The Periwinkle Affair

TPA 9: Reshuffle

She stood her ground and lifted the bat to the side, she was ready to whack Luisa with it. Luisa put both her arms and hand up across her face and head.

"Whoaw! Whoaw! Easy girl." Luisa yelled, reaching both of her hands on the bat to stop her from swinging it.

"You scared the living shit out of me, Lu! What's wrong with you!" Maine screamed, tears streaming down. Luisa panicked and felt guilty instantly.

"Hey, Maine, what came to you? I always do these things. I come in unannounced all the time, so do you. We always do this." Maine slumped on the floor, crying. She doesn't know either why fear enveloped her.

"Hey. It's okay. It's me, Luisa." Luisa repeated, trying to console Maine.

"I'm sorry." Maine finally spoke up. "I don't know what came over me. I woke up fine. I am so excited for my one year at the post. I was taking a shower then I heard the knock, I panicked and..." She burst crying again.

Luisa felt guilty. She knows Maine is a very strong and feisty woman, nothing scares her even death doesn't phase here. She's a daredevil after all. She knows Maine is not telling her anything much about herself but she felt that there is more to her reaction than Maine showing her.

"Come on. Let me help you up. Finish your shower and I will sit her on your bed." Luisa stood up to help her up, too. Maine gave way, she stood up and went back to the shower room. Luisa closed the door but left it a little ajar.

Maine was never afraid of being mugged. Luisa had seen her in actions a few times in the past, one saving her and the other time was saving that man's life that one stormy night. She, on the other hand, has no ability to save anybody unless they are on her operating table.

Luisa looked straight ahead to the bathroom when she heard the knob made a sound. In a split second, Maine came out of it with towels wrapped on her hair and body.

"Are you okay?" Luisa asked. Maine nodded weakly. "What happened. This is so not like you, Maine." She continued. Her brows are furrowed waiting for Maine's response. When she didn't say anything, Luisa just gave up and stood up.

"Hurry up and change. We need to talk." Maine nodded not looking at her.

As soon as Luisa left her room, she was able to release the air trapped in her lung. She herself was baffled why she reacted the way she did. Did she let her guard down? For what?

She slumped on her bed and picked up the pants that were lying on it. She pulled another breath of sigh and continued on.

After a few moments, she's dressed and ready.

She saw Luisa sitting on one of the couches waiting for her. She has a bad feeling that the conversation that will take place in a few seconds is a serious matter, so she quickly sat down in front of her friend.

"One question, Maine. I need an honest, straight-forward answer." She quietly swallowed the imaginary lump of her throat. Luisa means business. Her older sister mode is on.

"Go for it." She calmly said. It's Luisa in front of her, she was just hoping that she didn't sound confused and nervous.

"What is going on with you?" Luisa is looking at her in the eye. She can't lie to her.

"Honestly, I am not sure." She started off. "I woke up happy and excited. I went to the bathroom to take a shower then I heard the rustling of the door knob, I asked who it was, no one answered. I panicked. I was naked, as in no clothes then someone is in my bedroom, what will you think, Luisa?" Her voice was almost crackling and her nose started to become red. Luisa got up so quick and sat down beside her.