Chapter 15: Nostalgic Feeling
Clarence opens his eyes to see the side of Celestine and Zachary facing him. Aside from that, Zachary was hugging her.
When Zachary saw Celestine running towards them and stood between them, he rushed to their side to block Kathline’s attack. Luckily, he was there in time and was able to hug Celestine, or else… they didn’t know what could have happened to her.
“Zach… h-how, when…?” Celestine was confused. Seeing the hit landed on his arm. “Does it hurt?” she worriedly asks. Checking if the wound was deep.
Zachary blocked it using his arm to protect her. What if Kathline hit him too hard?
Veronica arrived and this scene was the one that welcomed her.
“I only left not too long ago, but this happened in that short time?”
They were unbelievable. How do they end up like this?
“Kids what are—” Lianne stopped when this scene presented in front of her. Clarence was still sitting on the ground. Zachary’s arm was bleeding.
“What happened? Kathline… You look like a mess.”
Kathline looked at her mother. She’s too shocked by how fast everything happened. Her hands were trembling thinking if Zachary was late even for a second, the one she might hurt was Celestine – her friend.
“Auntie, can’t we head inside first?” Celestine spoke up. She’s also shaking but she needs to act rationally. “Ahm… Nica? Can you get a first aid kit?”
Veronica nodded and entered first.
All of them walk to the living room.
Lianne was serious and they can sense she’s disappointed and mad. A happy and comfortable dinner later might not happen anymore because of this.
“Clean yourself first Kathline. Nica, could you please assist your twin? Just ask the maid if you need something.”
“Alright, Auntie.”
Only Celestine and Zachary, together with Lianne, were left in the living room. Celestine was quietly treating Zachary’s wound. He’s lucky that it was just an abrasion and nothing serious. His polo was thick enough to lessen the wound he might get into his arm.
After treating him, Celestine explained to Lianne what happened. She could only tell what happened after they got in, but before that… They don’t know what’s the reason they end up chasing and fighting each other.
Lianne was busy preparing the food and Veronica was helping her. Until they heard a noise from the garden that made them go there. As a mother, it hurts her to know what happened between Kathline and Clarence before, but she could only wish for them to be at peace. She watched them grow up and it hurts that it would all turn like this.
Even though she talks and gives advice to her daughter, she still has her own decisions to make.
Lianne excuses herself to check on Kathline. Now, Celestine and Zachary were left in the living room.
“Do you need anything?” Zachary asked when he noticed her trembling hands.
She shakes her head. “Nah… I’m fine. I want to say thank you. Thank you for saving me there, sometimes I’m just really impulsive that I don't think what might happen next.”
“You need to change that habit of yours. What could have happened to you if I’m not that quick to act. You’re not only getting a bruise like this.”
Celestine lowered her head. ‘He sounds mad.’
Zachary looks at the fragile girl beside her. She’s a good person. She only wants to stop them from fighting. Stop her friend for hitting someone without thinking what would be the consequences she’s getting.
But other than that, he’s more ashamed of himself. How can they still be so good to others when all they could receive are bad things? All he knew was that the world was cruel to him when all he wanted was the love and attention of his parents. A warm he’s longing for.
Celestine stands up and excused herself. She leaves Zachary for him to rest, then goes upstairs to check on Kathline.
Lianne was about to head to the kitchen when she saw Celestine heading towards Kathline’s room.
“Is everything alright, Auntie?”
“Yes, although Kath didn’t want to talk about what happened.”
“Don’t worry, I will talk to her.”
Lianne nodded. “Then, I will leave it to you. Your Uncle and brother Brent will go home anytime now. I need to continue preparing the food.”
***
A knock stopped Kathline from her thoughts.
“May I come in?”
Celestine didn’t open the door. She wants Kathline’s approval first since it looks like she doesn’t want to talk to someone right now.
When the door opened, Celestine greeted Kathline with a hug.
They went inside and sat on the bed. She kept on rubbing Kathline’s back.
“Celestine…” she calls her name while silently crying.
“Hush, everything is going to be alright.”
“I’m a bad friend. I almost hit you.”
Celestine released herself from the hug. She stands up and turns around, then sits again beside Kathline.
“See? Nothing happens to me.”
“But…”
“No more but Kathline. I’m fine and everything is going to be fine, so stop crying. You don’t want brother Brent to see you like this, right?”
Kathline nodded.
“Now, can you tell me what happened?”
Kathline was hesitating but decided to tell her everything.
×××
[The time before Zachary and Celestine arrived.]
Kathline woke up from her nap. “It really hits you differently when you have a good sleep,” she said while stretching her arm.
Looking at the clock, it was already late in the afternoon. She takes a bath and wears a plain green dress and a white sneaker.
Walking downstairs, she met Veronica who had just arrived and held a basket with fruits inside.
“Did Tine and Zach arrive?”
Veronica shakes her head. “Not yet, but I think their class will end in a minute. It’s almost five in the afternoon. Anyway, where’s Aunt Lianne?”
Thinking about how meticulous her Mom is when it comes to food. “Hmm… maybe Mom is still preparing the food. If you see the kitchen, you will think that we are having a feast.”
Veronica understood what she meant. For sure, there would be a lot of different dishes later and they all know how good Lianne’s food is.
“Well then, I will bring it to her.” Veronica was talking about the fruits she’s carrying. “And might as well help Auntie prepare the food.”
Kathline nodded, then walked to the door. Before Kathline leaves she calls Veronica, “Ahh… Nice!”
“Yes?”
“If Mom asks about me, just tell her I’m in the garden.”
“Got it!”
Veronica remembers someone was in the garden but it’s too late… Kathline left already.
***
‘If I’m in the kitchen, I’m not able to control myself and eat the food for the dinner party later. So, while waiting for Celestine, I will just help the people in the garden.’
As soon as Kathline set her foot in the garden, she noticed someone. That made her freeze on that spot.
It seems Clarence is enjoying himself while helping and talking to the maids. They were laughing together.
The sky has a mixed color of purple, pink and blue. The smell of the grass through the air that afternoon. The happy people while talking and laughing with each other.
A nostalgic feeling stirs up Kathline’s emotions. She never felt it throughout these years. Those happy moments that she experienced when they were still in a relationship, were gone a long time ago.
Aside from that, the hatred and bitterness she felt towards him increased.
×××