Musically In Love

Chapter 16

*Lauren*

How am I supposed to explain myself after last night? I knew I owed it to myself and to Camila to come and at least hear her out. I also owe it to her to be completely honest about what happened at Saturn. So I get showered, dressed and find myself at Camila's front door. I knock.

Sinu opens the door and immediately questions why I have the audacity to come back to her house after she had politely asked me not to ever come back here.

L:"Hi, ma'am. I'm sorry to show up unannounced and I apologize for going against my word and showing up here today but if you have the time, I'd like to explain why I'm here?"

She interrogates me with her eyes and I can see that she's internally questioning my intentions. Eventually, and purely out of curiosity I assume, she gives in.

S:" Five minutes. You have five minutes."

She steps aside and motions for me to come inside. My heart begins to thump knowing that Camila is somewhere beyond this door and I could bump right into her. I feel nervous but also excited for some reason. I walk through the door and wait for Sinu in the foyer. She closes the front door and walks into the kitchen. I follow behind her. She offers me something to drink and I politely decline the offer before sitting down at the counter. She joins me, but decides not to take the seat right next to me but rather to leave a space between us. Her choice of seating hurts more than it should and makes me feel like somewhat uncomfortable, like I don't belong or like I'm giving off a disgusting stench.

I shake it off and begin to explain what seemed to be the best reason for me being here.

L: "So the reason I came back today was because I really need Camila's help. She really has been the only friend that I have here in New York. I don't live here, you see? I live in Miami. I only come up to New York to see my Abeula and that's why I'm here now. Camila was supposed to help me pack up my Abeula's apartment because she's moving further up town and she can't afford to hire any professional help. Im so sorry ma'am, but if I had any other options, I wouldn't have come here today. Plus I really trust your daughter, ma'am."

S: "So you're telling me, that you don't know anyone else in New York who can help you? I find that very hard to believe, Lauren. If I knew any better, this is just an excuse to see my daughter and to get her into a compromising position just so you can take advantage of her. I know how you people are!"

Her words pierce through my soul. I can feel the anger building up inside me now. I stand up off the chair and step closer to Sinu with the intention of defending myself, but just as quickly as I stood up, I take a deep breath and sit back down again and I try to push the hurt aside.

L: "You people??.. I'm sorry, but I don't think it's okay for you to speak to me like that. Look ma'am, no disrespect, but you don't even know me. I can assure you that I am a woman of integrity and I will never, ever put your daughter in a compromising position. Despite what you think, I actually care about her and respect too much to even consider doing that. Actually, to be honest, I respect myself enough not to do that to anyone. My intentions are pure, please trust me on this??"

Her consistent stern, unbreakable expression cracks and I can finally see through the barrier she always had up. Empathy. She looks down at her hands that are interlocked and resting on the kitchen counter in front of her. She wriggles her fingers and I can see that she is contemplating and considering everything I had just said. I feel myself getting really excited and a sense of hope warms me up from the inside. Then suddenly, something stirs inside her and I watch as it ruptures the pure, caring side that she had just shown and brings back the stern, scary Sinu that I was more familiar with. Fear ignites inside me now and I dread to hear what her response is.