Chapter Twenty Two
1105 Words
Chapter Twenty Two
A Journey Back Home
I ROSE from my bed covered with sweat with my heart that was beating so fast. My heavy breathing defied the unbreakable silence inside my room.
"Damn..." I massaged my temples when I felt the familiar pounding of my head.
Why did I dreamed about that again? It has been years since that incident happened; I have moved on and yet--
I shut my eyes tightly and greedily inhaled more air to settle my erratic nerves.
I let my body fall on the soft mattress of my bed again when my heart beats somehow calmed a bit. It is still a bit early but I am already awake now and I don't think if I can sleep again.
These past few days have been draining my energy for no reason. The excruciating headaches also never failed to complete my torturous day. It is getting worse and worse each time and I don't even know if it is still normal.
"Damn it..." I bit my lips. "Whatever. Nothing's normal about me, anyway..."
I covered my eyes using my arm and force myself to sleep again but I just can't seem to do it.
Endless thoughts rushed into my mind again like a heavy wave of water in the ocean. This is the reason why I want to go back to the old mansion. The mysteries from the past are starting resurface now and in order to solve it, I must go back to where it started.
I removed my hands on my face to glance on the clock beside beside my bed.
5:30 am
I am planning to go at exactly 6:30 am since the traffic may be bad. I need to check if Nanang and the rest are already awake if they are then we can go earlier than planned.
I walked down the staircase and saw Nanang cleaning the receiving area using the vacuum cleaner. She halted a bit when she saw me.
"Arylle. You're up too early," she pointed out.
I nod at her.
"I woke up early and I figured maybe we can go earlier than planned if you are all ready,"
Her eyebrows shot up.
"Oh, you seem really excited to go back there, hija?"
I withdrew my eyes from her and decided to head to the kitchen to get some water.
"I just need to check something there. Are you okay if we'll go at 6 instead of 6:30?" I asked her while striding towards the kitchen.
Her eyes followed me while her hands skillfully clasp the vacuum cleaner.
"Yes it's okay, hija. Ronald already prepared the car."
I nod at that. Okay, this is it. I'm going back there again after those years of trying to be away.
After drinking water, I proceed on the bathroom to take a bath. Then after that, I walked down the staircase again while carrying a backpack filled with some few clothes. I will be only staying there for a day or two anyway so this will be enough.
"The car is ready, Arylle." Manong Ronald immediately informed me the moment he saw me walking.
"Alright. We shall we go now then." He offered to take my bag so I gave it to him.
I am going to be accompanied by Nanang and Manong Ronald in the mansion while the rest of out two househelps will be left here in the house.
Manong Ronald opened the car for me and I quietly slid myself in the back seat. Meanwhile, Nanang also settled herself in the passenger seat.
I opened the window beside me to feel the cold breeze of October.
"Let's go," I said and Manong Ronald started the car.
I spend the few hours of our journey staring in every passing view that my eyes can grasp in the window beside me. The slowly fading ricefarms was the last thing I saw before I doze off to sleep.
I woke up with my nose being filled with the stench of the dark smoke coming from various vehicles around us. Then I realized that we are probably here in the city.
Wait, how long did I even sleep?
I caressed the tip of my eyebrows when I realized that the headaches I was feeling earlier is now gone. Damn, all it takes is a good sleep.
I closed the window of the car when the smoke from a nearby truck is trying to get inside.
Then I just comfortably rested my back on the sit as I boredly stared in the passing views. After a little while, I noticed that it started rain. It started into small drops and then it suddenly poured heavily. The weather is a bit gloomy today but nothing can stop me in going there. I need answers afterall.
I continue to stared blankly on the window as I patiently wait for the time where we will reach our destination. To be honest, I don't really care about these giant skyscrapers or all the features that only a city can bring... all that matters to me now is to reach our old mansion.
After a few hours of quietly and incognizantly watching the fast-fading view, the car finally stopped. My head immediately shot to the driver's seat where Manong Ronald is.
"We need to refill the gas miss Arylle," he explained. Indeed, I realized that we did stopped in a gasoline station. However, this placd looks familiar.
Looks like we are already in Metro Manila afterall.
Despite the years of being away from this place, I am still familiar with the route to our old mansion. It will only take us for about 15 minutes before we reach the subdivision where our old mansion is located.
After the tank is successfully filled, we proceeded to our journey again. I patiently waited for a couple minutes again when the familiar subdivision came into view.
We stopped when we reached the guard house.
"You don't have any sticker, sir." The guard informed Manong Ronald. He is leaning on the window beside the driver's seat.
Manong Ronald stared at me, quietly asking for help. Nanang, on the other hand, is still blissfully sleeping in the passenger seat.
I sighed before fishing my wallet inside my pocket. Then, I slid out my driver's license and gave it to the guard to see.
"I am Arylle Zullein Andio, owner of this whole subdivision," I uttered in a cold voice.
I witnessed how the guard's eyes widen dramatically because of that.
"M-Miss Andino! I'm sorry I did not r-recognized you!" He stuttered with his own saliva.
-C.N. Haven-
- Writer
