A Twist In Time

Chapter 6

I turned and saw Sean Keates smiling at me.

He held an umbrella to shelter me from the pouring rain. I wiped my tears and looked at the graves.

"What's wrong?" he asked, still holding the umbrella.

I looked straightly at my own grave. It ran this way:

Carmel Davidson

Born: July 26, 1992

Died: September 30, 2027

"Oh my god..." I whispered to myself. He shouldn't know the truth about me, that I'm already dead. He should know the 18-year-old Carmel who is one of her housemaids.

"Let's go." I said and dragged him out of that place.

The rain stopped when we reached on the waiting shed somewhere near the cemetery. We sat some half a meter apart from each other.

"Why are you here, at this point of hour? Don't you know that it's already late?" Sean asked.

I did not answer him. My mind is still focused on the thing that made me feel lonely. I was trying to fight back my tears.

"Hey?" he said. I didn't listen to him.

He glanced at his watch. "It's already eleven. You still have to work tomorrow." he uttered.

I wasn't listening to him again.

He stood from his seat and walked a few paces away from me.

"Hey, don't leave me." I said plainly.

He went back to his seat. "Talk to me.I'm like a foolish person here, talking to you but you don't even listen to me."

I sighed. "I just found out that my parents are dead. Isn't it frustrating? Your only hope, your only solution, is all gone." I said dramatically.

"I know how it feels what you feel. Remember when you broke the jar?"

I nodded.

"That thing was so special to me. It was a gift from my dad on my sixteenth birthday. The day after it, dad left the house. It was my mom who told me that they broke up."

I faced him when he stated the last sentence.

I understand now.

The coldness in his eyes speak of loneliness and longing-longing for his father to come back. I saw his smile for the first time when he held the umbrella for me just a while ago. Pity and sympathy rushed over my heart when I heard his story.

"And now, after four years, you broke it. I'm sorry for yelling at you. That jar had a very big sentimental value to me." he apologized.

"That's alright." I smiled.

We were silent for about half an hour. I have nothing to say to him.

I don't know why, but my heart seemed so happy today. He saved me from the rain, and eased the burden that I once carried. I thought he would be forever cold to me. I thought I wouldn't hear his voice, but here he is, talking and smiling at me.

"How did you find me?" I asked after a long, boring silence.

"Look at your sandals. There's a tracker in it." he answered.

I smiled.

"You're very foolish." he said.

God, he's right. I'm very foolish.

The sunlight hit my face the next morning. I turned to the other side just to avoid it. I know Sean is probably there, my human alarm clock.

"Could you please get up and do your work? You lazy bitch."

My eyes widened. A sharp, commanding voice of a woman is clearly speaking to me right now. Without any hesitation, I got up from bed and turned to face her. "Yes, ma'am." I said, with my head bowed in submission and shame.

Without uttering another word, she closed the window.

I ran to the bathroom and prepared for work.

At exactly seven-thirty, the family gathered to eat breakfast. I was walking down the alley with Jean by my side. I was holding the breakfast tray with trembling hands. I hope it won't get spilled at any minute.

"Hey, are you sure with this? I'm afraid to fail." I said in a worried tone.

"Go on girl! You can do it!" Jean cheered.

I half-smiled at her and went to the dining table.

My knees and hands were shaking as I went to Sean. This is my first time to serve them breakfast. I looked at the food instead of their eyes. I put the pancakes and the cup of coffees in front of them. I stayed on the corner and watched them eat with an eager expression on my face. Angela smiled at me, she seemed satisfied. Sean gave me a thumbs-up and smiled at me.

I nervously looked at Sandra. After she took a sip of her coffee, she gave me a very plastic smile.

I suddenly thought to myself. What would she do to me?

She stood and poured the coffee on my bosom.

I shouted in pain.

"My coffee? Zero sugar. Idiot." she said and dropped the cup in front of me.

Therefore, I conclude. She hates me.

Sean came near me. "What's the matter with you?!" he yelled at her sister.

"I just don't like her. Goodbye,people." She walked away from us. Sean turned to me. "Are you alright?" he asked.

I nodded.

"Let's go to your room."

I can't believe him. Sean is helping me out even though it's my bosom that got hurt. I was sitting on the bedside, while he held a small machine that ran radiation to the painful part of my body. It really did eased the pain and dried my uniform.

"Thanks..." I said sincerely.

"That's alright. In behalf of my rude and mean sister, I'm sorry."

"It's okay. I can stand people like her."

"Really?"

"Yeah."

As soon as he was finished, he kept the small machine inside his pocket. He flashed a brief smile at me. "Always take care of yourself. Don't let my sister ruin your day."

"Sure." I smiled at him.

A few moments after he went out of my room, I felt electricity tickle on my nerves.