A Starry night Sky

Chapter 3: "Que Sera, Sera"

"Good Morning Eli," Mom said. "Hi Mom, I won't be eating breakfast today. I'm gonna go drop by the cafe. I need to bake pastries today for the shop." As I recall, I had a dream yesterday that something was chasing me. And even after continuous running, I still can't go far enough. It was like a black shadow. But something was off because I think he just wanted to talk to me and I was so afraid.

"Good morning boss," I said to Charles.

"Oh Eli, Hi. Can you make some breakfast food for Drake?" He replied.

"Drake who?" I answered.

Now, who is that man? Why am I seeing him here again? Why do I feel annoyed every time I see him? But thank goodness, I am a good person, so whatever he likes will make it. "Hi, Drake. Fancy seeing you here," I said. "Where's my umbrella?" he said. "Sorry, I think I left it in our house. Would it be okay to return it some other day?"

Why do I get this feeling that this man is so lonely? I think he has some issues himself. "Can you make me some chocolate croissants?" he said. "Yeah, sure no problem. Would you like something else?" I replied. "No, that would be all," he answered. As I was about to walk away, I think I saw him sigh. Whatever his problem is, I think he needs someone to talk to. You can't just carry on with your own problems. You need someone who can listen to you and ask for some pieces of advice. Without it? I think he will burst.

***

What a devastating morning I had. I just lost that one contract, the contract that somehow will give me the chance to look for my parents. I don't understand my feelings sometimes. One day I want to look for them, and one day I don't. Argg, why is this part of mine so hard to fix? "Here you go drake. Please enjoy your chocolate croissant," Eli said. "Eli? Do you ever feel lonely?" Why do I feel awkward saying that to her?" "Well, yeah, of course. That loneliness is not new to me at all..." she keeps on talking and talking. It made me laugh that she was so talkative. But I guess it was nice hearing her stories. "... and you know what? I always say to myself, "Que Sera, Sera". Whatever will be, will be. I think you should apply that to yourself too. Sorry, but I think I saw you sigh a while ago. Would you mind sharing your story?" she asked. I was so shocked when she asked me that. Not because she was invading me, but because she was the first to ask me about my problems. The first person who would listen to my stories. And I wonder what she would say after hearing mine?

***

Wow, I just can't believe I told him my story. But it's nothing new. I always share my stories with everyone. I don't like keeping things to myself because, for me, I have enough problems to handle and I think it would break me if I didn't let my burdens go. But after all this time, I wonder what was on his mind after hearing my story. But I think I made him feel at ease since I saw him laugh while sharing my story. "Ahmm, it's not that big and I think it's just a small thing..." he said. "Why are spacing? common you should not let things for yourself. You should share it with anyone. To make yourself feel good." I replied. "Yeah, well the thing is, I just lost a contract, " he said. "That's it?" I asked him. "No, it's not that simple. That contract would somehow give me a clue to my parents' whereabouts," he said. So we are alike. Our father left us alone and him? He was so lonely because of not having parents at all. It was so awkward after he told me about that.

***

As I told Eli my story, I saw her reaction. She was a bit frustrated and sad. Maybe because we are somehow the same. But I was so shocked when she said... "You know what? After this time? What I always tell myself. Everything has its purpose and reason. The reason why father left us is that maybe if he never left us, maybe we would be unhappy knowing he has another family. Our father was a womanizer. But that's never the issue. The thing is, our family has become stronger than before. It made me stronger than before," she said. She was so mature. Knowing what circumstances she has, she knows how to deal with them. "Maybe you are right if I just look into the brighter side of my story. I became an attorney without their help. It made me who I am now." I said. Somehow, I felt inspired by what she said to me. And she was right to let go of all of my burdens. Just have someone who you can talk to and you will feel good about it. Maybe I just misunderstood her the first time that we met.

"Thank you so much Eli for listening to my story. Maybe you should join us this Saturday for our event?" I told her about our event wherein we sell art paintings in the orphanage. The children in the orphanage are very creative and resourceful. The income from the event will be used for their school fees. "Really? Ohh, I would love to. Maybe I should bake some pastries for the children?" she said. "You didn't know?" I asked. "Know what?" she replied. "All of my events are sponsored by this cafe. Charles is like my brother to me." I can really say that sometimes this girl is so naive. "What? I know that we used to support one event but I didn't know it was your event," she frustratedly said. "Yes Eli, now if you don't mind maybe I should go now. I still have a few meetings to catch up with. Thank you for everything." As I was about to go, I forgot to ask her..."Eli?" I said. "Hmm?" she said while cleaning my table. " Can I ask for your number? Maybe we should talk again someday?"I asked. I don't understand why I would be shy and too nervous to ask for her number. "Yeah sure. But it would be your treat," she teasingly said. I didn't know that she had that side of hers.

I was so happy to share all those things with Eli. I am now heading to the orphanage to gather all the items for this coming event.

"Well, well, well," Tristan said. Tristan is one of the orphans. "What?" I said. "Why are you so happy today? Is it a girl?" he said. I didn't even notice. I was so happy today. I didn't know that talking to her just like that made me feel good. Maybe I should ask her to have dinner someday. Why do I feel excited about meeting her?

***

I am now at the library. I am looking for something I could use to help me gain another side hustle. I was thinking about doing some vlogs. Or maybe I should do some affiliate marketing. But I need some research. While scanning some books, I saw someone. It made me angry. Why, of all places, would I see him here? That man was my ungrateful father. Should I go talk to him? But he saw me. "Hi, Eli..." he said. "No! Don't. Don't you dare talk to me like that? You don't know-" I blurted out. He hugged me and told me... "I'm sorry." I suddenly cried and I couldn't understand why. I should have become stronger. Why would I feel so weak? "So tell me, why did you leave us?" I asked him. " I... I didn't mean to leave you behind. I didn't mean any of this. I was so scared that you would be in danger-" I cut him. "Danger? Wow, of all the things you would have done. That was your excuse? Now tell me what kind of danger? Danger from your woman?" I was so angry telling him that. "No, I didn't have anyone besides your mother. I was blackmailed by an anonymous person. Someone I owe before. He-" I cut him again. "I can't believe I'm listening to you," I said. You know what? I wish you would just disappear and never show up again." I continued. I ran and ran and ran. Until I couldn't help but stop and cry. I am so weak. Why would he say he was in danger? Why would he choose to show now if he was in danger? Does he need some help? Should I tell my family about him? I just want to cry and cry. Why? Why? All of my questions before are still unanswered, and now? How I wish someone was here to comfort me.

My phone was ringing. I wonder who is calling. As I looked into who was calling me, I felt guilty because it was my brother.

"Hi Sis, where are you?" he asked.

"Hi Anthony, How's your school going? Any hard assignments?" I suddenly cried and tried not to be obvious. As a sister, I wanted what was best for Anthony. That is why I was working so hard to help our mom with all the finances and Anthony's medication. "Sis, are you okay?" he suddenly asked. "Hmm, yeah," I replied. How I wish I could disappear from this world. I can't help but feel weak after I saw that old man.