Almost Isolated

Chapter 23 - Mutual

"I was worried sick. You were not answering my texts or calls. Your cousins should have gone home an hour ago and it's almost six in the evening."

"Sorry -"

"It's past curfew, Neri."

"I'm sorry," Neri couldn't look her aunt in the eyes. "I didn't text back... or call. I... I... was busy doing... doing the laundry -"

They were in the living room. Dianna and Neri stood by the main door; the siblings were seated in the sofa.

"You said you just came from Lucena." The woman turned to Margot. "So, where were you two -?"

"I was in Lucena but I came home then did the laundry," Neri interrupted. "Those... Those two were with me all the time."

"The laundry, eh?" Dianna's eyes fell on her basket of dirty laundry by the kitchen door.

"Those... those... those were my second batch. I'd already hung the first batch in the garage. Like I said, I was busy -"

Lying was becoming a burden. And she wasn't getting better at it.

"So many laundry for someone who lives alone." Dianna asked the sisters, the second time. "And where were you two before you came here?"

"We were at the house across, Mom. And there was a ghost there. His name is Julian." It was Maddie who gave her the response, very casual as if the visit to an abandoned house with a ghost and not to mention, a crime scene was normal.

Margot can only roll her eyes as the innocent, little girl talked, revealing everything that happened.

"Here," Maddie said, taking Margot phone and showing some pictures to Aunt Dianna. "We had a selfie with him -"

"Groupie," Margot corrected. "Selfie is when you take a picture alone."

The elder sister took the phone before their mom could ever get a hold of it. "And quit taking someone's phone."

"So, they had selfies..." Dianna looked at Neri as if grasping the whole idea as being foolish, "... with a ghost?"

"Groupies," Maddie the quick learner put in. "His name is Julian. He was nice first, then he had tantrums. He crashed the entire house and made everything shake."

 Aunt Dianna's gaze didn't leave Neri who couldn't say anything except to look really sorry. Apparently, the woman was upset but couldn't bring herself to shout or nag at them.

"It's a good thing you three were already on the street," the siblings' mother finally said. "When the neighbors started going out to investigate about the noise, you three had seemed to be like bystanders."

"Aunt Dianna -"

"There are still people watching the house." Dianna nodded to her daughters. "You two, go ahead. I think with the ruckus going on, you two won't be noticed. I want a word with your cousin in private."

Neri had no idea what to say to her father's younger sister; but as soon as her cousins left, she told her everything, even about Robbie.

"So, Robbie is a spirit here?" Dianna frowned. "Impossible."

All those times, her aunt had been cool with her paranormal revelation. Neri suddenly remembered, Margot saying about the sixth sense running in their family.

"Do you see ghosts too, Aunt Dianna?"

"No. But my mother, your grandmother did."

"Margot and Maddie can see ghosts -"

"Only Maddie."

Neri gaped but Dianna shrugged it off like it wasn't something extraordinary.

Her aunt shoved the topic off for something more normal. "Neri... It isn't your fault that you and your cousins almost got into trouble. Those two shouldn't be out in the first place. It is illegal and I'm worried they might catch the virus. It's really a gamble for me to let you keep them or rather... let them keep you company.

You know Margot can be a handful because of her attitude. Maddie needed someone to talk to other than her dolls. And I have something going on with their father..."

Dianna trailed off, looking a bit sad than serious.

"What's wrong with Uncle Eric? Isn't he okay in Singapore?"

Neri thought, she saw her aunt sniffed but then her father's sister was already on her way out to the door. "It's getting late. I have to go. Margot and Maddie won't be seeing you for a while."

~oOo~

"Aunt Dianna told me, Margot couldn't see ghosts. Why can she see you or Julian?"

Neri was ready for bed when Robbie showed up later that night. His formal face startled her. Apparently, he had something serious in his mind.

'And I'm not infatuated with him. I love him.'

She remembered her exact words to Julian with her idea of losing Robbie, entirely, earlier that day.

It felt weird talking to the ghost in bed; Neri rose up, grabbed a robe to cover her thin night clothes and walked by the balcony door.

"Well?" Neri didn't know what to say at first. Fortunately, she recalled her conversation with her aunt about Margot, something to divert Robbie from speaking his intention. "Do you think she doesn't have a third eye like me?"

"I don't know about the Jones ghost. But Margot didn't know that I exist the first time. I only concentrated hard so that she can see me."

Robbie had appeared not to be the next-door, good friend she'd gone accustomed with that evening. How Neri hoped, he would sabotage himself by saying something outrageous to her then she'll have to drive him away.

But why would she do that? Why would she push someone she loves?

Robbie stood tall before her. Tough and steady in his greenish brown military uniform. His dark irises unwavering as her eyes met his.

"Neri, I realize now," he said. "... or remember... I could be weird, pathetic and sometimes terrible whenever I try to belong or please someone. But when I know, I am appreciated and accepted, I can be who I am."

Her face flushed. Robbie wasn't anything like Jade. If her father was still alive, he wouldn't approve for him.

For one real fact. Robbie is a ghost!

But Neri wouldn't care anymore. She'd no one to counsel with and even if there were still her parents to ask for an advice, she can only listen to her heart.

"You don't have to please anyone. You are more than okay. I'm sure there are many people who'd cared and loved you when you were still alive.

I bet Alejandra thought you were so cool, she fell in love with you. Unfortunately, you just couldn't love her because there was that someone."

"I really don't remember." Julian sighed. "I don't remember being John. Maybe I was him... maybe I wasn't."

He smiled into her eyes. "Right now, I am just glad that this special person whom I love loves me too."

"So, you'd heard?"

"And you wouldn't probably deny it, would you?"

"You'd saved me not once," Neri said returning his smile. "Pushed me then pulled me. You were able to touch my arm."

Robbie's brow creased then laughed with her next question. "I wonder if  you can just hold my hand?"