Books Of My Days

Chapter 2- A Meeting with the Sun

Chapter 2

I wake up from the nightmare in my room. I am in cold sweat. My heart is racing. I feel so numb. But it wasn't real. I don't have to think about it. Right now, something else is important. It's 6:20 am. I have to hurry.

I shower and get dressed in jeans and a black v-neck tee. I hurriedly clip my hair into an upside down ponytail.

Dad isn't there when I look for him in his room. He might have gone out. I quickly write a note saying that I'm leaving and will be staying at my place, since Melina is coming. I don't think he will even read it.

He doesn't care about me.

Here I was thinking, that he's going to change. Seeing me, after a long time would have an affect on him. After all, I am his daughter!

Can't he be courteous just for once?

I take my stuff, bag and walk outside into the fragrant summer morning.

The watch on my wrist shows seven.

I'm late. Indeed, very late.

The flight is due to land at 7:30. I have to reach the airport as fast as possible.

Luckily, I got a cab without much trouble. The driver speeds the car, the southern direction.

After few minutes, I impatiently wait for the car to come to a stop as I see the airport.

I rush through the crowd at the entrance. I look around the lobby, my eyes finally set on a figure. Brown hair. Chocolate eyes. Definitely, Melina. She was gazing at my direction. I head towards her while a train of trolleys pass before me. I finally reach to where she is.

She looks so beautiful in a red top and jacket. Her lips spread into a smile. "Ash!" She jumps with excitement. I smile back at her and suddenly get pulled into a tight hug.

"I'm sorry for coming late, Mel," I apologized, pulling away.

"Nah, that's okay. You're not so late. I came here just a minute ago. Now tell me, how have you been!?"

"I'm good. But I missed you so much." I say.

"I missed you too. But it has been only two days."

That's right, I came here just two days back, but I've been missing her a lot. We both stay in Florida now. Melina was held back with some work, whilst I came here. She hugs me again.

"Let's go. We can talk on the way," I said and we walk out of the airport lobby.

Our two bedroom flat is decent and organized. Melina and I love everything about it. We've spent most of the summer days here. We often come here for a vacation. This is our hometown. I'm strongly attached to this place. It's because of the transfer, we stay in Florida. But that's an alternate reason. The real reason is that I want to stay away from those bad memories. I recall my life as a child. Innocence. Children have the best life. Not much problems. Not a thing to worry. But adult life is so stressing.

We enter the house. It looks pretty well. All things are in its place. Nothing was odd. Everything is just the same as we saw it last summer.

I start to unpack while Melina is seated on the couch.

"Ashlyn, how's Mr. Carter doing?"

I didn't want to talk about it. Anything but that.

"Uhh.. Mel, he.." I stuttered.

She sits beside me and squeezes my hand, in an attempt to comfort me.

"Sorry, I know you didn't want me talking about it. But I'm just curious."

"It's fine." I manage to give a smile. Weak smile.

"He's the same. He doesn't want to see me. Hatred and bitterness is what all is left in him," I added.

"Ash.."

My phone's ringtone fills the air.

"Hi," I say to the receiver.

Aunt Sandra.

"Hello Ashlyn. How are you?"

"I'm good. What about you all?"

I scan the room listening to the response seeing, Melina going into her room.

"We're all good too. So I'm guessing, Melina has reached there."

"Yes, She's here. We're at our house."

"Oh I see. So things were bad at Mr. Carter's place, weren't they?"

It's no surprise that she knows about it. Well, everybody knows about Dad.

I didn't answer her. She spoke again, "Darling, I'm sorry. We couldn't do anything for you. But remember that your aunt and uncle are always there with you."

"I know that you all are there for me. On my side," I managed to say.

"I know what you're going through Ashlyn, but it's obvious that you've spent your life focused on Juliane's death and dealing with your problems. Now you're about to cross the line into full blown obsession. I want my Ashlyn to live and not waste time on some belated quest, with no chance of success."

She's right. Totally correct. I'm not suppose to be in this condition. I don't deserve this. I've got to let everything go. I've also put others in pain. But the other thought is that she's my mother.

"Yes Sandra. I won't bother about it anymore. That's a promise." There's a hitch in my heartbeat.

"That's more like it. Love you sweetie."

"Love you too aunt. Bye."

And with that, I end the call.

"Cheer up, Ash! We're here to enjoy our time." Melina exclaimed, reading the expression on my face.

I smiled at her.

Mel reminded me of the people who are workaholic. She's really compelled to work. She delivers perfection. But there's also another side of her, the playful one.

The clock ticked 9 pm in the night. I was on the dining table, waiting for Mel to arrive with food. She took in-charge tonight and wouldn't even let me step inside the kitchen.

Five minutes later, I helped her put the meal on the table. Roast beef, onions and peas. And a mouth watering dessert. I really love anything that she cooks.

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I'm in a black dress which has red stains all over. I stand there with a blood stained knife. I could hear my heartbeat. Thud. Thud. A woman was bleeding to death. No one saw her, except me. I heard someone crying. It was me. My eyes filled with tears. The woman screamed out of pain. I heard her sufferings. I was still holding the knife, as I watch her. Soon, a crowd gathered near me. They looked at me suspiciously.

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Author's Note:

Hey! That was Chapter 2! how was it??

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