05: End(?)

" Sue! Sue, wake up."

My eyes are flickering every time someone shakes my shoulder. I was still clinging to my bed. It's like I don't have the strength to stand up yet, what I did last night was exhausting. And my back still hurts, I think I got a bruised.

" Sue..."

I widened my eyes and saw Mom in front of me. I gave her a stingy smile, and go back to sleep. I tighten the clasp on the-

T.V

Shelf

This isn't my room. I jumped out the bed from what my mind pop and sat down. I looked around: and at the couch I slept, you could see my head outlined on our leather couch. I slept in the living room?!

I was still scratching my hair and stretching my arms up in the air, " What happened, Mom? Why are you waking me up? My back still hurts," I yawned while holding my back.

" The sun has already risen, Mam..." she said, crossed arms in her chest, and walked away. I look at the clock hanging above our T.V: it's just 9 in the morning. It's her day off, and she's already blabbering first thing in the morning. What is her problem?

" Get up already, Susan. Look at the mess you made there in the kitchen, cleaned those up!" I heard the clanging of kinds of stuff in her area: I don't know if she has held something metal in the kitchen: I cleaned everything before going to bed-I mean couch-going to sleep.

I would have dropped my body on the couch again when I remembered I had something to finish, " The Cake!"

I inserted my slippers on, and the left one: even got stuck on the coffee table. I ran to the kitchen, and find the cake I made last night. She's right, it's a total disaster in the kitchen, especially on the hanging cabinets, it's like I did a chocolate war here last night.

"Excuse me, Mom,"

I slightly pushed Mom aside with my hips when I bumped into her in the fridge.

" Susan!"

" Sorry, Mom," I apologize while searching inside the fridge. But the cake isn't here! Did Mom eat it?! It's not yet done, and it's not for her!

" Mom!-" before I could even squabble and turn around, I receive a spank from her on the back of my head that made me almost sink my face inside the fridge.

" Just right behind you a while ago, Susan!"

I turned my head to the kitchen counter, and the cake was standing straight and dressed in chocolate. But I left it in the fridge, 100 percent sure, and I'm not daydreaming anymore. Am I?

" I left there because I need to reheat the food you locked inside," Mom explained, and now she's holding a mug in her hand. Where does she get that?

But the most important thing now is to finish the cake. I also need to reply to Pete since I forgot to message him last night, just as he told me to do so. Few details are what it only lacks, plus I need to clean up the disaster I made. I can't bear Mom's complaint.

" I'll clean everything up later..." I said while running towards the cake.

" You should also add the bathroom to your cleaning duties, Sue."

I looked at her after I closed and dropped the toppers on top of the counter, "Mom-"

Before I could finish complaining, I already agreed with her. When I looked back at the cake, I blew a sigh of grumble. Mom's glare is already enough to make me hold my tongue. From what I said to myself, I will finish this cake with no complaints, and also household duties. But before that, cold compress for my back.

" MOM! I'M GOING!" I SHOUTED, after turning the doorknob open.

I can't find her anywhere in this house. I haven't seen her after cleaning the bathroom, she told me to do so, even though our house is so small. I just yelled that stink all over the house before leaving.

I charged outside and was about to shut the front door when I saw Mom running my way and kept calling me to stop. She's chasing me outside, and she almost tripped on the stairs.

When she was coming near, I decided to tease her. I close the door and wait for her on the porch.

But I received a flicker on my head as soon as the door flew open, " You dare to shut the door?!"

I think the pimples on my forehead will be ashamed to pop out: it hurts. I couldn't find the urge to laugh at the way she looked provoked at me.

" This is my present for Peter. Make sure you give it to him," she demanded and gave me a medium-size paper bag.

I gave her my hand to place the bag. It's already heavy with my bare arms to carry the cake I made, I hope this will still be in pieces when I arrive at the hospital.

" Be safe, Susan,"

" Yes, Mom!" I said while it is finding it difficult to descend even if it only has two steps.

I waited for a taxi nearby and told the driver the name of the hospital. When I arrived, I went straight to the reception desk to ask for room 402. Peter told me he transferred Auntie to a room after she woke up last night. I didn't bother to ride an elevator because people inside is already squishing their selves.

I find the stairs here and exercise all the way 4th floor. It's good that their room is close here, and I'm not in trouble walking that far anymore.

I squeezed the box inside my arm and peeked into the room to see if Peter was there. It's better to be sure, maybe I'll enter the wrong room. After I confirmed they were there, I entered the room, and they also noticed me peeking outside.

" Happy Birthday, Archer," I greeted as I got close to them.

" Hi, Auntie, " I greeted her, and she waved her hand at me that's connected to a bag, full of fluid.

Pete stood up to help me from my belongings while Auntie looked fine sitting on the bed. He carried the cake and brought it beside his Mom. I was eager to open the box and pulled out the cake inside. I also took out the candle and topper to stick on top of the cake.

" Sue..."

His Mom accompanied me by clapping her hands while I sang Happy Birthday to him. I even covered the candle so it'll not blow out.

" Happy Birthday... Happy Birthday... Happy Birthday to you..." I finished singing, "Close your eyes and make a wish, come on. " I even tipped my toes over out of excitement.

Silence filled us while Peter's staring at the lit candle on top, it took him a while to blow the candle.

" Happy Birthday!" I shouted on the top of my lungs.

" The other room could hear you, Sue," he warned, drawing me down: but his Mother joined my craziness.

She continued clapping beside me, " Thanks, Sue," Auntie said, and she pulled me close to her side for a hug.

A smile that reached both of his ears is what I received from Peter, maybe a thank you? I know he's not the type of guy who's much into words when saying gratitude or appreciation.

" You're getting old, my man," I teased him and pressed him closer with one hand.

" You're next, Sue," he teased back: and messed my hair.

" I'll slice a cake for you, Auntie,"

But Pete took the cake away from my hand and placed it beside its box, " Do you have a knife?"

" Plastic knife-wait,"

I search the box for the knife and give it to him. I can't wait for them to try the cake I baked. I hope they'll like it.

He sliced the cake and was ready to give it to Auntie when he realized there was no plate around him. I shake my head at him, " And also a paper plate,"

I showed him the paper plate inside my bag and waited for the cake to be put on the plate. He placed it there, and I gave it to Auntie first with a fork, which I also brought.

" You've come prepared, huh."

" Of course, " I answered, " I know you want to try my cake because I only give you brownies these past few weeks. And also, that bag is yours." I snouted, pointing to the paper bag.

He nods at me and continues slicing the cake into pieces. He's making it well-aligned even though it doesn't have to while I present him the paper plate in my hand, waiting for my part.

" Do you have plans to start your baking business, Sue?" I heard Auntie ask behind my back.

" Auntie! I don't, why? Does it taste bad?" I started to panic.

" No, the sweetness is just well-balanced, unlike the cake I tasted my whole life. In short, it tastes heaven, Sue. " she paused, when she took a bite of the slice, " If you ever think about I swear, I'll always be your customer," she giggled.

I couldn't help but smile from ear to ear and feel my heart flutter from her words. When I looked at Peter, he shrugged his shoulders with a wide smile on his face.

I spend my whole day with Auntie and Peter in the hospital. I messed with them all afternoon and helped Auntie celebrates her son's birthday. When my time had come to go home, he insisted that he would accompany me out of the hospital. I keep on saying he should watch Auntie because I can go home myself: but his stubbornness always win. So we both waited for Auntie to fall asleep if he'll leave her alone in the room before he walked with me down the hallway.

" Did you enjoy your day?"

He gave me a nod, " A lot."

" Good to hear that...." I said, and I could feel my cheeks heating up, " You should always enjoy your birthday, got it?"

He nodded and placed his left arm around my shoulders.

" Promise me that!"

He showed me his pinky finger, and I locked mine on him, " You promise, okay?"

" I'm sorry about the other day,"

" What happened yesterday?"

Why is he acting innocent even though he was there. He could be mad at me since I exposed him to his parents.

" The fight? The reason why your Mom is here?"

" I think someone else should be sorry not you,"

I don't have anything to say. It was as if a thorn had been pulled out of my chest from what he said.

I let silence be with us while we're walking. I feel like I have something to say, but at the same time I know it isn't my business-" Are you going back to your Dad after Auntie got discharged?"

I can't help it but ask him. If they don't have plans on going back, that will give them hard time surviving on their own: but I don't think Auntie would let that happen. And so that if there's something I can gave, I'll try.

" I don't think so." he shook his head, "... I guess I'll find a place for us to stay. I don't think Mom could endure living with him," he added.

" How come? It's not easy to find a place to move in, Peter... Unless, do you want to live with us first, you and Auntie? I'll tell Mom-"

" Sue-"

I don't feel Pete's embrace anymore: but I still resume what I'm proposing, "...you can stay in my room, it's enough for the both of you then I'll be staying with Mom."

" Sue, you don't have to. I can-"

" Stop saying that, I want to help. I'm sure Mom would not mind, just this one, Peter? Please? Let me help you and Auntie,"

" You have already done a lot, Sue, but yeah... thanks for doing this to my family." he enlightened.

" What friends are for," I said, grabbing his arm back around my shoulders, giggling around it.

There was no one riding the elevator, so we came down alone. He pressed the encircled G and stepped back when it illuminates. Silence filled us inside, so it felt awkward. As much as I want to move my tongue, I choose not to. Every time I looked up at him, he looked already contented with his arms around my shoulder. I could see his... happiness. My friend's happy.

So I pulled down his hand to tighten his embrace on mine and my headrest on top of his chest. We walked out of the elevator when we heard it bing and sway open.

We parted from his embrace when we were close to the exit. He waved me goodbye, and I started walking away from him. I stepped one by one as if I had forgotten something from him. Until it got to the point that I could no longer continue walking. My feet stopped and turned to him, chasing him with warm embrace.

" I'm so proud of you, Peter," I whisper between our hugs. I didn't let him go for a few minutes now, I stayed like this with him. I could feel our bodies resting to each other, and the feeling... is getting warm as I fastened my arms around him,

" It's getting late, Sue, you need to go home," he said when I still didn't let him go of my hug.

I shake my head that's resting on his shoulder, " 5 more minutes?"

He chuckled, " You're so weird, " he said, and placed his arms around me. I chuckle at him and leave the hospital afterward.