Chapter 24 Call

They claimed that listening to or immersing themselves in the elders' talk is forbidden.

They believe that no matter how careful you try to remain hidden in the shadows of others, you will eventually be discovered.

'Curiosity kills you!' as they say and I was in big trouble.

After I create an unnecessary move, I did not follow their conversation nor understand even one of what they were saying because I was trembling with fear. I tried to calm myself but as much I want to, I felt like I was unsteady and my hand started to shake so I tried to hide it in my pocket.

Then, I came to realise that we are going home.

The whole ride.

The whole ride staying in her car with Auntie Julie seems so long.

Auntie Julie was not saying anything. Her eyes were fixed on the road. I don't know if she got mad at what I did or what because her gesture was new to me.

Did I disappoint Auntie again? Why doesn't she speak? Or why doesn't she scold me? Have I done anything wrong again?

Well, why am I even asking the obvious?

We got home.

I am still silent. Sometimes, I realized that it was better to just keep quiet than defend myself when I knew in the first place that I would have nothing to win.

Auntie got out quietly from the car and went first inside the house while me, leaving in the garage down founded and trying to weigh things.

I was expecting her to get mad at me. I was expecting her to become furious and say something I shouldn't do. But I didn't hear anything from her.

It was as if something had run into my chest to expand the number of given aspects in my life. I took a few deep breaths to somehow relieve the weight of my feeling.

"What's going on?" Frida asked me when I got inside the house. It made me flinched when I heard Frida talk out of nowhere that's why it took me by surprise.

"I don't know?" I was not even sure about my statement. I roamed my eyes around and I can't see Auntie.

"She went straight to their room while Dad go after her," she said, maybe she notice I'm looking for her.

"I see," I mumbled trying my best not to stutter.

I didn't know if it was right to feel this way. I was used to Auntie Julie's temper and always furious whenever I dia d mistake. I don't know if it's true that I would rather be reprimanded than accept cold treatment as if nothing had happened.

Why I'm making it a big deal?

Frida didn't force me when my reason was vague. Instead, she cheered me up. That's the one reason I felt relieved and somehow, I caused trouble.

I hurried into my room and changed my clothes.

Suddenly my phone rang and I saw Asher had two messages for me.

'Are you okay? I hope you will.'

'I accidentally saw you with your mom and Mrs Chua inside a room while looking for you. You look not well earlier, how are you?'

I heave a deep sigh.

This is how it feels when you are asked if you are okay especially when it comes from someone I admire.

The guy I didn't want to cry but with just a simple message, I want to keep crying because I haven't been okay for a long time. I was not able to reply to Asher because my tears were dripping while trying to calm down myself because I was afraid, they might hear me sobbing.

One thing I hate was the way I am. I hate it.

I took a deep breath and wiped away the tears but my tears just kept flowing. I'm unhappy because it still doesn't subside.

I get my notes and start doing my reflection paper about my immersion but my thoughts are flying over the sky and my tears smudge the paper. I took the paper a few times but it was ruined because of these pest tears. I could do nothing but pile up the paper and tear it into pieces.

My tears seemed to recede suddenly after I saw who was calling my phone.

I breathed a few more times. I calmed myself before answering the call.

'Hello?' he greeted.

I suddenly felt an incomprehensible feeling. I want to be happy because there is a trace of remembrance in his voice. I want to jump because he's worried about me.

But why can't I?

Why do I feel like I want to be ashamed because he has already seen my bad side? He saw how my stepmother treated me. He saw my broken side.

'Hello!" he greeted again. 'Are you still there?'

'Yeah,' I replied while trying to keep my voice steady.

'Are you now feeling okay after sobbing?' I heard from the other line a light chuckle from him and I started visualizing in my head how good in my ears his chuckle was. And part of me wondered, how did he know that I cry?

'When I came home earlier, I saw a rabbit carrying a carrot. It was too tight when he held it. I asked the rabbit if he could give me one because I would just give it to someone but he didn't want to. I said I would even buy that regardless of the price. But he said 'you don't have one, I only have my carrot. Only mine.' It was only then that I realized that the rabbit was still sensible and could carry everything, just to make sure he doesn't lose his carrot. I, even saw a rider who suddenly stopped in the middle of the road and others became furious at him without knowing that the reason.' He added.

"About the rider, I saw once but the rabbit? Huh, it doesn't speak." I unexpectedly became interested in what he's talking about.

'Yes, so.' He paused. I waited for him to continue his story but only his sigh could hear.

"Asher?" I spoke. "There's no such thing like that." I heard him chuckle.

'I even saw someone who has- '

"Talking about your made-up story." Then his chuckle subsides and turned to a serious one.

'I'm trying to point out that always think that in every unusual situation, there is always a reason before we react and act or the best thing was to figure out what is it. Or if you do not dare to ask, then let the time settle everything.'

"Asher, do you always believe such a thing? I envy how matured your thinking is," I can't help but be amazed. His mind and understanding were so vast.

'Why do you say so?' he paused. 'Believe me, I'm not. Sometimes when I don't want to follow what mom or dad wants me to do, I invent a story. That my stomach hurts, my head hurts or sometimes when I'll be late to go home, I made up a story that I bumped someone and help her or my soft-hearted wins over my bad side. Just like that. What a lame excuse, right?'

Just my tears receded when I saw him calling, my feelings became light. Well, this kind of side of Asher is unusual. Every time I saw his other side made me more engrossed so I couldn't help but laugh a little because of what he was saying.

He suddenly stops with his silly side. A second of silence filled between the lines, and then. . ..

'Andrea.?' He let out and her voice became more serious. 'You just laugh?'

I cleared my throat and tried to deny but he halted me. 'I heard that you laughed. Don't try to deny it.'

"No, Mr President!"

I heard him sigh. 'Frankly speaking, did I make you feel light? Are you fine?'

"Yeah!" I responded and I let myself smile out of nowhere. I'm thankful that we are talking over the phone. Heaven and the earth might suddenly meet together. "I'm fine. I felt light. It's just that Auntie Julie was treating me so cold."

I heard him sigh once again. Just like me, we sighed countless times. 'Well, try to understand her. Maybe, she has a reason.'

"Asher?" I called out.

'Yeah!'

"Ah, thank you," I said, almost a whisper. I heard him stop and then,

'Pardon? Kindly repeat it! I will just tap the record button,' he said mischievously. I rolled my eyes like I can imagine his reaction.

I face myself in the vanity mirror. My tears dried up on my face. I stopped crying and had a smile on my lips again.

I feel light inside my chest. I feel better.

After the call ended, I went to the washroom and washed my face before I will go down to do my household routine.

But I thought that after crying and I felt light, the thought of it was over but I was wrong. I thought Auntie blame me because I was born and the result of immorality but that's not the root of everything. Asher is right, everyone has a reason why.

It's all because of me.