| |
I
was running through a field. What kind of flowers are these? I had no idea. Was I running from something? I looked back. There was no one there. I was floating. Am I dreaming again? It feels like it. It was so serene. The sky was so blue. I could see rabbits running around the distance. Laughter. A child's laughter. My hair swayed in the wind, following its own course. I looked up to see a giant bird flying in the sky. It did not mind me. It went on with its life.
I could see a sunflower field in the distance. I began to run faster, or maybe float faster, to reach it. Except the sunflowers were red. Because the sun was not out yet, they faced each other. I was happy. I ran with a crown of flowers on my head. I ran and ran and ran. I never wanted to wake up.
Ring, ring, ring, ring....... my alarm clock went off. I abruptly woke up from the dream. What was I dreaming about? I tried to remember. I could not remember for the life of me. I know I was happy about it. I ran a hand through my hair. It had turned greasy. I was in dire need of a shower. After coming back from the shower, I checked my phone to find texts from both Annette and Nathan. “Hey, want to meet for breakfast? I will be at the cafe in front of your street.” I did not think I was in a position to say no to Annette.
"Victoria, I hope you are enjoying yourself and having a pleasant morning. If you have any plans of going out of the city, you should inform me beforehand, so it is on record and does not serve as a difficulty in the trial later." At first, I texted back to Annette, telling her I would be there in five minutes. Then, I wrote back to Nathan, "Hello, Nathan. A pleasant morning to you. I plan on going to that address on my father's document today to see if I can find any leads. I do not believe I will stay there, but if there are any changes in plans, then I will let you know beforehand." After that, I dressed up in a white sundress, pairing it with yellow pumps, and blow-dried my hair. I carefully locked the apartment, making a mental note to get the lock changed, and went to meet Annette.
Annette sat at the back of the cafe, a half-eaten plate of pancakes sitting in front of her. I guess she had been here for a while. I apologized to her when I reached the table. "Hey, Annette. Sorry it took me a while. I needed to restock some stuff at home." She looked startled to see me as if I had sneaked up on her from behind.
“Are you okay? You look startled,” I asked Annette as I sat down and ordered my own plate of pancakes and a cup of coffee. She shook her head as if to clear the clouds and smiled. “Nothing, I was just thinking about Mother.” I raised my eyebrow at that. Usually, Annette avoids the topic concerning her mother. Today she brought it up herself. “Is everything okay?” “Everything is fine. It’s just....... I wonder how much more she is hiding from me.” I stopped cutting my pancakes at that.
“What makes you think she is hiding something from you?" "I told her I knew who my father was and that I had already met you. She gave vague answers to all of my inquiries about father and avoided the topic of you altogether.
She also seemed shaken up when the news of Andrew's murder aired on television. Even though his name is being kept private, I think she knows him. There was recognition in her eyes." I wondered what I was supposed to say to Annette. I knew her mother was hiding some major stuff from her, but even I did not know what most of that stuff was.
Besides, I did not want to get myself tangled up in someone else's mess when I could not even properly cope with mine. I swallowed a bite of my pancakes and said, “I do not know what she is hiding, but when the time is right, I am sure she will tell you. She must have a reason for having hidden it for so long.” Annette nodded at my answer. She did not seem fully convinced, but for the time being, she had decided to let it go. “By the way, Nathan asked me out on a date,” she said out of the blue. "Wait, what?! When did this happen?" "We had met a few times before. I knew him from my university days.
We were in different degrees, but both of us had joined the debate society. Now that we met again, Nathan told me he wanted to ask me out in college, but since I had a boyfriend back then, he did not say anything. But now that we met again and I was single, he would like to take me out for dinner sometime. So, I said yes, and we are going to go out tonight." I listened to her story and saw the slight blush on her face.
She really liked him. I smiled at the thought and then said jokingly, “So, while I am dying in jail, you got a date?” Annette seemed alarmed at my statement and began defending herself, "No, no, it is not like that. He did not ask me out till yesterday when you...." "Annette, chill. I was joking. I am really happy for you. I hope it works out." She visibly relaxed at my statement and smiled before continuing to eat. After breakfast, as we parted, Annette said, "You seem different.
Your entire vibe has changed. You feel less disturbed. I like that. I hope you figure out whatever it is that is haunting you, and I hope you get done with the trial soon so we can hang out more often." She then kissed my cheek and left.
I stopped the car in front of the house. The lights inside the house were turned on. I could hear the clang of dishes and cutlery on plates from the inside. A dog barking could be heard from the back of the house. Calling it a house would be a bit of an understatement. It was huge with a garden out front and one at the back. It was painted white at the front with wooden doors and framing on the windows.
A stone pathway led to the front of the door. When I drove around it, I also noticed a structure built in the backyard. It looked to be about the size of a large room. I couldn't figure out its purpose. I sat in the car, contemplating my next move. What do I say when someone opens the door? What do I ask them? I don't even know who they are. I sat with my head against the steering wheel. I pushed all of the intrusive thoughts aside and got out of the car. After locking it, I made my way to the front door. This is it. Do not back out now, Victoria. I pressed the doorbell.
