Mine

One

⠀
Wendy⠀
⠀
⠀

Just what I've been waiting for: the day I was finally visiting my hometown to see my family and friends. I thought, it's just about time, since it bad been incredibly exhausting trying to blend in with the people of the big city. I had always preferred my cosy and slow-paced town that was Kingstown when compared to the superficial life in the city. Especially that it was the summer again. I wondered how much progress that small town had had over the years I was absent trying to make a name for myself in the acting biz and paving my way to my big break.

I was out all day the day before, preparing for my visit. I bought my little brothers chocolates, toys and more, and my mother some relaxation products because she definitely needed them.

There was something terrible happening in the town but I had no idea what it could have been. In fact, while I was online the other day, my high school friend, Zander warned me on what I was about to come home to––though he spared me the details. I didn't think it was of any importance. But then on the phone just a moment ago, my youngest brother was going on about it when my mother stopped him, saying that it wasn't right to distress me. Maybe not just yet. Perhaps, when the time was right. Although I found myself hoping they weren't involved in any way. Anyway, I knew they weren't, they couldn't have been, otherwise they'd have told me immediately, right?

Having packed everything I needed into my car, I headed off to my hometown. Along the way, I remembered my friends from high school. I'd be lying if I said I wasn't a popular girl. At least at some point, I was. Some popular guy found me pretty then the everyone gradually agreed so, too. This was the main reason why I might have a lot of other "friends" to reunite with. I grew up being used to having a lot of eyes on me––and even more so, greater expectations from me.

I credited all this garnered attention to my being mixed race. It all started when other girls began expressing their envy for my skin, even going as far as claiming that it was gold. Besides, I wouldn't have been discovered on my way to my job interview if it wasn't for my good looks. In other words, I wouldn't be an actress and I wouldn't have known my agent, who was  undoubtedly one of my favourite people in the world.

Anyway, my brothers back at home were handsome fellas themselves, the Filipino genes really did well for them like they did for me, maybe even better.

Looking at my surroundings as I arrived at Kingstown, it seemed as though it had been a rainy day in this ol' town. The streets were damp and some street corners were flooded. I thought maybe the fat old neighbour just did her laundry again. Back when I used to live here, she was prone to using excessive water for her washing and a then decidedly dumping it all in the front.

The travel was pretty smooth––at least after I got past the busy city traffic. Jamming to the hits from my playlist must've taken my mind off of the time.

I still remembered, vividly, the way to my mother's home. I did live there most of my life so far. As I made my turns, I noticed the same old shops and places, and even some new establishments. Some of these brands I only ever saw in the city, yet judging by my sightseeing, they'd already found their way to my home town somehow. Perhaps this was part of the progress I was hoping for. 

However, there were also missing posters of a girl on poles and trees. Which must have been the distressing news––according to my mother––that I was not ready to hear so soon. I saw the same poster on a few more poles on my way. I didn't even know who she could have been.

I arrived at my home and parked at the front of the house because only my mother's car alone fit in the driveway. I haven't even turned off the engine yet when I heard my brothers already cheering and running joyfully towards my car. My mother walked behind them with her arms crossed and a sentimental smile etched on her ageing face. Her short bob dark hair bounced with every step.