Chapter 5: Chat
Ella ambled through the narrow lane between several fleets of bungalows and chalets on either side cemented with an uneven stretch of glossy, varnished cobblestones. She sometimes chooses to walk rather than riding their car going home, observing the vicinity that seemed untouched by the usual hustle and bustle of the huge, polluted, metropolitan cities.
There were a few aged residents strolling along the stoned street supported by wooden walking sticks, glasses slipping down the bridge of their noses. Behind them, a crowd of teenagers chortled at some joke quoted by their leader who was a well-portioned boy with untidy hair wearing a T-shirt that read "I Love Philippines!" and a pair of rugged levis jeans. There were groups of small children playing around a fountain near the heart of the vicinity while their mothers stood beside chattering loudly as if no one was listening.
After walking a few more yards Ella saw a cluster of tall beech trees through which streams of golden light pierced through the space between the leaves, and behind them stood the great white mansion made of marble glistening in the sunlight making it impossible to look directly at.
The house came to a roundabout with a fountain at the center, swept around it, and continued up toward a fantastic sprawling house. Once Ella got closer, it took a more detailed form, natural grey stone with all the hues mother nature can provide. The paintwork on the trim was brilliant white, flawless and the path wound to a double oak front door in loose pea shingle.
The windows weren't the large ones that are so fashionable now, but more the size she used to see in old country cottages, and like them they were mullioned. But that's where all the old world charm ended, once across the threshold, it was technology and modern design all the way. The floors were polished concrete and the furniture Scandinavian, high-end designers only. The only compromise to comfort was the sheepskin on the floor, so clean it was hard to believe anyone had ever stepped foot on it. Her home.
It was welcoming from the open door to the wide hallway. Upon the walls were the photographs of her and her family. The floor was an old-fashioned parquet with a blend of deep homely browns and the walls were the greens of summer gardens meeting a bold white baseboard. The banister was a twirl of a branch, tamed by the carpenter's hand, it's grain flowing as water might, in waves of comforting woodland hues.
The radio plays softly and the smell of fresh cinnamon buns wafts out to greet Ella, a smile spreading over her face as she sets her backpack down and takes off her shoes. Ella then went to find her mom.
The dining room was exquisite. The walls were covered with a shimmering gold paper and in the middle of the ceiling above the carved oak table was a candelabra. Down the center of the table was a runner with the Celtic design woven in gold and green into the fabric itself. At the end of the table were floor to ceiling french doors, left slightly ajar to let in the scented summer air.
The polished silver cutlery was heavy to the hand and shone brightly in the early evening light. At each place stood a tall empty wine glass and there were beautifully folded napkins to match the runner. Her mother arranging their light meal.
Her mother's apron was a staple of her childhood, patterned with all things Filipino. When she thinks of the aromas of her mother's fresh baking come flooding into her brain, her heart leaps and there is that moment of serenity. She sees her mother in that apron, arms wide, a hug just a few steps away.
"Oh, Ella, you're home early, " her mother said softly as Ella cling to her and kissed her cheeks.
"Where's daddy?" Ella asked.
"Still working, " her mother said. Her father has been busy these past few days. Ella bet he's having a hard time convincing his new business partner.
Ella washed her hands before propping herself up in a chair at the table, her hand immediately stuffing a cinnamon bun in her mouth. When her mother sits, tea in hand, she asks "Do you like Autumn?" her tone casual and light.
Ella scowls at her mom, "Why the sudden question? But to answer you, of course, I do, he's my friend."
Her mother takes another sip and then continues, serious-faced, "I see, denial at its finest. You better make sure that you remember that."
Ella's face crumples again, "Mom why are you saying these things?"
Her mother makes her face straighter than a poker player and says, "Ella, trusts are broken, lies are told. For us to believe in what we seek, we must know what it means to be what we don't want to be."
For a minute, Ella looks confused but understood that she must listen. Then her mother says "Being sad makes you realize how valuable being happy is. Being weak makes you know what it means to be strong. Being helpless makes you determined to be helpful. Mistakes happen, awful things might happen in one's life. But by looking at the bright sides of things, you might just be able to smile forever in life."
Ella's face is serious all the way from her eyes to her mouth, no pleasure at all, not even masked. "Mom, is there a problem?"
"Nothing," her mother says, "Finish your merienda and head upstairs to finish your schoolwork. There's still a few days before your sembreak, so you better finish it all earlier. Ok, honey?"
Her mother then went back to her tea. As if nothing happened. Ella thought for a while but decided to follow what her mother said. She trusts her mom and besides, if her mother doesn't want to tell her, there must be a reason.
Marry steely blues with shingle grey created a relaxing rocky beach palette, brings a calming peaceful tone on her bedroom. Combined with painted beach-hut style paneling, limewashed flooring, and oak furniture build an easy-to-live-with look. Her headboard and bed platform was built with reclaimed planks. Her bed dressed with wool blankets and cushions. Then her scheme gave an organic feel with pebble-toned linens, cozy throws, and tactile ceramics.
A simple hoop canopy suspended from the ceiling and furnished with comfy cushions and a soft fur throw rug makes a cozy little reading nook for her. She also has her own spot for her stuff toys. Oh, she can't live without those fluffy toys that comforted her since childhood.
She also has a stuffed toy bed, made out of 100% cotton. It was filled with quality Fiberfil cotton that won't flatten by frequent use. The fabric that is being used for her bed has soft fur. And for more convenience, cleaning will never be that hard for her. She can just easily unzip it, take it off, then put it on the laundry.
But her most favorite part is her ceiling that has a 3-Dimensional Glow-in-the-dark Ceiling Mural of the night sky, with thousands of realistic looking stars. It was virtually invisible during the day but by simply flipping off her lights at night, anyone will gasp at the amazing view of the universe high above. It's as though her regular ceiling has been removed and replaced with a glass ceiling!
Ella slumped against her stuff toy bed, figuring out what's bothering her mom. She was startled when her phone vibrated. She quickly opened it to found out that I have a new friend request. When she saw who it is, she suddenly had a feeling that she wanted to throw her cellphone. She couldn't help but smile at the sight of Autumn's name.
She immediately clicks the accept button. She always wanted Autumn to be active in social media but he seems unbothered by her approaches. But seeing this, she suddenly felt warm in the inside. He listened to her.
Autumn: Hi!
He just sent a simple hi but she didn't know why my feelings exploded and she couldn't help but to squealed silently. Ella took a deep breath and slap herself lightly. When she finally recovered, she immediately sent him a sticker of a black cat waving.
His reply put a smile to her lips. He sent a sticker of a dog who keeps on jumping from ecstasy. Ella wonders if he really feels that way right now. Her phone rings, showing a request for a video call from Autumn. She dashes towards her vanity mirror and arranges her hair.
She clicked the accept button and Autumn's handsome face greeted her. He's currently sporting a smile like he had won a lotto. Ella couldn't help but notice his background. His walls are cream, but not like the stuff her mother pour in her coffee, there is a hue of beach sand there. The floor is a dark walnut, but unlike her, his accents are green, not blue. His colors are the forest canopy and the gnarled bark of the trunks. He has rich velvet curtains that remind her of moss.
Her gaze caught the painting at the corner of his room. It was a painting of a girl's back. Its straight but wavy end, brown hair was cascading beautifully. She was wearing a black and white dress, complementing her snow-like skin. Ella's inspection was put to a stop when Autumn decided to went to his room's veranda.
"Hello!" his voice is a bit husky probably because he just woke up. His usual slightly disheveled hair was messier now. Well, guess what? It doesn't lessen his looks. In fact, he looks more handsome.
"Hi! Why did you call?" she smiled.
"Oh, I just wanted to go to school again, " he said still smiling.
"Why?"
"Cause I miss my best friend," his ears turned red. She chuckled, so he that he doesn't notice that her cheeks are turning into a ripe tomato.
"Lies lies."
"It's true!" he childishly said.
"Are you busy?" he suddenly changed the topic.
"No.Why?"
"Let's elope, " he flashed his evil smile. Ella's eyes widened in disbelief.
"Are you out of your mind?" Ella stared at him as if he's a psychopath. There's no way she's gonna do that! Maybe when they're already accomplished. Ella shook her thoughts. Autumn chuckled.
"Yes. My heart just couldn't let you get out of my mind," his eyes blue eyes carried seriousness and playfulness at the same time.
I could never get tired of staring at his eyes. It was almost sickeningly blue - full-on Prince Charming, a field of cornflower, perfect, cloudless sky blue. Someone should name a crayon after the guy.
Ella felt her cheeks heated up and she bit her lower lip just to stop herself from smiling. She didn't know that he could make her whole system go crazy by just saying cheesy lines. Autumn smirked at her reaction.
That instant, Ella clicked the end button and buried her face in one of her stuff toys. A strained sequel of delight filled the room. Damn his unpredictable moves! And damn why is she even affected?!
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