Underneath The Riptide

Chapter Five Part: 1

It's almost two weeks from the day in the park and that man from the Chen family keeps on testing my patience these past few days. Wherever I go, he was always there and I already feel so threatened because of him. One night, when I was going home so late because of our upcoming exams and I stayed at the library for hours straight,I was walking alone with just few of the street lights on and I felt how a person tailed me from the University to our home. I was literally shaking that night, given that I had so much experiences about the kind of thing. But good thing, he spoke out and that made me sigh in great relevance.

I even remember how he told me to just give in and I even skipped work that night just to study and fulfill my student duty.

"Just give it up, Ms. Adler. You are surely in a good hands if you'll sign these papers. Besides, I just want to tell you that no matter where you go, Mr. Chen will not give up on you. He got so many eyes, Gabrielle, he likes you from the start after all."

"You are being hilarious. Can you hear what you are saying? It was pretty clear how I just need to pay that man's debt but why does it seems like there is a personal interest included here?"

He seems taken aback and I too. I just wanna get rid of him. I had enough worries inside my head and I do not want another add-on. My own griefs are already enough for me to live with so much uncertainty.

The man cleared his throat and pull the envelope back behind him. "Alright, I will leave you this time. Remember that you have my number."

I roll my eyes, deciding to be rude at him. C'mon! I am so tired and his shits are making me feel so bad!

"Tell that Chen to watch me." I tested.

After I said those words, I hurriedly went inside our house and read those take home books I rented from the library.

***

And now, it's December eleven — the day we've been waiting for. I am scanning inside my cabinet for an hour already but I haven't find any clothes that will suit on the event I am going. My phone keeps on beeping and I am certain it is Jeannette who is also very excited for the event later.

"I suck," I whispered while both of my hands are on my hips, thinking what to do with myself. "Right, maybe I can ask Madeline if she got extras."

I walk outside my room and knock three times on my sister's room. For the past three days, Madi seems pretty normal and she haven't mentioned that man's name a while now.

"Madi?" I peek inside and she is on her bed while doing something on her phone. "Hey." I greeted once more when she smiled at me.

"Yes?"

I show her an awkward smile while brushing my left arm using my other hand up and down. "Do you have an outfit? Uhm, I am going to Invincible Cirque's fan meeting." I informed.

My sister widen her eyes and squeal before running towards the direction of her closet. I chuckled because of her impulsiveness and not later, she face me with a very big smile on her face while showing me a white off-the shoulder top and a mocha bottom. She put it all down on her bed and ran again to the other direction. I stare at the clothes for a long time before turning around to find Madi.

"Am I really going to where these?" I said while following where she is going using my eyes. I blink thrice when she nodded while her back is facing at me and she then crawl down to a certain rack where her shoes are. "There!"

"Try these clothes on and I am sure you are all set! No buts!" She grab all the clothes and push me out her room. "Get dress! I am just going to finish my project and I'll follow you to your room."

My lips twitches when I finally get to wear the clothes that Madi gave me. I am staring in front of my mirror and smile a little.

How can you become a new person, Gabrielle? You are so full of pretension, indeed.

I sat on the chair next to my drawer and stare at the mirror for another time.

Okay, what should I do with my face?

While staring, I notice how my phone beeps again so I stretch my left hand to grab it away.

It's Jeannette.

"Hey!" I casually greeted.

"Where are you? I am on my way!"

I almost drop my mouth in what she said. She... what?

"Woman it's still five minutes before seven! The event starts at ten, why are you so early?" I exclaimed enthusiastically.

Jeannette laugh from the other line so I just continue scanning for things that I can use for my face. I hung up the call when Jeannette told me that she'll just call me again later after she finishes her business in school.

I saw a face cream inside my drawer so I scattered it on my face before I slide the foam to and fro to balance the tone of my skin.

I wasn't still satisfied with what I am doing when the door opened up and Madi enters the room with a mini bag and a kit on her left hand.

"Say no more. I got you!" She uttered and wink at me.

I chuckle while moving my chair to make way for her in front of me. "You really look like Dad," she whispered while doing something on my face. "It just so sad that he will be away for two weeks and he can't even be with us this Christmas. He called me and he says he's on a trip."

I purse my lip while staring at my sister. Her face seems glowing while talking about him. And I, on the other hand, is already trembling.

"Hey," she called me while staring at my face. "are you fine? You are shaking."

I pull my face away and stare in front of my mirror. My lips are trembling but God knows I am doing my best to stop what I am feeling.

"I am fine, Madi. It seems like I am ready to go." I chose to say while still staring at my own reflection in the mirror. "Thank you." I then uttered.

She smiled at me and held me by my cheeks. "You look so gorg! Stand out in the event later, alright?"

Because of what she said, I immediately turn to my left and look at my beige tote bag on my bed. A piece of paper is slid inside it and I do not know if I am really serious on what I am going to do.

"I should go now. I still got so many things to finish." She move forward to kiss me so I just flash a timid smile. "Take care!"

I am walking comfortably with the sandals that Madi gave me and I am kinda thankful about her. I am holding my tote bag on on my left while checking my phone for me to use it later in the event.

I pouted. "I need to delete few photos, alright." I whispered.

A slight horn made me raise my head and so I smile when the bus is coming. I step up and find a seat on the left side and thankfully, it still have so many vacant seats.

I smile, trying to grab my earphones from my bag so I can kill my time while listening to their music.

My worries from earlier changed automatically when I heard their song. Excitement filled my soul, wishing I really can hold Ziyoon.

I smiled inside. This song becomes one of my favorite. This speaks so many voices and ended up taking another steps because after all these storms, this song reminded me that I am still fine even after the light before dawn.

I look outside the bus and saw some moving vehicles moving from the other direction. There are even crossing people and street children asking for foods. Some people are laughing while sitting on a bench near the highway, laughing while selling something with their other vendor friends. There are so many faces in this life and each one of them tells different story. Like Jeannette herself, she finally let go her grudges and even told herself that she is fine — having the guts to smile in front of me is the best thing for her.

Now, as the bus slowly moves forward, I tried searching something inside me — If I can already fly and get freed by this jail I built for myself.

But I still can't.

I found myself staring at the same picturesque of scattered memories that I wanted to bury but seems can't make a way to move on because I am still scared.

I raise my head and purse a smile when I saw the billboard again. Ziyoon's voice filled my ears as he sang his verse on their song and then I wipe the single tear coming out from my eye.

I will be fine... soon.