HOME [TAMBER]

CHAPTER 16

Amber laid on her back facing the sun through her sunglasses. The air was fresh, not too cold but not too warm either. She breathed steadily as the sleepiness kicked in. Tara was by her side,
reading "The Rosie Project". She wasn't sure what genre the novel was but knowing Tara, it most probably romance or comedy.

"I've had enough horror, mystery and tragedy for a lifetime from my clients. I don't want to read or watch depressing, sad story. l like happy things - romance kind of book or movie, no that I can feel it too." Amber tugged a smile at the thought of Tara's quote.

Amber's world turned upside down within span of days. Tara acted like nothing was wrong and Amber  couldn't be more grateful for that. She wasn't ready to spill the been to Tara just yet. She still had a lot in her mind and she needed to fix herself before she told her everything.

The idea of sharing her past with Tara was
very intriguing. She wanted to see her point of
perspective. And maybe she'd be able to move on at last. Tara was one of the kindest people she had ever met. She didn't judge people based on the surface she see. She gave people chances even when they least deserved it

"Me, for example." Amber said to herself.

Now the questions were; was she ready for a new chapter in her life with this gentle human being? Was she good enough for her? Was she strong enough to let her past go? Would she be able to make her happy? Would she allow herself to be free and love again? She didn't know.

But Tara, in some way somehow showed her
the way. There was a vague light at the end of the tunnel. It was promising enough.

Tara asked Amber to try with her. All she had to do was say yes.

"Sleepy?" The voice ringed softly in her ear.
She nodded a little but opened her heavy eyes
nevertheless. She removed the sunglasses as she
squinted her eyes by the bright sun light.

"Are you done reading?" She asked.

"Uh-huh," Tara shook her head. "Half way to go,
see?" Tara brought the book closer to Amber. "You should sleep if you want. The weather is nice."

"Yeah, the weather is too nice to pass on." She
replied as she adjusted her position into half sitting and supporting her body with her arm. "How come I didn't know you wear glasses?" Amber finally noticed a pair of frame on her face.

"I only wear it when I read, sometimes." Tara
answered without taking her eyes off the book.

"You look good with it," Amber said before she
can stop herself. "I mean, you don't look weird
or anything." She quickly added as she wore her
sunglasses again trying to act cool. Completely
missing a shade of pink that spread on Tara's
cheek while she at it.

"It feels heavy on my nose"

Amber didn't respond to that. She was busy calming her heartbeats.

It was Amber's first time enjoying serenity at the park comfortably with someone. As the time passed by, her wall became thinner and thinner. Tara broke her barrier effortless. Sometimes, she was angry at the thoughts, but who was to blame? Tara? She didn't even do anything wrong. All she did was nothing but sincerely taking care of her and she was fond by it too much. That was the cause of her building collapsed. "All you have to do is try with me." The remark rewind in her brain over and over again.

"You don't have to skip work for me, you know,"
Amber spoke after a moment of silence.

"I'm an exemplary employee, Amber. I rarely take days off. Two days of telling a white lie is not a major crime." Tara replied.

"White lie?"

"Told them I got stomach ache," she shrugged.
"Besides, being here with you is not that bad,"
she smiled. "It's relaxing, actually."