Darie, don't think too much about it" Cecilia said while patting her back.
Hearing Cecilia's voice Darielle came out of her thoughts.
"I called your mom, and told her you're with me. She was scared because you didn't return last night to top it, you didn't respond to her calls."
Darielle gave a faint nod and walked towards the bathroom. She still couldn't believe it.
Her world… wasn't the same anymore.
Her pride, something she held close to her heart, had been taken from her.
Not by someone she loved or trusted… but by a stranger.
The more she thought about it, tears the size of an ocean gushed out.
She turned on the shower, hoping the warm water would calm the chaos inside her, but she wept even more, nothing could silence the ache.
Her sobs echoed off the tiles.
From outside the bathroom Cecilia could hear her cries. But she had to let her vent. Whoever did this was cruel. But Darielle needed space to breathe, even if that breath trembled.
What would her mom think of her when she finds out? She couldn't stay on the matter for now till Darielle spoke up.
She dashed towards the kitchen to prepare something for her in order to lighten up her mood.
After a while, Darielle stepped out of the room, welcomed by the aroma drifting through the apartment.
" Come over, let's eat." Cecilia said.
Darielle walked towards the couch and sat down. Cecilia gave her a plate full of shrimp sauce and rice.
"Eat this for strength" Cecilia whispered. Darielle gave a faint smile and took a few bites.
Cecilia's heart tightened. She never saw Darie like this. The warmth she held in her eyes was gone. More like she wasn't Darielle but someone else.
"Da…"
Buzz Buzz
Cecilia's phone vibrated on the table holding back her words, Darielle glanced at the caller id, then continued eating quietly.
I'll be right back, she picked the call and went to answer it. "Hey Jay."
Hearing those words made Darielle's mind plunge again.
Alex crept into her mind.
Her mother too.
Everything she was trying not to think about came swirling back in her mind.
Immediately her appetite vanished.
She quietly stood up and slipped into the bedroom.
When Cecilia returned, she saw the untouched food and sighed.
She didn't know the right words, she had never lived through something like this.
But she would make sure Darielle's past would not swallow her whole.
– – –
In the bedroom, Darielle called her mom.
"Darie, why didn't you call to inform me about Cecilia you had me worried"
"yeah sis, we were on our toes. Are you ok?"
"Yes I am. Sorry for making my lovies worry" Darielle spoke calmly trying her best not to raise any suspicion.
"My phone died. I told Cecilia to text you but she forgot, we were settling into her apartment."
"It's alright my dear, as long as it's Cecilia I know you're in good hands." Adelia said. Hearing her daughter's voice gave her relief.
But since she was a mother, Darielle's tone wasn't the usual one of happiness. It felt empty prompting her to ask – " Darie is everything ok?"
"Yes mom, what would happen? I'm alright."
I'm fine, Mom. Really. Cecilia is feeding me a lot," she forced a small laugh.
Inside, she felt anything but okay.
Letting out a faint smile inside to prove she was alright but deep down her emotions were in turmoil. Her actions a stark contrast to her feelings.
"Really? Don't over eat my love. You know how your system reacts when over fed."
"Yeah moms right, bring my plate tomorrow." Evie chimed in.
"Will you keep quiet?" their mom hissed playfully.
"Darie, we'll talk later. Since Cecilia is back she would want your company. Come home tomorrow. We're missing you already."
"Same here mom, I love you bye."
"I love you too."
With that the call hung up.
"Sigh" having a breath of relief, the call ended on a peaceful note.
Darielle sat at the edge of the bed. Her eyes staring at an empty space, lost in thought.
Images flashed before her eyes.
Prompting her to lower her head,her hair covering her face as she sobbed uncontrollably.
The menacing laugh filled with mockery engulfed her ears prompting her to collapse on the ground, jerking uncontrollably.
"No turn it off! Please let go I beg of you."
Darielle still in a daze subconsciously
mutterd to herself as she covered her face. Tears in form of beads fell from her eyes.
"Darielle!"
Cecilia rushed in on hearing sounds from her room, panic flooding her chest.
Seeing Darielle trembling, she knelt and wrapped her arms around her.
Darielle flinched on feeling someone's presence. However, realizing it was Cecilia, she calmed down. But her sobs continued.
"I was lucky back then but this time…" Darielle whispered, shaking.
"Don't think about that now," Cecilia murmured, brushing her back in slow circles.
"Why is this my fate?" Darielle said in between her cries.
"Every one will see me as a loose lady Cecilia." Sob sob. Darielle trembled as she held the former tightly.
"She didn't want to hear the ugly labels society used for girls who went through what she did.
"I'm with you till the end." Cecilia said as she rubbed her back gently to ease her tension.
After a while of crying, Darielle fell asleep.
Cecilia lifted her onto the bed, covered her gently, and turned on the small lamp.
Cecilia stood for a while, as she watched the sleeping Darielle. Her cries had Left her eyes red and swollen.
As Cecilia reached the door, she heard her murmur in her sleep,
"Alex…"
Cecilia froze.
Then it dawned on her. Darielle told her about Alex though the discussion was on the surface she could see where it was headed.
But. Now with what has transpired with darie, what will happen?
Knowing Darielle like the back of her palm, surely she would start having second thoughts.
Withholding her thoughts. Cecilia glanced at the sleeping figure and she stepped out quietly.
Buzz Buzz.
Darielle's phone vibrated on the table.
The caller ID read: Alex.
— — — —
In an underground alley the clicking sound of heals reached the ears of a man sitting in his car with the door open. Prompting him to look towards the direction of the sound.
Upon seeing the person a smirk played on his lips.
" Did you do it?" The voice of the woman echoed in the alley. As she walked towards the car and came to a halt.
The man got on his feet and lit a cigarette. Taking it in and releasing the smoke into the air. His eyes void of familiarity.
"The job is done."