Lessons

"What?" I asked again.

A three-minute phone call was indeed not enough, especially now that I had a lot of things to be told and asked to Auntie. But, in the end, I sighed. Even though I had the right to complain, I still should not.

I nodded my head. "Okay... thanks." My hands were shaking as I accepted the phone, realizing the obvious Auntie was already on the line waiting for me to speak up.

"Auntie? I... Miss you so much." I could not help but be emotional as I put the phone near my ear, my heart still clenching in longing. "How are you in there? Don't worry, and I am okay ... But, I have missed you so much."

"I have, too," she said softly as if she was holding back her tears. "But I already told you the reason why you're there right now, right?"

I gasped. "But will we talk again later, right? Madam gave me a cellphone. My friend said I could use it to contact someone. We should talk again, Auntie!" I sounded so desperate that I did not mind the maids in front of me. They might tell Madam about my conversation with Auntie, but that was the least of concern now.

"I am sorry again, Philie, but I don't think we can talk again. Maybe this is the last time--"

"No!"

"I only have one phone, Philie, and I bought this using someone's money. I know your Madam put something in your phone for you not to contact me--"

"I can buy another phone! I'll work hard to have one!"

"... but it's a good choice. If she did that, that's still the right thing to do."

"Auntie..."

"We now only have twenty minutes.." my tears hopelessly fell at her words. I wished I could talk to her all day. "We should not waste our time talking about the thing we already talk the last time we were together. That's why... Tell me now about your plans. Did Xlyde treat you well?"

As far as I could remember, that man was not paying attention to me at all. He once hurt me using his sharp words. But then, he never hurt me physically, so I could say he was still being good despite his cold attitude.

"He still needs to adjust because of my sudden coming into his life. He's good, Auntie; I can like him." Facts only.

"And? What's more?"

"I am planning to go back to schooling. I know I am getting married, but education is for everyone, isn't it?"

Silence fell, and I read her thoughts. "Auntie, it's not your fault that I stopped studying years ago. It was my own decision."

She chuckled without humour. "Oh, I can't help it. I was not financially stable, that's why-- I should be the one who made you study. I failed as your Auntie."

"No, you did not fail," I said matter of factly. "So, yeah, I will be back studying. You know... Accounting. That course is still in my mind."

"You should pursue your dreams--" she stopped as if remembered something. "We now only have ten minutes to talk more. Time flew fast."

Sadly, I answered, "I will find you soon, Auntie. That's a promise. Once I can live independently, I will search for you."

"You are making me laugh."

I pouted. "I am serious!"

It's nice to hear her laugh in the middle of me being irritated. "Alright, I will remember that promise of yours. But in the meantime, keep safe there, okay? Follow always your Madam's rules. She will keep you safe."

"Anyway..." I had just thought about something important. I would not let this call to be ended without me asking her another question. "My wedding is coming. Do not you have a plan to be my very special guest?"

Again, silence enveloped the place. I was expecting her to say 'yes' that she would help me beckoning Madam to let her be back here for my wedding, but when she said 'I am sorry, I should not' my shoulders sagged in disappointment. Our call ended moments later. I requested more calls from our maids, but they rejected my requests.

And now, I was in my room holding my phone, thinking this would be a great tool to communicate with Auntie.

"I can use you, can't I?" I asked it. "And I don't want to follow Auntie's words when she said that we two should never talk again."

Crazy it might sound, but I continued asking my phone. I fell asleep as I felt tired.

"Philie!"

No, please, don't wake me up; I am still resting, my mind spoke up.

"Philie! I want to tell you about your future husband!"

I got my back out of bed. "What is it, Pia?"

She smirked. "Got you! I was just kidding! I want to say that I have a surprise for you! Let us go shopping!"

I acted like I would go back to sleep again as she grabbed my hair. Jesus, my friend, was abusing me. "Okay... I plan to make you more beautiful!"

I shook my head. "We should not let go outside again, right?"

"How about we wear jackets for a wonderful disguise?" She clicked her fingers in the air, smiling from ear to ear. "Oh, no, don't give me that kind of look!"

"But... Madam is not around and--"

"I promise! This transformation will only last for five hours! Besides, Madam usually goes back home at exactly eight of night."

"And Xlyde is not around, too," I tried to convince her again. This girl was driving me crazy.

"That's the point. He is not here, so we have the freedom to go outside. Worry nothing because I will protect you from any bad guys outside!"

I beamed. "I think I should wait for Xlyde for more than twenty minutes. Once he does not come back, I will come to you."

Her shoulders sagged but nodded at the end. And she's right-- Xlyde never came as I desperately wanted to see him. I told the maid I trusted to tell Madam that I was going outside. Pia was now beside me, encouraging me to wear thick jackets and shades. Needless to say, we were disguising.

"I actually want to tell you something," I told her as I hoped inside her car. Her brows rose, signaling me to continue. "I want to study. I mean, I want to continue my course."

"Wow, that's amazing. I already graduated from my course but I never used it. Anyway, what's yours?"

"Accountancy."

"You love numbers, huh?"

"Yeah, just like how I like analyzing."

"There were lots of sales this day, so today is the perfect time to shop. After we go to a salon, we'll buy school materials."

"No, I did not bring any money and..." Jesus, how could I be straightforward about the fact I did not have money at all??

Before I could say again, she laughed, "Stop being shy. We will buy materials. I have lots of money. I wonder where I should spend in too much having it." We both giggled, and she started the car's machine. I was surprised when I noticed my phone (I really decided to bring it along).

From Madam:

You are in the mall. I tracked your phone. Enjoy!

"Oh, what happened?" Pia asked me as I was too stunned to speak. I never believed gadgets could be as amazing as this as they could find my location.

"Nothing. I just realize Madam can find me using this phone."

"I always turn my 'location' on for my family locate me if needed. Don't worry, and this is for our protection."

I nodded.

Moments later, we finally arrived at our destination. We went to a beauty salon, and God knew how many times they did something to my hair to make it silky and attractive. We also came in a therapist for a back massage, and I swore to God that this was the first time I experienced closing my eyes with someone touching my skin.

Good thing Pia was beside me, encouraging me not to feel awkward. She also made me realize that our way of speaking was very different. I meant, she lived in a very classy life while I was used to the simple one. She spoke a lot of times while I was thinking for words to say whenever someone was asking me.

"How's the massage?" her voice echoed from the other cubicle. "Do you want for another round?"

I took off my robe. "I want to be back here once I get good high grades in school."

"That's cringe."

We both beamed again.

She bought me beauty products such as eyeliner, lipstick, lipgloss, and facemask. I told her I did not do any of those, but she insisted. And as unstoppable as she was, she also gave me bags from famous brands.  Yes, she had lots of money, but still, she should not want to waste money on not-so-important things.

"Oh, look what I have seen." She tapped my back.

"What is it?" Soon as I followed her stares in a particular direction, I caught Xlyde's presence. I almost dropped my things. "Is it a good thing if I talk to him?"

"I think so..." She rolled her eyes. "Looked like he is busy thinking. Though go on and talk to him. I will wait for you from here."

Pia was right. He seemed problematic for something I badly wanted to know. Without thinking, I entered the restaurant where he was in. His cold gaze met my smiling face. He did not say any words as I sat in front of him.

"Have you had lunch?"

His lips make a grim line at my question. "I am here for that thing."

Damn. He should always talk like that more often. "You should go back home. I prepared lunch for you." No one was asking here, but he should be knowledgeable about the main reason why I was here. So... "I bought school supplies. I am back studying. But don't worry, I can do my responsibilities at the same time."

He did not answer, and a waitress came to serve his food. I gulped as I decided whether to retake lunch with him or just excuse myself and return to Pia again. For sure, that girl was waiting for me still.

Silence fell.

"Uhm, I am gonna go now; Pia is waiting for me," I uttered because he seemed not interested in inviting me in to have lunch. "Let's meet in the mansion, and please...." I gulped the lump in my throat. "Don't skip any meals."

My breathing was not steady as my back faced his face. My mind still could recognize his attractive appearance until now.

Pia was teasing me, and I kept hiding my grin.

"You should not let him stay alone in that place. He looked like he needed a listener."

"I don't think so. He says so less earlier." I let out a deep sigh. "I am hoping our relationship will go better."

"It will." She tapped my back. "They say that as long as the wife is very determined to have a good relationship with her husband, their marriage will be stronger than a husband trying hard alone. Speaking of marriage, before your marriage, let me show you the world you need to face before getting married."

"Oh, what is it again?"

We started marching.

"Just some places perfect for you. Brooks owns private islands in different parts of the country. No one will hurt us being in those places."

"On my birthday, we'll celebrate on the beach. I think that is already enough."

"It isn't! You're very innocent, aren't you? There are still many things you need to know. Just like..." she clicked her tongue. "Just like all about sex--"

"Sex? What is about that?"

Her eyes widened. "Oh, God, you really need my lessons."