Buena Mano Book 1 (Unedited/Unrevised)

I'm O-Ok... Chapter 5.0 The Tainted Flower

"What happened?" my mother cried out as she slammed my report card on our living room table. Her deep blue eyes watering at the sight of the note attached informing them of me having to repeat my fourth year in St. Florence Girl's Academy.

"We were planning on migrating, remember?" She clenched her fists but couldn't look at me. Slowly, her long onyx hair tumbled and covered her pale skin. My mother was offered a job in another country. She took it but wanted to take both of us along. The plan was for me to finish high school here and continue college there. We were supposed to leave but this happened.

My father stood around and let her do the talking. Seemingly doing anything in the room like placing his coat in the coat rack and taking them off then putting it on then putting it in the coat rack again, traversing the length of the city around the living room going in circles, turning on and turning off the television, or just plainly do nothing but stare in the glass cabinet where he kept his most precious belongings. I couldn't blame him. He was worried.

Truthfully, I flunked my finals to give me sufficient time to search for Rachel. I couldn't tell them how important to me Rachel was. I needed help but the police here are incompetent who only care for themselves. No surprise. Then again, they have their reasons why they do it. They all have families.

The justice system is flawed by all means. Even they have trouble translating the written laws. The politicians who are supposed to write and pass new laws are just camera whores. Always keen on haggling with the spotlight. So why bother?

Only the lord might help, but even he is silent. His representatives here on earth are just bent on either filling up their bulging bellies or pockets with the donations supposedly meant for God.

I was confused, disheartened. But the feeling of guilt weighed heavily upon my shoulders. No one could understand the pain I was going through nor would I let them. This was my task.

Forgive me for getting ahead of myself. There is a reason for my views...

If only I had known back then... I wouldn't have... They wouldn't have...

"Jensen Marie Cruz you were doing so well!" She held up her hands up high, reaching for the heavens, seemingly asking God why, until finally finding their place in my shoulders.

I stood my ground and looked at her blue eyes with remorse.

"We did not ask you to give us excellent marks. Only to pass your classes. We expected you would do well, if not best. Bu-but this..." She held up my report card and crumpled it with one hand.

"This is not acceptable... T-this is..." She stuttered and looked dazed. Sitting upright in the sofa, placed her hand in her chest. I looked at her and saw that she was breathing heavily. Promptly, I ran up to the kitchen and fetched her glass of water. "W-we worked so hard... F-for you..."

"I'm sorry..." I said regretfully as she drank the water I gave her but still she was unfazed. My father took over the conversation and sent me to my room upstairs. I got up without a word and made my way to the steps. Once there, I took a peek and saw him calming her down.

I could hear them arguing even when I was in front of my door. I went inside my room contemplating on my decisions. The steps I took to ensure that I have sufficient time to find my lost friend may have gotten me into a much worse predicament. I hadn't thought it would hurt my family. Moreover, my mother.

A few minutes later, my father came in. Silently, he made his way to the side of my bed and sat down. He was disappointed. I could see through his expression clear as crystal glass.

"How is she?" I asked breaking the silence between us.

"Mommy had a nervous breakdown." He sighed as he covered his mouth with his right hand.

"I'm sorry dad. I promise I would do..."

"Never promise anything unless you mean it... I don't want you to make my mistakes." He said without flinching.

"Look, as you know. Mom and I have issues. Issues that I can't have you know right now. It's not the time for... Anyway, things are rough for your mom and me so I'm asking, no pleading with you. Please. Do your best for your sake and ours as well." He continued.

I hugged him and said my regrets. My father stood up afterwards and tucked me in.

"You should be thankful. If your grandfather was alive he would lock you for the night in the room downstairs." He jeered but...

I felt that there was sadness in his eyes, for only a brief moment. But I dismissed the thought a second later, thinking that it was from all the fresh emotions or stresses making my imagination go wild. He was not serious? Was he?

The thought of my parents having a painful childhood, while I'm here doing what I want to do with no one to stop me and taking my time, got to me. They gave me the freedom they wanted back when they were young yet I don't really know what this luxury is really worth.

These thoughts might not be true but it did give me some advice. Time was of the essence not only for the sake of Rachel, but for my parents as well.

"Goodnight." He said as he opened the door and took a couple of steps out.

"Father?" I said. I was starting to get sleepy. Tired from all the thoughts running in my head. "Can I ask you a question?"

He went back inside and faced me.

"Yes? What is it?"

"What would you do when lose something important?" I yawned. My eyes were partially closed as I struggled to keep my perception awake.

"Huh? What do you mean?" Father said wearily. It seemed that he was taken aback by my question. But I was too tired to think.

"Nothing..." I shrugged pulling up the covers to my shoulders and closing my eyes.

"Well, if you ask me... I'd do everything to get it back...." He said. I felt him near me. "Everything..." He whispered to my ears and kissed my exposed cheek.

"Well, goodnight father..." I said as I was starting to black out.

"Sweetdreams my sweet p..."