Love of a Thousand Colors

Chapter 7

"You don't look for us, we look for you." The little boy said, a mischievous glint sparkling in his eyes.

My heart thumped in my chest wildly. I now have found the place, or rather, it has found me. But instead of excitement, what I'm feeling now is fear.

"I want to leave." I said, remembering I was chasing Israel to an alley. I spun around looking for an exit, and there is none.

"But, we're not done yet." The little boy smiled, a small entrance opened behind him. I would have to crouch in order to get in. The door's height seems to be customized for his size. Odorless cold smoke came out of the opening and the little boy tapped his foot impatiently, telling me to go in.

I shook my head vehemently. But I guess I have no choice as I get sucked into the void. The entrance expanded and the light overtook me. I raised my arms to protect myself from the blinding brightness, a gust of wind filled my surroundings.

I found myself standing at the edge of a colorful circle, with 6 other people with me. They were surprised as I am. Rotating chairs slid from the walls of the room towards us and have us sit over them. We spun around till we reached the center of the circle and a man in a colorful robe, wearing a mask sat on the empty chair with us.

"Hello dear customers, welcome to Jacob's Robe..." It's a young man's voice. Again, I can't help but feel a little deja vu with this guy, yet I swear this is the first time meeting him. He looked at each and one of us and set his eyes on me. "We aim to provide services apt to your satisfaction and don't forget to give us a high recommendation."

His words haven't sunk in as the rest of us still looked shocked and mystified. "Let's start with the pretty young lady with us, shall we?" He wasn't referring to me, but to a woman close to my age sitting next to him.

Her eyes were still wandering around when the guy waved his hands in front of her, getting her into a trance-like state. The rest of us thought we got ourselves into trouble but we are unable to voice our feelings out. As much as terrifying this encounter is, we are glued to the scene in front of us.

The man in the mask waved his hand again, and this time, the girl got back to her normal self. "Tell me young lady, what has been bothering you lately."

The girl's eyes look dark and gloomy. Her body appears to be sickly and her skin is pale. Her blonde hair is a mess and her lips are chapped and dry. "I haven't had enough sleep lately. I can't find time to take rest and be with my friends. I always have something to do and even in my sleep, my school work, and job are always haunting me."

The man in the mask pondered for a moment, resting his chin on his hand. "Rest when you are weary. We all have burdens to carry."

"It's not that easy!" She complained. "I even took some time off, but they still bother me. I dream of tests, not arriving at work on time, underperforming, driving my car to the ditch..." The helplessness in her voice is apparent. "I'm exhausted. I want it to end. But people have high expectations of me." She is so distressed, I almost feel sorry for her. But some people have it worse, people like me. So what's she's grumbling about?

"Then the cure lies in reality, once found, it'll be gone in a jiffy." The man in the colorful robe said. He stood and all of us stood with him automatically. The room and the man slowly fade away in view. "One suffers, all rejoice. Offer help, it's your choice."

I found myself in the alley where Israel disappeared. It's still night time. I looked around and there's no one around. No witnesses, not even a single stray can be found. I ran back to our home and found Lucky, Franny, and Tootch... And to my surprise, Israel is even here!

"What are you doing here?" I asked. I can't help but sound shocked.

Lucky cried, Franny and Tootch raised their hands in the air and rolled their eyes. "See? She just went somewhere. She's not missing." Franny took her jacket and went out, bumping me to the shoulder.

"You got worried fer nothin." Tootch chuckled and followed Franny, spitting her chewing gum just outside the door.

Lucky gave a sigh of relief and tried to hide the tears forming in her eyes. "I thought the boogeyman took you." That's not far from the truth, I thought.

Israel scratched his nape, looking embarrassed. "I'm sorry. I thought she's gone, too." He bowed his head a bit and apologized. "I heard you calling my name but when I turned around, you weren't there. I tried looking for you, but you disappeared without a trace."

Should I tell him? "I thought I saw someone I know and followed him." I lied. Lucky quirked her eyebrows. She's not buying it. But since Israel is here, she thought he might be the reason why I'm lying through my teeth.

"Oh" was all he replied. "I'm glad to know you're safe. I should get going." He put on his cap and was about to leave when I clutched his arm.

"Would you like to stay for dinner?" I offered, why the hell did I ask him to stay for dinner?!!! We're downright poor, I'm just embarrassing myself.

My younger sister was very surprised but didn't stop me from blurting out those words.

He smiled and gave Lucky a look, asking for permission. She giggled and nodded. Israel offered to buy takeout from McDonald's but I told him that as much as I can, we don't eat fast food as Lucky's condition worsens when she eats them.

I showed him my little garden upstairs. I'd say he was so amazed, impressed even. He gathered some tomatoes,  onions, and parsley. I asked what he'll do with them. He said he wants to do dinner tonight.

Oh, so Mr. MP can cook?

We ate a hearty meal. Israel prepared an egg-meal with tomatoes and parsley in it. Though it suits more of breakfast food, it was delicious nonetheless. Isreal shared that his brothers and sisters are all living and working abroad, while his parents are in the country managing their real estate business. He asked about our parents, but I told him we're orphans.

Tomorrow's the weekend so I and Lucky are just gonna enjoy ourselves at home. I'll be reviewing for the exams, too. Israel asked us if we want to go to his place. I told him it'll be a hassle to go to his place., you know, considering Lucky's condition.

He said it'll be okay. Lucky accepted, despite my protests. But a change of surroundings might do her good.

We went to his place the next day and his house is astonishingly simple-looking, in contrast to what I have imagined. At least it's not that intimidating and we won't feel out of place. Israel asked me where we're going. I told him we're heading to his house. Israel grinned, suppressing a laugh. "That's the guardhouse. C'mon, I'll take you there." Me and my sister are red in embarrassment.

Behind the guardhouse, was a very large black gate. It automatically opened for us and we saw a large mansion on top of the hill. Lucky can't help but say wow in amazement.

We were welcomed by the staff of the house. Another car came and an old fancy lady stepped out. A flash of anger can be seen in Israel's eyes. "Hello, Grandma." He said.

The old lady fixed her coat and scrutinized me and Lucky under her gaze. The upper half of her face is covered with a black mesh from her hat. She seems to tower over us, both in stature and status. "I didn't know you invited guests over Israel. We would've appreciated it if you had the courtesy to apprise us about this." She sternly reprimanded Israel and her grandson didn't respond. "Come let me give you a tour around the house." She gave us a curt smile and asked us to come with her. She proceeded to take the steps towards the entrance of the mansion.

"I think you got other more important things to do grandma," Israel said icily. "They are my responsibility."

"And this is my home." She looked back and dared her grandson to oppose. This is getting awkward. Lucky hugged me closer, whimpering slightly.

A house staff went back with a wheelchair and opened it up for us. He didn't make any eye contact with us though we have expressed our thanks.

It was a very comfortable one and an automatic model. But since there are contractures on Lucky's hand and feet, I still have to be the one to push the wheelchair around.

"Are you comfortable?" The old lady asked. Lucky nodded. "You don't need someone to push the handles or press the buttons, it'll take you as you command. Just say the words clearly. The instructions are on the screen at the right panel."

"Really?" Lucky was so happy and excited. We walked through the wheelchair ramp and the big doors opened. Three people were waiting for us and they took the old lady's hat and coat. They gave us biscuits to eat and fruit juice. Israel was tapping his foot impatiently.

She allowed us to eat while surveying the walls of the mansion. She gave us a brief introduction about her family but none of which is how she's related to Israel. She only mentioned her ancestors and how they are the most prominent and richest family for two millennia now. One thing I noticed is that she's so absorbed about talking about herself and her family. She continued talking about her sons and their achievements. I noticed Israel clenching his fists on his sides.

I pretended to be interested, asking questions here and there. But truthfully, history bores me. Much more history of people I barely know of. Lucky, on the other hand, was glued to the old lady. But I guess it's not only because of the stories she's sharing, but she's also studying her personality as well.

We stopped at a poem written on a painting where kids formed a circle and are jumping around a bouquet of flowers on top of another child lying face down on the ground, their faces not so visible from view. It's a familiar nursery rhyme of a different version though.

"What do you think it means?" The old lady asked. She often starts her narrative with a question but in this case, she intended that I answer her question.

I honestly don't know, but I said, "The flowers in the center are used to mask the scent of death, and the ones with flowers in their pockets are preparing for their own imminent demise, too. People were buried facing down at that time where a pandemic similar to flu killed millions, hence the poem included sneezing sounds and the words saying 'All Fall Down' were written."

Her eyebrows shot up. I'm not particularly sure if it's admiration or displeasure. She exchanged looks with Israel. 'Did I say something wrong?' I wonder...

Lucky tried to diffuse the tension by saying, "It's a wonderful, horrifying background for a pretty painting." Nice try sister.

The old lady chuckled, "It is. You're a smart lady, dear." She smiled at me, I think, genuinely for the first time since we met her. "Trina and Lucky, you are both welcome to this household anytime. You can show up anytime, even unannounced. Don't hesitate, don't be shy. Israel, I'm quite tired, I'll be resting in my room now. What nice guests we have today." She left and gave each of us a kiss on the cheek. She carefully did the same to Lucky.

"You smell nice ma'am," Lucky said, but she isn't showing any trace of happiness or appreciation. "...like the white flowers given to a person sleeping," The old lady smiled knowingly and left.

"You found Jacob's Robe didn't you?" Israel said out of the blue, his eyes glared accusingly.