Who to trust

Chapter 12 Independence

A/N:

This chapter's going be a little bit fast paced. I hope it doesn't ruin the story!!

***

I've started reporting back in the office now, and it's going smoothly. It's been a month and as agreed, Alessia has been fetching me to work. It took a lot of convincing from my dad, but it worked out.

It's Friday today and it's almost my out, so I prepare my things to leave.

"Hey, Mia!" I heard a colleague call out, "Want to join us hang out? It's just near the office." They invited.

"Maybe next time." I declined politely.

"There better be a next time. We need to loosen up you know!" My colleague, Jasmin, exclaimed smiling at me.

"I'll make sure to remember that."

When I got to the lobby I could already see Alessia's car.

When we reached home I thanked her for the ride, "Sorry for being a bother. I swear this is going to stop soon." I said.

"It's alright! It's no big deal anyway."

When I entered the house dad was sitting on the couch in the living room watching the news.

"Hey, dad." I greeted. I plopped next to him.

"Hey. How's work?" He asked without taking his eyes off the TV.

"Fine." I looked at him hesitating if I should tell him something that I've been meaning to ask. "Dad?"

"Yeah?"

"I've been thinking. I'm already fine now. I've been going to work as I used to, and I can also do things on my own. I've been thinking that I should get my own apartment?" I can't believe I'm actually nervous about this when I'm already 28 years old.

He looked at me with those authoritative eyes, "You should or you want to?"

I suddenly felt weird. Like we've had this conversation before. Must be deja vu.

I pursed my lips. "Don't you think I should live on my own and be independent? I mean, isn't it only natural?"

He looked down and sigh, "The last time you wanted to leave this house was when you were in college, then you show up years after suddenly announcing you're getting married.." That's why something felt familiar. "...and it didn't go well. I'm worried about letting you leave. It might not turn out good. Do you get what I mean?"

I clicked my tongue, brushing off the subject of my marriage. "Well, it's going to be different now. So, please?" I tried to lighten the mood. "I've already looked into a few places, and I already have my pick. It's just near my office." I persuaded him.

 "You really want this?"

"Yes." I gave him my best puppy eyes and he laughed at me. "Okay, fine. I'll tell your mother about it."

"Thanks, dad!" I said hugging him. "But, uh... There is one more thing. I know this is going to be hard to decide, but I really wanna drive again."

He looked back at me again worriedly, "Mia. After your car accident, you think I'd still allow you to drive?"

"I know where you're coming from, Dad. I really do. But like what you said, it was just an accident. No one wanted it to happen. I promise I'll be extra careful this time."

"Aren't you traumatized of what happened to you?" He asked in disbelief. "I'll think about it first, Mia." I knew better than to try to argue, so I rose from my seat and climbed up my room.

I closed the door to my room and dropped my body on the bed.

It's been a month now. And it's the first time someone has mentioned the fact that I'm married, again.

But I never really forgot about it. Every night when I lay on my bed, I still think of him.

I think I've been getting better at acting these days. Because every day I try to mask myself, convincing others that I'm okay and I've somehow moved on. But every day new memories keep flashing back, and it's all about him.

And I miss him even though I shouldn't.

***

The next day I called Alessia to ask if we can meet up. She showed up by 2:30 pm.

"So, what do you want to do?" She asked as soon as I stepped inside her car.

"I was actually hoping if you can teach me to drive." I looked back at her expectantly.

But she only gave me a blank expression, "Uh, did I hear that right? You want to drive again? Are you serious?"

"Yes, I am. Please. I just don't want to be a burden to you anymore, plus there are times when I have to go somewhere and I can't just tell you to drive me there." I argued. "Plus I'm only asking you to teach me, I don't have a car to drive yet anyway. I'd still have to get my dad to agree to this."

"You think he's going to agree to it?" She asked me, a brow raised.

I forcefully rested my back on the seat, defeated. "No. But I'm still going to try to convince him."

She laughed at me, "You're so cute. Okay. I'll try to teach you. But we're going to have to be somewhere where there's not a lot of cars." Like a child, I clapped at her response.

We went to this neighborhood where there's not a lot of people or houses. We've been practicing for an hour now. I'm actually doing pretty good, I think.

"Okay, one last drive. Then we're going to grab something to eat." I nodded and started driving again.

I was doing pretty fine but suddenly some kid came running out of nowhere chasing his ball.

"SHIT!" Alessia and I both exclaim and I hit the brakes immediately causing our bodies to go forward.

"Ouch," I grunted. My head started to hurt. I thought it was maybe from the impact but then something flashed into my mind.

It was raining hard, I was driving a car and for some reason, I was crying. I was going pretty fast despite the weather. Then suddenly two kids came running, crossing the road. I tried to avoid them by swerving but the road was too slippery the car came into a crash.

"Mia, are you okay? Oh shit, your forehead's bleeding." I snapped back to reality when I felt Alessia tilt my head to face her. "Go park at the side," she instructed.

She took out a little kit from below her seat, "Come here." She started to treat my wound.

"Okay, done. That won't last long, I don't think it would leave a scar either." She spoke as she put back the kit. "Let's change seats now, and grab something to eat before we go home."

I didn't say anything but obliged. I was too dazed to think straight. I just remembered what happened during my accident.

***

It's been a week since then, and I've been busy moving to my new apartment. I rented a fully furnished unit near our office so there isn't much to do but to get my things, stack some food and buy my necessities. 

After remembering my accident back then. I didn't push the idea of driving to my dad again. I guess I'm going to stick with commuting and walking now.

I just finished fixing the last box of my things. I looked around my new place and smiled, satisfied with myself.