"Mama, Papa, you've been quiet for a while. Is there any problem? You can tell me, I'll listen."
I can't be bothered anymore as if they don't have the same appetite. They were already like this even when Caseth bid goodbye to them. Maybe he didn't notice but I did. I know my parents when they do something wrong or have a problem, they seem restless and very quiet.
I swear, something's wrong with them. I could smell something fishy.
"Just ignore us, Shara. Eat it, it's nothing." Dad insisted on eating but I knew he really had no appetite.
"Seriously? What's wrong, Pa? You two look so bothered. Aren't you telling me something?" I asked them with a frown.
They looked at each other but later Mama answered."You better think of yourself, Shara. We do have a problem but it's not that big and we can fix it. You don't have to worry."
"If it's not a big deal, then why don't you just tell me about it? You don't have to be over-protective of my situation because I know what I'm doing. Spill it. My conscience is slowly eating me so you better say it." I lowered my spoon and fork because I had lost my appetite.
How come the atmosphere is disgusting when they are like this. I couldn't stand the silence because I know it's not just a little problem for them. They wouldn't act like this if they could handle it by themselves.
"I was fired from my job. The workers are too much and they couldn't pay them anymore so they have to get fired. I begged but it's not really possible anymore."
I was stunned by what Papa said and humbled. Of all those workers in the construction site, they choose to fire my father? When are we in trouble because they spent all the money they have on hospital treatment and my medicines. We have almost nothing to spend for the necessities here at home after all?
Why am I unlucky in life?
"Shara, that's why we don't want to tell you because you might be worried and that will be with you again. We still have a bakery so we still have a source of money while your Papa is looking for a new job. All right, eat now, "Mama eased my heart.
I quietly went up to my room and took the medicine before I went to sleep. My mind is still preoccupied about Papa's sudden lay off. They said that he will find another job but I know that it's never that easy. There are no easy jobs these days and they don’t accept college graduates. Mama and Papa are just high school graduates so it's hard for them to find a job. And now that we're just depending on our bakery, it will be a very hard situation for us.
I thought my problem was over because I was out of the hospital but it wasn't. Things were just getting worst.
I stopped thinking about what I could do to help my parents when my phone rang. It was Caseth who was calling me so I immediately answered his call. Maybe... just maybe, he could make me comfortable before I sleep.
[Am I disturbing my baby? What are you doing?]
"Hey! No, you're not. I just finished eating and taking medicine. How about you? Did you eat that?" I asked smiling, even though he couldn't see me.
[Yes, just finished. Actually, I called you to say goodnight and sweet dreams. You should sleep early, baby. I love you]
I feel like I'm crazy smiling here even though he can't see me."I love you too. Goodnight and sleep well. Dream of me, baby."
[Hmm, you don't have to say because you really are the only flesh of my dream]
"Ah... Just in a dream?" supposedly I regret the question.
[Pft. Of course in my heart you are here. It's beating for you so when you're not there, it's like my heart is dead too]
"All right. Go to sleep too. I don't like seeing you tired, baby."
[I got it, baby. I'll take it slowly. I may not be able to control myself and you will still be awake]
"Yeah, I'll take it. Just promise you'll sleep well. Bye.
I stared blankly after he hung up. About what he said earlier, that I'm in his heart. That when I'm gone, it might never throb again. I was scared, thinking what would happen if I left him unintentionally. Can he still live without me?
He needs to. But as long as what I fear has not happened, I will make the most of the times we have together. I will make him feel loved and full of happiness in my arms.
But what if... I'll left him alone? Who will come up to him and make him feel so much love? Could he move one from me? Can he? How long will he suffer because of me?
Aish. I shouldn't have thought of those things first. I should think positive... for now. Even I can't handle my thoughts.
I woke up early because maybe I'm not tired and just always resting. When I wake up, it's still 6:00 o'clock in the morning so I did my morning routine. I first drank a glass of water on the chin after I washed up and left the house. I get the water sprinkler and put a half of water in it. This plants probably missed me too. So I always take care of them and water them and then sometimes I even talk to them.
I didn't take too long watering the plants because I know my limitations in doing such things. I immediately went inside to wash my hands and find what to cook. I was about to open the refrigerator when Mama suddenly appeared in front of me, watching me carefully.
"I'm there, go upstairs first and take a bath. Earlier your phone was ringing, your boyfriend was calling." She gestured me to step aside and she'll be the one to find something to cook.
I'm playing with my hand and still hesitating whether to speak or not."Uh... Mama, I'm leaving a moment later. I'll go to the restaurant where I'm working. I'll just take my resignation letter to my manager. I won't take too long."
"All right, as long as you're with your boyfriend. Call and tell him you're going to get worse for a while your Papa and I won't let you leave alone and I know Cahleen is the same."
I nodded in response and immediately went upstairs to answer my phone. When I opened it I just bit on my lower lip when I saw Caseth's 7 missed calls. Gosh! I 'm doomed. I would have called him when he got ahead of me so I immediately answered it without hesitation.
[Damn, baby. Did I disturb your sleeping session? Did you just wake up? Sorry, I'm just worried about you]
"You shouldn't be. Actually, I woke up earlier but I went down immediately to water the plants. I even thought of cooking for our breakfast but Mama suddenly arrived. You just woke up?" I pressed my phone to my ear and shoulder as I put away my bed.
[You shouldn’t act too much first. I'll visit you later after eating breakfast. I will stay there to be with you. I know that you're not yet allowed to go out so I'll be the one to visit you until you're doing good]
"I know that. But, can you do me a favor? Can you join me later at Eat All You Can?" I asked and then took a towel before entering the CR.
[Why? Don't tell me you're going to work? It's a no, baby]
"No, it's not like that. I'm going to resign because I know it will be a long time before I recover completely. I just want to let them know. Is it okay?" I turned on the faucet to put water in the bucket I was going to take a bath with.
[Okay, that's good. Wait, what are you doing? Can I hear the water flowing? Shit. Are you fetching some water, baby?]
"No, baby. I'll take a bath first so I'll hang up first. I'll just wait for you to come here, okay?"
[Hmm. Can we take a bath together?]
I almost let go of my phone as my eyes widened. Can you blame me?! He surprised me!
"Caseth! What! Baby!" I immediately turned off the call while still not believing what he said.
I know that he's just joking. But the effect on me was different. I didn't expect him to say that. Even if we're already together, still I'm not that used to it.
After I took a bath I immediately put on black jeans and a loose shirt so as not to get too hot. I also pinned my hair so I could look clean and put on flat shoes before picking up my phone and getting off. When I went to the kitchen, Mama was already preparing our breakfast while Papa helps her to make it fast. I sat in front of them and prayed before we started eating.
I finished eating with them first and went to the living room to wait for Caseth to arrive. Minutes later, I heard an engine of a car parking outside so I stood up to confirm if it was him. He quickly got out of his car and ran inside.
"Hey, baby. You done?" he asked and kissed me on the forehead.
I nodded immediately."I just finished, Mama and Papa are still inside."
"Just wait here, I'll just let them know."
When we came out he opened the door for me before he entered the driver's seat. He even put my seatbelt on even though I can do it on my own. If it hadn’t been for us, I wouldn’t have seen this side of him either. He's caring when it comes to his love ones. I can even imagine that I am one of the luckiest women in the world.
"Are you still thinking about that before?" he asked out of a sudden.
I frowned."Huh? Which one is it?"
"The one I told you to take a bath with. Are you still confused?"
Out of shock, I suddenly turned to him and stared at him. I already forgot that scene! Then he really reminded me! He's so clueless! Didn't he know that I turned off that call because I was embarrassed and didn't know what to say.
"S-Stay here. I'll just come in." I hurried out of his car and didn't even speak to him.
It's Saturday so I expected so many costumers inside. Everyone was busy eating and the other waiters didn't even notice me. I notice that there's a new waiter serving and I'm not familiar with him. Maybe he has been my replacement since I took leave.
"Oh, Shara! It's good that you're back. You haven't touched us in over two weeks," Kuya Darwin opened up to me when he noticed me.
I walk towards the counter where he's waiting for some orders of the costumers."Where's manager? I have to talk to her. I'll get a resignation letter, Brother."
"Huh? Why all of a sudden. Did something happen? We're looking for you every afternoon, eh, daring you to come by here and say hello." He sounded so sad while saying that.
I went and stepped aside when Bianca placed orders on the sticky note and gave them to Kuya Darwin. She noticed my presence that's why she smiled at me and so am I.
"I'm sick, brother. I don't know if it's getting worse but my parents need to observe me. I'm really sorry, ah. Many things really happened to me and I can't detail everything."
"It's okay, I understand you. Hurry up inside, the manager might leave. I think she still has a walk."
He opened the entrance for me so I freely entered inside.
I first knocked three times on the door of the manager's office before entering. She seemed to be surprised when she saw me and gestured to sit on the couch. I smiled first and bowed for a moment before sitting down.
"Good morning, manager. I'm sorry for being absent this past two weeks. It's just that... I'm sick. Asthma. So I'm going to direct you, I'm going to resign. Actually, I don't. t want to but it's the best for my health. " I folded my hands over my thigh.
She removed her eyeglasses and eventually smiled.
"You don't have to say sorry. It's not your fault that you got sick. And now that you let me know, I will definitely disallow you to work here until you get better. You are also important. those who work here for me so I don't want you to get sick. And as for you, rest well and stay healthy."
"Thank you so much, manager. You're really smart. But when I get well again, you can expect me to come back here," I said happily.
He nodded and someone took an envelope from his drawer."Here. A little bonus for you and your treatment as well. It is forbidden to refuse grace so accept it. I really intended that for you because I know you will come back."
"A-Ah... B-But what about them? You might not pay them enough. It's embarrassing."
She held my hand and handed me the envelope."I always give money to those who work for me. Be right back when you're okay. Don't force yourself if you can't. We can all understand you."
"Thank you. The money you gave me has helped me a lot."
When I came out of the restaurant I saw Caseth leaning on his chair and typing on his phone. He was surrounded by girls who's taking him stolen shots. He didn't even take a glance at them like he doesn't care at all. Maybe because he's used to it, that girls were drooling over his picture. And that's what I hate in all cases because he's so handsome, even maybe ants like him.
I get my phone from my pocket but I just realized that I didn't have it. Only now did I realize that he was holding my phone, so he was very serious about looking at it.
Omo! No! My diary app is about him!
"Baby! What are you looking at?" I asked when I could get close to him and just reach for my phone when he picked it up so I could hug him.
He instantly grabbed my waist that made our body touched. I stared at him for a long time and he at me, not bothering those who were looking at us. I gulped for a couple of times and badly wanted to look away but his eyes didn't let me. The position of the two of us is already strange.
"So, you had a crush on me despite my attitude, huh?" He licked his lower lip and smirked.