I'm Not Your Mommy

Chapter 9

Calista

Overworking myself after having a nightmare seemed to work because I slept like a log after. Well, technically I still wake up early because my body likes waking me up in the wee hours of the morning when I sleep late. I don’t know how that works, but since I couldn’t go back to sleep, I decided to go on a jog around the park nearby to start my day.

The park was full of other people who had the same thoughts as mine, but I didn’t mind them much and continued with my jog peacefully with my headphones on. Mimi also sent me a quick good morning text at her usual wake up time and I replied to her as I took a quick breather on one of the benches. She told me she probably won’t be available for today because she needs to go to her workplace since school is opening soon and she needs to start preparing her classroom. I told her that I would probably be fine for today anyway and told her about my plans of shopping for today, which she replied was a nice choice.

Saying goodbye to her, I decided to check out one of the cafes on the street near us for a quick breakfast. The café was not that full since it was still rather early and it was still summer, but I’m sure this place is packed when classes are on. The place itself was nice, it had a cozy vibe to it and they sell great pastries and drinks as well. I decided to get a bagel and some latte for a quick breakfast and went over my to-do list for today. Listing things makes it easier for me to actually do things when I can see what I’m supposed to be working on. I didn’t actually usually plot my day, but after overwhelming myself one time, Mark told me to try making lists and organize them accordingly so I didn’t procrastinate and be productive instead, which didn’t work at first, but I continued and now it works like magic.

Before I crashed last night, I actually had already plotted what I wanted to finish doing today and the first one up on the list is to get some stuff for my apartment. I have been using plastic utensils that I got from the grocery store last night and I don’t like that, so I’m going to have to buy some actual utensils.

Going into a home depot, I began grabbing what I had on my list and it was going as fine as shopping was until I felt someone tap me on the shoulders. I flinched, surprised, and was ready to fight someone when I turned around and instead of facing someone who wanted to fight me, I saw a very surprised and sheepish looking girl whom, upon further observation, was the same lady from the park the other day, the one with Caspian.

“I’m so sorry for scaring you like that, I didn’t mean any harm, I’m really sorry.” She even bowed repeatedly as sorry and I awkwardly tried to stop her, concerned for her neck. She did stop and looked apologetic still.

“Umm it’s okay really, I was just surprised, no need to be sorry. Umm, did you need anything from me?” I asked and she lit up and took my hands into hers and I panicked for a moment but she didn’t seem to notice that.

“I know this is so random but I just wanted to say sorry and thank you.” She said and I stopped trying to take my hand back and stared at her in question. She must’ve noticed my stare because she let go of my hand like she was burned and turned red.

“Oh my gosh, I’m really sorry. I get weird when I’m nervous and oh gosh, I’m supposed to say sorry and I’ve just made it worse and I’m just sorry.” Her ramble could rival mine when I’m nervous as well and I couldn’t help but smile and place my hand on her shoulder to grab her attention. She squeaked and I let go.

“It’s okay really, I was just a little uncomfortable but I’m sure you meant no harm.” She still looked frightened, so I tried my best to smile. She didn’t look me in the eyes though and instead her eyes landed on my shopping cart and she got visibly redder.

“Oh my gosh, I’m really sorry. I disturbed you when you were shopping and was being disrespectful and I just oh God I’m a mess.” She rubbed both her hands on her face and I was getting visibly uncomfortable the longer she started talking and was about to excuse myself when she glanced up. “Look umm, I’m really sorry for all of this. Could I possibly treat you to coffee as an apology? I’m so embarrassed right now.”

“Umm sure?” I agreed and she sighed in relief. “I need to finish this first though. Maybe we can umm…meet up somewhere?” she flushed and nodded frantically.

“Of course of course. There’s a café down the street that we can go to. I need to finish shopping as well”. She said and I nodded, still a little uncertain, and she smiled at me and told me she was going to wait for me by the entrance and I nodded and she excused herself once more and left with her cart hastily.

My head is spinning right now, because what the heck just happened? The universe really wants to mess with me, it seems, because a simple grocery shopping even resulted in this. Can’t the universe just give me a break? I just wanted to buy utensils, Dammit.

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Maybe it was my overthinking self speaking, but I don’t know why I was currently staring at a piece of plate on aisle four like it was a painting. I don’t know if my brain was deliberately stalling time.

Sighing, I grabbed the plate I was staring at for longer than I should’ve and headed for the counter to pay. As the cashier was ringing up my stuff, I glanced outside and saw the girl talking to someone on the phone outside. She seemed to be in a serious conversation with someone on the other side and when she turned around to face my direction, I averted my eyes and fixated on the prices showing on the screen instead, and as the bagger put my stuff on the bag, I risked a glance at the lady again and saw that she was tapping her foot on the ground. I don’t know if she’s getting anxious or impatient. Either way, I hurried with the bag, careful not to drop it in my haste, and stood in front of the lady. She looked anxious and surprised when she finally saw me. She probably thought I ditched her because I took a longer time than what was deemed usual when going shopping.

Giving her a small smile, she nodded and awkwardly told me where to go. She had a small bag of what I assume are utensils as well, and as we were walking in awkward silence to the café, I couldn’t help but wonder what she could possibly want to talk to me about. Well, maybe I had an idea, especially after her panic in the aisles, but before that, what could she have possibly wanted to talk to me about? Maybe it was the child? Did she still think that I wanted to kidnap Caspian? Or was it something else?

Whilst overthinking, we reached the café and she told me to wait somewhere and, as someone who’s not so good with human interaction, I nodded and sat down on the empty seat near the door. That way, if she tries anything, I can escape faster.

Glancing around the café, I didn’t notice that she was already sitting down in front of me with the coffee. She placed the cup in front of me and saw that it was a latte. I took it gratefully and remained silent, waiting for her to start talking. That seemed to be far though, since instead of talking she was just fumbling with her cup and I couldn’t help but relate to her. I was not best at talking either and she seemed the same, so I decided to just sip on the latte peacefully until she said something.

Half-way through my drink, the awkward silence and tension was still there and I was giving her looks, but with the way she had her head bowed, I don’t think she noticed. I sighed and looked at my watch and back to her. I know I said I could relate to her but not to that extent. She made me wait for a long time now and I still had other plans to do, so I decided to be the one to break the silence instead.

“Are you just going to sit there and not say anything?” it came out a little harsh, judging by the way she jumped, and I felt a little sorry but I had plans as well and her pulling me for coffee like this does not do good to my own overthinking mind.

“I’m terribly sorry. Why am I embarrassing myself like this?” she berated herself as she put the mug down. She continued on with her rant to herself and I was getting antsy already, so I stood up.

“Since it looks like you’re not going to say anything, I’m just going to go. Thanks for the coffee I guess.” I said, trying my best not to let my own emotions show. She seemed to snap out of it and hurriedly tried to say something.

“Wait! Please wait. I’m so sorry for wasting your time like this, but can you please just hear me out for a few more minutes?” she begged and I hesitated for a moment if I should give her a chance, but then flashbacks of my own experience came to mind, the times where I was the one on her own shoes and the pain and overthinking that followed after such experiences came into my mind and I deflated and  sighed and sat down, but crossed my arms under my chest to show her to hurry up and start explaining before I lost my thinning patience.