I left The Blacksmith Shop feeling like I was cast aside. Did Mr. Pockey have to go like that? I didn't even get the chance to ask my question regarding the necklace he gave me.
Also, what is up with the Mayor? He's so demanding lately.
Although I'm curious, it is none of my business. I don't want to snoop my head into something I don't know the consequence of.
I decided to just continue what I purposely went to get here in town. I walked towards the shop that sells garden supplies just across the street from Mr. Pockey's shop.
The clerk isn't very friendly, so I hurriedly purchased what I needed and hastily walked back home. It's already sunset, and darkness will soon be upon me.
I can't believe Mr. Pockey's storytelling would take this long to finish. I thought it would just be an hour tops.
Honestly, I don't regret listening to it. However, I think it's just a story that Mr. Pockey's father got from reading a fiction book. Still, I had an enjoyable time listening to it, even if the story only screams tragedy.
If I were the Shadow Warrior, I wouldn't participate in the war nor save anyone. I will just take my revenge and live my life the way I had always wanted. Although the revenge had to happen because the people who murdered his clan deserved more than death. But he should've stopped there.
I'm not saying he made a wrong decision; that was entirely up to him. It's him who suffered from the consequences anyway.
Just in time, I got home when the sky isn't dark yet. However, it's becoming dimmer and dimmer as the sun dipped from the horizon. At least I made it home safely.
When I walked through the front door, I instantly noticed something different. There were muddy shoes on the shoe rack and a coat hanging onto the coat stand.
I immediately knew that mom's home. But why did she come home unannounced all of a sudden?
I walked inside the living room, and her bags are indeed on the couch. I can also smell something delicious cooking in the kitchen. Is she making dinner?
She said she'd be back next week. But why did she arrive a week earlier? I decided to ask her later because I still needed to sort out the things I bought. It's a lot and kinda heavy.
After sorting out the gardening things, I decided to go and clean myself first and make sure Lilianna's daggers are safe. I don't want to be blamed for losing it.
Since mom's making dinner, I decided to take much longer than usual. I took my time and bathe thoroughly, making sure I scrubbed all the dirt away.
After doing that, I laid in bed and read a book called 'The Magical Realm of the Forest.' It's a fictional novel that I bought on a whim last year. It's the only book I own that I haven't read yet.
I just don't really like fictional books since I only want to learn and expand my knowledge based only on facts. Although some fictional books may contain real-life events, they are still fiction and unreal at the end of the day.
Anyway, I finished the book in no time, and as expected, it's still just fiction. The events and characters are only the author's imagination.
(Girl... did you know you're also an imaginary character from a book? -Mysse)
It was described in the book how the forest contains magical beings like dragons, elves, dwarves, fairies, etc. It said that humans can't see them because they aren't mystical creatures. But the main character had the blood of a dragon and was able to enter the magical realm inside the forest.
I mean, really? I think that's a bit too far. I agree that the forest is always a mystery, but dragons? Really? I might believe it if it were werewolves.
"Azalea?! Are you in your room?" I heard my mom yelled from downstairs.
Oopsie, I think I might have taken up too much time lazing around.
I bolted out the door and hurriedly went downstairs. I met my mom at the bottom of the stairs, and I just smiled awkwardly at her once I saw her frowning face.
It's nothing new anyway. I wouldn't expect an open and embracing arms greeting me. That's reaching out too far in our fragile relationship. I did say that we're working on it, but our busy schedule these past few months put a halt to our progress.
"Why didn't you say you were home?" She questions while her tone was a little bit angry.
I felt like I was being scolded even though I didn't do anything wrong.
I couldn't say anything back as I can't think of any reason why I didn't tell her. Maybe because I was used not to do it? I had been living alone most of the time. I don't have anyone to greet when I come back home.
But I can't possibly say that. The aftermath will be too awkward.
I remained silent and stared down at my feet. Making eye contact with her makes me feel uncomfortable because she looks like she's about to give me 50 laps around the house as a punishment.
Making it seem like I was guilty and apologetic enough might reduce my sentence.
"Next time, tell me your whereabouts. Understood?" she firmly stated as she crossed her arms.
"Yes," I replied meekly and looked up at her, meeting her expressionless gaze.
She sighed as if trying to let go of her anger. "Have you eaten yet? I made dinner," she asked instead as her eyes softened a little.
I shook my head and instantly averted my gaze since I was weirded out by the tender and caring look in her eyes. I was really unprepared for that.
"Okay, let's go eat," she motioned for me to follow her in the kitchen and eat dinner with her.
She walked in first while I followed behind her. This is weird. Why do I feel weird?
After my grandma died two years ago, she had been home frequently, but she had never taken the initiative to do her motherly duties. Instead, she trained us to become fighters. Even if we were together, we still do things separately, and eating together is no exemption.
After years, without my grandma here to gather us together, my mother initiated cooking and eating with me. I felt tingles all of a sudden. It may not be a big deal, but being constantly alone and always doing things alone is getting kinda lonely and dull.
She sat down at the head of the table while I sat down to her right. The table consists of only two dishes: spaghetti with meatballs and a bowl of salad. This is nothing new to my taste since I usually eat pasta and salad. I actually like those two dishes combined together.
"So, how was the food? It has been so long since I last cooked homemade meals," my mom asked with a hint of worry laced in her voice.
Talking to her casually like this is super awkward, but it's bearable. Honestly, her cooking is pretty good. I liked how she made the pasta that had a unique flavor which goes well with the salad. It's way better than what I usually do.
"It's pretty good," I replied while trying to get a hold of my emotions and stay calm in front of her.
She kept asking me questions just to start a small conversation between us, and I would reply as if I was in an interrogation. I can't help being so nervous and awkward. It's like a natural instinct for me to disengage in conversations. However, she's my mother, and communication is needed for us to be able to fix our relationship.
We exchanged a few words about the food, and then she eventually asked me about what was going on in my life.
"So, what are you up to these days? I heard about the Poris family. How are you holding up?" She asked somberly as if trying to sympathize with how I was feeling.
Although her expression remained unchanged, her tone was clearly different than her usual calm voice.
"I'm fine, and I'm just doing the things I usually do, nothing out of the ordinary," I vaguely answered, yet she didn't seem to mind how I replied.
I guess she understands the work needed to be done to fix the rip in our relationship.
I really do want our relationship to get better, but I don't think I'm ready to open up my heart to her just yet. I still needed to accept everything that had happened and try to stabilize my still shaken heart.
"I'm glad that you're doing great. And if you ever need someone to talk to, I'm here now," she reassured as she looked at me earnestly.
"Okay, you too," I mumbled while nodding my head as a response since I don't know what more I can say.
After that, the table grew quiet as she stopped asking me questions, and I can't think of a comfortable topic to talk about. I just realized a brutal truth. I don't know anything about my mother nor my sister. I only knew that they loved the outdoors and training to death.
I wondered what it will be like if we were an average family? A family that communicates and does things together.
I looked up at my mom as she stood up from her chair and went to the sink. I guess she's finished eating now. I also hastily finished my food so that I can retire to my room already. I am still super tired from all the work I did this morning.
"By the way, do you know what Lilianna has been up to or where she goes to?" she suddenly asked as she opened the fridge. Probably to get a drink.
"Umm... I... I don't know..." I trailed off as I thought about it. I also don't know what she does or where she goes to.
Have I really been living in my own fantasy? I managed to only sigh at my own regrets. But it's too late now. I might as well try to make it up to them too. Honestly, all of us had the mistake of building impregnable walls around our hearts that even we had a hard time getting out of it.
I snapped out of my thoughts when I suddenly hear a glass break. My eyes instantly darted towards the sound, and I saw my mom holding a wine bottle and the broken glass on the countertop.
She looked at me and shrugged. "It slipped out of my hands."
I just awkwardly nodded and looked away. Oh well, that was that. She proceeded to clean the glass shards and then went out towards the living room. I hear the front door open and close as she went to the front porch to drink her wine. I hope she's not getting drunk.
I didn't know mom had alcohol hidden in there. I would have known since I've been in charge of house duties ever since I knew how to do them, but I didn't. It's not like I would steal and drink it. Plus, I don't think Lilianna would have the time to rummage through all the cupboards just to look for alcohol. She would just buy it from a store or something.
I finished my food and started cleaning the kitchen. It's not that messy and dirty since I've been keeping the house clean and sparkly every day.
I wished Lilianna was here too. I think she would be happy too. Even if she didn't show it in her face, her heart would be able to feel it. I hope things will only get better after this. I hope nothing terrible will happen anytime soon.
ʕ•̫͡•ʕ•̫͡•ʔ•̫͡•ʔ•̫͡•ʕ•̫͡•ʔ•̫͡•ʕ•̫͡•ʕ•̫͡•ʔ•̫͡•ʔ•̫͡•ʕ•̫͡•ʕ•̫͡•ʔ•̫͡•ʔ•̫͡•ʕ•̫͡•
TO BE CONTINUED...