Dark and light: The Shadows

Chapter 36

Deven looked around the house again as I came around the corner, and I got off the phone with the event coordinator. She marveled at the chandelier, then the TV mounted on the wall. I don't know why it was mounted that high, but hopefully, I could get that fixed soon.

She moved to the massage chair, gaped her mouth, and sat with the remote. The gentle massage mode must've been set. From where I stood, leaning on the wall watching her acting like an awestruck child, she seemed relaxed as she fully reclined back.

Her eyes were closed. She's definitely had a full semester. This one has been so busy that I couldn't allow my family to have the gathering. I was travelling with Sabrina, refusing to be alone, even if it meant staying in a room near a charging port to resume classes or take naps.

"Oh shit!" She jumped up once she noticed me.

"I come in peace," I held up my hands, "I just wanted to let you know that breakfast is coming. I ordered your fave and had your favourite dessert brought last night. You really shouldn't have the dessert first, though."

She squinted her eyes at me, but I held my ground.

"Fine. I'll get our tea going then." She got up, and I held a tight-lipped smile.

I'll be fine with the apple juice I got. The snacks are for her. I'll have half the breakfast I ordered first, the other half for lunch, and the tea will keep me satiated for the rest of the day. I affirmed as I walked into the kitchen.

My phone pinged, and I opened it, anticipating the surprisingly fast delivery, but it was a message from Ms Wallace. Chentelle. Nami was in the picture frame of the video. I smiled a tad with mild anxiety before I opened it. I sighed before watching the short video.
There she was. Smiling, making chatty sounds. Sitting up on her own. Being precious. Her laughs did give me a bit of a happy inside. I was calm before, don't get me wrong, but something about your chi- a baby- being content does something to you.

a chat bubble popped up.

"She's receiving sign language well already. And by the way, I'm sorry we had to postpone the last visit... we were looking forward to it. Just let me know when you'll be ready again."

I smiled and looked up at Deven, who glanced at me with a caring, worry-free smile, then back at her phone. I typed a short and sweet message to Ms Wallace. A moment after it was sent, I got the notification for the food.

"If that's the food, I can get it." Deven was already moving past me.

I nodded and slowly walked to the front door, my senses set on the now lukewarm kettle, making sure I was within sight of her walking along the driveway to the pickup box.

I felt for my rubberband but forced myself not to flick it against my skin at the last second.

I've got this. It's fine. My reactions are valid.

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I don't know how long I was in the home gym, but I knew I was getting dizzy. I took my earphones out and heard music faintly, then singing.

Slowly I was following the song. I've only encountered the sight a handful of times in the last few months when I was still doing in-person classes. A momentary panic about not getting my report card yet made me trip on one of the steps. But I caught on the rail, already feeling the pain of a stubbed toe. If it hurts tomorrow, I'll call my personal doctor and tell her about that and the pelvic pain that's been fluctuating. I should take Storm and Dani's advice and just settle for yoga. I'm at a weight I like again. I don't want to feel in pain while sitting. I'll just listen to my body and keep at my diet.