Her Sweet Vengeance

Chapter 8 (Yes To 19)

CHAPTER 8 (Yes To 19)

I was walking down the pavement when it started to rain. Goodness! Why did not I bring an umbrella again? Oh yeah right! Because the whether earlier was really fine and it was promising that this day will be okay and Mister Sun will say hello all day. Too bad, everything already changed over time. I run to look for a place to cover myself from getting soaked however I see no buildings or sheds in the area. I forced myself to drag my body by running. The droplets of water were piercing my skin and the wind howls. I continued to run even though I can’t clearly see what’s ahead because of the fog. I shivered in coldness as the water cascaded to the insides of my shirt. It crept until even my brassier and underwear were already wet. I took turns in several streets and then I saw the black iron gates of my rented place.

I ran inside and closed the gates. As I ascended upstairs, coldness was making me numb already. I know that if I look at the mirror right now, I will see my skin so pale and then my lips are already colored light purplish. With shaking hand, I inserted the key on the keyhole and then I heard a faint click. The sky cracked in bluish white color and I was startled when a loud booming thunder followed. I was trembling as I pushed the door open and closed it behind me while locking it from the inside.

I was anxiously looking outside. My mind is anticipating for another lightning and thunder. My lips quivered and I unbuttoned my blouse and let my wet clothes left my body. I ran towards the bed and I hid my naked self under the matress. Snuggled closer to conserve my body heat. I put on an ear muffs and somehow, it canceled the noises caused by the thunderstorm. I closed my eyes as I felt that all my energy was drained from my body. In no time, I just found myself drowsing to sleep.

The light was already peeking from the window when I woke up the next morning. I softly rubbed my eyes using the back of my hands and I sat straight. I realized that I did not even bothered to get some clothes. I stood up and got the towel and headed straight to the bathroom and started to take a cool bath. The relaxing feeling of the water that cascades down my skin makes me smile. I turned off the faucet as soon as I was done. I went straight to my dresser to apply some ointment on my small wounds that I got from rushing yesterday. I put on my clothes and let the towel to stay in my hair so that it will remove the excess water.

I started to prepare my breakfast – just milk and bread with egg and mayonnaise filling. I picked up my phone from the table as it vibrated. I read Mariah’s text and I smiled. Who would have thought that her dreams came true? Yep! She and Jimmy are together now and is fully supported by Jim’s twin sister, Jinny.

Time really flew fast. It’s been ten months since my 18th birthday and am starting to fix my life and move on already. I held no grudges against the Carlin family as I understood the root of their hatred towards me. They felt threatened or maybe betrayed that the Madame Antonia gave me such a big shares. It might have been so hard for them too to take me in since I was not blood related.

I walked towards a very familiar place that I am fond of going to – the park. I really love seeing people. I don’t know why. I am not fund of interacting with them, I prefer to observe from a farther distance. I was startled when my vision was blocked by something. I tried to remove the hand and I looked back to see a very familiar guy. He smiled at me and he showed me a yellow daisy. I accepted it and put it beside me.

“Does this mean that we are official now?” he hopefully asked. He masked it with a joking tone but I know that he is hopeful.

“Nope. I’m just getting the flower thinking about the money you have wasted just to buy the poor thing that will soon end up in trash anyway.”

His smile faded and he scratched his nape. He looks cute when he do that. He held my hand and I felt something cold in my palms. I looked at it and I saw a cute keychain. It was shaped like a turtle and the color is green and white. I raised the small thing and it sparkled under the sun.

“I got that from my recent island tour days ago. I’m sorry if I did not bring you there with me.”

“It’s a family reunion. I am no family so I can’t be possibly be on the list either. And it was just two days.”

“Don’t you miss me?” he pouted and he looked at me like a wounded animal.

“I don’t. But I was sure that you will say that I never left your mind even a second and I know it’s a complete bluff.”

He walked me to HM Café and he bade goodbye. I entered the door and started my usual job here. I sat down on the cushioned seat and looked around. The sky is dark now. A notification popped up from my phone and it was Grey’s text asking if I he needs to fetch me from work and I just said no. I went to my place afterwards. I have no work tomorrow and on the next day to come since I asked for a leave from work for the preparation of my upcoming final exams in the university and it was already approved by the manager.

The next day, after my daily routine; I took out pens, manuals, handouts and my notes plus sticky papers and I started to read and study the coverage of every subject. I did not even knew that it was already night time but I just knew when my stomach grumbled already. I looked outside and it was already dark. I was just sitting at my bed for straight twelve hours and I already forgot to eat.

I hurriedly prepared for my meal. I steamed rice and fried some hotdogs since I don’t have time now to be choosy. After I washed my plate and the other kitchen wares, I prepared on going to bed. Yeah, too early since it is still 7 p.m. but I need to sleep early so I can wake up at 3 a.m. to reread my notes again and that’s what happened on the next day.

Monday came. This will be one bloody exam and I feel it. Everyone was tensed and silent inside the room when the professor walked in and soon I heard the sound of the papers being flipped as the students were passing them. I was at the last seat at the back and so I received my paper last.

“Attention everyone! It has been a protocol that no cheatting is allowed. I have eyes everywhere and you are aware of that,” said the professor. I know that the eyes that she is pertaining to are the watchers and other proctors who were inside.

“Once one of you will be caught cheatting, automatically failed in my subject. You must pass this test to pass my subject. Good luck everyone, you may start now.”

I started to focus on my paper. She is one of the terror professors in this university. She has a reputation of failing students non-stop. Her questions were tricky too. I was massively sweating as I tried to remember all the formulas and equations that I studied during weekends. I scanned my memory like I was scanning a book. And finally I found the right answer. I scribbled on my paper for hours before I stood up and passed my papers and went outside of the room silently. That is one of the rules too, pass when you are done and leave causing no distraction to the ones who were left inside.

I decided to go to the school field since I am already done with my exams when I saw Grey and his childhood friend Mike. After a long time, I saw how close they are to each other and I heard a lot of things about Mike. One thing is for sure, he never likes hook ups. I walked towards them and they didn’t noticed my presence. I hid on one of the trees near them to eavesdrop. They are arguing about something and that made me curious. Never did I heard about them quarrel.

“Hey what’s this… oho! Some kind of secret notebook.” I saw Mike taking out a brown filler note from Grey’s bag.

“Give it back to me Mike. Don’t read it!”

“Now I’m more curious to read the content.”

They ran in circles. Mike trying to read the notes while Grey was tryinng to get it away from hiss friend. They tackled each other on the ground until Grey lose when Mike pinned him down. He was lying on the ground while Mike was sitting on his back. I laughed with no sound as I saw how cute they are.

“Okay here! Let’s see the mystery inside. Are you ready huh Grey boy?”

Mike flipped the notebook cover and he read the content of the first page out loud.

“One, she turned me down indirectly during my first attempt of confession. She thought that I was asking her if I could join her birthday party. Apparently, she cooked noodles for me and left.”

Mike started to laugh out loud and I see how Grey struggled to free from being pinned down but he eventually failed.

“This is hilarious man! s**t! Wait… pffftt…. Hahahahaha! I think…. Hahaha! Oh s**t! Is this one notes entitled, ‘Road To One Hundred Failures’?”

He flipped another page and read again.

“Two. She rejected me straight out when I confessed my feelings to her. I did not know what came to my mind that I hid on Granma’s shrub so I ended up soaked because she sprinkled water on the plants without noticing anything. Three, she rejected my offer again when I asked her to be mine while she was on her way out from her nightshift at the café. Four… hell man! She rejected you 87 damn times already? Now, that’s what I call you, pathetic.”

Grey grabbed the note as he freed himself from being pinned down. He sat on the grass and put the note back on his backpack. He leaned againts the tree trunk and they started chatting in hushed tones. I changed my mind and just decided to go to my work place. I have never earned a dime in the past two days so I need to work overtime.

Mariah greeted me followed by the twins and I just nodded at them. I wore my apron that has the printed logo of HM Café in gold letters and started to serve drinks to customers. I saw Mariah and Jim exchange meaningful glances when they see each other. I saw how Mariah blushed when Jim winked. So, this is how people who are in love reacts? I wonder if I will be like them too. I shook my head when a male picture appeared in my mind. Ey! Stop going anywhere you thoughts and focus on your job. Stay intact my neuron friends and don’t malfunction okay? I mentally face palmed when nothing happened.

After our shift was done, we still stayed at the café for a while. I saw how sweet Jim is towards Mariah and Jinny was actually okay with it. I saw their hands and entertwined fingers above the table. I still can’t picture out myself doing that to a man.

“So girl, the party is really happening?” asked Mariah.

“Yes. But I don’t have a venue tho. I can’t bring you to my place since it is small. Can you suggest me some?”

“Bar. Resort. Restaurant…”

“Jinny, no bars and no liquors. I will not tolerate your drinking habit since that asshole James left you.”

“Oh come on bro! I already moved on.”

“Moved on when you always cry at night when you are drunk? You can’t fool me forever.”

“I’m still hurting. Fine! Just disclose this topic. We are planning for a party here so no negative vibes please.” Jim raised his hands in mid-air as a sign of surrendering.

“Let’s just have a party held at a resort. Since her birthday is a holiday that means we are all free,” Jimmy suggested and we all agreed to his idea. They booked for the nearest resort in the area and I paid for – well not everythig but 3/4ths of the whole payment including the food, entrance fee, cottage and back and forth fare. I kissed the goodbye as we went out of the café.