Angelique's mother got back after buying stuff to eat. She saw her daughter talking to Angel Mukaido as she was about to sneak inside.
" Those two get along so well. I can't imagine what our daughter would have done without him around". She heard her husband's voice behind her and turned around.
…
" Yeah! They get along way too fine if you ask me". By that phrase, her husband could sense something wasn't right with his wife.
" What's the matter? Is something bothering you?" He asked his wife concerned about her.
…
" I'm happy for our daughter, believe me, but—----------" She left her phrase halfway.
" Are you concerned about her betrothal?" He asked her in an inquisitive tone.
…
" Her betrothal's important but her happiness matters more. Besides, I think she should keep the friendship with Angel-Kun. Thanks to that relationship, she's starting to open up a bit. I'm glad that Angel-Kun has such a positive influence on Angelique". He beamed joyfully.
…
( I'm not against their relationship but—----------------- Maybe, I'm imagining things!)
" Let's eat! I'm famished!"
" Yes!"
In the days that followed, more and more classmates came to visit Angelique at the hospital to enquire about her health. As for Angel Mukaido, he brought her the lessons she missed, so that she'd be on track.
" Thank you, Angel, for bringing me the notes I've missed". I said to him gratefully.
" It's nothing. This is what friends do for each other, isn't it?" He said in refutation.
…
" Sorry, Angelique! I know this word is taboo for you as it does you more bad than good. I'm sorry!" He apologetically apologized to me.
…
" Don't apologize as you did nothing wrong! I know this situation is hard for you, Angel. I'm sorry that I can't grant your wish". I expressed my feelings sadly.
" I know you can't grant my wish because you're afraid. It's not your fault". He said as a way to console me.
Alicia and Alexia who came to visit Angelique at the hospital noticed Angel in the ward and decided not to barge in. Accidentally, they eavesdropped on their conversation without meaning to.
" You're right! I'm afraid that by getting into another relationship, I might ruin it. I don't wish for the past to repeat itself. Friendship is simply not for me. It would be for the best if you give up on the idea of us becoming friends one day and get yourself a real friend".
" You're doing it again!" He glared at me as he said that.
" What? What have I done?" I asked, confused.
" Pushing people away from you. That's what you've done wrong. Just because you don't want to accept me as your friend doesn't mean that I should do the same. It's not my forte to leave my relationships unfulfilled. Don't think of getting away from me as I'll stick onto you as glue".
" You'll get bored, you know?"
" I don't think so. Spending time with you is the best thing in the world. Oscar is an idiot for not realizing it. Why should I make the same mistake as him?"
…
" Suit yourself!"
Alicia and Alexia didn't enter the ward at the end and left the hospital without seeing Angelique. Outside of the hospital—------------
" We came here to give her the notes she's been missing but Angel-Kun took the lead in bringing her the notes ahead of time". Alicia said to Alexia.
" It was by mere coincidence that we overheard their conversation. Now, I don't know what you think anymore".
…
" Do you think she'll stay on her assertions! Won't she ever develop a friendly relationship with anyone?" Alexia expressed her worries to Alicia.
…
" We won't let that happen. We may not know what happened to her to change so drastically, but, we'll be the ones to make her come out of her shell, you'll see?"
" Yes!"
The following day, Angelique has been successfully discharged from the hospital as the doctor gave his approbation. Five hours later at the Tsukishima Residence, Mrs. Tsukishima helped her daughter lay down on her bed.
" Thanks, mother!" I thanked her for helping me get to my room.
" I was so worried this time when you collapsed. If that boy hadn't been there, who knows what might have happened". She said to me in a worried tone.
" That boy? He has a name and it's very pretty. You should refer to his name when addressing him. I don't know why but by the way you're talking, it sounds like you dislike him or something. I hope to be wrong".
" Why? Would it bother you if I disliked him?" She phrased her question in an inquisitive tone.
…
" Will you keep your relationship with him?" She asked yet another question.
…
" Mother, what's wrong with you? You seem a bit odd. Is something the matter?"
My mother has been behaving oddly since a day ago and I don't know what might have happened in that time frame. She was admirative of Angel up until now, so I don't understand why she would suddenly change her mind about him.
" Your proximity with him is disturbing me a great deal". She confessed to me.
" Proximity? What do you mean?"
" A boy and a girl shouldn't be too close to each other. I don't know whether you've realized it or not but that boy Angel Mukaido wants more than a friendly relationship with you". She said bluntly as she stared at me intensively.
Angelique listened up close to her mother's worries and asked: " If I understand you correctly, you're saying Angel might be interested in me romantically, is that it?"
" Yes! That's what I've said". She confirmed.
To her response, Angelique busted laughing and said afterwards: " What you're worried about won't ever happen simply because—--------------------"
" Because what?"
" Because he deserves better than a boring girl like me who's to hang up on her past. He said he'll make me come out of my shell, but honestly, I'm not too optimistic that'll ever happen. In my case, that is—-----". I said as a finishing phrase.
…
My mother left my room soon after so I would rest. I thought of everything that happened as I was resting, let alone all the interactions I had with Oscar and Angel.
( I'll be back to school tomorrow. Oscar might try to interact with me regarding the past. Will I be able to tell him everything as it occurred that time? Will I have enough strength to do so?)