The Life of Her

New Errands

I recognized Guiltz taking a climb on the kitchen table and went to open one of those bowls. if he's just an ordinary mouse lurking by, I certainly will call the.animal control by now. He took a fine amount of the excess food and identified me over the distance, leaning on the door as I patiently observed him acting like a professional stealer.

I scoffed silently as he moved himself to another bowl and took another one I should have known that Guiltz is a special class and that he’s a clean typed one. If the child sees him, then he will take the chase to eradicate a pest. He raised his hand and sneered at me. The mouse thanked directly for letting have his meal, then he hurried back to his hole. I heard a cough from the child as he stared over the ground where Guiltz just passed.

He blinked rapidly as he carried his truck toy on his lap. “Did you see that?” He's alarmed and pointed over the direction.

I slowly shook to disapprove him. “No.”

I spotted him pouted. “I just saw a mouse steal our food.” He asked.

“Then why did you let him do it?” I was testing him a bit.

He scratched in doubt and bit his tongue. “Well, I thought that it was just hungry and needed some food to eat. And I thought that it was clean, since his fur was dazzling white.” He commented and decided to turn off the television when the show had already ended.

He stood up from his sit and put on his slippers.

“Where are you going?”

“Mother Nature is calling me right now. I’ll be back, big sis.” He said and hurriedly went upstairs to his room.

Now that I was left alone, I was able to discern how big Amber’s house is. I tried to feed the dog, but it seemed that he knew that I’m not his real owner. An imposter. He's starting to bark aggressively and I don't want to make people assume that I'm not doing it right, so I just left it for good. The door was left opened and went back to place the broom in its original place. I heard a soft hum and water rushed inside Galvin’s comfort room. He’s probably doing it right now. The clock was beating fast, and so do I. I paced myself upstairs, but I didn’t go to my room. Instead, I took myself in front of Mrs. Aliana’s space. I held the knob firm and slowly twitched it when I realized that it wasn’t even locked. I deliberately took steps inside and the rose fragrance had welcomed me.

Everything was neatly arranged. From her books on her wooden shelf down to her bedsheets and drawers. Even the mat was freshly washed and the fragrance is good to smell.

I made sure that Galvin is still in his room, then I started to reach for her things. Even though my conscience told me that it was not the right thing to do, I still need to work it for the sake of my mother or maybe myself only. I needed to fill the curiosity that is blazing inside me.

I walked towards her table and pulled each box, yet there was the last one which has been locked. My fingers touched it and confirmed that it needed a key for it to open.

“Key. It needs a key.” I whispered to myself as my eyes roamed in several corners. Then a glint of light had thrashed me like a lightning thief. Mrs. Aliana is putting all her important things inside her bags. I reverted swiftly to the right corner where some of her purses were hanging.

I tried to search inside each one of them, but I was a bit aggrieved when I saw nothing. Her keys were not inside any of them. Guessed, I need to do it again. It’s been so long when the last time I’ve done it and I think I need to right now. I pulled my hairpin on the right side of my hair. I went back the drawer and knelt myself on the surface. I bit the hairpin and adjusted it according to the shape and the size of it. When I’m finished, I carefully placed it inside, tugging it in different sides. I tried a couple of times, not until I heard a small clasp from the inside and there, the box can now be opened.

I immediately pulled and distinguished some stacked white folders and small boxes of jeweleries and pens.

I flipped through the folders first and realized that there were the records of the children in the orphanage where she is working.

I heard the water stopped from Galvin's room. He's done taking his bowel. I hurried before he start looking for me. I panicked as I piled them again according to their list. His door sounded slowly from the outside and he was calling out my name. I wasn't looking over the drawer any more and was hooked by the door, hoping that he wouldn't enter this place now.

When I knew his small steps coming nearer I pushed myself up and was about to move, but my fingers slipped and snatched the box wholly, crashing it on the floor. It was a loud snap and I was sure that the child had also heard it from his room. I took a pounding breath as I blamed myself for being clumsy and careless.

But then, something had caught my focus. I touched one of the cases that was tiltly opened. I grabbed it and gently placed it on my lap

Opening it, I could feel how my heart bumped like a drum roll.

And it was then the truth was even for told, slapping every part of it right through my face and my soul. With trembling hands, I slowly picked up the images that were scattered around the box and saw both of.them. They were happy. So happy that they would look like the real couple and that they're not the third party.

I gnashed my mouth as I saw everything. The door had sprung wide and I heard his call.

"Big Sis! What happened?" He rushed towards me and gave me a worried face.

I immediately wiped off my tears that were forming in the side of my eyes and I just acted like I was about to take a yawn.

"I-I was chasing the mouse and I found it moving inside Mom's room."

He looked at the things that were scattered on the floor. "How about these?" It was obvious that he wasn't expecting this thing to occur.

And I felt sorry for Guiltz for making him as an excuse for Galvin.

"It went inside the drawer, so I have to open it and get rid of the pest. D-Don't worry, that mouse will be probably dead right now." I added and hoping that he would believe my story.

"Oh, is that it? So where's the mouse?"

"Maybe...it's outside. It's for the best. You don't want Mom's room to smell like a dead mouse right?"

He agreed as a feedback.

"Okay. Are you sure that you're fine, Sis?"

I patted his nape and grinned enough to assure him. "Yes, I'm good. Why don't you take your book that was left outside the door?" I watched it. "Then, go downstairs first. I needed to arrange Mom's things again."

"I want to help!" He insisted.

"No, it's fine. Just go downstairs and wait me still. I'll be there after a few minutes, okay?"

Calvin frowned and left without a choice. "Okay. Are we going to watch a movie now?"

I snorted at him and conceded. I saw him clapping his hands in delight as he moved towards the door and picked up the book. He kept glancing at me again and again, offering his sweet smile and then moved downstairs. At last!

I hurriedly packed her stuff inside the container. I took some of the pictures and hid it well inside my pockets. When I was ascertained that everything is in order just like the first one, I slowly carried it and put it in its place. Walking towards the entrance, I stared at her room for a while and have flashes of what have possibly happened with them whenever they are alone by themselves.

I needed to calm my soul or it will just make me a cracked one. Making a deep breath, I followed Galvin downstairs. He is setting up the whole living room and was obviously excited to watch a movie.

He's persistent, making me to help him and decided to arrange the pillows. We moved the couches into the side and places a large, red blanket in the center. He carried all the pillows. I closed the door and pulled the curtains to their places enough for them to block the light.

When everything was ready in place, Galvin then pressed the play button on the remote and the movie just started playing.

Knowing that what we are watching right now needed some parental guidance, and that it's not really my hobby to watch horror one, Galvin is somehow enjoying and is about to scream at any moment.

I really hate jump scares and I would rather let myself watch cartoons or baby shows. But I wanted him to be comfortable with me, so I needed to endure the feeling of being a scaredy-cat!

I decided to prepare popcorn and juice, so I stood and went to the kitchen to make some, leaving the kid partially watching. Waiting for the food to pop, I settled on the chair and prepared lemonade, when a sudden knock disturbed my moment. Calvin alternatively raised from his seat and opened it.

"Mom!" The child said with a happy tone, holding her tight.

I glanced over the clock that was beside the television. It was still two in the afternoon and now she is at home. I reckoned there isn't a single thing in the orphanage that would make her a busy bee this time.

She took off her shoes. Mrs. Aliana had brought two bags of groceries. Galvin helped in carrying her loads and fixed them on top of the slab. She directed me to where I am and gently placed a kiss on my temple.

"I supposed you're both having a lovely time right now." She noted with a smile.

The boy acknowledged directly. "Yes! Big sis and I are currently watching a movie. Do you want to join?" His eyes twinkled and slowly tied his hands around his mother's arm.

The woman chuckled and patted him on his head. "Okay. Okay. But first, let me change my clothes and I'll join the two of you, okay?'

"Okay!"

She glimpses at me once more and as if she's waiting for an answer or maybe a greeting from me, but I decided to keep my mouth shut. When she didn't get anything she was hoping, she decided to move upstairs to change.

Galvin was sitting in front of me. He had paused the movie and uttered, "You don't have to be hard towards Mom, you know."

Now, he was the one giving advice to me. I scoffed at that thing as I saw him acting like an elderly man.

"You know, big sis. She's also trying her best to make it up to you. And I also wanted to help Mom to do that thing. I hoped you'll give us both a chance."

He gave me a small smile and swerved back to the couch and read his book while waiting for us to finish.