We left home around an hour ago, if I'm remembering right. Even though I slept for a whole hour in the car, I'm still so sleepy. I didn't even hear the phone ringing at all earlier, no matter how many times Ric called me to wake me up. He had to come get me from my parent's house. We were definitely going to be late for work.
I remember begging him, "Please just let me sleep a little more since we're already running behind." But Ric insisted, "You can sleep in the car instead." (Annoying)
Now, sitting in the passenger seat, I hear Ric's voice clear as day. "You're finally awake," he stated, rather than asking.
I slowly opened my heavy eyelids and turned to look at him driving.
"Yeah, I'm up. But I'm still exhausted," I mumbled groggily, stifling a yawn.
Ric shook his head. "Well, it's good that you're awake. I got you something to eat" He says tossing a paper bag to my lap.
"Eat something at least. We'll be there soon whether you're alert or not." He laughs.
"Thanks. I didn't even know when you stopped to get this" I say, grateful to have something to eat. I'm famished, probably because of all the drinks yesterday.
Ric turns on some music we listen to while I eat. He didn't say another word. The car's peacefully quiet.
"Will you really be meeting the girl Auntie Rosie set you up with?" I ask after a long silence in the car. The music has stopped. I didn't even know how that escaped my mouth.
"Yes. I want to do that" he says softly that I almost didn't hear him.
"That's good then" I say but struggle hard to believe myself. Is it really good?
"Maybe you'll like her" I say again and wonder why mouth is making decisions on its own today. He doesn't say anything. Just kept on driving as if he didn't hear me. The car goes quiet again and I almost fell back to sleep when I heard his voice.
"I'll really try Bee. I'll make sure I don't destroy our friendship. I give you my word" he says and I just keep quiet. I didn't know the right thing to say. I look ahead. We should be reaching in an hour.
"Bee. Did you hear what I said" he asked sneaking a glance at me and I just nod.
"I really mean it. Even if I have to marry some girl immediately just so you'd not run from me. I will" he says seriously and that annoys me in a strange way.
"You don't have to do that." I say. "You don't have to force yourself into something you don't want just because of me Ric." I add immediately.
"I'd do even more than that if it means we get to remain friends Bee." He says sighing hard.
"I know I've caused you alot of worries these past weeks. I'm really sorry Bee. I'd control myself better. I promise" he says sounding a bit desperate. I don't like it when he sounds that way. It breaks my heart.
"I know Ric." I say and I mean it. I know he'll try his best to make things alright and I hope everything gets better at the end. " I know everything will be okay." I add.
The rest of the journey continues in blissful conversations between us.
"I know you'll be busy sleeping today" he says smiling, while he parks the car in front of my apartment building. "So I'll let you have the day to yourself. But I'll be coming over tomorrow okay." He adds looking at me. His expression draws me in. I couldn't say no.
"Sure, no problem." I say then thinking of something else, I add "don't come empty handed if you want me to let you into my place."
The sound of my phone ringing disrupts my sleep, waking me. I have never hated my ringtone as much as I do now. I pick up the phone to see that it's Lay calling.
"It's too early for calls, Lay," I grumble into the phone, and she just barks out laughing.
"Rise and shine, sleepyhead! What, did you expect me to let you laze around all morning? You have work to go to." Lay teases, her voice far too chippy for this ungodly hour.
I groan, rubbing my eyes. "You're lucky I love you, or I might have to commit a sisterly crime."
Lay's laughter rings through the phone. "Oh, please. You'd miss me too much."
Rolling my eyes, I sit up in bed. "What's so important that it couldn't wait a few more hours?"
"Well, since you asked..." Lay's tone takes on a more serious note. "I wanted to let you know that I've decided to extend my stay at Mom and Dad's for two weeks." She says and it doesn't come as a surprise. I expected it.
"That could have waited Lay. You disturbed my sleep for that? I say sounding annoyed. "Two weeks? But you were supposed to be back in a few days." I still ask anyway.
Lay chuckles. "Don't worry, Bee. You can't get rid of me that easily. Although..." She pauses for a moment. "The real reason I'm extending my stay is because Ben is still around."
"Ah, I figured as much," I say knowingly. Our older brother's presence was a breather for Lay, which is why am sure she wants to extend her stay to spend more time with him. I'm glad she has an opportunity to relax, catch up, and enjoy some quality time together since he doesn't come around often due to his demanding job.
"You know how close we've always been..." Lay's voice takes on that familiar wistful tone whenever Ben is mentioned.
I can't help but smile. "Of course. You two were inseparable growing up. Like two peas in a pod."
"Exactly. So now that I have this chance to spend more time with him, I don't want to cut it short." There's an apologetic tone in her voice. "I should have given you a proper heads up about changing my plans."
Waving it off, I reply, "No need to explain, I totally get it. It's not often our wandering brother is home, with his busy schedule." I respond laughing.
Lay sighs "You're telling me. I'm going to soak up every moment I can with him over these next two weeks."
"As you should," I say genuinely. "Give Ben my love and tell him I'll catch up with him next time. Don't even think about cutting your reunion short on my account."
I drop the phone grateful I'd be having the entire place to myself for two whole weeks. Lay is hardly ever away so this is a rare opportunity and I'm going to utilize it very well. But before I start planning what I have in mind, my phone rings again. (Can't she just let me be?).
"What is it again Lay" I say groaning into the phone. "I'm already planning a party since you'd be away for a while" I add suddenly wanting to get on her nerves. "You know it's not everyday I get the opportunity to be away from your sorry ass. I want to use this wisely. Can you atleast free me?" I add but nothing comes from the other end of the phone. Not a word.
"Lay are you there" I ask wondering if she ended the call.
"It's not Lay. Don't you check your phone before answering?" a voice I recognize as Ric's comes from the other end.
"Ooh, it's you," I say, the annoyance still evident in my voice from thinking it was Lay calling again.
There's a slight pause before Ric responds. "Uh, yeah. Are you disappointed ?"
I roll my eyes even though he can't see me. So much for getting that sweet alone time I was just envisioning. "No, it's fine. I just got off the phone with my sister and was looking forward to having the place to myself for a while."
"Ah I see, my bad for the intrusion then," Ric says in that easygoing tone of his. "I can call back another time if you'd prefer?"
I hesitate for a moment. As annoying as the call is, I did agree to hang out later today, even before my sister extended her trip.
"No, no, you're already calling so you might as well just say what you need to."
There's another pause before he says slowly, "Well...the thing is, I can't actually make it over today like I promised."
My brow furrows at his words. "What? Why not?" I can't help the disappointment in my voice. I was honestly looking forward to having him over.
Ric clears his throat awkwardly. "Yeah, about that...Aunt Rosie kind of set me up on that blind date thing for tonight. With a girl she knows."
I feel a small pang at that, my shoulders stiffening. "Today? Isn't it all too fast?"
"I know, I know," he says quickly. "Believe me, I tried to get out of it, but you know how insistent she can be. She wouldn't take no for an answer. Said she already talked to the girl."
Pursing my lips, I try not to let my hurt show too much. "Right, of course. Well, you better not keep this mystery girl waiting then."
An uncomfortable silence stretches between us before Ric speaks up again. "Rain check for hanging out? Maybe tomorrow or something?"
"Yeah...maybe," I reply, trying to keep my tone light despite the unexpected disappointment settling in my chest. I can't help but feel a bit hurt even though I practically asked him to go out with other girls. I can't help this uncomfortable feeling in my chest.