairs and ate my dinner. The whole dinner was quiet, I liked it. I don't like eating here with Papa, Mama is okay.
"I'm going to wash, take a break," I said, not looking at them.
"Are you all right, hija?" Grandma's voice was mixed with concern when she approached me and touched both of my shoulders and slowly presented me to her.
"Yes. You've done a lot before, I know you're very tired." I smiled again.
"Oh okay, I'm just in our room huh? When you need someone to talk to, call me and we'll talk."
"Yes." I nodded.
"I love you, hija. Don't forget that even if we aren't blood-related." She kissed my forehead.
"I love you too, Grandma." I hugged her for a moment. "All right, I might cry. I'm going to wash." I immediately let go and faced the sink.
"All right." She said and I heard her footsteps moving away from there.
Even if you are not related to someone, you can still learn to love them.
*KRING**KRING*
I washed my hand first, before wiping it and taking my cell phone that was on the countertop, sitting on it.
Unknown Number Calling...
Who is this?
"Hello? Who is this bitch?" My introduction.
"What did you say?!" Ian's angry voice came to me.
"That bitch." I whispered. "Nothing, why did you get called? I'm washing the dishes." I rubbed my finger.
"We'll talk, for tomorrow," he said calmly but I was just so nervous. I was not prepared!
"Tell me, just wait! I'll just finish what I'm washing, just call me again, bye." I turned it off right away and didn't even wait for his answer. I quickly washed the plates until the other glass was cracked.
Shit! I restrained myself from using the handgrip there, I took a dustpan and broom before removing all the glass that was there. In my panic, even my cellphone I was waiting for to ring was almost thrown away.
Inhale, exhale.
There is a part of me that is scared and happy. I think maybe they're mad at me for not showing up to them all these years. I promised them.
"When you break up with my son, hija. Will you still visit me?" She said sadly, as she watched the child swim in the pool.
"Of course, Aunt! I promise that!" I raised my right hand as if swearing.
That day was amazing. I want to go back, but I can't. That day was just a beautiful memory of mine, now. I need to move on and make some new memories with new people.
"Hello?" My answer.
"Are you done?" Sterian.
"Yep," I pinched the cellphone between my ear and shoulder. I went to the drawer and took a glass. I poured milk there before putting it in the microwave. I turned it into 5 minutes.
"Okay, I'll loudspeaker my phone, so my parents can hear you too."
"Go," I said calmly, but inwardly my heart was pounding.
"Hi, Arlene!" I heard my Aunt's lively voice.
"Hello, Auntie!" I greeted warmly.
"How are you, hija? We haven't seen each other in years. It's a good thing my son Sterian met you. I miss you."
"I'm okay, I'm busy studying so I don't have time to go there. You? How are you?"
"It's okay here, it's going well, and life is fine. I'm annoyed with Stewart, you know? Ever since that boy developed amnesia, he's been reprimanded! He's always been drinking and remembering the past Ciara and I— oh God, Hija, I'm sorry I was stressed out about Stewart. "
Their breakup is still good, he remembers.
"No, it's okay Auntie. Haha," I casually laughed before continuing. "I'll visit there tomorrow because Sterian invited me earlier. Can I?" I changed the topic.
"Omg! That's great! I'm willing to be there! We'll pretend we don't know you so that Stewart won't think you're his ex. Even though I want to tell him about your past relationship, I still can't because his head might get hurt. "
“I understand that I can't even do that."
"Hmm. I'll tell you tomorrow about his life when people weren't around, huh?"
"All right." my simple answer.
"I know you still love him... I always pray that you and he will come back together, because hija, I like you for him. Please, don't give up on my son? Can you please, don't love someone else? Can you wait for him? I know his memories will come back too soon. Sorry for being desperate, I just want the best for my son." I felt his sadness.
All moms do the best things for their sons.
"I can't promise, Auntie. But, I will." I said and smiled.
"Thank you, your Uncle Jonas wants to talk to you."
I got the milk with me while walking upstairs to go to my room.
"Hello, hija!" Uncle Jonas.
"Hi, po!"
"Thank you so much and you'll be here tomorrow!"
"Hahaha, yes, Sterian invited me."
"Wow, we'll prepare the best food for you."
"Oh, Uncle. Don't do that, even if it's just a simple meal, I'm fine.
"Is that so? All right."
"Hehe, yes."
"Anyway, we need to sleep. We need to wake up early tomorrow for you."
"All right, good night Uncle and Auntie!"
"Good night, hija!"
I opened the door using my other hand, I walked straight to my veranda and placed the glass on the table. I seated myself comfortably while staring at Riana's veranda that's in front of me.
"Hello? Are you still there?" Sterian.
"Yes, I am."
"Good. Do you know why mom's pleading with you not to give up on my brother?"
"I don't know."
"Because she knows what true love is."
"How did she know that my love is true?"
"Because she already felt it. Some girls are pleading with guys to come back. True love, will do anything, even dying."
"But, I didn't plead Stewart to come back."
"You didn't plead, because you know what's best for him. You gave up, just for him to be happy."
I went silent there because I knew that was true. Even I can say that my love for Stewart is true and pure because even a few years later he is still the one my heart cries out for. I hold on to my love for him, I can't let go.
"Hey, are you kidding?"
"Ah— I drank my milk, sorry."
"Oh, okay. I'll pick you up at 11 AM tomorrow huh?"
"Sure, sure."
"All right, baby. I'll just fix something." his farewell.
"Bye-bye," I answered that the call had been turned off.
Whoo. Fortunately, the three of us had a good conversation, different from what I expected.
I finished my milk first, before sleeping. I slept peacefully that night. And, my dream was great too! It was all happy, there's no scary bitches and such.