United

الفصل 29

"And then I got some candied strawberries at the airport, and flew back."

"Sounds like an interesting trip"

"It was. I really got to explore Japan. Also, go grab a plate. Your Japanese stir-fry noodles are ready."

I hop off the counter excitedly, and grab a plate for the both of us. She plops enough noodles for the both of us, and adds the side dishes for us.

"Thank you so much, Sine. It looks delicious" She smiles at me, and we sit down in the kitchen aisle to eat. We eat while discussing my 'honeymoon' of some sorts, and Al almost chocked on her food. The conversation got heated, even after finishing our food.

"I'm gonna kill him"

"No you won't."

"And why is that? he's basically abusing you all over again, just with words this time! don't tell me you are truly blind to what he's doing! I know you believe in seeing the best in people and second chances, but you also need to realize that he's hurting you!"

"Alphonsine-"

"No! I won't stand you get hurt, not again. I don't want to see you lose yourself all over again. I refuse to see it". 

"Wait-"

"Lunae. He's hurting you. And it's taking a toll on you. It's visible. Please get yourself out of that situation. If not for yourself, do it for me. You were so close to ending it with your father, I don't want our trio to become a duo" She fiddles with the ruby necklace on her neck, the primary sign of our friendship. "Call me or come to me if you want help, but only if you admit to yourself that this relationship isn't healthy. It wasn't healthy from the beginning, and it sure ain't healthy now."

"A relationship is supposed to be based on trust, and yours is based on a contract. I hope you realize your situation before it's too late" She grabs her trench coat and her bag, looks at me one last time, and walks out.

I'm left in the kitchen with my thoughts, and some dishes. I sigh, and start cleaning up the space. When I'm done, I fill up my usual cup with some lukewarm water, and head to my bedroom to cry for the night.

I walk in, and sigh, when I remember what I had started to achieve earlier. I haul myself to the laundry room, remembering the way I took this morning expertly, and come face to face with my laundry hamper. I load out my bedsheets and white clothing, and put them in the dryer, while I do the colorful load. 

After 30 minutes my sheets and clothes are dry, so I load them in my hamper, and transfer my other clothes in the dryer. I go back to my room, and start assembling my bed, laying down the sheets and comforter. When I'm done, I head back to the laundry room, and do the last round to my bedroom. 

I sort out all my clothes in the closet, and finally plop on the bed. I look to my window, and admire the moon. The literal meaning by association of my middle name. One of the things my mother loved dearly. It's about 8pm right now, and I pick out the book I was reading last night. I really need to make a trip to the library, to get some new ones. This time, it's an enemies-to-lovers book. My favorite type.

After a few pages, I grow restless. The peace that my book usually give me is nowhere to be found. I groan and put it to the side, careful not to manage it. I hop off the bed, and pull my phone out of charge. I go to my contacts, and ponder over writing a message. I shrug off my indecisiveness, and start writing.

Hello, Linda, it's me, Lunae. I wanted to ask for a favor. Would it be possible to go through my mother's things and mine and put them in a box? Thank you!

I press send, and sigh. I would love to have my mother's things close to me, but they are still at my father's house. As I'm about to put my phone to charge, a message distracts me. I guess Linda was on her phone.

Of course darling! I'll get started on it right away! when are you thinking of picking it up?

I arrange to pick it up tomorrow at noon, and ask her to put all things relevant of mine in the box as well. When I'm done planning with Linda, I go on my social media, and the first thing I see, is my best friend, Kiandre, with another guy. I like her picture, but the thing that shocks me the most is Al's picture, posing with a man. What?

I guess we're all boo'd up, well, the girls on their own means, and me by a contract. I retire to bed thinking about the instances where I've been treated wrongly. The instances where my humanity was stripped away from me, my childhood.

Ever since my father started inflicting bodily harm upon me, I always thought that it was normal. that he was supposed to hurt me. No matter what, he had the right to do it. But that doesn't mean he should have.

I guess for him, that was his outlet of grief after losing my mother. I never really had the chance to grieve my mother properly. My life was way too hectic, with my father being more in power, the shock of losing her, my education and the beatings. 

I take a deep breath to calm my racing heart, and slowly, my eyes close.

This chapter was a little heavy, and I apologize, but please tell me if you want to see more of Lunae's life back with her father. I'd be more than happy to write it.

Also, tell me why, after my summer hiatus, I'd be looking at 1k readers? UM, EXCUSE ME BRB WHILE I GO CRY OF JOY IN A CORNER BECAUSE-

I never imagined that I'd have so many readers, or that this story would be any good. I remember writing my first story, TSOL, and it reaching about 500 reads after two years. Also considering, it's absolute crap and horrible. But now, my brand-new story reaching this many viewers in, what, almost 4–6 months? 

I'll cut the rant shot, but thank you so much, sincerely. Thank you for your continuous support, even when I don't update when I'm supposed to. And thank you to those who offer me their continuous support.

Dioné Valentine, Out!