Chereads / The Another Me / Chapter 7 - Patching up differences?

Chapter 7 - Patching up differences?

Chubs couldn't figure out if she should let the cat out of the bag or not. Most importantly, she just didn't know if it was time or how that ugly truth is going to affect Janet's mindset. But then, Janet seemed no longer stubborn to know if she was alright or in other words, she probably didn't want Chubs to be worried, thinking Chubs doesn't know anything really yet.

Chubs finally managed to sooth Janet's disturbed mind and put her to bed. Believing that Janet has fallen asleep, Chubs went out of the room. However, Janet woke up to the noise of the door closing and the knob falling back. She got up and leaned to the window sill and sat there, looking at the midnight moon smiling at her. That sight for sore eyes rather refreshed her mind but still couldn't free her totally from the pandemonium her mindset was trapped in. With a gentle forced smile, she placed her head on the arms and lay there slowly. The night was chilling outside the partially opened window panes and Janet fell asleep sometime in between.

While she was still half asleep, she heard someone coming in and checking on her. But Janet was too tired to open her eyes and see who it was. So she made herself to believe that it'd be Chubs who probably came in for her night rounds. But surprisingly , it wasn't.

The next morning, Janet came down with the usual smile on her face and that made Chubs feel relieved for she feared which Janet would wake up every morning. Also, she was happy to see that Janet let go of the chaos she felt inside earlier although she knew better that it must be still somewhere deep inside Janet's mind. Chubs was laying the table for breakfast, when Susan entered the room.

Janet greeted her stepmom with a smile as usual though she never got a smile back. But this time, Susan actually smiled back. Janet was struck dumb by that act of Susan, and so were Chubs and the other maids who were watching by. Susan asked Janet with a delicate tone that neither Janet nor anyone else have ever heard from her, "Did you sleep well last night, Janet?"

Janet was stopped dead in her tracks upon hearing that question actually coming from her stepmom. She has seen people change but not like this, not in an overnight at the very least.

She brought herself back to her senses soon but before she could answer * achoo * , she sneezed. Susan came near and said as she caressed Janet's hair, " I knew you'd catch a cold if you sleep like that on the window sill. It was cold outside and on top of everything, you were literally sleeping with the window open. How can you not catch a cold then?"

Janet couldn't believe what was happening at all. While Susan was still caressing her hair, she gave herself a secretive pinch to see if she was dreaming or not. Susan continued since no one else in the room seemed to respond, "Chubs, you know what to give the child. She has a cold. You eat well, okay?" Having said that, Susan left the room.

The other maids went back in the kitchen while Chubs hurried to Janet. Chubs shook Janet out of excitement and said stammering, " W-what did j-just happen, Janet?"

Janet pulled herself out of Chub's grasp and said shaking her head, " I know ,right? Well, I'm leaving for school now. Toodles! "

Janet couldn't stop giggling as she walked through the narrow lane, plucking flowers from the roadside green bushes. And that's when Jack jumped upon Janet from behind, making some weird spooky noises. Janet was alarmed as she turned back, dropping a handful of lavender petals of periwinkle from her forgotten hands.

Janet said, tapping on her chest with a fist pretentiously to show that she got startled by his act, "It's you, Jack? "

Jack replied simultaneously, " Who else do you think it was?"

Janet shrugged and resumed walking.

Jack joined her regardless and asked," What is it? You seem to be in a good mood. Or did you actually hurt your head the other day. Oh right! Speaking of which, are you alright now? "

Janet turned to him and said with open hands, " Well, you can see! Can't you? "

Jack just laughed and they continued their lavish walk to school.

Meanwhile, back in Janet's house , Susan was waiting for Chubs to bring her meal in her room. Right on time, Chubs arrived with the tray of fresh hawaiian salad and a glass of juice. Usually, the door to that room was always shut, but this time it was kept open .Hence Chubs didn't have to knock nor wait till she answers.

Susan gestured her to go in as soon as she reached the doorstep. She laid the table and subsequently served the meal in a plate. When she was about to help Susan put the napkin on, Susan stopped her and asked Chubs to grab a seat nearby.

Chubs didn't see this coming and wondered what was wrong this time.

Chubs gently placed a chair at a fair distance from Susan and sat on it without making any sound. She had that " I'm all ready to start listening " -expression on her face when Susan began to say, "You all must be wondering why I was being so nice to Janet this morning , right?"

Chubs faltered, " N-no? Ac-actually y-yes , Mrs. Susan. And why is that? I'd only appreciate it if you could be nice to her, provided there are no strings attached. I'm sorry if I sounded rude though."

Susan exclaimed," No. It's fine. You can drop honorifics while you talk to me. I'm pretty sure you're significantly older than me."

A short while of silence followed. Then Susan continued after clearing her throat ," What are you trying to hide from me? About her PTSD? Isn't that why Lucas brought me over? Wait , don't tell me you don't know this."

Chubs began to sweat as Susan went on spilling the beans. She grew tenser as the question was posed at her. She whimpered, not knowing what to say next, as she clasped the pleats of her shabby wrinkled skirt.

Chubs then said in a feeble voice, " You'd probably want me to tell you the truth, huh? I will tell you everything, only if you could answer my one question that I long wanted to know about. What do you say?"

Susan sat there motionless, showing no change of expression on her sardonic face. Again a short while of silence prevailed. Only the sounds of both their sighs were heard.