Blurry Memories

Memory Twelve: Home

Minutes passed after we decided to find the kitten, we finally found her under a bench near the benches we sat on earlier. The kitten was small, all white but a bit dirty probably because of all the wandering around and living on streets.

I spread my handkerchief and wrapped the kitten with it, to give her warmth. Chi-chi opened her hand and her eyes where glistening as I handed the kitten to her .

"Hi, Kitty!" she said as she danced it like a baby to sleep. They looked cute, she looks so happy carrying that kitten.

"Mommy, can I keep her?" she cutely said to her Mom, and I know for sure she couldn't resist such an adorable act.

"Ask your Kuya" Miss Ruella said.

"Kuya, please? Can I keep her?" without a sweat, Chi-chi is already keeping the kitty. I didn't know, Harvey could be this soft when it comes to her sister, for a moment I kinda wanted to pinch his side and tease him all day for being such a softie but we're not that close so I wouldn't dare.

"What are you gonna name her?" I asked.

"Hmm. Mitten!" she said.

"Sounds good!" I said as we walked side by side, while Harvey and Miss Ruella following behind.

"My name is Cheska Felicity and this is Mitten the kitten!" she said proudly. Cute.

"Hi Mitten! I'm Ate Sakura! It's nice meeting you!" I smiled.

As we reached the school gates, I bid my farewell but Miss Ruella insisted in giving me a ride home as a thank you. I declined saying I'm fine but she was so persistent, she said that we were living nearby so it wouldn't be such a hassle for me. I guess Harvey already told her about us being neighbors.

Our debate, on whether I should take a bus or ride with them continued when Harvey joined saying it would be dangerous for me to ride a bus alone at this time and ended when Chi-chi showed me her adorable pleading eyes.

Chi- chi and my weakness over cute things dragged me into this. And that's how I ended up having an awkward ride with them. I'm sitting in the back seat with Chi-chi while Miss Ruella is in front and Harvey driving.

I quietly smiled when I saw chi-chi still hugging the kitten while sleeping, as if she would loose the kitten if she loosen her hug. My heart feels heavy, watching them, as if my heart longs for that kind of affection.

I hope someone would also be scared of loosing me.

I looked outside and watched the rain fall on the car window. I always wonder, how the rain can stir the cup of emotions we have and how it can make one sad yet comforted.

Like, it gives a sad feeling, and how we wish it would just stop. How it falls almost endlessly, full of uncertainties of when it would stop, or if it would actually stop.

How it makes us feel scared, when it brings storms, lightnings and thunders that could end our life, almost in just one snap of a finger. Or how it makes us cozy, comfortable and happy while sitting infront of the fire with a hot coco on hand, with bedtime or fascinating stories waiting to be told, or a book waiting for you to unfold.

In my next life, I would gladly choose to live as the rain, so I could fall and break loose without worrying of what uncertainties, fear, sadness, and destruction I would cause, and just leave like nothing happened.

Like the rain, I'd like to fall when the clouds gets dark and heavy. And just the rain, I'd like to give company without trying to find the right words of comfort, or just even be there to witness one's best and worst. "Solace" that's how I would describe the rain. I smiled when I saw a familiar street. "I'm home"  I thought.

Ever wonder, what does home means? Is it the place that gave you shelter, or is it the people that gave you shelter? This question still fires the abandoned feeling inside me, somewhere really deep down inside me, I never knew I had.

As I child, I always thought of a home as a place, where you sleep, eat and do things with a roof above your head, but as I grow, I realized home doesn't only define a place, it also defines people.

But still, home doesn't leave, it stays, it always waits, and keeps the door open and would invite you to come in.

Home. To whatever, whoever and wherever that is, I'd like to be home. 

"Sakura, thank you." Miss Ruella told me with a smile after we got out of the car.

"Take care. And visit us if you have time. I'm sure chi-chi will be happy if you do" she said and glanced at chi-chi who is now sleeping still hugging the kitten.

"I will. Thank you for the ride ma'am" I said with a smile.

"Come on, just call me Tita. And oh, send my regards to your Mom." I nodded and they we bid each other our farewells, and thanks with genuine smiles.

Fortunately, the rain stopped pouring and we rode safely.

"Mom" I smiled sadly and entered the house with a heavy yet bearable kind of feeling.

I went straight to my room and started cleaning myself up. I sat on the chair in my study table and saw the sketch I made last few days while waiting for Mom. I stared at the back woman I sketch, I was about to throw it away when my phone vibrated.

"Can I call? You already know me." I almost dropped my phone from the sudden text. What is he thinking right now? I'm not in the mood to type a reply so I called instead

Calling Chi-Chi's  Brother ...

"Hello?"

"Yes?"

"Have you had your dinner?" he asked. I suddenly remembered a line Jia always use when a guy asks her when she had dinner.

"Luh? Pa fall?" I asked myself, if I remembered it correctly, that was the exact same line she always used.

"I'm not. I just asked if you had dinner. But if that would make you fall, tell me so I'll catch you" he suddenly said over the line. Holly molly! Wait, did he just heard me talking to myself? Aaaah! Holly Shenanigans! "Lupa! eat me!" I said after I immediately ended the call. That was another line I learned from Jia. No! That was so embarrassing! But wait, did he... just really said that? Is he possessed by some romantic spirit? What's with him tonight?! I didn't even know that he understands tagalog. I literally screamed in silence as for a whole minute because of another embarrassing moment I had made. This will make things more awkward between us! My face feels hot, when I looked into the mirror, I was blushing. Like a damn boiling tomato soup! I turned my phone off out of embarrassment and took a shower. I went to bed early, without eating dinner because of what happened. I didn't waited for mom because I know she's busy, she always is.