I turned the bathroom lights on and placed my phone on the counter near the sink. I checked the water temperature then took all of my clothes off. I went under the shower and washed my hair thoroughly. I took my time washing my face to make sure that there was no make up left. I was so glad that I got rid of those fake eyelashes at Bram's small restroom.
I put on shampoo, conditioner, and lathered myself with body wash then rinsed off. I was wrapping my hair in a towel when I heard a knock on the door. I placed my wrapped hair on top of my head, tied the ribbon of my bathrobe, and headed for the door. I opened the door and Bram shielded his eyes from the bathroom light.
"I grew old waiting for you," he said with a scowl in his face.
"Why are you waiting for me?" I walked past him and turned on the light of the walk-in closet.
"Get a wriggle on," Bram said and then he returned to the bed.
I did not understand what he just said. It was probably a British thing? I closed the door of the walk-in closet so I would not disturb him with the brightness of this room. I opened the cabinet for my sleeping clothes and chose a light pink lingerie that only reached half of my thigh. And then I wore the matching robe and went out. I left the lights on so I could walk to my dresser and get a wide toothed comb.
"Emma," I heard Bram say from the bed.
"Five minutes, Bram," I said as I walked barefooted to my dresser. I got what I needed, then I returned to the bathroom because I forgot my phone.
"What are you doing?" Bram asked.
"You can sleep now," I told Bram after I got my phone. I turned the walk-in closet light off and went out of the bedroom to the living room, "I need to dry my hair."
I could not possibly sleep now. I was thinking of what could happen tomorrow. It would be the first time that my mother, Mama Credence, and I would talk about Alicia. I removed the towel from my head and started combing my hair. I could not recall when my panic and anxiety attacks started.
Maybe this started when I discovered my brother was involved in illegal drugs. I blew out some air through my mouth so I could calm myself. I used my fingers to untangle some of my hair. Then I carefully combed it. I was startled when the bedroom door opened. I stopped combing my hair and looked at the door.
"Emma, come on!" Bram told me. He looked annoyed.
"Will you just sleep and leave me alone?" I told him. I was getting irritated.
"I tried, but I can't sleep," Bram explained to me.
"You've been sleeping here alone for weeks," I reasoned with him.
His expression softened, "Please, Emma?"
I sighed and finished combing my wet hair, "My hair is still wet."
"I don't care," Bram said as we both walked towards the bed.
I placed my comb and my phone on my nightstand and removed my robe. I went under the covers and fixed my long hair on the left side of the pillow. Bram pulled me closer to his side. He found my lips and gave me a smack kiss. Then he cupped my left breast.
"Good night," he whispered to me, then he rested his head on the pillow. I moved away a little because his breath was tickling my right ear.
I sighed and responded, "Good night."
When I heard Bram's light snore I reached for my phone and turned my alarm on for seven in the morning. I needed to call Mama Credence early and inform her regarding the time that we would arrive in her house. I noticed there were three message notifications from different people on my phone. I decided to read it tomorrow and turned it off before I woke Bram again.
I woke up the next day and Bram's side of the bed was empty. I heard the continuous spray of water from the bathroom. Bram probably left the door open. I checked my phone and it was only six in the morning. I sat up, removed the comforter, and got off the bed. I wrapped my robe to my body and lowered the temperature of the air conditioning.
I touched my hair and there were some parts of it that were still damp, especially the part behind my head. I sat on my dresser and continued combing my hair while I read my phone messages. One was from Mama Credence, she was asking me if my mom and I could be there before lunchtime. She said she would cook for us and then we could talk afterwards. I told her that we would be there then I also sent a message to my mom about the time.
"Shouldn't you be getting ready?" I heard Bram say from my back.
I did not turn to him, "It's too early, I'm meeting Mama Credence at lunch."
"You didn't mention that last night?" Bram questioned. He sounded displeased.
My eyes widened with the tone of his voice. So I paused then turned to him. I covered my mouth with my right hand and said, "I'm sorry, I forgot."
"What time is it again?" Bram asked as he walked inside our closet.
"I'll be there before lunch," I answered Bram and turned back to my phone, "Then we'll talk afterwards."
"About what?" I heard Bram ask again.
I could not understand Aunt Calla's message because Bram was talking to me. I sighed and tried to dodge his question, "Um…my mom will be with us."
"Is it about Alicia?" I heard him say.
I looked up to the mirror and saw Bram's reflection. Our eyes met while he was adjusting the garter of his gray sweatpants. I opened my mouth and wanted to tell a lie but I decided to tell the truth instead, "Yes, it's about her and my brother."
Bram nodded and went back to the walk-in closet again, "Where are you going to meet mom?"
"At her house in Makati," I answered Bram while I stared at my phone screen.
"Do you want me to drive you there?" Bram offered.
I was kind of surprised by the offer, "No, thank you. You'll get bored."
"Okay," Bram responded then he went out of the room. He was wearing his sweatshirt in the same color. I assumed that he would probably start his workout. I stared at my reflection in the mirror and shook my head.