There was a heavy silence between Dad and me. We didn’t exchange words, and strangely, I welcomed the quiet in the room. Eventually, he walked out, slamming the door behind him so loudly I could feel it. I closed my eyes tightly and took a deep breath. At least he was gone. As the minutes passed, the air in my room felt lighter until I found myself lying on the floor, staring blankly at the ceiling. I didn’t move.
My muscles felt weak, and I couldn’t muster the energy to get up, so I let myself lie there for who knows how long. I lost track of time since Dad left. Before I knew it, I drifted into a world of dreams.
In that dream, I was in a white room where everything was silent. All I could see was the white ceiling, walls, bed, and door. It was as if I was surrounded by emptiness. Then, someone opened the door. A woman entered, walking towards me with a smile, asking if I was okay. I nodded, though I wasn’t sure. Okay? I couldn’t feel anything-no happiness, no sadness-just a deep void inside me. It was as if I had lost the essence of life itself.
I woke up slowly. The first thing I saw was the grey ceiling above me, and I felt a breeze on my face. I turned towards its source and saw an open window with the curtains fluttering in the wind.
Looking around, I realized I was back in my own room, lying on the floor. What had happened?
I forced myself to sit up and surveyed the room again. Yes, it was definitely my room. I thought back to the previous night and remembered questioning Dad. I grimaced. I hadn’t gotten an answer. Typical Dad-he’d never tell me why Simmy meant so much to him. I sighed deeply.
I stood up and went out onto my balcony. The rising sun greeted me from the east, casting light on the distant mountains and the wide main road below. A dense forest covered the foothills. I breathed in the fresh morning air, standing there for a few minutes.
The sunlight warmed my face, and I smiled. After a while, I returned to my room and took a shower. My classes didn’t start until ten, and it was already past seven, so I had plenty of time to get ready.
Minutes later, I dressed in a white dress and looked at my reflection in the mirror. I appeared disheveled, unhappy, devoid of life. I sighed again and forced a smile at myself, though it looked more like I was holding back a grimace. I rolled my eyes at my own reflection.
I walked across the room and picked up my phone. Dialing Japen’s number, it took him a few seconds to answer. I could hear him breathing quickly on the other end.
“Felt like calling, Azora?” he asked.
The sun’s rays poured in through the window. I watched the sunlight play in my room. “Are you free today?”
“Mmm… no.”
“Why?”
There was a pause before he replied, “What’s wrong, Azora?”
I blinked, staring out the window again. “Nothing.”
Silence followed. I sighed and decided to tell him, “I just want to have some fun, but you said you’re busy today.”
There was a clatter of metal, then footsteps. Japen spoke up, “Where do you want to go?”
A smile spread across my lips. I knew I could count on Japen whenever I needed him. “Wherever you want to take me.”
And just like that, I asked him to pick me up at the mansion. My classes started at ten and ended at eleven. My entire afternoon was free, and I planned to spend it outside with Japen. That would chase away the loneliness.
Leaving my room, I descended the stairs and saw Simmy in the living room, reading something. I glanced around and didn’t see any sign of Dad. He must have left for work earlier than usual. I didn’t make a sound as I walked past the sofa where Simmy was seated.
“Last night… you embarrassed your Dad, Azora,” she said as I passed, stopping me in my tracks.
I rolled my eyes. “Don’t talk to me,” I said coldly and headed for the kitchen.
There, the cook offered me some food, which I gladly accepted and enjoyed. After finishing the juice, I heard the sound of a car engine outside. It was Japen.
I smiled when Japen got out of the driver’s side. He smiled back when he saw me and walked over. “Your Dad’s already here. Why did you have to send me here?” he teased, blushing.
I flashed him my infamous smile. “I just like being with you, so don’t pretend you don’t like it,” I chuckled, walking past him.
He laughed and hurried ahead to open the passenger door for me. I hopped in, and he closed the door before running around to the driver’s side. He hopped in and started the engine.
“So… Mang Selyo’s okay with this?” I asked.
He nodded, glancing at me before focusing on the road. “He’s fine with it.”
“What if you drove me to the university every school day?”
Japen grinned. “You really want me around.”
I laughed at his comment. “Maybe.”
“Mmm…” He just smiled.
Leaning back in my seat, I looked out the window. I enjoyed being with Japen. He was a gentleman, and I preferred him driving me to the university over anyone else. Sadly, we didn’t go to the same school, so I wouldn’t see him again until next week.
I glanced at Japen. He drove silently, eyes fixed ahead. I sighed.
Reaching out, I touched his face and gasped when he caught my hand, intertwining our fingers.
“Your hands wander everywhere, Azora. I’ll just hold them,” he said softly.
I bit my lip, blushing at his words, and looked away. His warm hand holding mine sent a comforting warmth through me.