Barely Two Months

Chapter Twenty

AURIANNA

Me: H-Hello m-mom. I stutter

Mom: Auri? How are you? Where have you been? She sounded worried and angry

Me: mom, calm down please

Mom: I've been trying to reach you but I couldn't, we've been worried sick and I had to keep lying to your dad that you're okay and I've heard from you. She said in a rush. I think she's more angry than worried

Me: I'm sorry mom. I try to explain

Mom: Do you know how hard lying to your dad is? With his condition I just couldn't add you to one of his problems. I don't want him bothered about you. Now, I think she's more worried than angry

Me: Mom, I said I'm sorry, okay? I've been so busy. I lied. I've had my phone switched off most of the time so they wouldn't reach me 'cause I can't live with the guilt if they find out what I'm doing

Mom: It's alright. Didn't Joe tell you that I called? I called him when I couldn't reach you. I'm dead meat

Me: You did? What did he say?

Mom: That you're busy and would call when you can. Phew. I love you Joe

Me: Yeah. How's dad? And Roe? I've missed them so much

Mom: they are both fine but your dad's condition is getting worse and he doesn't seem to notice or he just doesn't want to make a big deal out of it. She didn't cry when she said it and I know my mom, she's cried so hard that there's no more tears left and now she's just numb

Me: And what are the doctors and nurses doing? I can't let anything bad happen to dad and I don't even know how I'll be able to get the money for his treatments

Mom: They are doing their best I guess. We are yet to pay for his treatments so they are doing what they can do for us

Me: I'm trying my best here to raise that money mom. I tried to assure her even though it's lost hope for me

Mom: What exactly are you doing? I can feel her mood change

Me: You said you trust me and won't ask questions

Mom: but I'm your ...

Me: no questions. I cut her off

Mom: I have to ...

Me: no questions. I cut her off again

Mom: Fine. She said exasperatedly

Me: thank you. I sigh

Mom: I've missed you Auri, we all have

Me: I missed you guys too. I'll try as much as possible to gather the money and wrap things up here. I've gotta go mom, send my love and kisses to dad and Roe. I just remember that I'm out in front of the salon and Anais and her friends are waiting for me

Mom: Ok but do you have to go? I only just started talking to you. She sounded bummed

Me: you'll be fine mom, I have to go. Bye mom. I wish I have enough time to talk to her but I won't be so free when there's this guilt popping up every now and then

Mom: Bye Auri. I hung up

I quickly rushed into the salon and the familiar smell of hair spray hits my lungs. It's been ages since I have actually been to a hair salon. I'm only used to washing and styling my hair by myself. I've got a long and thick hair like my mom and I also got the habit of not cutting my hair from her.

"Hey Aurianna, come sit with us" Anais beckoned me to sit on one of the waiting chairs close to her
"How long do we have to wait till it's our turn?" I asked hoping it wouldn't take that long
"Few minutes I guess" she answered quickly and returned to the magazine she's reading

Rhoda and Christine are both sitting at the right hand side of Anais and they both seem to be engaged in a conversation. And here I thought Saturday will be fun. If I was in new York, I would be working my afternoon shift at the pub downtown, at least, I'd be busy and not bored to death.

I fixed my eyes on the TV screen as I think of what to do with my hair. I'm definitely not changing my hair color, definitely not cutting it and definitely not losing my wavy curls. And now that I'm thinking about it, coming here is a total waste of time
"I don't think I have any reason to be here" I turn to Anais

"Why?" Her eyes leaves the magazine and met mine
"'Cause I don't want to touch anything on my hair"
"But you were the one that said your hair needed a touch up" she reminds me
"Yeah, I know. But thinking about it, I realize that I really don't need it"

"You could wash it, trim it and maybe add some extensions" she suggests
"Extensions? My hair is as thick as anything, you're the one that needs the extension miss Scantilat" I joke and she laughed
"Yeah, you're right. I really hate how your hair is so thick and long" she said
"Haters gonna hate" I shrugged

I look over to the girls that came with Anais and I, they really don't care to chat with Anais and I. So much for making friends. I stood up from the seat reaching for the door
"Where to?" Anais asked
"Uh, I'm just gonna stroll, get to know the city a little bit"
"Sure you'll be okay all by yourself? It's a big city you know"

"I'm not a baby Anais. I'll give you a call."
"You better, just be careful" she warned
"I'll try" I smile
"Bye" she said
"Bye" I returned it. I turned to Rhoda and Christine "Bye guys" I say

"You're leaving already?" Christine asks
"Yeah, have some places to be" I answered
"Ok, see you later then" she said
"I guess" I shrugged. Rhoda didn't even talk to me, I guess she doesn't like me but who cares?

I walked out of the salon and halted a cab. I got in
"Any Starbucks around?" I asked the young driver
"Yes, I'll take you there" he replied.
Twenty minutes later I was already in front of a Starbucks. I paid the driver and got out.
I went in and ordered a frappuccino and waited by the counter as it was being prepared.

My order was placed in a Styrofoam cup, I paid and went to find a table. I found a table by the glass wall and I momentarily sipped from my cup as I looked around. This place is packed. I wish Joe was here with me, drinking our favorite coffee, well frappuccino became his favorite because of me. Maybe I should call him, I unlock my phone to dial his number but I felt a tall figure hovering over me

"Hey beautiful" an awfully familiar voice said. I unconsciously looked at myself and I just had on a black T-shirt, a plain ripped blue jean, and a black toms. Nope, the voice ain't referring to me.
"Aurianna" the voice said again and I snapped my head to the person

I stared at the familiar face, he has on a plain white long sleeve T-shirt that is clung to his body and a blue jeans and black sneakers. His not so obvious stubble I once saw on his face the first time I saw him is no longer there, his face is freshly shaven. His hair is in a perfect mess and his blue eyes stares down at me, directly at my green eyes. He had a Styrofoam cup in his hands. This image in front of me is beautiful

"Chester, what are you doing here?" I said
"You're not the only one that gets to swing by Starbucks" he points to the chair next to me "Taken?"
"Nope" I answered and he sat facing me
"I never thought we'd ever meet again after our first encounter in the airport" I said, taking a sip out of my cup

"It's a small world after all" he shrugs
"I guess"
"So what are you doing here alone?" He asked and took a swig from his cup
"I'm trying to see far wide of this city, I guess" I chuckled at my ridiculous idea
"How about I help you with that?"