Living the In Between

Chapter 2

October 3

5:30 AM

I wake up earlier than usual. I was having a nightmare that I forced myself to wake up because I couldn't stand it. Guess I'd start the day early. I stand up from lying in my bed and walk straight towards the bathroom to clean myself up before I cook for breakfast. After cleansing my face and tying my hair in a messy bun, I walk outside my room and head towards the kitchen. What food would be nice to eat today? Ham and eggs? Bacon? Sandwich?

I scan the insides of my refrigerator to look for something to cook. I take out the tocino rolled ham and grab two eggs. I had rice left last night so I'll just make sinangag. I made coffee to pair with. It's better to start the day with coffee and its aroma. After cooking and preparing my breakfast, I wash my hands and place myself in the bar stool of my kitchen countertop. I don't usually eat at the dining table during breakfast, unless I have urgent breakfast meeting via Zoom or some morning video calls with my friends.

After eating, I clean the house and took my dog Bashful a bath because he stinks even though I bathed him two days ago. Since I started my day early, I finished my chores early too. And now, I'm left with nothing to do except thinking, which I'm basically avoiding unless it concerns my writing. I can't give Leila and Enzo a call because they're both in class.

Leila's in her third year in college, taking up Psychology. While Enzo's in his last year of Nursing degree. Me? I stopped. I just got to finish my first sem in first year of college and eventually stop due to personal reasons that Leila and Enzo doesn't even know. What they do know is that I stopped because my parents got divorced and I got uninspired to continue studying so I just pursue my writing career, which is basically true. But that's not the whole real reason why I stopped.

Instead of looking at the paintings in my apartment walls, I change my clothes into a pink fitted crop sweater that hugs the small curves of my body paired with some skinny jeans and white sneakers. I wore the first watch I bought with my own money and sprayed perfume. I grab my small bag which contains my wallet, phone, some medicine, power bank, and hygiene kit. I also take my journal with me in case something interesting happens today that might intrigue my curiosity to write what it is about.

As soon as I step out of my apartment, I got lost with directions. Unable to think of any place to go to. I can't consider going to the mall because I don't feel like it. I think of possible places I could go for peace. Cafe? But I got enough caffeine in my body for the week already. Park? I don't know any good parks nearby. A light inside my head goes on as an idea pops up. Right! I've always wanted to visit one ever since I saw one of my highschool classmate's instagram story. There might be something there that could inspire me to write. I search Google for good museums nearby. As soon as I find one, I hail a cab and give the address to the driver.

After 20 minutes, I arrived at my destination. I paid the fare and went inside the museum. What great timing because apparently, the museum's holding a 3-day art exhibit, and today's the last day. I'm just quietly walking around, appreciating the artworks displayed. Every piece I look at gives me the same feeling, authenticity. But I just couldn't grasp any idea that could inspire me to make my own kind of art in form of writing. I continue to roam around the place, admiring the white elegant roman style museum.

I stop in my tracks when my eyes caught someone familiar. My heart beats faster than usual, my breathing ragged, and my hands trembling. I immediately look away and turn my back, taking my chance to walk away. Thank God I made it out just fine. I hail a cab out of fear that they might see me here. I just want to leave the place and call someone. But I know I couldn't. I don't want to be a burden to Leila and Enzo. And if I do, they might know the reality I'm trying to escape for now.

6:30 PM

I woke up bathed in sweat. I had another nightmare. Different from the usual ones I had. I check my phone for the time and just realized I slept for too long. After what happened at the museum, I couldn't dare go outside anymore. I slept my fears away and didn't realize I never eaten anything since this morning. So I got out of bed with the same clothes I wore earlier from the museum. I just got some cup noodles from the cupboard and poured hot water in it. While waiting for 3 minutes for my noodles to soften, I grab my journal.

It's still the same as before except the name I wrote last night before going to bed. Maddison James. The name just popped up inside my head so I wrote it down in case I need it to refer my future character. I pick up my pen hiding between the pages of the journal and wrote some places I wanted to go to but can't. I remembered how my teacher in grade school told me that I'm capable of writing anything as long as I know who I'm writing for. And that is, I write for myself. To live in a world I wish I could.

1:45 AM

"I'm sorry about what happened to your grandfather."

"My deepest condolences to you and your family."

"Darling? Can I have a word with you?"

"Please honey?"

"Hello Mrs. Jansen! I'm Atty. Del Mundo, your parents lawyer. I'm here to talk about what your father put in his last will... I know this isn't the best time to talk about this but it is stated in your father's will that he wanted to discuss about this matter before his ceremony."

"Can't we wait for days before we discuss it?"

"As per your father's request and his lawyer, no ma'am. I'm sorry."

"So to whom did my father left his wealth?"

"To his loving granddaughter."

"Your daughter, Mrs.Jansen."

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