The Inexorable Kismet

Chapter I

THE GET AWAY.

Zephaniah little-by-little opened her left eye making it roam around the room.The sun rays that went through the window kissed her face causing her eyes to sting.She closed it with her eyebrows meeting each other.Irritation marked on her face as she tilted her body on the other side of the bed,hugging Anexsc more tighter.Anexsc is a great buddy it was her favorite stuffed toy that she receieved when she was 5 years old.

Nothing will compare to the cursed feeling of Monday mornings.ugh,it really sucks she thought but the fact that the first day for school has come and is inescapable made it WORSE.

After a few minutes her mom busted the door of the room"Niah Honey, Time's ticking you know.You wouldn't want to be late for the first dayof school would you? I am also sure that you wouldn't want that thing to happen. Again" The woman in apron emphasized the words "that thing" drawing a qoute en qoute symbol in the air using her both hands reminding Zephaniah every detail on that epic day.

"Is it done yet? Is it?" She came rushing in after the school gate seeing students march to their own classrooms.

"Our principal is mad for your tardiness"

"You and the vice president missed it"

"Blah blah blah chu chu chu"

*Insert more choking and different sayings*

Every eyes looked at her with disappointment.For a moment she felt so little and a big mistake.She felt so nervous as well,like hello?she just missed her own oath taking for the position of presidency.Yes people the newly elected president of the student Government missed her own oath taking which was supposed to be done after the school's flag ceremony.

Zephaniah hurriedly got out of the bed shaking away all the last school year's mem'ries.That day was so horrible,I learned my lesson she tried to convince herself.

She let out a heavy sigh after getting out of the car facing the big gates with the name of her school on the top."Goodluck honey" Her mom waved goodbye and drove off.

of course mom,I would be needing a lot of that.Hello people! I won't be greeting you a good day or whatever bec I dont really feel fine rn.I am Zephaniah but you can call me Niah for short,as you know I am the president of the student government and that title of mine will be official starting today.I am also a member at Journalism where we make the school's newspaper and compete with other schools lastly I am maintaining an academic record.Maybe right now you're thinking that I am that kind of student who is smart,responsible someone to look up to but I am not.I do not see myself that way.I'm not bragging or boasting for you guys to know what I am engaged but the problem is that all these responsibilities lying on my shoulders is eating me up.Two months of summer vacation isn't enough for me to prepare,for me to face all of this.Behind this bright image of mine is a spineless girl who doesn't believe in herself.Everything happened so fast I can't even think about how it started somehow, everyone's expectations and the pressure is killing me.Everything's confusing me.

Maybe.Maybe...

I am just not ready yet.

I was just a normal girl walking inside the campus and then this I tried to quit as a journalist but no,they wouldn't let me I tried to turn down everything but I just can't.I used to enjoy my responsibilities before,back when I still have my old friends,my co journalists and everything when the attention's not really into me but still time is a thief they eventually left the school and went to universities to study.My parent's didnt let me transfer So here's me left alone and trying to hide from the spotlight.My mind's corrupted, I am afraid to make mistakes and be like my friends,they're expecting me to be like them I am trying and I dont wanna let their expectations down over and over.Only few knew the dark side of my personality and I am sad about it.

Zephaniah continued to walk passed the gates and the students that are very busy of finding their own classrooms.They look like ants that are panicking and scattered.Bliss and excitement are shown on their faces while Niah's face painted the opposite.She bowed as she headed through the senior's high building to keep an unwanted attraction nevertheless it can't be helped.

"Hello Miss president!" She quickly responded with a big smile,another student greeted her again and again.She can't let everyone to know what she's currently feeling right?She cant let everyone know that the president they elected is messed up inside though she's still figuring the way to get this all through.Trivia:She's always wishing an escape route to reality even tho it's unattainable.She always questions it,why does it feels like a wall's pushing her into an escapable situation.Its not unwanted but there may be possibilities that the right words are "She may not be able to handle it".This so called life of hers became complicated than usual.

"Girl,you're overthinking again," Kathryn tap Zephaniah's shoulder breaking her concentration at the window."Kathy I can't do this," She looked at her friend with the window of her soul full of worries holding unto her bagpack tighter."Can't do what?"Her friend starred at her two eyebrows on the flick,confused.She let out a big sigh."This! I can't be the president and at the same time handle all the other responsibilities.Kathryn,I do not want to let everyone down but its just that I think I am not mentally ready for this"Before her friend can speak the school's speaker notified everyone to get into the covered court for the orientation.Students from the other rooms came out rushing down to the stairs"Come on let's talk about it after this ceremony," She let out a faint smile,she felt something's gonna happen and its not good.

After the ceremony the head mistress went to the stage.On Zephaniah's point of view nothing but air sinks in through her head until her name was announced.Her brain suddenly came back from the far away galaxy.Shookt.She pointed to herself like asking "Me??".All eyes on her,few of her friends still needed to push her in able to go up at the stage.

Lub-dub-lub-dub.

"Uhhh.." Everyone's warm welcome was wild then it slowly fade away as she arrived at the middle of the stage.There is an eerie silence and eyes blinking on her.Air from her heavy breathing came out of the speakers.She is afraid that everyone will her the loud thumps of her heart,she gripped unto the microphone tighter while starring at the massively big crowd.Not one or two but more drops of sweat fell down on her forhead.She quickly rubbed it off "I'm really sorry,I can't do this," she dropped the microphone causing everyone to close their eyes from the pain their ears felt for a moment,hands against their ears then she grabbed her bagpack.Without a further a do she ran as fast as she could forgetting what she left behind.

Everyone's face was indescribable to what happened.

Zephaniah's phone vibrated continuesly as her friends tried to contact her.She ignored it and faced the window full of raindrops falling down."What did I just do?"She facepalmed as everything flashes back in her mind.That will be egregious to the school and to everyone.She squeezed her eyes together,gritting her teeth then covered her face and tried to make her sobs quiet as possible for the passengers not to notice.People might think she have a teenage pregnancy problem if she ever got an attention to someone.After running away from the school she decided have an escapade,she rode on a bus going to her grandmother's province.

"Eros!! We're nearly there at Eros!" A not so tall man that carries a not so healthy tummy in a uniform with a big voice walked through the isle to remind the next destination to the passengers.After hearing what the man said Zephaniah was alarmed causing her emotional moment to stop, "where would be my stop again?" She thought wiping her tears off on her cheeks with her left and right white sleeves.Its been 10 years since she last visited her grandma's home.Their family used to visit there every year when they are still young until their parents got divorced.From a bad posture she sit up straight and fixed herself pulling her light herschel bagpack nearer to her body and putting a few strands of her hair at the back of her ear as she tried hard enough where will she stop."Well,Artemis will be the next stop and from their I can ride a jeepney to Mamee's house...Wait? Is it Mcgraw Hill or cherry falls? Why did I even forget!" She mumbled to herself.She patted her chubby cheeks several times with her sweating palms.She can't ask her mom right now or else her escape will be busted she'll eventually text her mother when she finally arrived at her Mamee's house to ease her worriness she wouldn't want her mother thinking all night where she have gone through.

"You miss,where would your stop be?" Without a doubt Zephaniah looked at the conductor with a nervous face.She couldn't let out a word."well miss? I am not a mind reader I couldn't guess nor tell what you expect me too blurt out" the man crossed his arms as he looked sharply at Zephaniah's eyes trying to read her.

"Uh,I would be stopping at uhh Cherry falls sir"The bus took a stop and the driver shifted a lever to open the door for the other passengers.She watched them find their own seats with their clothes soaked up in the rain,umbrellas dripping and hats yet wishing that no one will dare to take the available seat next to her.Her body shivered a little imaging what would it feel to be under the strong rain and ride an airconditioned bus,she pity them."The clouds shouldn't have wept with me" she thought disregarding the scientific basis of the rain.

"Next stop McGraw Hill!!" Within a minute her plans suddenly changed and decided to stop at McGraw Hill instead.Seeing the station of jeepney she told the man to stop the bus."You said earlier that you'd be stopping by at the Cherryfalls" she couldn't explain to the man,she cant tell them she forgot where she would go right? "Miss you should know where you're going,you are a girl afterall.Didn't you know that bad people are just around nowadays! Tsk tsk"The man sounded irritated and gave a signal to the driver to stop.Her face reddened a little bit."This is just really great" she whispered after the incident at the school,this happened she groaned.Zephaniah couldn't take the guts to look back and wants to vanish like forever.She wants the ground to swallow her whole right now.When the bus finally stopped she bravely walked to the doors "this is so embarassing!!" Her mind shouted.

When she finally got out of the bus she placed her bagpack on her head to elude herself from getting sick."Miss,dont you have a boyfriend?You're a pretty gal maybe you should get one for yourself" The bus driver stated then slammed the door infront of Zephaniah making her roll her eyes.Urgh! She stomped her feet on the ground in anger.She cussed at the bus going away till it no longer can be seen from her distance.

The rain finally ebbed when she arrived at the front gates of her mamee's enormous yet old fashioned mansion.She felt the cold outside eyeing on the fog hugging the both sides of the mansion."This is it" she mouthed.The Black metallic gate creaked on its hinges as Zephaniah pushed through,the path that was once a good sight is now cracked and uneven.She noticed that the front garden that looked so aesthetic long ago was nowhere to be seen now.It was all scraggy and the grass patches were overgrown with weeds.The mansion itself is a two storey high with big windows on the second floor though the window frames are craving for a fresh coat of paint.She looked disgusted as she passed through the fountain wrapped up in long crawling plants."what happened here? I thought this mansion was being taking care of" she thought.She went to the front porch,the lights were unlit and even before she could rang the door bell the door swung open infront of her.

"Going for a visit Missy?" A silhouette of a tall woman and luxurious straight hair with the right curves of body hands on her waist appeared infront of Zephaniah then thunders roared startling her.The clouds cried again only this time,its harder. "I'm Zephaniah Rosetta Cortez,Sixth granddaughter of Mamee would you please let me in?" The woman stepped aside letting her in.They started to walk through the hallways "it always felt like magic when we used to visit here" Zephaniah said talking to herself.Everything was so different from before,the Chandeliers didn't glow as much as it glowed before and there were cobwebs on it as well.The long long carpet which was imported from thailand was now full of dust and dirt making it look like a fake and cheap carpet.The walls we're weary but the portraits of her Mamee's family framed with a sophisticated wooden frame that looked antique was still hanging there.Zephaniah examined the black and white pictures,there was a picture of her great grandfather and grandmother,a painted portrait of her Mamee when she still little and when she had come of age.She was a woman of great looks in her time but never did she smiled in any of her portraits and paintings.

"Everything looked so..." Unconciously Zephaniah blurted out whats on her mind."Old I suppose?" She looked at the woman who wears a white uniform with a gold watch on her wrist making her look more formal and her glasses made her look intelligent.Like really.Her eyes were black as ebony in other word,emotionless and lips are always straight.She is one of a heck serious woman Zephaniah thought.Maybe she is the nurse her aunt have gotten for Mamee,but she doesn't look nice she added to her thought"I don't get it,why would Mamee let this happen to the mansion?" They both turned to the left hallway leading to the big sala where there are stairs that leads to the second floor of the house.The sala was okay,it was nice and clean the light is dim only there have been a new flatscreen near the window with closed curtains infront of the big,black,fluffy sofa.The wooden floor though were shinning like its newly polished and the stilletos the woman wears tapped on the floor with a loud sound destroying silence itself then she stopped and looked at the teenage girl she's with.

"Would you like me to notify Mrs.Fontana that you're here?" The woman finally break the silence between them.Oh no,Mamee must simply not know about it now.She may go histeric if she knew that I was here specially at this kind of month...Well maybe she already forgot about that? She's already 85 years old,duh Niah!I'd better tell her but maybe not now maybe tomorrow.

"Oh no,there is no need.I'd go to her room tomorrow to let her know that I'm here okay?For now I just need a bed to sleep"The woman pointed to the stairs and Zephaniah followed her.There were many rooms and it's not the light's not thatbright.Its only suffice the needed light in able to walk through the hallways."By the way I am Mrs.Fontana's personal nurse my name's Andrea Soto,you can call me Dre Ms.Dela Cruz hired me here a few months ago,Mrs.Fontana's other granddaughter.You know her of course.There has been a lot of changes here since the workers went home.Only the two maids,your grandmother and I live here" Even before Zephaniah can retort to what she said Andrea handed the key straight her face.The key to the room where they stopped.She grabbed it and the woman started to walk away."If you need something I'll be at the room beside Mrs.Fontana's room." Zephaniah was a bit confused,why'd she put me here? I mean this is the last room of the second floor and it's really far away from them.

She tilted the door knob as soon as it's unlocked.She's weird! Like I've never met someone like her.

Zephaniah switched the lights but the chandelier in that room must've been broken.She pushed the button for the other lights and luckily its still okay but not that good.Hey,its still light,it lit up the little part of the room the pathway to the bed.She removed her shoes,she texted her Mother where she is then she dropped her phone inside the bag and put it beside the bed. Without a second thought she lie herself on the soft and large bed.She smelled it and to a surprise its clean and has a scent of rose.This is the first time I wont be having anesxc by my side she said to herself hugging a pillow as a proxy to her toy.There was a big window at the right side of the bed the curtains hide the angered clouds outside but before she can close her eyes a light from outside creeped and flashed across the room going through the windows where the curtain isnt placed.Zephaniah saw a portrait of a man placed infront of the bed,after a few seconds it was dark again she didn't mind at all and yawned.I'm tired and maybe I'll tell Mamee to move that portrait tomorrow Zephaniah slept like a fragile baby.

The next morning she woke up her knees couldn't stand up.She was frozen at a moment after realizing that the portrait she saw last night wasn't a picture at all.It was a big mirror.

Goosebumps were all over her nape and arms,she swears to herself that she saw a man looking at her then a blinding light gushed through the mirror that she covered her eyes with her both hands

Goosebumps were all over her nape and arms,she swears to herself that she saw a man looking at her then a blinding light gushed through the mirror that she covered her eyes with her both hands.

Slowly she peeked there were a bed of daisies inside the mirror.IMPOSSIBLE!She hissed.

"Omygosh,maybe I'm going crazy" she started panicking and pinches her arms."Please Niah wake up! Wake up!" She said to herself but nothing's happening.The daisies inside the mirror was swaying as if there was a wind.Zephaniah stood up and got closer to mirror.

Lub-dub-lub-dub

"Zephaniah! Open this door!" Thugs and the sound of forcing the door knob to tilt became louder and louder.Inside the room a young lady's heart enraging inside its cage,ready to explode.Beads of sweat formed falling on Zephaniah's face as her eyes slowly run through the floor up to the door,she stare in horror scared by her own thoughts that swims endlessly inside her head then her attention got back at the surreal mirror,it almost feel so real like she could touch it.This is it,another world was flashing before her eyes.

"Zephaniah don't do anything please!" The voice calling unto her already freaks out as if it knows what's going to happen.

Something's telling her to jump on the other side.This is your escape route Zephaniah.ENTER! NOW!

Hands suddenly came out of the mirror holding unto Zephaniah's shoulder pulling her in.

"AAAA----"

In a split second she was gone.

Typo errors and grammatical errors are caused by my inattentive writing and proof reading.