She's Mine, Fully Mine!

The sky was gray, it looked like its about to rain. The gust of the wind was getting stronger. I closed my eyes and lifted up My face; wishing everythings was just a dream. Then, suddenly I felt the droplets of rain hit my face. I opened my eyes and stared at the gravestone infront of me. I still couldn't believe that my mother was already gone, leaving me alone. I wanted to cry once more but it felt like my tear ducts couldn't produce any more tears as I'hv already cried so hard these past few days. My eyes were already puffy, reddish and sore. Then, I heard someone calling me from behind.

"Carina, we need to go. The rain's getting heavier." My best friend, Christine said while approaching me with an umbrella.

I just nodded at her and stared back to the gravestone.

"Bye for now mom. I love you."

With a heavy heart, we left the cemetery.

...*...*...*...*...*...

I opened the door of our two-storey house. The house was so quiet. I stepped inside and went to the kitchen to drink water. I poured a glass of water and went to the living room, sat down on the couch. Then, suddenly the pictures hanging on the wall caught my attention. Based on our faces, we were so happy together. The love and happiness of me and my mom were visible. Then I saw another picture near the television. It was my mom and my stepfather, Jack. Suddenly I felt anger and loathe towards him. I opened the picture frame and pulled the photo out of it. I stared at it for a moment and then I went to the kitchen to get a scissor, then cut the picture into two, crumpled his picture and threw it in the dustbin with full anger. I choked on my sobs and went upstairs to prevent myself from reminiscing what happened.

I tumbled on my bed and stared at the picture of my mom which I cut earlier. I couldn't control the urge to cry anymore so I just cried and cried until I drifted off to sleep.

I woke up at 6.00am, brushed my teeth. I took a shower, then I ate the left over croissant and drank a cup of coffee, then I started packing all my things. I decided to move out. Luckily Christine understood my situation and offered me her home. I couldn't stay here alone.... after what happened....

It was already 7.00pm when I finished packing all the stuffs that I wanted to bring with me. Then I went out to go the nearby restaurant to eat dinner because I have already packed all my kitchen wares and utensils. As for those unnecessary things I wouldn't bring, I packed them up and put them in the cellar to prevent them getting dirty. I was in the middle of eating when My phone rang. It was Christine.

"Hey girl. What's up? Did you finish packing? Sorry, I couldn't help you today, I just got out of work" she said apologetically.

"I know, I'll just bring the important stuffs so it's not that mamu things. So, have you already cleaned the room? You know I'll be moving in tomorrow. I teased her knowing that Nancy and Annie were the ones who cleaned it.

"Yes ma'am. It's already spotless, you'll be thrilled." she said jokingly.

I was so lucky having her as my best friend. She offered me to stay atbher place since she's living alone aside from her maids, Nancy and Annie and her driver, Rogelio. Her sister Maggie have moved out last month to be with her boyfriend in Australia. Christine's parents stayed back in Houston to manage their business.

...*...*...*...*...*...

"Thank God you're here. I thought you'hv already change your mind on moving in with me." Christine said as she.kissed me on the cheek.

"What happened to you? I was hoping you would arrive in the morning. Its already 3.00pm. You could have called me. Its Saturday you know. I was hoping we could go out after you finished unpacking." She continued, pouting.

"I'm sorry.. my phone was dead. I think there's a problem with the battery. I had charged it before I went out of the house but it didn't even last for at least 4 Hours. Anyway, I went to the cemetery then, after that I went to the church."

She stared at me for a moment then turned her gaze from my head to my feet.

"Okay, so that explains your get up (outfit). Tell me Cari, do you'hv any plan to be a nun?" she said seriously then burst out laughing. I rolled my eyes and laughed aling with her. I knew she was just teasing me. It's been a habit of her to tease me occasionally about my fashion sense.

"No, I don't. And what's the big deal about my outfits?" I think it's nice and proper" I reasoned out.

It was her turn to roll her eyes.

"Yeah right. That's why you'hv never had a boyfriend. I mean, hey don't get me wrong. You're beautiful but guys always mistook you for a preacher or a nun-to-be. You always wear a blouse and long skirt. Your hair's always tied in a bun or ponytail. Why's that? Luckily, you don't wear eye glasses and braces. You know I don't have a problem if you want to stay like that. But your stepfather's no longer here. Wear whatever you want."

I heaved a sigh. She's right. I didn't wear these kinds of clothes before. But when I was 11 years old, my stepfather walked into our lives, I accepted him as my father. Because since childhood, I didn't have and never had a chance to experience one, I'hv have been longing to have a father a very long time. At first he was kind to me and my mom so I thought he would be an amazing dad but I was so wrong.

Then the sad events of my past came flowing in my head....