Forgetting Mellaine

Excitement

France just finished a batch of her macaroons and coconut truffles, which made the whole place smelt like them; the earthy scent that makes your mouth water. But my taste buds are not quite sure if they wanted to taste them early in the morning. Instead, I let her enjoy by herself. The weather is so cold that I can see my own breathe through the air. France just arrived at my house with a scarf on her neck, being wrapped like a baby’s embrace to keep her warm at seven o’clock. Yawning, I opened the container. A fuzzy hair which made me look like a witch and a drool on my face are the first things, she noticed on me. You don’t have to say it. I said to her just by giving her my stare.

“Good morning.” I said.

“Did you just wake up?”

I silently nodded. I yawned – my eyes downcast – a haggard look is somehow showing off.

Her looks wasn’t just telling me how I look right now – but totally a living corpse. Not minding myself, I headed to the living room, plopping on the couch. My head is throbbing like a bomb that is just going to explode in any moment. Rubbing the sides of my head, I closed my eyes and feel the sensation of my massage. France was enjoying her moment, and that was beyond speech. She raised her head and turned to the corpse just beside her, rubbing her eyes, yawning. Lifting her legs on the couch and cross-wised, she’s sitting like a Buddha, waiting for me to give her the praises and prayers. She’s making herself feel at home. In fact she looks like the one who owns the apartment or maybe the one renting this one. She gave me a smile that almost stopped my heart.

“So, I guess you already answered Brandon that night.” She muttered, acting like an inquisitive detective right now. Making me tell her about the details of what happened on the Hotel’s Garden, which was totally effective together with her dazzling eyes and ways to let me speak out the truth. This woman, perhaps looks like the real witch, I jokingly said to myself.

“Yes.”

The word suddenly rang a bell on my mind, making me flustered; the same word I gave him that night. Suddenly, her face fell.

“My Mellaine is now taken.” Holding her chest and acted in a dramatic way.

France was still watching her feet; watching the way how well polished her nails are and how the light glowed on her skin.

“Silly. You always have me, France.” I made a soft laugh. Looking at her, I remembered what happened to us at Natalia’s birthday. Perhaps, she doesn’t want to have a conversation about it, since most of the stuff talks about her own past. As for Mr. Gregory’s wife, she was able to introduce herself during the event – Odette. Well, at first she greeted us with some of her kind words, but later on, when Mrs. Fartherwood joined the conversation, she suddenly shifted it about France and her husband.

“I guess, you really did use the money right – having such a wonderful café now.” Mrs. Fartherwood muttered. It wasn’t a compliment – a mere fact of trying to step on someone’s reputation.

“Of course. Perhaps, my independence resulted a wonderful one. To think that I have saved the money I got from selling my pastries a couple of years ago when I was only baking inside my house.” France uttered. She knows the real deal of the woman – to put her in an unbearable situation that somehow will let the others see it.

“Oh I see. Didn’t you get the money from Gregory’s parents? You know, like a payment for letting us have this marriage. Somehow, I am thankful for what you’ve done.” Odette bluntly said and was able to get the attention of others. A b***h tone came out from her mouth, a total reflection of her current actions. A malodorous one. If Mr. Gregory will be able to see this right away, he’ll probably grab his own wife outside the hotel – maybe give her a scold too.

“No. Perhaps, it was a lie, didn’t you know? I’m sorry, but yeah Mr. Bill and Mrs. Edna did give me some, but it was all for help for my mother who got her illness back then.” France laughed and smiled.

“O-oh. Was it? Well, I guessed we got the wrong information here. I’m sorry.” She said, being embarrassed with both of their actions. I felt sorry for the two of them, too.

“Perhaps, we don’t want to settle our lives with the past, anymore.” France commented. She gave the ladies her most brilliant smile.

Those were the last words that I have heard from France and the two women. Having their misconception, they decided to leave us alone with our own peace, leaving themselves in entertaining the others. Somehow, I was able to talk to Brandon that time and the celebration was totally successful.

“Will the couple go too?” She asked, looking over the window where she can see the Greys’ lawn.

“I just called Amy, and they’re on it.” I said.

We decided to continue and fulfil the plan to have a visit and have some fun at top of the hill today. Calling the others, they are quite excited to go and take time with everyone. All of us, in deed, agreed to meet here in my apartment before ten, and probably, we’ll start heading to the lake for some time there too. Today, I tried calling Natalia, the best way that I can, but to my dismay, her number is not available. I wonder why. I really wanted to make some closure with her, just to let the both of us know that I am a friend and not a rival towards love. Somehow, I’ve been sensing her intimate actions towards Brandon.

The fact that her grandmother was able to make Brandon as her escort during her party, I wouldn’t have some doubts if she asked the old lady to make him as the one. Perhaps, most of us already sensed that during her celebration. She’s been acting like a tail towards Brandon, what I meant was, even she don’t want someone to recognize her doings, she does really suck in hiding her true intentions. Amy would like to confront her towards her actions regarding with him, but for now, she can’t get herself the right time and the exact words that won’t hurt her and her ego.

Hannah has been working hard since early in the morning, just when I called her if she’ll be able to join us in a camp. To her dismay, she can’t even leave her paperwork behind. It’s even hard that I’ve barely got a long call with her; between her work in the boutique and also her cooking; she seems to have no time at all. Considering her state, even after Natalia’s birthday party a week ago, she’s a busy bee.

After some time, several knocks are heard from the door. France stood up from the couch, wiping off some crumbs from her food and eventually opened the door, letting us see Veronica with an excited wide smile. She can’t hold properly the excitement she’s feeling, which made me smile secretly.

“Good morning, ladies.” She uttered and gave France a kiss on the cheek. I caught her radar and she waved a hand just as soon as she see me on the couch.

“Hi. You’re a Johnny-on-the-spot as ever.” France complimented. She entered the house and went directly to where I was sitting, giving me a kiss too. I could totally smell her perfume right now, having her just some inches beside me. She put her red bag on the table, took some of the chocolate truffles and made herself comfortable. France headed to the kitchen and got her back with a jar of water. The cubes ice can be seen clearly, floating and slowly melting with the water itself. I looked at them, just like how I change with the environment I am in – different perspectives dwelling inside their bodies. I really don’t know how they look at me as a friend or maybe someone else. Death wouldn’t want me to know either when will be the time to get himself in visiting me, or might as well in that time – he’ll successfully take me with him. I’m not a diehard fan when it comes to fate, but merely, itself is inevitable. Talking on how my days go by, I barely see the person standing beside the lamppost. Perhaps, France’s suggestion really had help me out.

I also tried talking to Howard, which in turn, he got himself to know me more and his doubts of having me as a suspected killer has been solved. The session isn’t that bad, in fact I was able to meet another side of him, a total difference on how he acts towards me most of the time. I bet Amy, his inquisitive wife, will later on know about me. In fact, I just wish that she’ll stop or might as well try to hold back her mouth regarding such matter. I took a sigh and had me a glass of water.

Veronica is now on her phone, probably, talking to Beverly and Jezelia in a conference call. Her brows began to meet each other, pursuing the two to join. It will be fun if we’re many in numbers as well – I’ll be looking forward that they will join us. Brandon, who seems to be the mastermind of such plan, the camping, is still not here. Maybe, he’s making himself catch still with his hectic schedule this morning. I didn’t have the right chance to dwell the thing- change, love, relationship, future, and beds. Sounds so interesting, that I made myself go back to my teen age life – having such puppy love, crushes, not so serious relationships. But yes, this one is surely different from what I dealt in that span of life, as likely as not, this might turn out well this time. And that for sure, will be upon us – how me and Brandon will mend our own fate and love.

“Are they coming?” I asked.

“Jezelia is surely to come. As for Beverly, she’s still not sure if she can join us. But, she will make a call if she can, then we can pick her up at Mind This by the time we’re going.” Veronica said, turning off her phone and gently placed it inside her bag.

“I hope she’ll come.” France muttered, now reading some magazines I just brought a month ago. Time to time, I am able to see her childish acts, but most of them is having her to act as an elderly woman, a mother in my point of view somehow. The others can’t somehow us for personal reasons. Yawning, I decided to excuse myself for a bath, leaving the two of them in the living room.

“Can I take a bath for a while?” I asked, gently scratching the back of my neck.

“Go ahead dear, we’ll just wait here for the others to come.” Veronica promptly said.

I smiled and slowly head inside my room. I grabbed my white pink towel and directly went to the bathroom. Removing my clothes, I let the water touches my body. I look at the right part of my belly and touches it – the mark is still there, but the pain is somehow slowly fading. I slowly closed my eyes and feel the water’s cold touch – letting me remember of what happened to me and Brandon during the birthday.

“You look so beautiful as ever.” He commented, having us together in the garden, specifically on the little wooden bridge – looking over the fishpond filled with fish, the moon smiling from above and the cold breeze brushing itself around us.

“Thank you. You look handsome too.” I smiled and flustered.

He chuckled. Cupping one of his pockets, he slowly grabbed a small box. He turned his body, just as I could see him clearly. Brandon was smiling. Opening gently the box, a gold necklace with a heart pendant was placed inside. I remembered he brought one when he gave me the watch, but I didn’t had a clear image of how it looks like. He took the necklace from it. “Can you turn around?” He said, his face began to redden too.

I slowly turned around, letting him place it around my neck. I felt my heart pounded, the butterflies are swirling around my tummy. I looked at it. It was beautiful. I slowly turned to meet his gaze and saw his eyes full of happiness. I smiled.

“Thank you.”

He gently grabbed my right hand and placed its box on my palm.

“Open it.” He said.

I did what he told me and a saw a piece of paper. Taking it, I slowly flipped it and saw the words. My heart is racing fast, like horses in the current race.

Will you be my girlfriend?

I looked at him, having a grasp on the paper.

He gave me a small chuckle, it was a nervous one. Taking a deep sigh and composure, he said.“From the moment I saw you at the café, you really caught my attention. And…even now, you always continue to make me happy and adore you, even in the tiniest thing you do. There are so many things that I love about you and I wish I can share my love with you. And I am grateful that our paths collided. And…I am sure that I will do my best to make you happy…Mellaine, will you be my…girlfriend?” He said it with his pure heart and sincerity. I felt my tears gathered at the sides of my eyes. Those words. Those words that made me vulnerable and made me realized something – that I already fell in love with this man. I gently walked towards him, taking a sob, I hugged him closed.

“Yes. Yes, Brandon…” I said.

There was silence, totally embraced us – letting us feel our own heartbeats and warmth. He gently hugged me back and sobbed. “I-I love you…” He whispered.

“I…l-love you too.”

I opened my eyes slowly and felt my cheeks hot and reddened. I smiled and held the necklace he gave me. After some time with myself, I finished my bath with satisfaction – combing my hair, putting some pressed powder on my face, and wearing a black V-neck shirt and a tight jeans. I will never forget my favourite daily routine, which’s putting my lipstick. It’s enough for me to use them as they help me to avoid in looking like a corpse. I decided to use a red one. I heard some shrill giggles in the living room. France‘s voice is one of them, maybe the loudest among the others. I recognized Jezelia and Beverly, perhaps they made it. I smiled. I slowly came out in my personal space and greeted them with hugs.

“I was really thinking about the camp…so I decided to come with you guys and have some fun.” Beverly muttered.

Someone just pulled my shirt from my side. Looking down, I recognized a boy, wearing his blue shirt with a car design in the centre. His cargo pants is too cute for him. His hair is even polished to the right side. This young lad is very neat to look at, probably, when he’s in his teenage life, he’ll get those girls cheering and mesmerizing his own beauty. He somehow reminds me of Ken who is Mom’s friend’s son – the one who let us stay in their apartment for several years, until I managed and decided to go here. That little boy was really cool and energetic early in the morning. He would come and knock on our door, and just before we could see his presence, he would run and left a bean on the floor – maybe it’s his way of greeting us in the morning.

I could go and watch him over my window at their lawn, playing with his childhood friends with those trucks and cars. I barely got the chance to talk and have a normal conversation, hence, every time I tried he would go behind her mother’s back and acted like I am the hunter and he’s the prey. Goergia, who used to like to be called as Gia – his mother, would definitely laugh and scold him every time he would do something uneasy or unappealing to their visitors. I guess, it’s normal for children to get shy when facing the elderly ones. But, unexpectedly, just before I could step a foot on the cab I got to travel here, Ken was able to hug me tight and waved a goodbye. It was a longing hug, a concerned one and one of the times that I will cherish. I think that was the only time we got a good conversation and it was somehow worth it.

“Who’s this pallid woman, Mom?” The boy asked, looking over Jezelia who’s planning to shut his mouth in any moment. She anxiously laughed and smiled at me. “O-oh, come here dear.” Pulling off her son from holding my shirt, she said. “That’s your Aunt Mellaine. Say hi to her.”

“I have a worn out Aunt?” He said it again, carelessly. I managed to get a small cough and smiled at him. For sure, this young lad had just hurt my ego and my beauty. How I wish I could defend myself to this boy. Closely, taking some steps, I rubbed his hair, gently.

“Yes, I’m a friend of your mommy. I’m very sorry if I look like so retarded right now, I didn’t get enough sleep, honey.” I calmly said, taking control of my inner boiling ego, waiting to be awaken like an active volcano. I even want to let the child see the result of his behaviour. Considering his age, France laughed all of a sudden. “Hah! Now, Louis is able to tell you how you look like even you got some makeup on.” She teased me. Way to go there.

“Yeah, yeah. Good job, lad.” I boorishly said.

“Mom! I just stepped on a poop!” Another boy just shouted at the door, holding his right sleeper with the thing. Wearing a red shirt with the same design from the other kid and a cargo pants too, his face was saying ‘gross’.

“Oh dear, leave your sleepers behind and go to the kitchen. Wash your hands properly, Loey.” Jezelia promptly instructed and assisted the child to the kitchen, with a disgusting look all over his face. Maybe, he did manage also to touch the thing that’s currently sticking on his sleepers.”

Scratching my head, I concluded that those two boys who just popped and appeared out of nowhere are Jezelia’s twins. Somehow, seeing them first makes me think who is Louis and Loey between the two of them. So, I asked Beverly, who tends to get in touch with the two kids, regarding the matter. She told me that in terms of behaviours, Louis is way more talkative and energetic while Loey is the shy type one. To differentiate them from their appearance, Louis has a mole on the right side of his lips.

Jezelia just when back to where the others are – at the living room, holding both of her kids on their wrists. After some time, a car arrived at the gate and we’re able to see Brandon with his usual outfit – black shorts and mixed grey and blue V-neck shirt. He recognized us by the opened door and waved a hand to us. He managed to lock his car and went inside to join.

“Good morning.” I greeted him with a smile.

France together with Veronica, made a small cough.

“Good morning, ladies.Brandon laughed and smiled. We decided to hurry and packed out things out, and eventually put them at the back of Brandon’s car. The weather is clearly telling us that it isn’t good – dark gloomy ones started to swirl from above. When we’re able to get everything done, I locked my apartment immediately. Howard and Amy also got themselves in their motorcycle together with their stuff .

We eventually went ahead and they followed us from behind. Everyone got their own time inside the car; me and France were talking about Wendy, who’s able to leave the hospital and now in her house again. We decided to visit her next week; Veronica talking over the phone, Beverly having fun with the kids together with Jezelia, and Brandon taking his time in driving. We had a lovely chat for some time not until we arrived at the side of the lake, specifically at 3 pm in the afternoon.

Taking a boat, we were able to cross the other side. The rocky road welcomed us, letting us see from a far at the peak of the hill, somehow a rest house that we can stay for tonight. The sounds of nature walked with us as we head to the top; trees dancing its leaves with the wind, birds chirping, stones rolling as we step on them. After twenty-five minutes of walking, we arrived at the top – a wooden house rested upon it. Putting our things carefully on the ground, Louis was able to recognize an unknown presence.

“Mom, there’s an old lady.” Louis said, pointing to the woman wearing a long green gown, her hair was coloured like the ash. She gave us a warm smile as soon as she stands a few meters away from us.

“Good afternoon. I guessed, you’re the ones who contacted me for reservations.”

“Good afternoon. Yes, we are delighted to stay here.” Brandon said with a smile.

“I’m Madame Rosette Hush. It’s a pleasant to meet you all and have you here. Come and let’s have some tea.” The old lady said.