A Lie So Beautiful

42.Bad day

Mia's Point Of View.

Mia(panicky) : What? What forest? What research? What....

Chris: Calm down sweety, first calm down.

Dad quickly come to my side and take my hand in his.

Chris: You know that, Justin and me, we have been researching on a virus right?

I nod my head, I too know they are researching on a virus although I dont know anything besides that.

Chris: Well we decide that it will be helpful for us to go through the place of its origin once again.

I hate this, I hate dad going away even for a night, forget about going away to a mysterious forest.

Mia: So where is this? And how long are you staying?

Chris: The forest is called Khayai, and its an expedition for a month.

A month! Oh I hate it, I hate it.

Mia: A month? Isn't that too long?

Research wise I know its not too long rather it will be consider too short but dad not home for that long, its longer than longest.

Chris: If we learn something which are important prior to a month, we will come back earlier but even if we don't find anything we will be back when a month is up.

Mia(sighing) : Alright.

I mean what more can I say, its not like I can sit down on the floor crying while throwing a tantrum or anything like that. But believe me I surely wanna do it.

Chris: One more thing you should probably know is that, that forest is pretty isolated and thick so you guys won't be able to contact me.

Say what again? I can't believe this old man of mine.

Mia(petrified): What?

Chris:I will be able to contact you guys from time to time.

Dad rush out the information as if that will calm me down. Here I was planning to call him daily and he said what.

Mia: Am I suppose to breath a sigh of relief because of this dad?

I look at him unimpressed while he smiled at me cheekily.

Mia: Can you please not go? I mean a virus start there and we can't call or know what's going on either. What if something happen. Oh My God, what if you get sick by the virus itself. Nop, dad you are not going.

Panic is an understatement, the more I think about the things that can happen. The more I panic. And the more I hate the idea of dad going away.

Chris: Calm down sweety. And also this is not the first time we are going in this place, we have done it before. And all things are safe and secured. And even if something did happen, half of the people there are doctors and transportation will be on standby all the time.

That half of the people there are doctor line seems logical but I learn it is not something you wanna use when trying to calm someone.

Mia: But..

Chris: No buts, you know I have to do this don't you? And besides, I promise I'll come back safe and sound.

I do know dad have to do this. Its his job and he has been researching on this topic since forever. And if this visit can give him more success chance, how can I stop him in doing that.

So I just nod my head agreeing to his words but not really glad about it.

Chris: Come on sweety, how am I suppose to go if you keep on looking at me with that sad expression.

Well if he won't go caused I look sad, then kudos to me. Iam very much fine with it. So I just pout more and make my eye look dramatically sadder and stare at dad making him chuckle.

Chris:Christ!! And here I thought my little Mia was all grown up but she is still just a baby.

He stroke my head while patting my head. I guess he really is going. Wait if dad is going, is Justin going with him as well?

Mia: Is Justin going too?

Chris: Nop. This time I'll be the one leading the team so he is needed here.

Ahh! What a relief, at least he will be here.

Mia(sulking) : Well why don't we send him instead and dad stay.

As I said that Justin whip his head up and glare at me.

Justin: Hey!!!! What did I ever do to you that you have to dig out ways for me to suffer.

I just stare at him for a while and then childishly stick out my tongue making him do the same. Talk about maturity.

Chris: Anyway, while Iam gone. I can trust you two to take care of Mia and yourself right?

And he look at both Jace and Justin sternly. Do I look like a baby or something, I can take care of us too, you know.

Jace: Of course, don't worry about it. I'll take care of both of them. Just focus on whatever you guys are doing and return quickly.

I nod violently fully agreeing on Jace word. Dad don't need to be distracted, all his focus should be on work so that he could return earlier.

Chris: Its such a relief that you are here.

And he look at Jace with a trusted smile. Seriously what about me.

Justin: What about me?

See, another mind twin of mine had stood up.

Chris: Sure, you too.

Justin: I feel more insulted somehow.

I also feel the same way, even though I didn't voice out my opinion. I guess its a mind twin thingy. Anyway.

Mia: So when are you leaving dad?

Dad look at me with one of his cheeky smile again, I have a bad feeling about this.

Chris: Tonight. And yes before you shout again, we are going there this time because some significant information was found this time which need our presence immediately. So...

I was gonna argue again but give up halfway. Iam gonna have to give in anyway so why even start. But one thing that is clear to me right now is, my expression as of now is all kind of bitter and sour mixed together.

Dad look at my expression and give out a sad sigh.

Chris(optimistic) : Why don't you just look at it this way, the quicker I leave, the faster I'll be back as well.

Mia: I guess.

I mean, what other choice do I even have.

Mia: When do you leave, what about all the things you need?

Chris: I came back in the noon before, so everything is ready and yes I leave in about 30 minute. Someone will come and pick me up.

This is just depressing.

Chris: Come on sweety, ill be back in no time. And both Jace and Justin will be here with you all the time.

Mia: I guess.

Those two liars are not someone whose company will lighten my mood right now. And with that I glare at them. Jace look guilty seeing my glare while Justin look confuse. I guess Jace thought Iam angry because he shout at me. I too am angry for that too, but I'll take care of that later.

Jace: So Chris, are you going directly to the forest today?

Chris: No, we are stopping at Pura which is a village near the forest. And tomorrow morning we set out for the forest.

I nod once again, I gotta search up all this place and their location. Cause right now I know even if dad told me where it is, I will have zero idea about it.

Anyway like that, with dad trying to cheer me up and me pouting and sulking about it, Thirty minute pass by in a jiffy and its already time for him to leave.

The car which is suppose to pick him up is already here.

Chris: Okay sweety, I have to go now. I'll contact you as much as I can, and will try my best to be always safe. So don't worry about me and take care of yourself alright?

I nod once again.

Chris: No skipping meals either okay?

Mia: Jace is here to nag me with all this things isn't he? So don't worry about it. You just take care of yourself and return as fast as possible.

Dad chuckle looking at me when I say return fast before he even went out. I think I really am still a baby.

Chris: Alright, I'll take care.

With that he kiss my forehead and with a hug went in the car. Of course after informing Jace and Justin about taking care of me and themselves once again.

He wave goodbye with a smile making me hesitantly wave as well. And with that he close the car's door and the car zoom away in no time.

And I learn I miss dad already. This is gonna be a long month. I went in with the guys but the house still feel awfully empty. This is what I hate the most, home without dad. It just feel cold and empty without him and I hate every second of it.

We all sit down in the couch with me looking sullen as ever and the guys awkwardly staring at me.

At that moment, my phone bing showing a message that I have a night shift. Well I guess thats good, I can distract myself for a bit and won't have to feel exceptionally lonely.

I send an okay reply, I still have an hour to spend. So I look up at the duo who has been just staring at me.

Mia: What? You guys wanna share something or shall I just stay out of everything?

As I said that Jace look more guilty but said nothing. They really are keen on lying, I guess. Looking at them just saying nothing angers me more. So I quickly get up and went to my room. Iam in a very bad mood right now, if I become more angry, I will probably say things which I will regret later on.

I went to my room and decide to take a shower and go to work afterwards. So I go in the bathroom and start to shower.

Pfft, what a tiring day. First I was unhappy seeing Jace with Claire, and then he decide it will be great idea to lie to me about it, with Justin following along and then dad decide to leave today.

And then I have a night shift. Errrr. Why does everything has to happen today? I hate today, its a depressing day.

I quickly finish showering and go out with a bath rope while drying my hair with the towel.

I saw Jace sitting in my bed, with a worried face making my already ruin mood worst. Why did he have to lie in the first place? It'd frustrating that I don't have the courage to be okay with this or at least understand him. This time I don't seem to have in me to say everything is fine.

Mia: Hey!

He look up at me a bit flustered. I was expecting him to say something but he just stare at me and continue to open and close his mouth with no words coming out. I sigh to myself and take the hair drier and plug it in.

After which I hand it to Jace and seat beneath him, clearly asking him to dry my hair. He got what I mean and starts to dry my hair.

Jace: Iam sorry about earlier, It was something that should not happen.

I keep on hoping that he will apologise for lying about it and tell me the truth so that I don't have the chance to suspect anything. So that I got no strange ideas, but I know he won't. He probably don't even know I knew he lied. I will have understand him if he has told me the truth, but him lying about all this make me more anxious and unhappy; which I already am before he even lied.

Mia: Its okay, I understand that I step the line and I shouldn't have done that. So Iam also sorry.

Actually I was okay with him not sharing about Cane and all with me. If he don't feel comfortable in doing so, then he just need to say so and I would have understand. So why hide?

Jace: No, you didn't do anything wrong. It was me, I know you were only worried about Cane's mom. And you have every right to ask about them. It was my fault for venting my anger on you instead.

Mia: Its fine, I don't mind.

I was really fine with him shouting at me before. Its not like something very serious happen, and he had already apologise so I don't see any more problem. But why does my heart still feel heavy?

Jace: Are you okay?

Mia: Hmm?

Iam not really okay at all, but I don't know, what he was referring to.

Jace: Chris leaving.

Mia: I just didn't want him to leave before like I always do whenever he travel. Iam okay, its not like dad is gonna be gone for a long time.

It is indeed a usual for me to be down whenever dad leave for something. Which he often did when he goes to Dima from time to time cause we have a hospital branch there as well and he need to visit from time to time. But he usually only stay for about two to three days. Four days had to be the longest and yes I keep count.

Jace's Point of View.

Jace: You seems to be in much sadder mood today than usual. Is it because of what I did before.

Mia did always get a bit grumpy or irritated whenever Chris leave, but today she look sad. Did I did that to her?

What a Bastard.

Mia: You know I'll never say its fine, if I dont really mean it, right?

That is also true, its Mia. She does not hide stuff like this and be unhappy inside. She is always open minded and frankly tell us everything the way she exactly feel.

Jace: I know.

Mia(distant) : Then?

Jace: You just felt so much colder and distant today. So I must have doubt myself.

She indeed look a lot colder and much more distant mainly right now. She was like that since we come home from the clinic before. Even in the car ride or even when we were waiting for Chris before, she seems unhappy about something.

It is as if she is holding herself back from saying something. Which is so not like her, cause like I always says, she is not someone who keep secrets or stuff like that. She is someone who is happy with sharing everything. So why the change today? Did something happen?

I keep the hair dryer as I am done with it and was gonna ask her if something is wrong. But before I can she quickly spin herself and look up at me with a blank expression on her eye, which scares me to my core. Something must be wrong.

Mia: Jace, am I suffocating you?

Huh? Why would she think that?

Jace: No, of course not. Why would you even think that?

Mia:I don't mind you not sharing some things with me. That's okay, you take as much time as you want. Iam also okay with you doing things which I may be unhappy, angry or disagree upon. We just need to talk, explain to each other what was wrong and apologise and get through it. Its no big deal.

She stop talking for a while and just stare at me as if she was scared of what she was gonna say.

Mia: But then, if you start to hide things or lie to me about stuff then I won't and don't have the courage or capacity to understand you. So you have to tell me honestly if you don't wanna share right now and don't lie about it alright?

Iam scared, it is as if another promise I have to break have show up again. I have to lie again to my angel when the only thing she ask from me is not to do that. The person who will and have understand every part of me without me even explaining anything is asking me with a pain heart not to lie to her and I can't even given her that. Coward.

Jace: Okay I p...

She cut me off quickly and look at me with a gaze that seems to see through my soul.

Mia: Jace, are you lying about anything or hiding anything from me?

Jace: No.

It was as if I practise my whole life, what I will say to her if someday she ask me this question and my answer automatically come out as I have practiced. But even that one word come out shaky and unsure cause I know better what the truth is and why I have to hide it from her.

As I said that Mia just look at me with an empty eye and suddenly get up and go inside her closet to change.

She look more upset with my answer, I thought that will be the answer she wants. But why does she look more upset with it? Did she know something?

Its so frustrating that Iam the one who is making her more upset than she already is. Like I haven't done enough already.