Imagine

꒰ WHO ARE YOU? ꒱

. ⇢ [Chapter 2: Who are you?] ˎˊ˗ ꒰

Mika opened the car door and stepped out after giving the driver the money. "Zen, let's go," She said. Zen nodded and followed her out of the taxi, as the driver's curious and confused gaze was stuck on the rearview mirror, searching for the person the girl called.

Mika shut the door after Zen stepped out, then turned around to face the house. "This is gonna be weird," She said, "What's weird?" Zen asked, turning his head to her. " I think my mom is home, and I need to make sure she doesn't see you," She replied.

"But you can just tell her you're helping my wounds and go, why can't you do that?" Zen went nearer to the main door of the house until he was pulled back by Mika. "My mom is kinda strict, especially when I bring boys home–oh! this is my first time bringing someone home, so my mom would basically never respect my privacy," She said, rolling her eyes at the last part of her sentence.

Mika kept silent for a moment, thinking of possible ways to enter him to the house without being caught by her mother. "I have an idea, but I think it would be kind of hard, " She spoke after a moment of silence, tilting her head, "We're gonna have to be quiet."

-ˋˏ ༻❁༺ ˎˊ-

Small sounds of whispers were heard after the sound of the door closing. "Mika? Are you home?" The voice of Mika's mother or Mrs. Ezra was heard by both the 12-year-old girl and the 13-year-old boy. A small gasp was left out of the girl's lips. 

"hide!hide!hide!" she whisper-yelled to the male beside her, as she hears the sound of footsteps getting nearer. Zen was still looking for an area to hide, while Mika is getting more anxious. She decided to run to her mother, to prevent her from coming inside the room Zen was in. 

"Hey..."  Beads of sweat are falling down Mika's forehead, down to the side of her face. Mrs. Ezra sensed that something was wrong since Mika was sweating. "Why are you sweating? I don't think it's that hot outside," she takes a look outside of the window before turning her head to her daughter again, "Did you take the taxi home or not?" she asked.

"Yesyes! of course, I did," Mika nodded, removing her backpack from her shoulders and placing it on the couch. "What are you cooking?" She asked, using her arms to move her mom to the kitchen, while taking few glances around the room, searching where the sound of clicks and bangs are coming from. She concluded that it might be Zen's doing, thus, decided to distract her mom more. 

"mmm, do you hear that?" Mika asked before her mom can reply to her daughter's previous question. "Hear what?" Mrs. Ezra looked around, stopping herself from walking into the kitchen. "Nevermind," Mika mumbled, pushing her again to the kitchen. 

"What's that?" Mika pointed to food inside the pot. "Filipino Milkfish soup. I'm exploring different foods for us to eat, if you grow older, you should try this out too even when you're gonna get marri–"  

"hmm, is it done?" Mika cut her mother off, not wanting to hear about future life choices. "Not yet, let's just wait for it to boil," Mrs. Ezra replied, walking back to the living room, where Zen was in. 

"fuck," Mika whispered, walking hastily ahead of her. She looked around the living room until she spots Zen hiding behind the couch, "Oi! Zen! what are–" 

"Mika? who are you talking to?" The voice of her mother was heard. Her eyebrows were furrowed as her eyes widened in curiosity.  She walked closer to where Mika is. "huh? what do you–"

"Give me your phone, now." Mrs. Ezra pulled her hand out, waiting for the said object to be placed on it. "But– I wasn't talking to anyone ma!" Mika lied, gripping her phone in her pocket. "Don't raise your voice at me."  Her mother went closer, "give me your phone, or I'll break it." She spoke again with a malicious tone. 

Mika clicked her tongue and bring her phone out of her pocket before she was slapped on the face by her mother. "don't do that! no phone for a week ha!" She harshly pulled the phone out of her daughter's hands and walked back to the kitchen. Mika sat on the couch, placing her hand on the spot her mother slapped her to ease the pain. 

Mika looked at the back of the couch to find Zen squatting on the floor, looking up at her. She let out a small sigh and looked away in embarrassment, for letting Zen see that, especially when he is a guest. "Come with me upstairs," Mika whispered, turning her upper body around to look behind the couch. Zen nodded in agreement.

She stood up and walked with light footsteps, in order for her to not be heard by her mom. Once she reached the stairs, she gestured for Zen to follow her. He stood up and tiptoed to the stairs, upon reaching, Mrs. Ezra came out from the kitchen and saw her daughter.

"What're you doing?" She asked, standing in the doorway connected from the kitchen to the living room. Mika stood on the 4th stair, with her eyes widened. She doesn't know what to do. Different thoughts of choices of words bottled up in her head, planning which one to say. "I– we– ma–" She stuttered, confused at her own choice of words. 

"The food will be ready in a few minutes, " the mother returned back to the kitchen, then the sounds of the spoon stirring the soup were heard. Mika's mouth fell agape. She looked at Zen, who then looked at her with his usual monotone face. Mika sighed but then continued to climb up the stairs, gesturing Zen to follow.

Once they reached the room, the door closed shut and locked. "Why didn't my– why did mom not see you?" She sat on the bed, facing Zen who was sitting on the other side of the bed. "Magic." He replied.

"huh?" A confused look was seen on Mika's face. "Are you...Joking or what?" She continued. "Others can't see me because I'm magical, only you can see me," Zen looked at her, moving himself to go closer. 

"damn. No wonder you're not seen by my mom, b-but how tho? does magic really exists?" Mika asked. "Yes," Zen replied, not bothering to explain more. Mika was still confused but decided to shrug it off since she isn't that interested, she felt tired.

Loud bangs were heard from the door, "Mikaa! Open!" Mika hastily stood up and ran to open the door as her heart palpitates. "Why is the door locked?" Mrs. Ezra stood there with a look of anger. "I– uh–  was busy doing something! I don't want anyone to disturb me," Mika replied, quickly coming up with an excuse.

"But there's no one here–ugh, just get down, the food is ready." Her mother pinched her eyebrows together as she closes her eyes and shakes her, before walking back down the stairs. Mika looked back at Zen who sat on her bed, "I'll be back," Mika whispered, before shutting the door.