The Life of Her

A Temple's Visit

Loud, shallow thuds came directly to my apartment. The door flung open and I recognized Shin abruptly, with such an alarming reaction, entered the place. She eyes at me and she was despicable as I was holding my neck. She paced towards me and knelt. Her hands were shaking and she started to panic.

I let out a cough and gave her a thumbs-up. She should not fear for I am still here, alive and breathing. These past few days, Shin kept herself in asking questions about my meals and health. She would often check on me during lunch and dinner and would scold me if I didn’t eat my breakfast or take my supplements. She was careful with me and I know, I could see her as my older sister. I wished I had a sibling like her.

“What was that noise?"

Amber stood still away, leaning her back on the wall. She was catching her own breath as she stared blankly at us. Shin held my hand and moved her face just a few inches. I felt my cheeks heat when she caressed my forehead, checking my temperature.

“Are you not feeling good again? Your face is burning red.” She asked.

I deliberately shook my head. “N-No. I’m good.” I pushed myself to stand and she helped me, tying her arms around mine. “Are you sure?” Now, she raised her eyebrow.

I acted firm and nodded. “I’m fine, Shin. You don’t have to keep an eye on me most of the time.”

“I just want to make sure that you’re safe. I heard that those guys were on their move to hunt someone again. Someone who owed much from them.” She said.

I saw Amber move to the sides, leaping herself to the living room. She was focused on Shin and wanted to hear more from her. Something had surely had to do with her.

“Even hearing their master’s name, it really quivered my knees up until now. I could sense death in his own composure. His watch was enough for me to know that he was not the man I should negotiate with and will try my best not to cross his way. Currently, people have noticed them surveying near this place. We need to be vigilant.” She added.

“By the way, I wanted to ask you something. You met him remember? The man being called as Shadow. What is your connection with him, Amber? I saw you a few months before, talking to him so casually.”

I looked at Amber who was now anxious. She shook her head and said, “Don’t tell Shin anything.”

“O-Oh that…he was just asking some things about…about school. He wanted to take his studies again, so he just asked…yeah.” I felt my sweat slowly dripping on my face.

I still…no I don’t even know any single information about this man they’re talking about. One thing to convince me, Amber is hiding something from her friend and it would be a ruckus if I tell her a thing that is out of the line and not certain. I gulped. Fiddling my fingers, I hoped that Shin won’t plead me a question again.

She rubbed her chin and narrowed her eyes, as if she were trying to figure out the lies that I just made in front of her.

“I see. I just hope you’re not going to talk with those people again. And…you’re old enough to know what’s good from those that will take you to harm. Please take care of yourself.” She uttered.

“I will.” Now, I was talking also in my behalf.

Whether I like it or not, this body will help me. And in return, I need to take care of it and take it as my own temporarily. Amber passed through Shin. Glaring at me, she walked beside me, crossing her arms.

“Don’t tell her anything about Shadow. What’s between me and that man will be on me. I don’t want them to be included.” She earnestly said.

I took a sigh. Amber…what the hell are you doing for the last few months?

“Well, if that’s so. I’ll be going to school. The principal had called me. If you need anything, just call me okay?” Shin stated.

I nodded. “I will. Take care, Shin. I’ll see you around.”

She waved her hand at me and left the apartment. I directly slumped on the couch. Rubbing my temple, I took a deep breath. I slowly opened my eyes and recognized her in front of me, her eyebrow was reared.

“You said that you wanted to meet your parents. I’ll take you there, but promise me you’ll help me find that woman.”

“Okay. A deal is a deal.”

“Good. Why are you still sprawling there? Hurry up. Time is gold just like what we said.” She rolled her eyes and moved first outside, passing the door. I stared at it. Amber is a frank woman, a badass one, but she’s also soft. I immediately grabbed my bag and went outside with her.

Margarita was currently talking with Weaston and Kyle. Kyle was holding some bills, flapping them on his palm. Margarita was hectic, as if she was trying to scold the two guys.

“Those guys never learn. Tsk.” She commented.

I was about to pass them, when Weaston called me. I was able to familiarize their names now since the last time they visited me and held a mini welcome party and sometimes when I’m going to buy something in the store.

To think that Amber was able to live in this kind of environment, even now, I’m still having a hard time. My legs would shake, fingers trembled and itched to go back home. Being a person who’s introvert is what it seems, and this one – to be acting like a woman is far different from before. I pouted.

“Aye, lad. How are you? Is everything alright?”

“Something new?” Kyle added.

I glanced over Margarita who didn’t tend to greet or lay her attention to me. She focused herself, in swiftly towards her potted succulents, pulling those weeds around. Kyle turned his face and scoffed.

“Oh, I never see you like this, Margarita. Now, you’re a plantita? Since when?”

“Since the last time you never knew.” She said without looking at him.

Kyle shrugged and gazed back at me. He smiled.

“I’m okay, I’m out for a…small walk today.” I shyly said.

“Where are you going? Can you take us with you?” Weaston pouted. His inquisitive side is starting to show off.

“You don’t want to take your time most of here, right? Try to end your conversation a bit faster.” Amber uttered.

I scratched my head and laughed a bit. “Just…at the park. I have to meet someone.”

I saw Kyle elbowing his friend and putting his arm over his shoulder. “You’re too slow, Weaston. Amber is going to meet her boyfriend. It will be a date for sure. Right, Amber?” He told.

“O-Oh, yes! Yes, I’ll be meeting him there…so, I have to go. Bye!” I hurriedly moved, without looking back at them.

I heard Weaston call my name but I didn’t mind him.

“I want to come too. I miss the park.” Weaston said.

“Oh, come on. We can go there both. We might even have a date. Hahaha!” Kyle burst into a laugh.

“Man, you gross. I’m not into you, okay?”

“You don’t want to hang around with that woman. Someone is following her…” I heard Margarita pondered.

“Now, woman. Will you try to be friendly with Amber once?” Weaston said.

I glanced over her who’s quietly looking at the road, maybe counting pebbles. I whistled and put my arms on my back.

“Will you stop that? You should try hard to act just like me.” She simply stated but with such authority.

I made faces at her, but she didn’t budge. She’s just…unbelievable.

“I’m trying, okay-”

“Harder.”

I stopped and took a breath, She’s getting on my nerves again and I’m no good when it’s about having patience. “Okay, I’m trying ‘harder’” I emphasize the word. “Just give me some time, and I’ll figure out your actions and of course, your such an amazing attitude, that makes me puke.” I hysterically added.

“You’re being a bitch.” She coldly stated.

“I’m not a dog.”

“Okay. Now, shut your mouth.”

A smile was on my face, knowing that this time, I totally won over her. Most of the time, she wouldn’t let me win an argument over her and she won’t mind if it will take longer to finish it. She got a hard head that could snap someone’s fortitude in a couple of times. But right now, she’s not in the mood. I decided to take her demand and kept my mouth shut. We grabbed a cab and immediately went inside.

I told the taciturn driver the address that she said and drove off immediately. Amber was beside me in the back seat, looking over the window. The driver decided to turn on the radio and we listened to it. The weather is in good condition. The sun is beaming so bright, that I forgot to bring an umbrella. I pouted. Something came in my mind all of a sudden, that it made me talk to her.

“By the way, why’s Margarita being like that to you?” I questioned her.

“She doesn’t like me. You should have known it from the start when you entered the apartment.” She answered.

“I know that. What I meant was, why does she not like you?”

I looked over at the driver and instantly was shocked when I saw him glancing over his mirror at me. I gulped. I should be more careful or else they would suspect me as a cracked one.

“J-Just talking to someone.” I touched my earpods as an excuse and was thankful that I was able to wear them with me. “J-Just focus on the road, will you?”

She shrugged. “Well, maybe…it’s natural for her to hate people. Or she’s just being picky with her list of friends…or she’s just in her period, if she still can.”

“To think that she’s even a relative to Mrs. Jordan, it’s unbelievable. They’re too opposite to be cousins.”

“Opposites do attract.” She jokingly said.

I chuckled. “But I heard said a while ago that someone is following me.”

“I could tell that Margarita is able to sense a vibe or a presence around you, which is me. From the start, since the first time I went here, that woman is no good to me. That’s why I don’t want to deal with her as much as I want to.”

“I guessed you two just don’t click with each other.

“Precisely.”

We arrived in a white building after thirty minutes. I paid the driver with the money that Amber’s mother gave me. Next week, I’ll be in her home and I’ll be able to see what a person she is like. We stood in front of the building. It was all white and it has seven floors. The parking lot was even big and it was surrounded with a mango tree. The glassed walls were nice to look at together with the concave, yellow design ceiling on its entrance.

We moved directly to it, where a cheery guard greeted us. We smiled at him and we went to the station. The hallway was filled with clients. Some of them were in the waiting line for an X-ray scan. A nurse hailed at us.

“Good morning, Ma’am.”

“Hello. I’m looking for…Trenton Singh.”

“Let me take a look…He’s in room number 050.” She delightedly me.

“Thank you,”

We hurriedly went to the room. The hallway to the left was not that heavy. The lights were brightly on. Amber was moving besides me. A loud wail was heard inside room 045. Then in a sudden gasp, the door was widely opened and came out a rushing woman, probably in her twenties. Her eyes were in deep tears.

She was panicking. She cried out for help, passing us. She called the nurses. Two came with a worried face. We heard her tremble as they went inside the room back again. We took a glimpse inside and saw a young boy, probably he’s twelve, lying on the bed and was not responding.

Seconds after, the doctor came and examined the child. Everything was heartbroken as they tried to revive the young boy.

I didn’t want to know what will happen next that I immediately looked away and didn’t bother to hear anything. I just hoped that the lad will make it. My feet stopped as I faced the door with the number 050. I slowly gripped the knob. I could hear my heart pounding. I looked at Amber who was waiting for me to open it.

“Everything will be okay…” She gave me a faint smile, trying to cheer me up.

I took a sonorous breath. I knock twice and slowly twitched the knob and opened it, exposing a woman who’s sitting on the brown couch, unwearyingly waiting for the patient to wake up on the bed. She slowly lifted her head and faced in my direction. Our eyes locked and I could feel my hands trembled.

Mom.

I wanted to embrace her, but my mind told me that I’m not in my own body. She slowly stood from her seat and walked near to me. She lost some weight and her eyes were in a deep circle. Her hair was a bit messy. She rubbed her eyes and put on a smile on her face.

“Hi. Good morning. Are you…one of Trenton’s classmates?” She asked.

I could feel my eyes watered, but I instantly bit my tongue enough for me to stop myself from crying.

“N-No…” I stuttered.

“Oh…”

“I-I’m his friend.” My lips quivered as I tried to smile at her.

“Oh. Come in.”

She hurriedly went to the couch and pulled the books that were scattered on it.

“I’m sorry. The couch is a bit messy.” She laughed a bit in embarrassment.

“I-It’s okay.”

I turned to look at the young man laying on the bed, sleeping so soundlessly. It was me. I touched his hand, and I wasn't able to hold myself that I shed some tears.

Mom saw me cry and she rubbed my back. "It's been a month already and he's still not waking up." She said with a low voice.

I sniffed and wiped my tears off. I'll soon be getting back myself in my body. My hair had grown a bit longer but my beard was well trimmed as well as my nails. Please take care of my body, Mom. I looked at her. Trenton should probably have visited me too. I wasn't able to join his tournament and I just hoped he's not mad at me anymore. "Did his cousin visit him?"

"Yes. He just left an hour ago. Do you know him too?"

I simply nodded.

"Oh, I have fruits here. Do you want some?"

"No, it's okay." I moved and settled on the couch.

Mom took some apples and placed them on a plate and gently placed it on the table.

She sat across from me. Amber was currently looking at my body, poking my nose and my cheek.

"What's your name, young lady?" She asked.

"I'm...Amber Kate Madison."

"That name sounded so familiar." She rubbed her chin and thought for a while, trying to remember me in her memory.

She stiffed and carefully examined my features. Then a snap was there enough to remember who I am.

"Oh gosh, it's you. The one being hit by the car. It's you right?" She said.

"Y-Yes."

"It's really nice to meet you. You can just call me Mrs. Singh or Aunt Annie. I'm glad that you're now okay. How's your stomach? I wasn't able to visit you in the hospital because of some reasons..." She said.

"I-It's okay. I just got back home. It's...far too different from before...but...but I'm trying to bring the life I used to have. " I felt my voice began to c***k. I dug my nails on my arm.

"That's good to hear. It's surely is a process when you gain your consciousness again. Right now, he's still in his deep sleep but I know he can hear us clearly."

Yes, I can clearly hear you, Mom.

She made a faint smile and brazed herself. She suddenly held my hands. Amber just now sat beside.

"Your mother is beautiful and pure even if she didn't take a bath and hasn't been sleeping like...almost a week." She commented.

"Amber, do you know or remember anything during that day? The doctor examined him many times but we couldn't still find any fracture. His body is in good condition. He's just sleeping and not waking up..." She started to sniff between her sobs.

I hugged her tight even though she would feel awkward about it. I didn't mind. I don't mind hugging my Mom once again. I missed her too much that I started crying.

We both cried.

Amber was looking on her wrist where a tattoo was there. It was two hands being intertwined with each other.

"It has something to do with this..."She whispered.

"I-I don't remember a thing. I'm sorry." I slowly pulled from the hug. We stared at each other. My hand moved and raised to her face. I slowly wiped off her tears.

I'm sorry if you're hurting right now, Mom.

She put on a positive expression on her face. "I don't want to put the blame on you. I know you're also a victim here, Amber." She said.

I smiled but it was forced. "T-Thank you." I glimpsed over my body. "And I hope... Trenton will wake up soon."

"Do your parents have a lead of the reckless driver?"

I glanced over Amber, then she shook her head. "N-No. But the officers, are continuing to find that man."

"I just hoped so."