Zeriah's Love Formula

Chapter 3: Signs

ZOEY'S POV: 

“Zoey, we need to talk.” He uttered and his sentence left me feeling dazed.

My uncle is facing me in the counter of Gab’s and we stood there for about a few seconds before I snapped back to reality. I glanced upwards and looked at the time to learn that it’s already 7:10 in the morning and I should be home by 7:30 to be able to assist the most important person in my life in her daily medication intake in the morning.

The woman who gave birth to my mother and the person in front of me right now…

“Hey, sis…It’s okay, I can take sir’s order. You can change and go now.” I heard Cindy talked the moment she reached the front counter while fixing her apron a little bit. Her presence is an indication that my shift is over. I smiled in response as I went inside the employee’s room and removed my uniform to change into my casual clothes.

I ignored my uncle in plain sight but his eyes followed me while I walk inside. Cindy’s voice became rubbish as the distance between me and my uncle widen and widen.

“Good morning sir, what’s your order?” That’s the last thing I heard before silence filled up the employees’ room the moment I shut the door.

I don’t know what to feel right now. Everytime I see my uncle’s face, I am always reminded by the death of my parents. I stared in the mirror of my locker door and let memories flood my mind for quite some time.

“Uncle! Someone just called me saying mom and dad’s car got into a crash!” I recalled dashing off the living room of our house when someone interrupted my personal time listening to music in my phone by calling out of the blue.

At first, I hesitated to answer the call but I realized that this person keeps on contacting me using an unregistered number so I decided to pick it up. Upon pressing the answer button, I immediately heard the wailing sound of a siren in the background.

“Is this Zoey Anabello? Your parents are in critical condition…I saw your contact number in her phone. Please come to the City Hospital as soon as possible…” The woman from the other side of the line said in a panicking voice.

“What’s the name of the caller?” Uncle stated before taking a sip from his tea cup. My raised tone of voice clearly didn’t startle him since he kept reading the newspaper calmly.

“I don’t know. I didn’t have the time to ask! I think we should go!” I screamed and pointed at the phone but he seems unshakeable.

“No. I’m sure it’s probably just a prank call.” He explained in a confusing manner.

“Uncle, come on. I have a bad feeling about this. They knew your sister’s name! They said they found her company ID inside the car. “I was already tearing up but he wouldn’t bother to look at my direction at least.

Knock! knock! knock!

Those 3 knocks from the door retorted my wandering mind to the present situation.

“Morning…” It was female another employee, taking a day shift.

“Morning!” I greeted back before looking down at my wrist watch and realizing that it’s already 7:10. Shoot, I’ll be missing Nana’s medication if I keep zoning out.

Adrenaline rushed through my system, and I bolted out of the room and made my way through the exit door of the restaurant. When I was about to take a step out the vicinity, I felt a cold liquid suddenly touch my shoulder. I looked up from the sky and realized it was rain.

“No, no, no…Not today!” I talked to myself as I ran to the nearest bus stop to keep myself from getting wet. I didn’t bring my umbrella today since yesterday seemed to be a fine, sunny day. I guess the world likes to play naughty jokes sometimes.

“Excuse me…” I made my way in between some people who are also standing in the bus stop, waiting for the rain to stop. I found an empty area at the front line of the shed and I was decided to spend some money for transportation just so I wouldn’t miss Nana’s medication time.

I grabbed my phone and was about to call home when suddenly, a black Sedan pulled up in front of me and the driver rolled the window down. It was uncle. He followed me.

“Get in…” He insisted and I accepted his offer since I didn’t have any other choice. I went in the passenger’s seat and he drove off to our apartment. I didn’t need to remind him of our address since he already knew. It makes me angry everytime I think that he couldn’t even spare some time to visit her ill mother at home.

“Please drive a little faster uncle, I need to assist Nana with her medication at 7:30.” I decided to rest my head in the car window as he drive me home as fast as he could.

All throughout the drive, the both of us were silent. Thankfully, the rain stopped pouring down before he pulled up in our front gate. I took my seatbelt off and ran to open the door of our unit and call for Nana. It was a gloomy morning and my uncle invited himself in.

“Nana! Nana!” I called for my grandmother as soon as I stepped in our house.

“Sandra? Are you home? Could you help me with this?” She asked.

I got nervous the moment my feet took me to the kitchen. With such terror, I witnessed that my Nana has already poured in 3 different pills in her palms, ready for her to drink.

“Nana! I told you to wait for me before you take anything!” I immediately grabbed the pills in her hands and tried figuring out what they were. None of it included the pill she’s supposed to take at 7:30 in the morning.

I surveyed the table and saw 2 unfinished toasts, a sunny side-up egg, and 2 cups of coffee. After a brief inspection, I proceeded to the cabinet to get the tube of her morning pill. I can feel my uncle observing me from behind.

“Who is he?” Nana confusingly asked the moment she saw her son.

“He’s Tommy, your son….here you go, take this.” I explained before giving her the pill and handling her a glass of water.

“Mom, hi.” Uncle Tom greeted Nana coldly. Great.

“I don’t think I have any other child besides you, Sandra.” She uttered after drinking his medicine.

“Sure. Why don’t you go now and watch your favourite show. It’s about to start any minute now.” I grinned as I ushered her to the living room and turned the television on so that she could be entertained while uncle and I talks.

“I should’ve brought breakfast, at least. I’m sorry.” My uncle said the moment Nana was out of sight. I invited him to sit down in the dining table while I make coffee for the both of us. I also cleaned Nana’s unfinished foods before formally speaking to my uncle.

“So, I found this.” He took out a flyer from his bag and laid it flat on the table.

“What’s this?” I asked before reaching to read it.

The Perfect Study of Love by Zeriah Sebastian

We are in search for the perfect participant of our study which will benefit a $2000 compensation. Interested applicants must be 16 years old and above. Male or female. No educational background is needed.

An interview will be held in Sta. Isabela Drive, West Verwokley on July 29, 1992 at 8 am. If you want to earn money while being observed on how you fall in love, apply now!

I read the content of the flyer and it sounds suspicious at first.

“This… is the perfect opportunity for earning you keep looking for.” Uncle pointed out the flyer which I am holding now. I froze. Suddenly, I felt an annoyance building up inside me that I needed to let out.

“Excuse me uncle but…are you insulting me or just making fun of me?” I bit my lip before putting down the paper and looking directly at him.

“What? What do you mean?” He asked.

“Isn’t it fun leaving me to take care of your sick mother while you flee from your responsibilities and live your life the way you want to?” I smirked and out of nowhere, I felt a lump building up in my throat.

“Zoey, listen. I’m sorry you have to experience all of this when your parents—“

“Don’t ever bring up my parents!” I raised my voice a little bit and I saw him shift reactions as well.

“You neglected their death. How dare you come in here and insult me like this after what you’ve done? I know I didn’t finish school but this is too mch!” I avoided his gaze and check on Nana who’s now busy watching her favourite show.

“I’m just trying to help. I know that money is a huge assistance for you and Nana…Come on Zoey, it’s not like I’m not giving her monthly allowance for her bills and needs.” He adjusted his eyeglasses after pointing out his opinion.

“And you think that’s enough?” I bent my head to the left a little bit.

“What do you want me to do? I’m working for God’s sake!” He raised his tone as well.

“I want you to leave…please.” I closed my eyes and took courage to stand up for myself in front of my uncle.

“If feeding up your ego and boosting your pride is what matters to you more than paying your parents’ goddamn debt…then it’s your choice.” He stood up and proceeded to walk towards the exit door.

“You’re only 17, Zoey and you didn’t have a proper education…money wouldn’t just come knocking at your door.”  He looked back at me and Nana one last time before disappearing in plain sight by shutting the door loud enough for me and Nana to jerk up our seat.

I let out a big sigh and put my head down the table. Before I knew it, I was crying. I held my mouth tight so my grandmother wouldn’t hear my sob. I realized that I’m tired…Not just physically but emotionally as well. I feel so drained and hopeless. My uncle’s success is a huge slap in the face for me. Some days I get so sad to the point that I compare myself to a hamster running around the wheel.

No matter how fast I run, I will always end up riding the same wheel.

I kept crying for a few more times before crumpling the paper that he gave me. It’s okay Zoey, just cry until you feel better. No one’s giving up on anyone. Your Nana needs you. She also needs money.

“Nana? I’ll go and rest now.” I smiled at her in the living room and kissed her in the forehead before going inside my room to finally sleep.

--

“Mom…Dad? Where are you?” I was in an empty alley and I was calling for my parents.

I looked around and I saw trash everywhere. This unfamiliar place I am in seems to be like an abandoned building. There is smoke, debris, and dead animals all compiled up in the hallway.

“Mom? Dad?” I kept calling for them but they didn’t appear in front of me. The moment I felt myself getting suffocated by the tightening environment, I ran to find the exit door but there was none. At this point, I’m having trouble breathing and I feel like I’m going to die.

“Let me out! Let me out!” I screamed at the top of my lungs as I slap and punch every wall I see. I can feel the building collapsing and I felt trapped.

Losing all my hope left in my body, I decided to curl up in the corner and cover my head while I kept crying. I was ready to die when suddenly, a great force pulled me up. Strange enough, the moment I stood up and regained my balance, the setting shifted into an open area surrounded with tall pine trees and falling leaves. I am now in the woods.

“Mom….Dad….Are you here?” I desperately kept calling for them but no one is still answering me. I never felt so alone in my life. This makes my heart aches.

“I need you…” I kneeled down in despair and closed my eyes before covering my face. I stayed that way for a few seconds before I felt a hand touched the back of my palm which stopped me from crying. A person held my hand tight and proceeded to embrace me.

“Huh?” I got curious as a sudden feeling of comfort flooded my system. I expected to feel some kind of fear and agitation but my heart became at ease. The person hugging me decided to pull away and to my surprise, it was my mother.

“Mom!” I jumped up to embrace her one more time. Tears kept falling down my face and I let them flow freely. In front of my mom, I may look like a mess already but I don’t care anymore. I can’t control my emotions and I can’t figure out what to do properly now that she’s in my sight.

She smiled and proceeded to brush my hair with her palms before tucking some strands of it at the back of my ear. I find her presence quite strange. She is wearing a white dress and she is glowing…literally.

“Zoey, I’m here. I’m always here…” She said and it made me speechless in tears.

“It’s time you accept my help. Don’t hesitate, you’ll be safe.“ She uttered while still wearing her ever still beautiful smile. I couldn’t make sense of what she said so I proceeded to ask her,

“Mom, what are you saying?”

“Shhhh…it’s alright. It’s alright.” She caressed me in her arms and I felt like a child again. With one last loving look, she pushed me from her grip and it felt like I was falling from a high place, about to hit the ground.

“Moooom! Nooooo!” As soon as I felt like I was about to hit something concrete, I opened my eyes and bolted up from my bed. I am panting and I am sweating. But most importantly…

I was only dreaming.

Ugh my head hurts. Why did I have to wake up from that dream?

I turned to face my bedside table to pick up my tumbler and drink some water before checking up on Nana. It became my habit to check onto her here and then.

“Nana? Are you okay?”

“I am okay, Sandra!” She replied. She’s still busy enjoying her show which indicates that I’ve only been sleeping for quite a short time. I walked to the kitchen and my eyes accidentally wandered to the trash bin beside the refrigerator.  It has only one piece of garbage—the crumpled flyer my uncle gave me.

Out of curiosity, I decided to look at it again now that my anger with him has died down. Upon reading the information listed, I realized that maybe it’s worth a try. Maybe my mother is telling me that I should take this seriously that’s why she appeared in my dream.

After all, I have nothing else left to do with my free time.

I stood up from the trash bin and walked towards the telephone and dialled the number of my uncle.

“Hello?” I heard him speak on the other line. 

“I’m in…What should we do with Nana?” I stated the moment he picked up.

“Great. Leave that on me.” He replied after a few seconds of silence.