Beneath the clear blue sky

Beneath the clear blue sky chapter 7

CHAPTER VII

THE  SCENT

                 I was dreaming again,finally.Unfortunately,mom did not appeared,I felt miserable.There were black figures,everything was a blur.I couldn't remember much about it though,all I can recall was the Italian pizza restaurant at Greenwich,which I have not entered before.I was wearing the jacket I have gotten from a stranger the other night,I was there,maybe waiting for someone,the question is,who was I waiting for?,someone I know?,someone important? and why was Ms Din seated 2 tables away from me? and why Mrs Dubose who walked pass by bought orchids?,I thought she hated them.Big questions accumulated and filled my head to the brim,questions that could lead me to another question,I could either choose to turn my back on them and forget or spend my whole life searching for their answers.If life is a pool of mystery,then why do we look for answers,we'll drown anyway.A knock on the front door woke me up.

                         The front door creaked,'Mrs Dubose!' I said with confusion.'Im sorry if I have disturbed you early in the morning,may I come in?' she said with a pleasant smile.'Sure' I said politely.Mrs. Dubose came in and hand over a bunch of sunflowers to me and said 'I heard what happened to your father the other night,is he alright now?'.Her Chanel perfume was so strong that it made the entire living room smell like a garden of lilac,in fact,it was the scent that will make you think of high society,glamorous lifestyle and unhealthy habits.But Mrs. Dubose was a contradiction to that,she likes to keep things simple,usually she won't wear a dress,unless she's attending a funeral.She live beside Hana Williams,I bet she have heard tons of vulgar words thrown every night.Mrs Dubose's house is a small baby pink residence with a side porch.At night,she would usually water her sunflowers and sit and watch the neighborhood sleep.

                               'Well,he's in the hospital,still recovering..' I replied.'And what about your sister?,I have not heard from her since the incident..' Mrs. Dubose inquired.'Lana's on a vacation,she's actually in France,she wanted some time off and clear her mind off things..' I lied,right into an old woman's face.Mrs. Dubose was staring out the window,I tried to figure out what she was looking at,but I guess she was just deep in thought.'Times like these is hard,especially when you're on your own.You have to stay strong for the ones you love.My dear boy,if you need help or anything you can always find me' she said still looking out the window.'Thank you Mrs. Dubose,but I am alright on my own,I just don't want to add to your load,thank you for the concern again' I replied and gave her a smile.'Alright then,I better get going now,my sunflowers are waiting for me' Mrs Dubose said as she tapped my shoulders and then left.The Chanel No. 5 scent slowly faded.

                              I was alone at home,just me and that jacket from the midnight stranger,staring at it won't make it move so I fiddled with the its trimmings,wondering which skin it was from.The smell of it makes me want to puke,it's tolerable,but the odor isn't strong at night as compared in the day.I just don't have the nose for leather goods.Soon,I found a paper on the left side pocket of the leather jacket.Its a phone number!.I bet its the stranger's contact number.I went up to my room to get my phone but as soon as I was on the last flight of the stairs,someone knocked on the door.This time it was Nick.

'Oh hello Nick,how did you know I live here?' I was really surprised to see him.

'I have sources,I can track you down even if you hide into an abyss' he giggled.

'So,what brought you here?' I said,with a big question on my face.

'I dropped by to give you this..' Nick replied,handing over my Red Rooster uniform.

'Oh,I actually wanted to take it myself but thanks anyway..' As I take my uniform from him,I felt a sharp twitch,I dropped my uniform.Nick picked it up and gently secured it into my arms and smiled.

'So,I'll see you next Sunday,don't be late, or i'll fire you' Nick chuckled.

'Yeah,i'll be there on time..so I'll see you next Sunday..' I replied,with remains of embarrassment on my face.Nick finally turned away and walked towards Carnell rd.I went up to my room and saw my phone,untouched.I walked towards the window and peek through the blinders,Nick was standing still on the sidewalk.Isn't he supposed to be on his way?,that moment I realized that I forgot to ask him if he will turn up tonight at the party,but I guess its too late.Nick waved,I guess he saw me after all.

                                 Time check,it was already 5pm,Sandy and I were at Vina's place for hours,she have filled us with her home-made brownies and entertained us with her lame jokes,but still they were funny.Vina has been cooking since she was a baby,that's what she told me.Her parents are always out for work if not business trips,much like my father,and would only be returning at night when the kids are asleep or worse dead.I guess Vina and I have a lot of things in common,no wonder we can get along so quickly.Sandy burped on my face,as if I was a mic.Another thing I dislike about her,apart from her weird eating habits.Her unladylike actions.She laughed and rolled on the carpet.

'Girl..are you high?' I asked licking my chocolate coated fingers.

'High on brownies..yes!..gimme some more' Sandy continued rolling on the floor,as if she was on fire.

'No more!..you'd be looking like a fat priest at the party later ' I tried to put away the brownies out from Sandy's reach.

'There's more left in the fridge..' Vina started.I turned to her as she spoke,Her auburn hair seem luminous  as compared to the fake bottle red-head Sandy.

'So..have you asked for your parents' permission?' I asked with a mouthful of brownies.

'A strong female does not need permission..' Vina replied with a laugh.

'Lady GaGa..hallelujah!' Sandy raised her hands as if she was possessed.

'So..were all good to go tonight!' I cheered,clapping my hands like a little boy.

                           The three of us went up to Vina's room.Sandy flipped herself on the bed and settled on the pillows.'Vina,do you mind if we can have a sleepover?' Sandy asked hugging a heart-shaped pillow.'Ofcourse not!,you guys are most welcome,both of you can crash in here anytime.' Vina said as she look through her closet.Sandy saw me  flipping through old photo albums and she went behind me to get a peek at the photographs.Its weird that theres not even one photo of Mary in the albums.Maybe Vina wanted to forget the past and move on.But how will she ever move on if she's in denial,trying to reject the past,her cousin,Mary Kelis.

                             Vina saw us leafing through the albums,she quickly put the albums away and asked us  which outfit would suit her tonight.I said either of the mini dress suits her.In fact,she have the body of a supermodel.Vina would definitely make Leona Evans and Hana Williams run for their money.Its just a little scary that Vina would be the centre of attention at the party,mainly because of her missing cousin.I know Leona doesn't like people stealing her limelight especially if that person is an unknown and a new fish in the bowl.Leona crave for attention,she will stop at nothing to get it.Although she display and angelic exterior in school,she is what most people call an 'attention-whore'.Vina came out of the dressing room wearing a sky-high heels and a mini blue dress which exposed her back and her cleavage.I closed my eyes and prayed that there will be no drama tonight.'So who is this Leona? you were talking about?' Vina asked flipping her hair.