Right Where You Left Me

Chapter One

MARGUERITE

I opened my eyes when I felt the bus made its stop. I looked around and saw that I've reached my destination— my father's hometown.

As I stepped out of the vehicle, the smell of province filled my nose almost immediately. The pungent smell of smoke from vehicles, and crowded places and roads packed with busy people are now gone. I could feel the hot breeze of summer on my skin as I made my way out of the busy terminal. As soon as I made my way outside, I immediately feel the sun slowly burning my skin. I already feel hot and sweaty.

"I can't do this," I muttered under my breath as I struggle to carry my suitcase with me.

First day of my summer break and I'm barely alive. The heat's just unbearable. I pulled myself up to find a shelter for the meantime as I wait for my cousin to fetch me.

Luckily, I found a small coffee shop. The only thing that stood out of place. When I entered, the cold breeze from the air condition and classical music greeted me.

"Heaven," I whispered in pure bliss.

I immediately settled myself on one of the seats and ordered an iced coffee to drink. Everything feels so peaceful, cooling myself off from the heat outside and seeing the view of green leaves and swinging trees from the inside.

I feel relief finding something that I feel like I belong to.

I never wanted to come here, it was my parents who sent me. They were worried about me. They told me that I was too focused on my work and school that I got no time for myself. I don't understand what's so worrying about that. I enjoy working and studying.

My parents wanted me to take a break, a vacation, they told me I should stay at my grandparents here in the province for a while. Our ancestral house where my grandparents currently live is still quite far from the town. My father's parents had been living here since time immemorial, this is basically where all the ancestors of the Solidad had lived. We need to take a cab from the terminal to reach our house, which is quite a hassle. It's a good thing that one of my uncles owned a cab, they'd rather fetch me here than take a fare ride. Fares are quite expensive here in the province.

My parents wanted me to take a breather, they were worried I worked too hard. I didn't want it but I got tired with their constant nagging that I eventually gave up and just pack my stuff and went here.

"Marguerite?"

I quickly averted my eyes towards where the voice calling my name came from. A well-toned man wearing a bright pink shirt and cargo shorts greeted me. My eyebrows furrows, recognizing the man in front of me.

"Sol!" I exclaimed then stood up to hug him.

"How I missed you!" his eyes twinkling with delight. "Is this your first time visiting here?"

"Actually, yeah, I've been busy with my school life lately," I laughed awkwardly in response.

"Girl! It's been five years since I last saw you! How are you now?"

"Doing better, I guess?" I replied with a chuckle. I offered him to sit with me which he quickly accepted. "How about you? How's life lately? I heard you got married."

"Yes! Ryan and I got married in Canada last year," he showed me his wedding ring.

"I'm happy for you, Sol, congrats!"

He smiles. "Thank you, bestie. How did you know, though?"

"Mama sorta mentioned it to me after she took a vacation here last year," I replied, remembering how my mother got excited with the news and how happily she told me all about it. She became very close with Sol after Sol invited me on prom night, four years ago. "I'm really happy for you, Sol, mama was so delighted with the news too. Finally, huh?"

Sol just chuckled. "Thank you, missy. But enough about me, girl, you? Where's yours?"

I almost choke on my iced coffee. I immediately shook my head.

"Wait, wait, what?" Sol replied in disbelief. "You're joking, right? You can't be serious."

I shrugs.

"What! Ever since high school you haven't got to go out with anyone?"

"Yeah," I replied with a laugh.

"No freaking way! Jesus Christ! So, no one has taken your first—" he does a kissing gesture, "— yet?"

"What? No!" I answered, wide-eyed. What a lie.

I never got to go out with men, I have no time for things like that. I work two jobs while I'm studying. Even though we have all the needs now to get me through my college, it bothers me not to earn my own money. My family suffered financially once, it affected all of us. It's when my grandpa got into an accident at his farm, we got covered in debt due to his hospital expenses and maintenance medicine after that. It took us almost three years to recover. And it scares me that might happen again.

I know relationship is about investing time and effort, I could never handle it with my work and studies if I were to enter one.

"I think it's going to rain. Do you have someone to pick you up?" Sol asked in concern.

We talked about lot of things, though most of my answers about my love life were lies, we had a good time catching up with each other.

We just got out of the coffee shop and saw the bad weather outside. I didn't even notice the sudden change of weather if it weren't for Sol. Big rain clouds are approaching on our direction. It's gonna be a heavy pour.

"Yes, my cousin's going to pick me up. I guess, he'll be arriving late," I told Sol as I cast a simple glimpse on my watch.

"You want me to take you home instead? I'll hail a cab for us," Sol offered.

"Don't sweat! It's alright, I can manage," refusing his offer. I honestly don't like owing someone. "I'll just wait for my cousin here, I know he'll be arriving soon."

"Are you sure?"

I immediately nod and gave him a thumbs up.

"I'll be leaving you here then," he lean on me and give me a kiss on both of my cheeks. "Later, girl, thanks for the coffee! Be careful on your way home!"

"You too!"

When Sol entered the cab he hailed, I was left alone standing outside the coffee shop. The weather wasn't that hot and damaging like earlier, so I decided to take a walk towards my little hometown's park, pulling my suitcase with me as I take a stroll around the park. Looking around and seeing that many has changed, somehow it made me happy how much this town had progressed over the years.

I settled on one of the swings where I can see the kids playing inside the tennis court. I sat there as I watch the kids play. Even though I was just watching them from afar, I couldn't help but to feel the fun that the kids were feeling at that moment. I could see how happy they were and it was enough to brighten my not-so-good day.

I didn't know so much time had passed until I felt drops of rain falling from the sky. I didn't even realize the thunders echoing above the rain clouds and the sudden heavy pour of rain. I started to panic as I search for shelter. My eyes quickly found a waiting shed not so far from where I'm sitting.

It was a struggle to walk faster because I had to lift my suitcase, which was very heavy, to prevent it from getting muddy. The rain was pouring harder when a hand grabbed my suitcase and helped me lift it to shelter.

Everything happened so fast. The next thing I knew, I'm inside the waiting shed holding my suitcase on my side with a complete stranger who's same as me, drenched and muddy.

I caught a glimpse of her whole feature. I can't help but to stare for a while, her pale skin complexion and soaked jet black arm length hair gave complement to her ethereal, her almost vampire-like features. I couldn't find the right word to describe her. She's just downright mesmerizing.

"Wow," was the word that came out of my mouth.

Our eyes met.

I could feel the words that I'm trying to construct in my mind just floating away. She cleared her throat and look away. I didn't know what just happened but I could feel my cheeks burning up. It made me aware that I was staring for too long. I quickly look away, feeling embarrassed.

"I mean," I could feel myself palpitating. "Thank you for helping me carry my suitcase."

God, kill me now.

"You're welcome," she uttered in a low tone without casting a second look at my direction.

She sat on the bench behind us and started to wipe the mud covering almost half of her white sneakers. I feel a rush of guilt wash over me, I fetch for my handkerchief in my pocket before approaching her.

"I'm sorry for troubling you. Here," I offered her my handkerchief.

She just stared at it, her face questioning. I sighed before taking a seat beside her. I took her left hand and put my handkerchief on her palm.

"Use this to wipe off the mud on your sneakers," I told her firmly.

"No, it's okay—"

"—I insist," I cut her off. "It's the least I can do."

She looks at her palm I'm holding. I immediately withdraw my hand upon realizing I've been touching her for too long.

"Ahh, sorry about that," I stammered, facing forward.

The rain hasn't stopped yet. On the contrary, it's getting worse. Worry began to bother me as I look around and see nothing but heavy rains that blurs the background.

Silence reigns. I could feel the cold slowly enveloping my entire being. I wanted to open my suitcase to fetch myself some coat but I thought that would be a dumb idea considering I'm in public, and the suitcase is literally covered in mud. I hugged myself, feeling the cold winds on my skin. How the hell did the weather turned so cold all of the sudden?

I cast a glance on her, curious if she's also feeling cold, only to find her staring at me. It caught her off guard.

"Uhm, do you need something?" I couldn't help but to ask.

"No," she answered decisively and looks away like nothing happened.

Why was she staring at me? I asked to myself, suddenly feeling conscious. I look at my suitcase beside me. Did she think I'm a runaway or something?

"I'm here for a vacation," I quickly told her. The tension between wanting to explain every detail about this vacation for her not to see me as a homeless and to shut my mouth up to save myself some embarrassing is palpable. I could feel my face heating up because of the sudden impulsiveness.

I took a quick glance at her hoping that she caught what I just told her. She's just looking forward, at the rain. Distant and alone.

She's longing and I felt it. What could she be longing for?

"You?" I asked her.

She blinked and looked at my direction before answering, "You're asking me something?"

"Yeah."

"I'm sorry, I didn't quite catch that."

I smiled before asking her again, "Are you here for a vacation too?"

"Ah," she laughs, an awkward one. "No, I'm here to sell my house."

She answered me yet I could feel her distance. I could feel the boundaries between us. A talk between strangers.

"Why? You don't like it here?" She intrigues me. I don't know why.

I glance at her for the second time. She had this smile with an emotion I couldn't unravel in her eyes.

"Yeah, something like that," she answered simply. "How about you? How long will you be staying here?"

I glimpse on her, quite surprised that she chose to continue the almost dead conversation.

"I'll be staying here whole summer," I told her with a positive smile.

The rain has stopped. It's night now, I could see the streetlights illuminating the distant roads. I could feel the breeze getting colder and colder. I'm starting to have chills. I hug myself tighter.

"Here."

I turned and saw her extending her hand to give me her duffle coat— that I didn't know that existed until now.

Quite surprised, I replied, "Oh, no! It's okay!"

"Take it."

I shook my head, "No, really, I'm fine."

As if on cue, a strong cold wind passed sending shiver all across my body. Really, god, you're doing that now?

"Just take it," she insisted, handing me her coat.

"How about you?"

It's not like I'm the only one who got drenched in the rain here. She answered with a shrug, like she's saying the cold didn't bother her that much.

I reluctantly took the coat from her. I look at it, feeling the warmth of the coat on my hands.

"Thank you," I smiled at her. I feel much better now.

"You're welcome," she replied.

As I wrapped the coat around myself, the smell of jasmine filled my nose. A sigh of relief escaped my mouth. God, this is the only good thing, apart from meeting Sol, that happened to me today.

"Do you have someone picking you up?" She's now on her feet, casting a look at me. Is she leaving?

I look at my watch and saw that it's already six in the evening. Anxiety started to flood my whole system. Why is my cousin not contacting me?

I quickly took out my phone from my suitcase's pocket. It's freaking dead batt! How am I gonna go home now? I barely know this town.

"Hey," her voice pulled me to reality. "Is something's wrong?"

"Oh, nothing!" I replied in panic. What do you mean 'nothing', you i***t!

"So, do you have someone to pick you up?" She looks around for a moment. "You know, it's already dark."

"Ah, yes." I'm crying. Why am I lying to her? I'm gonna die here.

"Are you sure?" She looks at me, confused.

I breathe and flash a smile at her, "Yeah, of course!" Hell, no!

"So," she took a pause. "I guess, I'll be going ahead first."

"Oh, sure." God, please, don't leave me here!

"Bye then."

"Be careful!"

"Yeah, you too."

I wave at her as she took off and I watched her figure disappear into the night. The thought of alone, on a waiting shed, in a town I barely know, began to sink in.

The clock struck to seven and I'm still alone. This the most worst-case scenario ever!

"I swear to god, I'm gonna die here," I muttered, feeling the anxiety building up. I could feel myself having a breakdown as I imagine the possibilities that might happen to me tonight.

I cried silently, feeling miserable. I never anticipated this. I should have taken Sol's offer earlier. I shouldn't have lied to that stranger. I hate this.

"Marguerite?"

I felt the hair all over my skin rose up. The panic I'm feeling doubled, I cried harder.

Please, god, don't send me ghosts. I'm already dying here.

I lifted my head, praying to god not to see a little boy covered in blood standing in front of me. When I did, I saw my cousin looking at me in literal confusion.

"Kevin!" I sobbed, running towards my younger cousin for a hug.

After countless of prayers from all the gods I could think of, a miracle happened. I am saved.