Chapter 20
We were home before my curfew. Just as I get out of Khai's car, mom was already standing by the front yard waiting for me.
I had some fun this day but coming home is not fun at all. Greeted my mom, before rushing inside in fear. Just left Khai to take good care of himself and ready mine to get beaten to death for skipping class today.
Let's face the reality, mom will get mad no matter how Khai will persuade her.
I went to my room. Did not lock the door, mom will come for me. As I lay flat on my bed, I stare at the ceiling and let what happened today play in my mind like watching a movie.
The way that Khai held my hand as we run together. How he opened the car door for me. While we took ourselves shouting in terror on that roller coaster. The way the ride flies scarily, I thought we're gonna die. But getting scared together and catching breath together was another life to live.
He cannot deny, I knew he wanted this so bad. I knew he wanted to date me so bad. I knew he wants me so bad. But too bad, we can't.
It's getting late. I wonder why mom is not calling for me yet.
I ran downstairs. It was like, I am looking voluntarily for my punishment, is it?
Mom was sitting at the dining table. "Let's eat. Dinners ready." The way she said it was like something is wrong.
"Are you my mother?" I jokingly asked. Like for real she's not getting mad right now.
"Norton came to a while ago looking for you. And also to give your bag you left at school." I can tell she is starting it.
So I had to take my seat at the dining table.
"How did he know my address? And did he say something?" I dared to ask.
"Yeah, he first told me not to get mad at you."
"Get mad at me? Oh, that is Khai, not Norton." I corrected, maybe he misidentified him.
"No," she stopped me."It was Norton, then Khai. So tell me, why do these two people are dictating me on what to do on my child," mom said. Her tone was not rising. She was talking calm not mad but confused.
And confused so am I to not hear her screaming at me. Maybe she doesn't know yet. Maybe the boys are playing tricks on her. Ha! Got you Khai. Do you think I am gonna lose to that bet? Bet you are!
"Mom, I skipped school," I confessed.
"It's okay Sam. Norton told me about it. You need to comfort yourself from losing a friend and I understand that."
"What? No, no! I skipped class and went to the park with Khai," I explained.
But mom smiled. What? Why is she not getting mad? Is something wrong with her?
"Oh, Sam. How kind for Khai to comfort you when you are sad. I salute him, he is not bad."
I wiggled my head. Oh no. Mom is getting it wrong. "It's not what you think mom."
"Oh, Samantha. You should see how good the people around you are before they disappear." Wtf this is the worst she ever told.
"Okay, whatever. Let's just eat. The important thing is I told the truth and it's up to you to get mad at me or not," I'm pissed off and took the spoon to dig my bowl.
I thought she will be mad but turns out the opposite. I am madder that she had a witted brain today. Dang! I'll just eat my food!
Mom laughed. I glared at her, she is even laughing? "It's been a long time since you've talked back to me. It got more respectful this time though," she continued. "I am not getting mad just because people tell me to. I am not mad today because," mom stopped for a second then looked at me.
"Because?" I urged her to continue.
"Nothing. Coz it's not worth of my precious emotion," she answered.
Well, that explains it I guess.
"Does that mean I can do it again?" I asked to annoy.
Then mom would pat my back. "Try me!" she warned.
"Just kidding."
Right before I could finish my plate, a text message caught my attention- WAITING OUTSIDE AT TEN-
I did not give a face to save myself from mom's suspicion. So I had to continue scrolling and let the time pass.
After dinner, I went to my room and waited. As the time passed, I gathered all the details in my head before going out of the house. Mom is already asleep, it's better for her tired body.
I looked around, looking for him but it was like he was coming late this time. It's already ten. I took my phone. "Oh, he got a minute more to go," I just realized. And just as the minute passes by, I can feel a palm through my shoulder and a body beside me.
"Dad!" I hugged him tight as he wraps his hands around me.
"I said ten, you came out early," he even lectured.
In our backyard was an old bench around mom's little botanical garden. We sat and live the night.
"So what you got this time?" I asked starting to recall the last time I talked to him
"I met your mom."
"Dad!" My eyes circled looking at him. It was anger, of course, I am angry. "What did she say. What happened. Where and when?" I asked unstoppably This could bring me trouble. I hate the idea that we will be moving to another place.
"Don't worry, I handled it this time," dad assured.
My head moved to his position. "What happened?" It was an interested manner of rising my intonation as I curve my lips on both ends.
"We had a coffee, as to what we've talked, that's private." So that explains it. I knew there was something to why mom was acting different today. So I guess, they worked it out this time.
"How private?" I joyfully teased him.
"Stop it, Sammy. It's not what you think it is. We were just worried about you," Dad added.
"Worried?"
"Yeah. Are you okay?" Dad asked me.
"You knew what happened and I knew what you did."
He looked at me and one of his strong arms grabbed my shoulder end. "I must protect you and I did the right to serve him best," dad said.
"Then how about mom," I looked at him. "It's not Danny. It's not him," I whispered.
"What do you mean?"
"Killed him without questioning? That's a mistake." He taught me these. Looks like he forgot how it's done.
"Sammy," Dad even gripped me tighter. That's one big proud father I felt. I am not as strong to fight by fist but having a better brain than others, that's how I win.
"Let's end it, you should find a time to take me to a happier place," I ordered.
He laughed. "I will." As I turned my back he asked me one more. "Did he say a name?"
Did he say aaa nammmeee?
The question echoed in my ear as the breeze kisses my skin. My every single fur stood in the coldness of the night that embraces my presence.
"Na- n-nothing," I stuttered in an answer to his question.
"Why does it take you too long to answer," he doubted. "Keeping such a name can bring a danger to you, Sam," he warned. But I should know better.
I turned and looked at my dad standing beside the bench where we were seated. "What are you talking about Dad, I said it. Danny said none. I just want to end what happened, it's not worth remembering," I said.
"Come and hug me one more than," Dad suggested but I refused. I know what he is trying to do. If he feels how my heart beats at this moment, he will know.
So. "No," I said. "I will save it for the next meeting," smiled even though he could not see it. I had the darker part of the yard. And I assured him. "Don't worry, what happened does not traumatize me or taunt me in the night. It makes me stronger. Bye, Dad! I have a class tomorrow," I said my goodbye and walked inside.
Dad did not utter another word to me other than his goodbye. "Goodnight Sammy!"
I went back to my room upstairs and lie down. Having the same position as before, I talked to no one. "Why on earth would just a name destroys everything, like that of a bomb on its tiny size that carries the biggest destruction where it lies." I let a smirk and unconsciously my sleep overtook.
The next day, I woke up. Mom had to take me to school since I left my bike locked at the post yesterday.
"Hi, Sarah!" It was Khai standing right next to the window. I wonder why he is here.
"Goodmorning Khai. Keep an eye on my daughter for me," mom said. What?
"Mom!" I protested. "What are you saying."
But Khai answered. "Sure I will," he even smiled at me. Eww! No!!
I opened the door forcefully despite Khai's presence right before it. He bumped into it and I can see how he wiggled his arm. Maybe I overdid it.
"Sorry!" I said and walked away.
Then he came running after me. "Sam!!"
I stopped. I can see Norton approaching.
"Hey," Khai held my back shoulder.
I turned to him. "Stop it!" I angrily glared at him.
"Is there something wrong?" he calmly asked.
"Nothing. Just-- stay away from me."
"Wow. Look how happy you were with me yesterday and now," he stopped for a while. "Huh!"
"Yesterday?" It was a guy behind. And it's Norton! "You were together?"
Damn this two!