When The Ocean Waves Called Out To Me

What Lies Within Heart

Around 7 o'clock, while I was still half-asleep, lying on the couch, the doorbell rang. My "on'' button had been pushed, and new electricity started circulating in parts it didn't before.

I want to stand but for the moment my legs have given way to gravity, shaky, weak.

"How long have I been asleep?"

I blink, blurriness fading, surroundings more crisp. The warmth of the air is more apparent, stealing the chill given to me by the coldness that has swept over the floor.

"I'm home, Yuki." Mom came into the living room from the hallway.

"Welcome back, mom." I warmly greeted her as she came inside, totally exhausted. "How was your day at work?"

Mom works as a project manager at an architectural firm. But because of work overloads she has to do extra shifts sometimes, not ideal work for a woman who also has to do household chores. I could easily tell she didn't have that good of a day at work today, but every time I ask her that question, she will always give the same answer.

"I had a good day. But before that tell me, why was the front door unlocked?"

"Wait, didn't I lock it after coming home? I don't remember."

"No, it was open when I just came in." Mom played her fingers through my hair, "What if something happened to you. You should've been more careful, honey."

"I'm sorry." I sulked, "I'll be more careful next time."

"And, what were you doing while I was not here?" Mom asked, as she sat down beside me, "Did something happen? You aren't looking that good, you know."

"N-Nothing really." I stuttered, fumbling between my words while forcing a smile on my face. "I had just woken up, so I am just feeling a bit drowsy."

"Are you sure? You look worse than just drowsy."

"Yeah, it's nothing. Trust me." I got off from the couch and pushed her off to her room, "Freshen up and get a change of clothes. You look even more tired than me..."

"I guess it's just my imagination then."

I wonder if that even works on her, I mean, she is my mom. At least she would be able to see through me, or read between my lines or something. But for now I don't want her to start a conversation on a topic which I am trying so hard to avoid.

I turned the TV on. Nothing new to watch, all that is premiering is an old anime I've watched before. "Man, the TV has started taking after me, so boring." There is nothing better to watch, so I stayed with the show. By the time the end credits rolled, mom was back to the living room.

She jumped on top of the couch, as if she was swimming with the rainbow fishes of the deep, feeling the rhythm of a new body with fins. Her head lolled towards me, her eyes serving right into my eyes.

"So, how was your day at school?"

I smirked, "Nothing special. Just like everyday."

"Really? I thought you had something special to say today." She huffed.

My eyes dropped to the floor, "Like I said, nothing happened. Just nothing."

"Well, that's a letdown. Whatever, what do you want for dinner, honey?"

"Nothing really. Make something as you wish."

"OK then, I will take a bath first quickly, then I'll get the dinner ready."