"Why did you bring two umbrellas?"
I had indeed brought two.
"Do you have an umbrella with you, Mom? Maybe one won't be enough for both of us."
I noticed my mom's silence after my excuse.
It doesn't rain, but I still don't get why I bought two.
"You know that I have mine". She smiled at me.
"Mom, I think you also need to take care of yourself, not just me. I'm already grown up." I told her.
"Leave me be, Charlene, I will take care of your school documents. I want you to pause for now until you're feeling better. I've been receiving reports from your professors about your situation." Where does Mom get this information?
I don't know who's reporting that because no one has issues with me.
"Mom, I won't be able to graduate like this," I replied.
"Continue with your treatment, you'll be taking homeschooling" my mom told me as she left me in front of the VTh building.
Is this the treatment she's talking about?
I want to know why I'm taking this kind of treatment, my mom is sick.
***
The past few days have been unusual and I no longer feel the strange presence that always followed me.
I am amazed by the vastness of the place where I stand now; if I try to find that sloth among this many people, it's nearly impossible.
Perhaps I won't see him now, or maybe we'll meet again.
The wind caught my cloak as a man in a brown shirt and hat passed by from behind. I don't know why, but just from his silhouette, I felt like I had seen him before.
***
"Come in. Are you okay with changing your clothes?" The quack Doctor asked me, whose name I still didn't know.
I just nodded in response; they didn't really need to ask that, especially since we were only here to play the game that my mom had hired them for.
Who's making the profit? Mom or this phony doctor?
I closed my eyes after putting on the headgear; everything is set, and my BP has also been tested.
"You're awake." I was startled to hear someone speak again, only to find that sloth again on a branch.
I didn't realize he hadn't left the place where I had been yesterday.
"How long did you wait for me?" I asked, finding it impossible that he hadn't moved.
"I logged out when I saw you log out." I raised my brows at what he said.
"Do you expect me to believe you?" I asked him.
"You don't have to believe me."
I tried to climb the tree and looked for the movement icons I've been searching for since earlier but found none; this sloth must be messing with me.
We were silent for a moment; I thought he was asleep because he wasn't moving either.
"Why do you like that position so much?" I asked him, then clung to the tree.
"I see more when I'm up here. The person who made this is a real genius, isn't he?"
I did it too; I'm up here!
I just stared at him; his fur looked real, and he looked scarier up close, especially since his head was upside down. I didn't expect vertigo here either.
"Yes, but it's just artificial intelligence that created this world."
"You can't be sure about the animation," he replied to me. That's what you said; I won't deny it anymore.
It feels awkward to think of the guy I'm with as a person, but luckily, he doesn't look like that.
I want to push him; I have a lot I want to do to him because he really looks cute and ugly at the same time.
I felt like I heard him laugh, but it was just for a moment. He probably also finds me ugly.
"You stay there; it's still more enjoyable to lie down. I don't know how you manage to do that and still relax." Oh yeah, I forgot to ask his name.
"Just sit then relax". He said, I just ignored him.
That's fine; I'll meet plenty of other people.
"Wait, what should I call you?" Now that he mentioned it.
"You go first," I replied.
---
[Zac] That's written on the back of my diary; I was still holding the pen when I woke up.
It's only been a few days since I last saw him, but it seems like I'm starting to forget his face.
I scanned my room; it was dark and neat, maybe Mom cleaned it again, she really does what she wants when I'm asleep.
A dolphin keychain fell when I pulled open the drawer after unlocking it.
I don't remember why I have that.
A photo album greeted me with its pages missing.
I'm confused, and my room feels haunted.
"Charlene, it's Bridgette!" My mom's call furrowed my brow.
It's impossible for Bridgette to visit me.
She was wearing office attire when I saw her on the sofa; I'm a bit surprised that Bridgette has a part-time job now.
"I just wanted to check on you; I saw you bring this umbrella to his house last night." I don't know, but I see a different side to Bridgette As if she didn't like what I did.
"Why? I just want to return it" I said, Her expression changed, I know She noticed the sadness I felt.
"So you've realized now? That's better, I'm getting tired you know?." Her response further confused my mind.
I just wanted to catch him, so I went to his place last night. I returned that umbrella hoping he'll remember me.
I want to see him again.
"I'll wait for you to get better," Bridgette said to me.
"Bridgette.. I'm totally healthy".
I squeezed the keychain I was holding, remembering that Zac gave it to me before he left.
"Don't cheat on me, I'll be back after this project". I felt an indescribable pain as I remembered his words.
I remembered the sloth I talked to in VTh; though it's not like he looks like a man.
I'm just talking to an animal.
"Mom, I'm going upstairs. Thanks, Bridgette," I said as I glanced at her.
I felt sad, there's something etched in my heart that I couldn't explain.
We lost contact, and one day when I woke up, my old phone had been replaced with a new one. Sometimes I just think that maybe Mom wanted to keep me away from Zac, then pretend not to remember my boyfriend anymore.
it's three days since he started to took the project at a virtual game company. I didn't know what kind of game it was, but he told me he would be the first to try that game.
I've been trying to call and text him these past few days, but I'm hearing different voices, and sometimes it's even an unregistered number.
I can't remember his phone number, I have no other ways to connect with him.
***
"Where are you taking that bento?" Mom called out to me after I grabbed the bento I prepared earlier.
"I'm not the type who would give a bento to someone I don't know, of course! I'm just visiting a friend, Mama, please let me." I replied.
"Is he a beggar? Is that why you feed him almost every day? It's not like I already have a grandchild right?"
I just blushed at what she said.
"Mom," I sighed, Have I prepared bentos for Zac many times before? I only remember doing it for the second time now.
I just want to repay what Zac did for me and remind him that I haven't forgotten him; perhaps that's enough to do for now as his girlfriend.
"Sorry mom, I gotta go!"
I hurriedly got ready and ran out without listening to Mama's next word; she's becoming more defiant.
"Thank you, dear," greeted the elderly lady who came from the basement of Felix's house.
I don't know why she was there, but she said the Felix family let them stay under that shelter; it was decent and sufficient for shelter from the rain.
"Your cooking is delicious. Did you prepare these yourself?" she asked me, handing me back the other bento box that I had delivered last time.
The bento box is clean; I hope Zac ate them.
"If it's okay, may I ask for another favor from you? If possible, please give this to Mr. Felix's child if you happen to see him or if he comes.," I quickly instructed before running off.
I don't understand why I suddenly retreated, but somehow I felt like I didn't want to hear what she was going to say.
"Wait!" The old woman called me, but I just ignored her.
I saw the dusty window of that house before I passed by, briefly closing my eyes and taking a deep breath as I stop, still catching my breath from the speed of my run.
"Oh, look where you're going, you dropped this. If you're going to cry, it's better to go home first."
I was surprised when the woman passing in front of me spoke. I took the handkerchief she was holding; it was the first time I saw her.
"Thank you," I said.
"Next time, there's a charge," she shouted before leaving completely.
She was beautiful but looked like she was already in her 30s.
Nothing's on my mind other than knowing how Zac is doing, or if he even remembers me.
But why did I run?
I should be thankful to that grandmother for taking care of him while his foster parents are abroad.
They must be kind.
I smiled.