His Eyes

HIS EYES: Chapter 17

WHEN THINGS were fine at the moment, a disaster came to ruin it. What was she doing here? Did she know my parents? Athena Fraux, what the hell was she doing in front of my parents' tombstones?

"Do you know her, Carthik?" Orlstein asked once again. "A relative? I haven't seen that girl since we met."

"I don't know. Maybe, a friend of my mom. She's friendly, remember?" I almost stammered. She nodded in agreement.

"Don't you think we should say hi to her? Let's go," she said, pulling my arms. I stopped her by pulling my arm back. She looked at me in confusion.

I felt like it was the last day of my life. She let go of me and walked towards Athena. Everything was in slow motion. I kept on asking myself what to do.

"Hi!"

I was too late. Damn late. She waved at Athena. Orlstein's friendly attitude sometimes brought me in danger. Athena's dangerous.

"I'm sorry but I really need to go," she said while bowing her head. She walked away from us. I let out a deep sigh and was relieved.

"Well, looks like she's in a hurry," I said. My nerves started to calm down.

She placed two brightly colored flowers on the tombstones. We bought it along the way to the cemetery. Orlstein led the prayer.

"I miss them," she uttered after praying.

"Yeah. I miss them too," I said, holding back my tears from falling.

"Do you remember when we used to jam during holidays in your house?" she asked.

"Dad would rush in his room to get his beatbox then mom would turn on her organ. You would sing with us. Then I was the one who's playing the guitar. Your mom would sing too and your dad would----"

"Open his camera to take a video because he believes he can't sing," she interrupted. Both of us laughed as we remembered those days. "Neo and Auren were still locked in the cribs."

"Good old days," I said.

"Right. Good old days."

"I'm sure you haven't forgotten this yet. Remember when we poured water everywhere in the house?"

She opened her mouth and laughed. "Of course! We also opened the ice cream which was actually for your dad's guests, and we took a scoop and spread it on the floor."

"Dad was mad. His head was red and smoking. He even spanked the two of us," I said while imitating dad's reaction. Orlstein smiled and the wind started to blow hard.

I wish things didn't turn out to be like this. I missed those days when we were still happy. If only I could turn back the time, I would do it.

"Do you still remember when we were supposed to in a 3-day camp?" she asked.

"Yes but our parents didn't agree, so we just stayed in my room. We took six brooms from the garage and assembled it like a bonfire," I said. Who would forget that crazy time?

"Haha! I wrote fire on a piece of paper and placed it on top of those brooms," she chuckled.

"Ugh, I miss being a child."

Kids should cherish every moment they had because when they are already adults, it's another chapter of their lives, more difficult than the previous chapters.

~<>~

On our way back in the apartment, Orlstein's phone rang. It was her dad. I felt guilty once again.

"Dad. I'll talk to you later," she said and ended the line.

"Is something wrong?" I asked.

"He's asking about Auren's case. They didn't even ask me if I'm fine," she replied and placed her phone inside her pocket. There was bitterness in her voice.

"Everything's gonna be okay," I said.

"

You think so?" she asked. Even though I was wearing sunglasses, I could see her droopy eyes. It's like her eyes were hiding something. Pain.

I thought of it a hundred times. Everything's gonna be okay. A famous line. Was it really true? If so, then I didn't have to worry anymore.

Suddenly, I saw someone shuffling the garbages from the garbage can. I knew who she was. I told Orlstein that I needed to buy something. At first, she insisted to come with me, but maybe she noticed that I really needed to go alone, so she just let me go.

I waited for her to disappear as I was hiding behind a huge post. When I couldn't see Orlstein anymore, I ran as fast as I could to Athena. Yes, it was she who was shuffling the garbages.

"What are you doing?" I asked. We were surrounded by two tall buildings. This place was stinky and dirty. There was a black cat sitting on the pile of garbages but ran when I came.

She turned to me. Her physical appearance had gotten worse. Her hands were covered with mud and rotten food. Her clothes were also torn apart. I just saw her earlier in the cemetery wearing good clothes.

"Why do you ask?" she asked. I thought she was irritated of my presence.

"You just visited my parents' tombstones earlier. Do you know them?" I didn't want to sound rude but I couldn't help it.

"None of your business," she said without looking at me. She picked up three plastics full of garbages. "Don't forget our deal."

Then, she left me all alone. I thought she knew that the police had been finding her. Oh, not the police, it was Officer Conrad. Should I warn her about it? But, she was already out of my sight.

"Damn it! Hey Adolf! If you're hiding somewhere, I'll make sure to find you! I'll kill you! You piece of shit! You're ruining my life!" I shouted. Those words were echoing and it cost a huge amount of energy.

~<>~

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