Bus 732

Chapter 2: What Am I Doing Here?

It's been 15 minutes since Sasha and En left the airport. The streets were jammed with traffic as the skies made another downpour.

En has not said a single word since she got in the truck.

"Are you hungry or just tired from the trip?"

Sasha asked to kill the silence inside the vehicle.

"Just tired."

En's short response.

"Well then, you can take a nap first. The farm is just 30 minutes from the airport but since we're stuck in this traffic, it may take us at least an hour to get there."

Sasha turned the radio on and a slow local sad song started playing.

En doesn't understand the lyrics of the song but it's melody seemingly fits the way she was feeling at the moment. As her head rested on the seat, she closed her eyes and started listening to the song and the sound of the rain.

The clucking sound of chickens woke up En in her short yet deep sleep. She opened her eyes and found Sasha smiling at her.

"We're here! Come and I'll introduce you to everyone."

En started gently rubbing her eyes to wake her senses up before getting out of the truck. As she opened the door, the wind welcomed her as the cold breeze hits her skin.

The water splashed as her shoes stepped into the wet grassy field. She stood up there for a while as her eyes explored the terrain. For a moment, she felt calm heeding the chickens cluck and the sound the leaves every tree made as the wind gusts back and forth.

En recalled the feeling back on her Nana's farm - serene, peaceful and solace. But her recollection was interrupted when she felt someone clutched her arm.

"Let's go inside. It seems like it's about to rain again anytime."

Sasha smiled as she showed her the way to the farm house.

Not far from where they pulled over, En saw the rustic yet quaint homestead enclosed in a wooden fence. The facade is surrounded by different kinds of flowers and a large oak tree with a rope swing stands on the right side of the house. Smoke is coming out of the chimney and as they nearly approach the main door, she can hear 2 people mumbling inside.

As Sasha opens the door, En finds herself looking at 2 more strangers busily preparing food on the table.

"Hello! You must be Enid. My name is Rosa, Sasha's mother and the caretaker of this farmhouse too."

The woman in her 50's greeted her with a lovely smile.

"And this is Bian. A childhood friend of mine who lives close by here."

Sasha spoke, introducing En to the other lady her mom is with.

"I hope you're hungry. We prepared some lovely local dishes for dinner."

Bian also greeted the newcomer.

"Thank you!"

En's short response while still familiarizing the whole new world she is in.

"Let me show you to your room first so you can settle in."

Sasha extended her hand showing her the way. En smiled at the 2 other women before slowly walking behind Sasha.

"We'll call you once dinner is ready. Posy is still asleep right now. She's very excited to meet you."

Rosa spoke as the newcomer slowly walked her way to her room.

En stopped for a moment and realized the reason why she was there. It was because of Posy. Her half-sister who was left as an orphan a month ago after their mom died from a heart disease.

The 8 year old kid was left all alone after their mom battled from a disease she discovered a year ago. En has never seen her mom growing up. Her parents separated a few months after she was born. Her mom left her dad and went back to her country. They never heard anything from her mom until 2 months ago when her Nana received a letter.

En's mother shared in the letter how her life is nearly coming to an end. Her letter didn't explain much about her disease but it was more of introducing Posy to them. The letter was made in the intent to ask them a favor to look after Posy once she passes away.

En remembered being devastated after knowing that the woman who never showed herself to her even just once, had the audacity to ask for mercy and look after her kid. She immediately refused her mother's request upon knowing but her Nana talked her out of it. En has the highest respect and love for her Nana as she is the person who's been with her growing up. She doesn't have the strength to disappoint nor disobey her Nana no matter what happens.

As En slowly came back to her senses, she continued walking behind Sasha without leaving a response to Rosa's statement.

The room was simple and rustic. The bed is close to the window where she can see the field, mountains and the sky as the twilight approaches.

En panickly opened her back pack to look for something which confused Sasha for a moment. She took the pack of cigarette and a lighter out of the bag and hurriedly opened the window. She took a stick out from the pack, placed it between her lips and lit the cigarette. A deep, loud sigh was made by En after blowing the first sip of smoke.

"Looks like you're a bit stressed eh?"

Sasha uttered as she walks near En.

"Yes, I am."

En's responses were short ever since arriving at the place.

"Well we don't bite, so don't be scared"

Sasha kiddingly said to lighten the mood. But En just gave her a perplexed reaction.

"I understand. You are in a totally new environment. Far from the place you grew up. It could take a while to get used to and adapt to unfamiliar things. But I'm here to help. Soon enough you'll get comfortable with everyone, I promise."

Sasha's joking words shifted into a serious tone as she stared sincerely to the eyes of the newcomer, who despite seemingly calmer than earlier, still feels uneasy being in a strange new environment.

"May I?"

Sasha asked if En could share a cigarette with her.

En knocked over another stick out of her cigarette pack offering one to Sasha. Sasha smiled, but instead of pulling out the cigarette from the box, she took the stick that's locked in between En's lips, placed it on hers and started smoking it.

"Well, I'll let you rest for now. You had a long day. I'll call you when dinner is ready."

Sasha smiled and walked out of the room after saying those words.

En felt relieved after being left alone in the room. She had to light another stick to keep her emotions calm. The sky is approaching twilight and as she stares at the abyss, she can't help but only think.

"What am I doing here?"