DAYMARE 3: First Day, M'aidez

I loathe myself for being such a big slowpoke. Of all the turtles, I'm probably the queen of turtles. Compared to this country’s state of internet connection, I’m worse than it.

I scoffed and looked at Mommy. “You’re kidding, right?”

Daddy shook his head, smiling. I gazed at Mom, but she just shrugged.

They’re teasing me, ugh! "So, after all, this was your plan?"

“Uh-huh,” Mom answered.

I put my palm on my face. The heck!

I even asked Mom when the answer is obvious. Great, just great. I complimented myself for being dense.

“Come on. Let’s enter our new home altogether.” Daddy went into the main entrance of the new home.

Yes, it looks new, but I know it's not brand new. They said we’re renting this.

I approached the two of them, and they opened the door. I saw inside it. It’s clean, bare, simple, and seems okay.

“At the count of three.” Dad positioned us.

He’s on my right, and Mom is on my left. We held hands.

Dad started counting. “One, two, three!”

At the count of 2.5 seconds, I stepped forward because I’m getting impatient.

What’s with Dad’s gimmick, anyway?

"Hestral!" I got startled when Dad called me when I was already inside, wandering around the house.

"What?" I glanced back at him.

"I said, at the count of three, but you already stepped away."

Oh no, Dad noticed that. How sharp his eyes are.

“I didn’t mean to. And what’s with the stepping altogether to enter the house?”

Well, there's a rumor that if you're moving to a new house, all members of the family must step into the house simultaneously. Reason? It seems to be about a luck that drives away evil elements. And it’s silly that Dad believes that.

“Hestral” Dad called out to me.

"Let it go," Mom interrupted.

Dad calmed down. “Change that attitude of yours.”

What a big deal that he got angry with me like that.

I just continued roaming around inside. I went up to the second floor and saw three bedrooms. And of course, the most comfortable room I choose would be my room. Glad that this house isn’t bad at all. It seems that this house is the-

Wait! I haven’t asked them where we are yet.

I went downstairs immediately and saw Dad hauling stuff with the moving company workers. Mom was meditating on our new house, inhaling fresh air from open windows.

“Oh, Hestral. Help your dad unpack our things.”

“Mom, answer me… Where are we?”

She chuckled. What’s funny? "We're in your father's province."

Province?!

“I’m sorry, dear. We waited this long to tell you because we knew you wouldn’t agree.”

Definitely! Who wouldn't go on strike if someone found out that she had suddenly moved to a house in the province where she had never experienced living there?

I shouldn’t be surprised that we are in a province because there are only trees, and our house is probably the biggest in the area.

"Mom!"

"Well, we just want to surprise you."

Surprise? Instead of being delighted, I became more frustrated.

"It's a strange surprise, then."

“Everything has been completely arranged, so you don’t have to worry, okay?”

I got a poker face and asked Mom. "Are there any mosquitoes here?"

"Hmm… I'm not sure because-"

"Is there a signal here?"

"Of course,"

"Is the Wi-Fi strong here?"

“I think so. There are computer shops down the road.

"Is there a mall here?"

“When you take a ride. Maybe 50-55 minutes? A little far from here.”

"Tea and coffee shop?"

“I guess they don’t have that. You can make it for yourself.”

“Public transpo?”

“We own a car, Hestral.”

Yes, but we only have one at the moment. We left the other one in the city. I need at least a tricycle so I can explore the area alone.

“Can we make friends here?”

It's not that we can't live without friends; I just noticed earlier that we don't have a neighbor. This place is remote. What if there are emergencies and we need help from a neighbor?

“Your dad already met someone a few kilometers from here.” That far? That doesn't count as a neighbor.

“Where can I buy snacks? I’ve seen no single convenience store here.”

I just can’t live without those because I need them to calm my nerves by doing an impulsive food hopping.

"Hestral-"

"Is there a school here? What about my studies?"

“Hestral, calm down, okay? We won't let you move in here if the school isn't good.”

That shut me up. I’m just making sure that my needs will be met, then I will accept defeat and force myself to live in this isolated area.

Grrr. I hope they understand me. I'm from the biggest city in this country. I'm a city girl and used to dealing with many people, seeing tall buildings, inhaling black smoke, tolerating congestion, and heat. This must be an ultimate change for good.

I have never lived in the province, and I know almost nothing about living in the province. They are partly at fault for raising me with a princess life. That's why I'm not the only one who's having a hard time with myself, but also them.

If I only knew we were moving to this province, I would have practiced various household chores before without being a burden at home. Mom said we don't have a maid here, so I can learn to do chores myself. Ugh. They should’ve at least told me earlier about this.

“But isn’t this place so peaceful?” Mom is still there, staring out the window.

"Somehow"

We have no neighbors but just vacant lots and more trees. Houses and establishments are far away. The mall is farther. Public vehicles rarely pass by. There are only a few inhabitants, so I feel we own this area. But what I like is, it seems peaceful. This is the only place I can breathe fresh air that you can't breathe in Metro City.

I can be optimistic sometimes.