Echoes of Red [BINI AU]

Chapter 11

Third Person's Point Of View

The weekend arrived with a weight of solemnity that hung heavy in the air, casting a shadow over Sheena's usually vibrant demeanor. Unable to shake the grief that weighed on her heart, she found herself confined to the solitude of her home, grappling with the harsh reality of her mother's absence.

Meanwhile, Jhoanna, growing increasingly worried by Sheena's lack of response to her calls, decided to pay her friend a visit. Concern etched into every line of her face, she made her way to Sheena's doorstep, determined to check on her friend and offer whatever comfort she could.

At the same time, Gwen, with a single flower clutched tightly in her hand, also found herself drawn to Sheena's home. Despite their strained relationship, she couldn't shake the nagging worry that gnawed at her conscience, urging her to extend an olive branch to the friend she had inadvertently pushed away.

As fate would have it, Jhoanna and Gwen arrived at Sheena's doorstep simultaneously, their eyes meeting in a silent exchange of disbelief and curiosity. Each silently questioned the other's presence, their unspoken thoughts hanging heavy in the air.

Before the tension could escalate further, Mikha intervened, her voice cutting through the awkward silence. "What are you two doing here?" she asked, her tone tinged with curiosity.

Jhoanna and Gwen exchanged a knowing glance before replying in unison, "Sheena ghosted me."

Mikha's eyebrows shot up in surprise, her gaze flickering between the two women. "Looks like I'm not the only one Sheena ghosted," she remarked dryly, earning a pointed look from both Jhoanna and Gwen.

Before the conversation could delve any deeper, the door to Sheena's home swung open, revealing the object of their discussion. Sheena, clad in jogging attire, paused mid-stride as she registered the unexpected sight before her, her expression shifting from confusion to disbelief in an instant.

"What are you all doing here?" she asked, her voice a mixture of surprise and bemusement.

Jhoanna stepped forward, her concern evident in every line of her face. "We've been trying to reach you, Sheena. You weren't answering your calls, and we were worried about you."

Gwen nodded in agreement, her expression softening with genuine concern. "We just wanted to make sure you're okay," she added, holding out the flower as a peace offering.

Sheena's eyes flickered between her two friends, a mix of emotions playing across her features. Guilt mingled with gratitude as she realized the extent of their concern for her well-being.

"I'm sorry," she murmured, her voice tinged with regret. "I've just been... dealing with some stuff."

Suddenly, Sheena invited the three to jog with her to loosen the tension up.

The three friends exchanged hesitant glances, a silent conversation passing between them. Mikha's gaze lingered on Gwen, a flicker of annoyance flashing in her eyes as she noted the other girl's nonchalant demeanor.

Jhoanna mirrored Mikha's sentiment, her lips pressed into a thin line as she eyed Gwen warily. It was clear that neither of them relished the idea of spending time with someone they didn't particularly trust.

Gwen, however, seemed unfazed by their silent disapproval, her expression remaining impassive as she awaited their response.

After a moment of tense silence, the three friends exchanged a reluctant nod in unison, their shared concern for Sheena outweighing any personal reservations they might have had.

"Sure, we'll join you," Mikha said, forcing a smile as she pushed aside her misgivings for the sake of their friend.

Jhoanna echoed her sentiment with a nod, though the apprehension still lingered in her eyes. "Yeah, it'll be good to get some fresh air," she added, her tone carefully neutral.

Gwen simply shrugged, a faint smile playing at the corners of her lips.

As they made their way out the door, Mikha couldn't shake the feeling of unease that gnawed at her insides. Something about Gwen's presence rubbed her the wrong way, and she couldn't help but wonder what ulterior motives might lie beneath her seemingly calm exterior.

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As Mikha stepped up to the counter to place their order, Gwen and Jhoanna found themselves seated at a nearby table, their conversation flowing easily despite the lingering tension in the air. Sheena, engrossed in a book she had found on one of the cafe's shelves, was oblivious to the subtle dynamics playing out around her.

"So, you and Sheena seem pretty close," Gwen remarked, her tone casual as she sipped her coffee.

Jhoanna's eyebrows lifted in surprise at the unexpected question, a faint blush coloring her cheeks. "Uh, yeah, she's like a sister to me," she admitted, her voice soft with genuine affection. "Especially since my family is in another city. She's pretty much all I've got here."

Gwen nodded in understanding, a flicker of relief passing across her features. "I get it," she said, her gaze drifting to the television screen mounted on the wall. "Sometimes, you just need someone to lean on, you know?"

Jhoanna's eyes followed Gwen's gaze, her attention drawn to the news broadcast that flickered to life on the screen. As the anchor reassured viewers that the recent viral videos circulating on the internet were nothing more than a hoax, Gwen's skepticism was palpable.

"I don't buy it," Gwen muttered under her breath, her expression darkening with unease. "Whenever I have a bad feeling, it's never wrong."

Jhoanna glanced at Gwen, her curiosity piqued by the other girl's ominous words. Before she could voice her thoughts, however, Sheena's sudden outburst startled her, causing her to jump in her seat.

The book slammed shut with a loud thud, drawing all eyes to Sheena's trembling form. Her eyes were wide, her breath coming in short, ragged gasps.

"What's wrong?" Jhoanna asked, concern etched in every line of her face as she reached out to comfort her friend.

But Sheena shook her head. With a wide grin, she closed the book she had been perusing, excitement evident in her eyes.

"Guys, have you read Rupi Kaur's 'Milk and Honey'?" she exclaimed, her voice bubbling with enthusiasm. "It's amazing! I can't believe I found it here."

Mikha chuckled, relieved to see Sheena's spirits lifted. "Looks like someone's found a new favorite book," she remarked, sharing in Sheena's excitement.

Hays, yun lang pala.

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