CHAPTER 1
2448 Words
“Rieka!”
I gasped. I heard it loud and crystal clear. I looked around for the second time but I was still alone inside this room. And I am also sure that I heard the voice inside my head! Not around the room…
Oh my god!
Am I going crazy?
Maybe my mind has gone haywire after what happened last night.
“You’re not crazy,” the voice calmly said, but it didn't stop me from panicking!
I shook my head vigorously.
“No! This isn’t happening!” I stood up, determined to ignore the voice, but it kept on bugging me.
“Rieka listen to me! My name is Daciana,” the voice kept on talking to me.
What is that voice? Is there a ghost here? A restless soul that’s looking for justice?
“I am not a ghost!” the voice almost screamed. “I have a name! I told you, it’s Daciana!” it insisted.
All my body hair stood to its ends and my heartbeat raced. This is an old building, it’s not impossible that somebody died here. Died, murdered or committed suicide? My whole body shivered in fear at those thoughts.
But I can’t just move to another dorm. This is the only place that I can afford around here. What will I do?
“Why don’t you try to listen to me first?” she snapped.
“No!” I screamed and covered my ears with my hands. “I don’t hear anything! La la la…” I started singing loudly to keep the voice from bothering me.
I should get going now. Today is my first day at work and I don’t want to give them a bad impression, so I have to get ready instead of entertaining these hallucinations. I have to be there on time or even earlier. After taking a quick shower, I got ready for my job.
This time, the voice had already disappeared. I couldn’t hear it anymore. I shrugged my shoulders, thinking that it was just a dream or a product of my wild imagination.
In just a few minutes, I was already skipping out of the dorm building. It’s still too early so I decided to look for something to eat first. A noodle house seemed to be calling my nostrils so I went there. I checked for the prices first.
My budget now is very limited. I have to save so that it will last until I get my first salary at the coffee shop. When I saw that they had very affordable prices, I ordered and started eating while thinking about my plans.
I will work at the coffee shop in the morning, then attend my classes at the university in the afternoon. I know it’s going to be tough, but I have to work hard for my dreams. I have laid out everything on my mind.
I will finish my studies no matter what, then look for a good-paying job to be able to support my grandparents. They’re all that I have in this life and they’re not getting any younger, so I want to give them what they deserve.
I want to give them a good life and I will work hard to achieve it.
I’m still not full after eating the bowl of noodles, but that will have to do now. I paid for it before heading to the coffee shop. It’s a little far from my dorm. Around fifteen minutes on foot, but I’ll just walk to save some money.
“Good morning Ma’am!” I greeted the shop’s manager right after I walked in.
“Good morning. You’re Rieka, right?” she smiled at me.
“Yes.” I shyly answered.
“It’s still early for your shift but that’s better. C’mon, I’ll introduce you to your co-worker.” I followed her as she walked to the counter.
“Tanya.” She called to the girl standing there.
She’s petite, and the top of her head barely reached my chin. Maybe she’s around my age too. She looked so cute with her almond eyes that almost disappeared into thin lines when she smiled as she saw us.
“Hi!” she waved giddily at me.
She’s like a small ball of energy. It looked like she had a lot of caffeine. That’s why she’s so hyper. She must have sniffed too much coffee since the aroma of the coffee beans can be smelled throughout the shop. I can almost taste it.
“She looks kind. She can be our friend.” The voice whispered. I bit my tongue to stop myself from screaming in fear.
Instead, I returned Tanya’s smile but I’m afraid that it came out awkwardly.
"This is Rieka, our new part-time employee. Rieka, this is Tanya. She’s been with us for two years and she will be the one to train you this week. Then on Monday, you'll be on your own already." the manager explained.
“Okay, Ma’am.” We blurted almost at the same time.
“Good. Tanya, please take charge.” She ordered before leaving us.
“Hello, Rieka! Do you have a nickname or something?” Tanya asked immediately.
“You can call me Rei,” I replied timidly.
“Rei… You’re so pretty! And…” she trailed, then tiptoed to have a closer look at my face.
“What’s the color of your eyes? Gray?” she asked in an amazing voice.
“Uhm… yeah?” I started to feel awkward about our closeness but I didn’t know how to react. I don’t want to offend her.
I almost sighed in relief when I heard the sound of the wind chime at the shop’s entrance. We both stood up properly.
“Just watch me first.” She whispered before turning her attention to our new customer.
“Hi, Sir! Good morning.” I was looking intently at her face when I felt her elbow nudging my side.
“What are you waiting for? Greet him!” she whispered again. It brought me back to my senses.
“Good morning Sir,” I said in a clear voice. Tanya then took his orders while I stood at her side, watching everything she did carefully.
“You attended the orientation, right?” Tanya turned to me after giving out the man’s orders.
“Yes, last week. Why?” I asked.
“You seem to be clueless. Don’t forget to greet the customers right away.” She reminded me, to which I just nodded in response.
“Come here, I will show you how to use this.” She motioned to the computer in front of her.
She patiently explained everything to me while I was listening intently. I even took out my small notepad to take down important notes. We stop every time a customer comes. At those times, I am just observing what she does.
Then, after a while, she let me fiddle with the computer to get used to it. She remained standing beside me, looking at whether I was doing the right thing or not. She also introduced me to the other crew members who were passing in front of us.
“Are you foreign here?” she asked later on.
I scratched the back of my head after hearing it. I am so used to that question, but up until now I didn’t know how to answer it.
“I don’t know.” I shrugged.
“I know!” the voice chimed inside my head at the same time, but I ignored it.
“I’m sure you’re not a native here,” Tanya pressed.
“Well, my grandparents are. But they didn’t know who my father was. My mom died after giving birth to me, so I don’t know…” I explained.
“Oops. Sorry! Sorry I didn’t know.” She looked really regretful after that.
“No, it’s okay. It’s been a long time. I’m used to it.” I tried to assure her.
“But you really look so beautiful! I’m sure your father is foreign! You’re so tall! Your skin and eyes are not normal colors here either. Why don’t you try modelling instead?” she asked all of a sudden.
“You’ll earn more that way! I can be your manager. Oh my gosh, we’re gonna be rich!” she excitedly said while jumping in her place.
“I surely won’t pass as a model,” I answered nonchalantly.
“What?! Have you seen yourself in the mirror?!” she gushed. I think she’s exaggerating.
“There are so many models out there who are not even beautiful! They’re just tall and lanky!” she’s grinning widely while saying those things. Is she even for real?
“I’m telling you, modelling agencies will line up before you!” she insisted.
“I won’t be allowed to do that.” And it's not like I would want to, either.
“Wait a minute, if you don’t have parents, then it means that you grew up with your grandparents?” she asked again and I just nodded in response.
“Oh! So that’s why!” she snapped her fingers in the air.
“Huh?” I got confused about what she was saying.
“That explains why you look so conservative and old-fashioned! Oops, no offense meant!” she made a peace sign with her fingers.
We had just stopped talking when another customer walked in.
I was busy watching how Tanya worked her way through the counter when I suddenly felt like someone was watching me. I looked back and saw a guy, maybe a few years older than me, sitting at a distant table while looking at me.
When he noticed that I was looking back at him, he looked away. I just shrugged it off. He must have been curious about me too, just like Tanya. It’s not new to me anyway. I usually get those curious looks thrown my way, since I’m not so similar to the people who live around here.
Tanya may be right. My father must be from another race. People here are usually dark-skinned. That’s why I always stand out with my pale white skin. So it’s just normal for people to be curious about me. I get it.
After six hours, I finally finished my shift.
“Where do you live?” Tanya asked when we walked out of the building. We have the same shift because she’s the one who’s training me. She wanted to go home together too, but got disappointed when she realized that we had to go on separate ways.
It’s a relief to me, on the other hand. She has been talking non-stop the whole day and I just want some peace of mind now after a long day.
“I thought we could walk together, but that’s okay. See you tomorrow!” she beamed, which revealed her perfect set of teeth.
“Yeah, see you.” I smiled before turning around to go home.
I feel so exhausted but I still chose to walk. I dropped by at a grocery store to buy something to eat. It will be more expensive to buy every meal, so I might just stock up on bread and some sandwich spread. That will be more convenient too. I also bought a few instant noodles and canned goods.
After paying, I carried the bag outside. This will probably last until I get my first salary. I still have some money left, but I need to save it in case I need something for school.
I was walking my way to the dormitory when shivers ran down my spine at the same time that I felt footsteps behind me. It seemed to be following me, so I hastily looked back but didn’t see anything unusual. Everyone looks like they’re minding their own business.
That’s weird.
I was almost sure that someone was following me…
“Yes, I also felt it,” the voice said. I gasped, startled by the voice again. I don't think I can get used to someone talking inside my own head.
I sighed before walking again. This time, I walked a little faster so that I could be in the comfort of my room. That is if I will be comfortable there even with another presence.
When I reached my building, I started running until I reached my bedroom. I took my phone out while closing the door behind me.
“Granny!” I almost screamed when she finally answered.
“Why did you call just now?!” I heard her nagging voice immediately and it made me feel at ease.
“I was already convincing your grandpa to go there to check on you!”
“Granny, I’m okay! I’m sorry I wasn’t able to call earlier. I just got home from work.”
“Are you sure?” she pressed.
“Yes I’m okay. How about you and Gramps? Please don’t work too much and stop stressing yourself about me.” I told her.
“Rei, I can’t do that. You’re on your own out there and I don’t know what’s happening to you. You can’t just stop me from worrying," she sighed. "Your Gramps is asleep now.”
I nodded even though she couldn't see me. He must have been tired from working on the farm.
“I told you not to work too much. I can earn enough for myself.”
“You know how your grandpa is. He is stubborn just like you!” she accused and I just giggled.
“Did you eat?” she asked after a while.
“Yes.” I couldn’t stifle my yawn after that.
“You should take some rest now.” She said in a worried voice.
“Yeah, you too. Bye granny!” I turned off the call after saying goodbye.
Then I changed my clothes before plopping myself on the bed. I don’t know why I feel like this. I usually help with the farm but I never felt this tired. Today, I am so exhausted and my whole body seems to be sore. My muscles and bones are all painful. Even my knuckles and nails are hurting! Maybe because of what happened last night?
Should I get myself checked?
I grunted before turning to lie on my stomach, trying to find a more comfortable position. I never expected that I would be this tired if I did nothing but stand and observe there. What more if I really start working and studying at the same time?
Ah! I don’t want to think about it now…
- Writer
