Gone After the Wind

42

Chapter Forty-two

MORNING CAME and Cara had little sleep. She woke up feeling light-headed and unable to move with high spirits. The message she received last night from Alex's school became a bother to her, she almost disturbed Alex in his room to probe what matter did the school administration wanted to discuss with her. She refused to acknowledge the pessismitic thoughts circling around her head. The message may have sounded with concern, she still doesn't want to think ill of her own son. She wanted to, at least, give him the benefit of doubt.

But with the intensity of the case still nagging at her, she can't be certain that she would endure the frustration any more longer.

She was almost done cooking the eggs and bacons when Alex showed up in the kitchen, looking a bit sleepy and like he was just finished having a bright dream. His eyes were still heavy but it widened when Cara came into his view. She brought up a little smile, setting aside the predicament she was about to face this morning and tried to mask up a brighter mood.

"Good morning. How's your sleep?" Cara asked and from the kitchen top, she carried the plate of bacons towards the dining table. As she placed, she reached for the mats and plates to arrange it while waiting for Alex to reply.

"Good, I guess," Alex answered, his paled face was still confused. "You're up early, Mom. Is there any occasion?"

"Not really. I just missed cooking breakfast for you. I haven't done this in a while, have I?"

"But you have work, right?" Alex looked up to her as he pulled the chair adjacent to the center.

"Uh-huh. That doesn't mean I can let this day pass without eating with you," Cara said, smiling as she pour the refrigerated milk on his glass.

He nodded silently, watching the milik filled his glass. He muttered a soft 'thank you' after it was done. Just in time Cara finished preparing their early breakfast, Nana Ryla entered the kitchen with a shock on her face. She reprimanded Cara for doing the housechores without consulting her. Cara assured that it wasn't not a big thing but the old lay insisted that the responsibility must fall on her.

Chuckling, Cara let the matter go and did not argue anymore. She sat down next to Alex as Nana Ryla prepared their coffee.

"How about you? Why are you up so early? It's Saturday. You don't have classes, do you?" Cara inquired, shifting back the topic to Alex.

"I... uh, have a project meeting with my classmates. It's urgent, Mom. And we must complete it before Monday comes."

Cara nodded. "These classmates of yours... are they the one who fetch you yesterday?"

"Yeah," Alex said, his eyes not leaving his food. "They're good guys, Mom. You don't have to be that skeptical."

Cara's eyebrows furrowed, ignoring the defensive stance he suddenly put up. "I'm only asking, Alex. It's my job to know what kind of people were you hanging out with."

"For what? So you could discard those you think that won't do any good to me?" Alex replied, his voice rising unusually. "You've been suspecting me, have you, Mom? I saw what you did in my room."

Cara swallowed hard. "Not because I went to check your room, doesn't mean I'm doubting you. Am I not allowed to enter your room?"

"Really? Or were you just seraching for any evidence that would tell that I'm breaking your rules?"

"It's not like that, okay? I just want to know why did the man who broke into our house went straight to your room. I'm only looking for any--"

"Go fool someone, Mom. I'm not gonna believe you," Alex hissed.

Cara stared at him, incredulous. "You're not going to use that tone on me. As your mother, it's only right to check on you from time to time. That's my duty and responsibility. Do you understand?"

"No and I won't dare."

"What is wrong with you?" Cara asked, her temper rising as she try to decipher Alex's foul mood. "Can't I ask you without having to hear your sarcastic tone and words? You're not like that last night. I'm asking because I'm curious, okay? There's no ulterior motive."

Alex didn't reply. Cara tried hard not to say more. She felt itchy because she knew to herself that behind those inquiries, she was trying to find any signs that could tell what was really going on with her son. She wanted to know if the culprit who broke into their house had connection with Alex. Until now, she still can't determine the reason behind that break-in. In order to solve it, Cara knew she must know why he broke in at the first place.

As soon as Nana Ryla settled on her seat, they started eating and Cara let her eagerness reigned. She spoke after a few moments of silence. "How was the competition, by the way?" she asked and watched Alex with her peripheral vision.

As soon as Nana Ryla settled on her seat, they started eating and Cara let her eagerness reigned. She spoke after a few moments of silence. "How was the competition, by the way?" she asked and watched Alex with her peripheral vision.

She saw how the flicker of surprise covered his face. He stopped eating and he looked like he was ran out of choices to react. "Fine. It's progressing well."

"When will it happen, by the way?"

"I don't know, Mom. They haven't given us the exact date. Why are you asking?"

Cara took note of the slight hesitation in his voice laced with a bit of fear. "I want to be there. To watch and support you. Can I?"

"Why are you asking me, Mom? You're the one who's always busy between us."

"That's the reason why I want to know about it. So I can make room for that occasion."

"You don't have to," Alex replied. "I'm going to be fine with or without your support."

Cara felt a pang on her chest. She tried to ignore it but each seconds passing that she pore on it, the hurt just deepened uncontrollably. She sighed, gripping on the untensils. "Just keep me posted."